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Piles of harvested white and gray salt sit in neat lines stretching diagonally along a field. The field is just barely covered in water.

Human activity is making the world's supply of freshwater increasingly saltier. Scientists are sounding the alarm. Getty Images hide caption

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Short Wave

The world’s freshwater is getting saltier. Why?

Around the world, the planet’s freshwater is getting saltier. And it’s because of people. For decades, salting roads, fertilizer run-off and evaporation driven by human-caused climate change have upped the salinity of lakes, rivers and groundwater. All that salt is detrimental to a lot of aquatic life and can be problematic for drinking water, too. But there’s still time to reverse course. In fact, many people have already started to change their ways. Today, producer Berly McCoy is on the case to see what solutions exist. 

The world’s freshwater is getting saltier. Why?

Listen · 12:25
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Dry, cracked land sits in the foreground in front of a small strip of water across the middle of the photo. The background is more dry land, some hills covered in sage-like bushes, some high, flat, rocky cliffs and a line white church-like building under a clear sky.

Hundreds of the world's aquifers are being drained faster than they can refill. Artur Debat/Getty Images hide caption

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Artur Debat/Getty Images

Short Wave

The world has a groundwater problem. Can we solve it?

Groundwater is responsible for about half of the water people use globally. It’s drying up. Hayes Kelman started noticing the family farm in western Kansas was slowly getting less water around the time he was in high school. Now, as an adult and co-owner of Kelman farms, he is acutely aware that there’s a problem: the aquifer he uses to water his crops is being drained faster than it can be refilled. If something doesn’t change, someday it will run out of water.

The world has a groundwater problem. Can we solve it?

Listen · 12:44
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People stand in a line holding empty water bottles.

Cape Town residents queue to refill water bottles at Newlands Brewery Spring Water Point on January 30, 2018, in Cape Town, South Africa. Morgana Wingard/Getty Images hide caption

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Morgana Wingard/Getty Images

Short Wave

As wells run dry, experts say we're beyond a water crisis

In honor of World Water Day, Short Wave is exploring the ways water touches our lives. From increasing water shortages around the world, to how it’s affecting agriculture and aquifers. We’re starting with “day zero”: the day a city or place runs out of water. Cape Town, Mexico City, Chennai in India are just a few places that have come close to day zero events. Today, we talk to experts and hear from someone who lived in Cape Town during the crisis about why we’re overdue for rethinking our relationship to water. 

Day Zero: When the wells run dry

Listen · 11:53
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A field of wild-growing scarlet monkeyflowers, five-petaled bright red flowers with a slightly trumpet-like shape.

Usually, a scarlet monkeyflower left without water will die within days. But in California, scientists found several natural populations of the species that had survived intense drought. How? REDA/Getty Images hide caption

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REDA/Getty Images

Short Wave

How did these flowers evolve to survive a megadrought?

A multi-year megadrought in the Western U.S. has claimed untold populations of wild plants. Amid the conditions, some have survived. Scientists have produced a stunningly complete picture about how populations of one particular flower – the scarlet monkeyflower – made it through. 

How did these flowers evolve to survive a megadrought?

Listen · 8:19
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In an effort to challenge the Trump administration's views on autism spectrum disorder, a new independent panel of experts plans to meet just weeks after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed 21 new members to the federal panel.

In an effort to challenge the Trump administration's views on autism spectrum disorder, a new independent panel of experts plans to meet just weeks after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed 21 new members to the federal panel. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images hide caption

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Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images

New autism group meets to counter MAHA's 'ideological agenda'

Autism experts plan to convene in Washington Thursday to propose a research agenda at odds with the one endorsed by the Trump Administration.

A new study finds that Haruka Osaki.

A new paper in the journal Royal Society Open Science describes evidence that the wood-feeding cockroach Salganea taiwanensis may engage in a behavior known as pair bonding. Haruka Osaki hide caption

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Haruka Osaki

These roaches form exclusive long-term relationships after eating each other's wings

Salganea taiwanensis, a kind of wood-feeding cockroach, may engage in what's known as pair bonding, a new study finds.

These roaches form exclusive long-term relationships after eating each other's wings

Listen · 4:14
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An upside-down triangle filled with illustrations of different foods. The words "protein, dairy, and healthy fats" are on the top left of the triangle. Those words are surrounded by drawings including a chicken, a steak, a salmon, butter and whole milk. The words "vegetables and fruits" are at the top right, surrounded by drawings of carrots, lettuce, broccoli and other fruits and vegetables. The words "whole grains" are on the bottom point of the triangle surrounded by a loaf of bread and oats.

The new dietary guidelines were announced earlier this year and place more emphasis on meat and dairy than previous guidelines. U.S. Department of Agriculture/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hide caption

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U.S. Department of Agriculture/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Short Wave

A dietitian and doctor review RFK Jr's new food pyramid

The new food pyramid was released earlier this year. It emphasizes protein, full-fat dairy and what Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calls “healthy fats.” These guidelines influence the standards for  school lunches, food labeling and programs like SNAP. Today on the show, Short Wave co-host Emily Kwong chats with registered dietitian nutritionist Shana Spence, and Dr. Sarah Kim, a diabetes specialist, about the new guidelines. Plus, NPR’s Reflect America fellow Kadin Mills unpacks how the new food pyramid could change school lunch trays. 

A dietician and doctor review RFK Jr's new food pyramid

Listen · 12:32
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An experiment in nature-inspired design is underway in a South Florida residential canal. Two mangrove planters are being installed on a new seawall to provide habitat for marine wildlife.

An experiment in nature-inspired design is underway in a South Florida residential canal. Two mangrove planters are being installed on a new seawall to provide habitat for marine wildlife. Nathan Rott/NPR hide caption

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Nathan Rott/NPR

Bringing marine life back to South Florida's 'forgotten edge'

Seawalls are great at protecting property and people. A new nature-inspired seawall add-on is trying to make them better at protecting marine wildlife too.

Mangrove Sea Walls - Artificial habitats

Listen · 5:36
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The dark oil-soot residue from Tehran's petroleum storage facilities that were struck during a U.S.-Israeli military campaign collects down a drain with rainwater.

US-Israeli airstrikes on oil depots culminated in 'black rain' in Iran early last week – a phenomenon usually caused by large amounts of soot, carbon, and other pollutants in the air. Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Getty Images hide caption

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Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Short Wave

‘Black rain’ in Iran and the environmental cost of war

US-Israeli airstrikes on oil depots culminated in ‘black rain’ in Iran early last week – a phenomenon usually caused by large amounts of soot, carbon and other pollutants in the air. Usually, rain leaves the atmosphere cleaner than it was before. But in this case, the rain left Tehran’s residents with sore throats and burning eyes. Oily, sooty residue was all over the city. So, we talked to an environmental pollution expert to find out: What’s in this ‘black rain’, what are its potential short- and long-term environmental and health effects, and what could recovery look like?

‘Black rain’ in Iran and the environmental cost of war

Listen · 12:50
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Illustration of two versions of the same woman with long brown hair and a green shirt. The one on the left sits at a table in front of a piece of cake, fork in hand, face in the other hand, looking sad. The other woman stands over her pointing with an angry expression and the other hand on her hip.

Neuroscientists say the pleasure response helps us survive as a species. undrey/Getty Images hide caption

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undrey/Getty Images

Short Wave

This is your brain on pleasure (even the guilty kind)

It’s likely you have at least one “guilty pleasure.” Maybe it’s romance novels. Or reality TV… Playing video games… or getting swept into obscure corners of TikTok. Neuroscientists say the pleasure response helps us survive as a species. So why do we feel embarrassed by some of the things we love the most? Even if you don't have these negative emotions, experiencing – and studying – pleasure is not as straightforward as it might seem. For a long time, neuroscientists thought the concept of "pleasure" referred to a singular system in the brain. But as research into the subject grew, scientists realized that pleasure is really a cycle of "wanting" and "liking" – each with separate neural mechanisms. Today on the show, producer Rachel Carlson explores this cycle with researchers, who weigh in on the science of pleasure. Even the kind that makes us feel guilty. 

This is your brain on pleasure (even the guilty kind)

Listen · 13:41
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A frozen surface with a dark, star-shaped pattern in the front center. The surrounding ice is white and gray

Lake stars form when a specific set of conditions are met on a frozen lake Berly McCoy/NPR hide caption

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Berly McCoy/NPR

Short Wave

An icy mystery: What are lake stars?

When producer Berly McCoy was out on her local frozen lake, she saw something she'd never seen before. There were dark spidery, star-shaped patterns in the ice and they freaked her out. So, we called an expert to find out more about them. In today’s episode, geophysicist Victor Tsai tells us about lake stars and how he became the first person to scientifically prove how they form. Plus, he explains how knowing more about lake stars can potentially give us clues about the presence of water on Europa, one of Jupiter’s icy moons.

An icy mystery: What are lake stars?

Listen · 12:20
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NASA employees brief the media on Thursday at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. about the delayed Artemis II mission. The news conference focused on revisions and fixes being done to the rocket components.

NASA employees brief the media on Thursday at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. about the delayed Artemis II mission. The news conference focused on revisions and fixes being done to the rocket components. Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images

Space

NASA targets Artemis II crewed moon mission for April 1 launch

A six-day launch window opens on April 1 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The lunar orbital mission would be the first time humans have returned to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Squatting near the ground outdoors, Bhavin Misra and his son, Rumi, hold opposite sides of a black, square solar panel with a grid pattern on it while assembling a plug-in solar kit at their home in Houston.

Bhavin Misra and his son, Rumi, attach a solar panel while assembling a plug-in solar kit at their home in Houston. David J. Phillip/AP hide caption

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David J. Phillip/AP

Climate

Easy-to-use solar panels are coming, but utilities are trying to delay them

Utilities are convincing lawmakers around the U.S. to delay bills that would allow people to buy solar panels, plug them into an outlet and begin generating electricity.

Easy-to-use solar panels are coming, but utilities are trying to delay them

Listen · 3:51
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People in the remnants of a home in London, Kentucky after it was hit by a tornado in May 2025. Home insurance costs are expected to increase this year in states that have suffered hail and tornado damage from big convective storms.

People in the remnants of a home in London, Kentucky after it was hit by a tornado in May 2025. Home insurance costs are expected to increase this year in states that have suffered hail and tornado damage from big convective storms. ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images/AFP hide caption

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ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images/AFP

Climate

2025 saw relatively fewer natural disasters. Will you get a break on home insurance?

Disaster costs fell in the U.S. in 2025. Still, it was the fourth time in five years that extreme weather inflicted more than $100 billion in annual losses. Industry experts say the growing financial toll will make insurers wary of rushing to cut rates.

2025 saw relatively fewer natural disasters. Will you get a break on home insurance?

Listen · 2:37
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Aerial view of a large whale swimming just below the surface of clear turquoise water, with a smaller whale alongside it, their bodies visible through the sunlit sea.

Scientists finally figured out why hundreds of gray whales washed up on the west coast, dead. NOAA hide caption

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NOAA

Short Wave

We saved gray whales from extinction. Why are so many dying again?

In 1999 hundreds of gray whales washed up along the west coast of North America. More in 2000. They lost an estimated 25% of their population. But then the whale population recovered and people moved on. Until it happened again in 2019. And 2020, and 2021. It’s still happening today. Host Regina G. Barber dives into this mystery with marine ecologist Joshua Stewart, who explains how scientists like himself solved it – and the tough questions that came up along the way. 

We saved gray whales from extinction. Why are so many dying again?

Listen · 13:11
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This animation shows a GLP-1 injector injecting into a blue brain, and then concentric purple waves emanate from the brain. The animation is set against a light blue background.

People taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic for diabetes were less likely to be diagnosed with substance use disorder, a new study shows. Maria Fabrizio for NPR hide caption

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Maria Fabrizio for NPR

GLP-1s have transformed weight loss and diabetes. Is addiction next?

A large study found that people taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic for diabetes were less likely to be diagnosed with substance use disorder.

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic can curb addiction risk, study finds

Listen · 3:57
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Illustration of seven light skinned family members standing next to each other in order of height in front of a brownish gray background. Most are wearing bright yellow tops and green bottoms

Gay people often have older brothers. In the 1990s, this was dubbed the "fraternal birth order effect. J.Stone/Imazins/Getty Images hide caption

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J.Stone/Imazins/Getty Images

Short Wave

Sibling order may affect sexuality and identity

Today, guest host Selena Simmons-Duffin is exploring a detail very personal to her: How the number of older brothers a person has can influence their sexuality.

Sibling order may affect sexuality and identity

Listen · 12:24
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A collage of black-and-white photos of Jeffrey Epstein's mug shot next to photos of scientists Stephen Hawking and Lawrence Krauss, all against a background of galaxies, black holes and Nobel Prize medals.

Jeffrey Epstein funded science research and created a conference in 2006 that was organized by theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss. Stephen Hawking and other notable scientists attended the event in the U.S. Virgin Islands. JPL-Caltech/NASA, Getty Images and Department of Justice/Collage by Emily Bogle/NPR hide caption

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JPL-Caltech/NASA, Getty Images and Department of Justice/Collage by Emily Bogle/NPR

National

Epstein paid for a conference of top scientists in 2006. His motives are now clear

A 2006 conference for physicists in the U.S. Virgin Islands that included a trip to Jeffrey Epstein's private island shows how he used his wealth to build relationships with prominent scientists.

Epstein paid for a conference of top scientists in 2006. His motives are now clear

Listen · 3:38
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Researchers collected and analyzed urine from chimpanzees who'd eaten fermented fruit to determine how much alcohol they'd consumed.

Researchers collected and analyzed urine from chimpanzees in a Ugandan forest after they'd eaten fermented fruit to determine how much alcohol they'd consumed. Sharifah Namaganda hide caption

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Sharifah Namaganda

Chimps' taste for fermented fruit hints at the origins of humans' love of alcohol

Scientists analyzed the urine of wild chimpanzees who'd feasted on fallen fruit to see how much alcohol they consumed from the fermented sugars.

Chimps' taste for fermented fruit

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