Short Wave

Mirror cells could threaten life on Earth. Why are we building them?

For people with two hands, one is usually dominant. On a molecular level, earthly life takes this to the extreme. All of the DNA in living things twists to the right, whereas the protein building blocks favor a kind of left-handed chemistry. The rules of life are based on this chemistry. In recent years, scientists have worked toward a kind of mirror version of life. Currently, the technology doesn't exist to make mirror life at the cellular level — and likely won't for at least a decade. Still, a group of scientists is concerned enough about the possibility that they've published a 299-page technical report [https://purl.stanford.edu/cv716pj4036] calling for a stop to the science. In this encore episode for our Tech Camp series, host Regina Barber [https://www.npr.org/people/1082526815/regina-g-barber] talks to Carl Zimmer [https://www.nytimes.com/by/carl-zimmer], a science reporter at The New York Times, about his reporting on mirror cells — and why creating them could lead to devastating consequences for life on Earth. Check out Carl's full article [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/science/mirror-life-microbes-research.html]. Curious about other controversial research? Email us at shortwave@npr.org [shortwave@npr.org]. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org [http://plus.npr.org/]. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

The Midnight Rebellion: Almost Midnight

WBUR’s The Midnight Rebellion is a one-of-a-kind podcast: a “choose your own”-style show set 100 years in the future when the climate has gone haywire, and it’s up to you to save the planet. Rooted in science, this fictional adventure was created for kids and grown-ups alike.  Each chapter ends with a choice. You decide what’s next. Choose wisely. Listen to the rest and follow The Midnight Rebellion wherever you get your podcasts [https://link.mgln.ai/midnight]. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

The red flags that may be hiding in your poop

When’s the last time you looked at your poop? Dr. Trisha Pasricha says you should look every time because it could save your life. A change in bowel habits is the number one indicator someone might have colon cancer, a disease on the rise in people under 50 in the United States. Host Regina Barber [https://www.npr.org/people/1082526815/regina-g-barber] gets into what’s driving this trend with Trisha; plus, some shapes and colors you should keep an eye out for (did you know silver poop is a thing sometimes?).  If you liked this episode, check out our first episode with Dr. Trisha: Are you pooping all wrong? [http://lnk.to/HSZe4h] Interested in more science health news? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org [shortwave@npr.org]. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org [http://plus.npr.org/]. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

Shooting stars are just pea-sized rocks... and other space wonders

Ahead of the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, we're re-airing our first episode with host Regina G. Barber [https://www.npr.org/people/1082526815/regina-g-barber]. In it, Regina and planetary scientist Melissa Rice [https://geology.wwu.edu/people/ricem5] explore all things shooting stars. They talk about the different types, where they come from and what they actually are (hint: not stars). Learn more about viewing the Perseids, which will peak Aug. 12: A Perfect Year for the Perseid Meteor Shower [https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-press-releases/a-perfect-year-for-the-perseid-meteor-shower/] Interested in more stellar science in the news? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org [shortwave@npr.org]. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. It includes perks like bonus episodes, early access, archive access, curated playlists and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org [http://plus.npr.org].  See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

More food and money, less disease: Senegal's surprising eco-experiment

In Senegal, rice farmers are trying to kill three birds with one stone – er, fish. Rice and fish are already a natural combination; they’re even the main ingredients of thieboudienne, the delicious national dish. But could that combination also reduce a debilitating disease, boost food security AND help farmers make more money? A team of researchers are conducting an ambitious experiment to see whether growing rice and fish together can be a win-win-win for Senegal, and NPR’s Jonathan Lambert [https://www.npr.org/people/703751120/jonathan-lambert] came along for the ride. Interested in more science-based biological solutions? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org [shortwave@npr.org]. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. It includes perks like bonus episodes, early access, archive access, curated playlists and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org [http://plus.npr.org]. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]