Short Wave

Back in the day, many of us heard that the appendix is a vestigial organ — at best, a body part that lost its purpose all those many years ago. At worst, an unnecessary clinger-on to the human body that, when ruptured, could be life threatening. But what if that narrative is wrong?

Heather Smith became obsessed with the appendix after hers was removed at age 12. After years of anatomy research, she's found that the appendix is not, in fact, useless. Reporter Selena Simmons-Duffin is in the host chair today to get the scoop on all things appendix.

Think it's time to give another part of the human body its due? Email us at [email protected] — we'd love to hear about it!

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Republican voters in Iowa have two presidential nominating contests next week, a primary on Tuesday and a caucus on Thursday. We explain why.

This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell & Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Erica Morrison. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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House Republicans in disagreement with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas's handling of the southern border want to impeach him. The move to impeach a cabinet secretary over a policy issue is historic and an example of Congress's changing 'rules.'

This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior editor and correspondent Ron Elving.

This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell & Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Erica Morrison. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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An all-out "naked mole rat war" has broken out at Smithsonian's National Zoo, after the queen of the colony was mortally wounded by one of her own children. Short Wave's Pien Huang and Margaret Cirino visit the battleground – a series of deceptively calm-looking plexiglass enclosures at the Zoo's Small Mammal House. There, the typically harmonious, eusocial rodents are now fighting their siblings with their big front teeth to determine who will become the new queen. Pien and Marge talk with zookeeper Kenton Kerns about what led to this violent succession drama, the stress he feels in witnessing his first naked mole rat war and how he hopes it will resolve.

NOTE: This episode contains some detailed descriptions of animals fighting each other, so be warned.

Check out the Smithsonian National Zoo's naked mole rat live cam.

Pondering the implications of other monarchies and social hierarchies? Email us at [email protected].

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Campaign spending increases each election cycle; this year, almost $16 billion will be spent on races across the country. Who is the money coming from and what do they get in return?

This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell & Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Erica Morrison. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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The border is a hot topic for politicians on both sides of the aisle — and now, on the campaign trail. After months of negotiations, a bipartisan group of senators plan to release details of an immigration deal. Now, lawmakers must decide if they'd rather have the political issue or the policy solution.

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and the Texas Newsroom's capitol reporter Sergio Martinez-Beltrán.

This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell & Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Erica Morrison. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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Every year, lightning is estimated to cause up to 24,000 deaths globally. It starts forest fires, burns buildings and crops, and causes disruptive power outages. The best, most practical technology available to deflect lightning is the simple lightning rod, created by Benjamin Franklin more than 250 years ago. But lightning rods protect only a very limited area proportional to their height. In today's encore episode, we explore why a group of European researchers are hoping the 21 century upgrade is a high-powered laser. Plus: Regina makes incremental progress on conquering her irrational fear of lightning.

Struck by other illuminating scientific research? Email us at [email protected].

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When the U.S. government and state of Florida unveiled a new plan to save the Everglades in 2000, the sprawling blueprint to restore the wetlands became the largest hydrological restoration effort in the nation's history. Two decades later, only one project is complete, the effort is $15 billion over budget and the Everglades is still dying. The new podcast Bright Lit Place from WLRN and NPR heads into the swamp to meet its first inhabitants, the scientists who study it and the warring sides struggling to find a way out of the muck. Today, we hear an excerpt as environment reporter Jenny Staletovich tags along with wetlands ecologist Evelyn Gaiser to the remotest part of the swamp.

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Former President Donald Trump's co-defendant in the election interference criminal case in Georgia is requesting the removal of the Fulton County district attorney and lead prosecutor from the case — after accusing them of having an improper relationship. We review the allegations and the impact on the impending trial.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, political reporter Stephen Fowler and national security correspondent Greg Myre.

This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell & Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Erica Morrison. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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At the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a wildlife preserve in central Kenya, lions and cheetahs mingle with zebras and elephants across many miles of savannah – grasslands with "whistling thorn" acacia trees dotting the landscape here and there. Twenty years ago, the savanna was littered with them. Then came invasive big-headed ants that killed native ants — and left the acacia trees vulnerable. Over time, elephants have knocked down many of the trees. That has altered the landscape — and the diets of other animals in the local food web.

Curious about other science news? Email us at [email protected].

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