Encore episode. Helium is the second-most common element in the cosmos, but it's far rarer on planet Earth. As part of our celebration of the periodic table's 150th birthday, correspondent Geoff Brumfiel shares a brief history of helium's ascent, to become a crucial part of rocket ships, MRI machines, and birthday parties.
Read more of Geoff's reporting on helium here.
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Consider This from NPR - Q & A: Voting And Acts Of Kindness
Bestselling author Cheryl Strayed joins NPR's Ari Shaprio as listeners share stories about acts of kindness they've experienced.
These excerpts come from NPR's nightly radio show about the coronavirus crisis, The National Conversation. In this episode:
-NPR reporter Miles Parks answers questions about how upcoming elections can be run safely.
-Cheryl Strayed, bestselling author of 'Wild' and host of the podcast Sugar Calling, joins NPR host Ari Shapiro to hear listeners' stories about acts of kindness during the pandemic.
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This episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
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These excerpts come from NPR's nightly radio show about the coronavirus crisis, The National Conversation. In this episode:
-NPR reporter Miles Parks answers questions about how upcoming elections can be run safely.
-Cheryl Strayed, bestselling author of 'Wild' and host of the podcast Sugar Calling, joins NPR host Ari Shapiro to hear listeners' stories about acts of kindness during the pandemic.
Find and support your local public radio station.
This episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Consider This from NPR - The Rural/Urban Divide; Safe Summer Activities
Democrats want another coronavirus relief bill. A sticking point for Republicans is $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits — which means some workers have been able to collect more money on unemployment than they did in their previous jobs.
Essential workers who have continued to work may have received temporary wage bumps. But NPR's Alina Selyukh reports many companies are ending that hazard pay.
Challenges to statewide stay-at-home orders are mounting in rural communities that have few coronavirus cases. NPR's Kirk Siegler reports on the dispute in Baker County, Oregon.
Plus, experts weigh in on the safety of different summer activities.
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This episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
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Essential workers who have continued to work may have received temporary wage bumps. But NPR's Alina Selyukh reports many companies are ending that hazard pay.
Challenges to statewide stay-at-home orders are mounting in rural communities that have few coronavirus cases. NPR's Kirk Siegler reports on the dispute in Baker County, Oregon.
Plus, experts weigh in on the safety of different summer activities.
Find and support your local public radio station
Sign up for 'The New Normal' newsletter
This episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
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Short Wave - What We Will — And Won’t — Remember About The Pandemic
There's no doubt we're living through a Big Historic Event, but that doesn't necessarily mean we'll remember it all that well. Shayla Love, a senior staff writer for VICE, explains what memory research and events from the past say we will and won't remember about living through the coronavirus pandemic. Plus, why essential workers may remember this time differently from people who are staying home.
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Consider This from NPR - Why Are Some Countries Doing Better Than Others?
A new study suggests the coronavirus is both more common and less deadly than it first appeared, NPR's Jon Hamilton reports.
From NPR's Joel Rose: a shortage of machines to process tests is the latest bottleneck in the pandemic supply chain.
Certain countries like New Zealand, Germany and several nations in Asia have been successful in controlling the coronvavirus. NPR's Jason Beaubien reports on how leadership played a strong role.
Mara Gay is 33-years-old, lives in New York City and got sick with COVID-19 in April. She spoke with NPR's Michel Martin about her long recovery process, despite being young and healthy.
Plus, two teenagers who were looking forward to competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which was cancelled this week.
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This episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
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From NPR's Joel Rose: a shortage of machines to process tests is the latest bottleneck in the pandemic supply chain.
Certain countries like New Zealand, Germany and several nations in Asia have been successful in controlling the coronvavirus. NPR's Jason Beaubien reports on how leadership played a strong role.
Mara Gay is 33-years-old, lives in New York City and got sick with COVID-19 in April. She spoke with NPR's Michel Martin about her long recovery process, despite being young and healthy.
Plus, two teenagers who were looking forward to competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which was cancelled this week.
Find and support your local public radio station
Sign up for 'The New Normal' newsletter
This episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
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Short Wave - The Pandemic Cut Down Car Traffic. Why Not Air Pollution?
An NPR analysis of a key air pollutant showed levels have not changed dramatically since the pandemic curbed car traffic in the U.S. NPR science reporter Rebecca Hersher and NPR climate correspondent Lauren Sommer explain why — and what really makes our air dirty.
Here's their story.
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Here's their story.
Email the show at shortwave@npr.org.
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Consider This from NPR - Global Vaccine Competition; More Than 100,000 Dead
According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 100,000 people have died in the United States from COVID-19, and experts at the World Health Organization warn a second peak of COVID-19 infections could occur during this first wave of the virus. Meanwhile, the global race for a vaccine is generating competition between nations, mainly the U.S. and China.
New numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal more than 60,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19, and almost 300 have died. This is a dramatic increase since the CDC first released numbers six weeks ago.
Bangladesh has extended its coronavirus lockdown — except for the garment factories. But with big brands canceling orders, workers face pay cuts, hunger and little to no social distancing.
Plus, an obituary writer reflects on COVID-19 deaths.
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This episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
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New numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal more than 60,000 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19, and almost 300 have died. This is a dramatic increase since the CDC first released numbers six weeks ago.
Bangladesh has extended its coronavirus lockdown — except for the garment factories. But with big brands canceling orders, workers face pay cuts, hunger and little to no social distancing.
Plus, an obituary writer reflects on COVID-19 deaths.
Find and support your local public radio station
Sign up for 'The New Normal' newsletter
This episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Short Wave - What Would It Be Like To Fall Into A Black Hole?
Black holes are one of the most beguiling objects in our universe. What are they exactly? How do they affect the universe? And what would it be like to fall into one? We venture beyond the point of no return with Yale astrophysicist Priyamvada Natarajan, into a fascinating world of black holes — where the laws of physics break down.
Talk the mysteries of our universe with Short Wave reporter Emily Kwong on Twitter @emilykwong1234. Email the show your biggest cosmological questions at shortwave@npr.org.
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Talk the mysteries of our universe with Short Wave reporter Emily Kwong on Twitter @emilykwong1234. Email the show your biggest cosmological questions at shortwave@npr.org.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Consider This from NPR - 99,000 People Dead And A Dire Summer Prediction
As the United States nears 100,000 coronavirus deaths and states begin to re-open, what's next for the country? Dr. Ashish Jha of Harvard's Global Health Institute cautions it's still early in the crisis.
Researchers have found the coronavirus was introduced to the U.S. in part by affluent travelers — but those weren't the people hit the hardest.
Cathy Cody owns a janitorial company in a Georgia community with a high rate of COVID-19. Her company offers a new service boxing up the belongings of residents who have died. Read or listen to the full story from NPR's Morning Edition.
Plus, rollerblading is having a moment.
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This episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
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Researchers have found the coronavirus was introduced to the U.S. in part by affluent travelers — but those weren't the people hit the hardest.
Cathy Cody owns a janitorial company in a Georgia community with a high rate of COVID-19. Her company offers a new service boxing up the belongings of residents who have died. Read or listen to the full story from NPR's Morning Edition.
Plus, rollerblading is having a moment.
Find and support your local public radio station
Sign up for 'The New Normal' newsletter
This episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Short Wave - Space Launch! (It’s Tomorrow And It’s Historic.)
Tomorrow, two NASA astronauts are set to head up into space on a brand new spacecraft, built by the company SpaceX. The last time NASA sent a crew up in an entirely new vehicle was in 1981 with the launch of the Space Shuttle. Maddie talks to NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce about tomorrow's launch and how it compares to that earlier milestone. We'll also look at how this public-private partnership is changing the future of space exploration.
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Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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