Current:Home > StocksAstronomers have some big gravitational wave news-LoTradeCoin
Astronomers have some big gravitational wave news
View Date:2024-12-23 20:25:44
All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro returns to nerd-out with Regina G. Barber and Geoff Brumfiel on science in the news. They discuss the discovery of new gravitational waves, a robot prototype that draws design inspiration from nature and why orcas might be attacking boats along the coast of Europe.
A 'multi-modal' robot, inspired by nature
This week in the journal Nature Communications, a group of scientists describe a new robot they're working on — with funding from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory — inspired by the way animals use their limbs to move in different ways. They call it the "Multi-Modal Mobility Morphobot," or M4. It's being developed with search-and-rescue in mind, but could be useful in future space exploration as well.
Researchers have uncovered a new kind of gravitational wave
Scientists have new evidence that the fabric of space and time is rippling with gravitational waves as big as the Milky Way. The waves could be created by some of the biggest black holes in the universe. Black holes are thought to send out these elusive waves when they merge. Until now, researchers have only been able to detect gravitational waves from much smaller black holes. These newly detected waves could be a signal from the dawn of the universe itself. Learn more from NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce.
Orcas are attacking boats — and scientists can only guess why
As NPR's Scott Neuman reported this month, scientists can only guess why orcas — also known as killer whales — continue to attack boats in and around the Strait of Gibraltar, a busy waterway that links the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. One theory suggests the whales' action is the result of trauma. Others think it may be a form of play.
Have questions about science in the news? Email us at [email protected].
Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
This episode was produced by Megan Lim and Carly Rubin. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez, Brent Baughman and Christopher Intagliata. Brit Hanson checked the facts. The audio engineers were Ted Mebane and Robert Rodriguez.
veryGood! (337)
Related
- Dick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
- Lisa Rinna Reveals She Dissolved Her Facial Fillers Amid Reaction to Her Appearance
- Maryland members of Congress unveil bill to fund Baltimore bridge reconstruction
- Drake dismissed from Astroworld lawsuit following deadly 2021 music festival
- Steelers' Mike Tomlin shuts down Jayden Daniels Lamar comparison: 'That's Mr. Jackson'
- 'Puberty is messy': Amy Poehler introduces extended sneak peek at Pixar's 'Inside Out 2'
- See the cast of 'Ghosts' experience their characters' history at the Library of Congress
- Wild prints, trendy wear are making the Masters the center of the golf fashion universe
- Giuliani’s lawyers after $148M defamation judgment seek to withdraw from his case
- Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist Announce Divorce: Check the Status of More Bachelor Couples
Ranking
- Katharine Hayhoe’s Post-Election Advice: Fight Fear, Embrace Hope and Work Together
- Agreement could resolve litigation over services for disabled people in North Carolina
- Many taxpayers fear getting audited by the IRS. Here are the odds based on your income.
- A near-total ban on abortion has supercharged the political dynamics of Arizona, a key swing state
- Megan Fox Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby With Machine Gun Kelly
- World reacts to O.J. Simpson's death, from lawyers and victim's relatives to sports stars and celebrities
- DeSantis bans local governments from protecting workers from heat and limits police oversight boards
- Biden is canceling $7.4 billion in student debt for 277,000 borrowers. Here's who is eligible.
Recommendation
-
What Just Happened to the Idea of Progress?
-
Tearful Isabella Strahan Details Painful Third Brain Surgery Amid Cancer Battle
-
Mike Johnson meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago amid threat to speakership
-
US agency says it will investigate Ford gasoline leak recall that can cause engine compartment fires
-
As CFP rankings punish SEC teams, do we smell bias against this proud and mighty league?
-
Is sharing music your love language? Here's how to make a collaborative playlist
-
A human head was found in an apartment refrigerator. The resident is charged with murder
-
Maine sues biochemical giant over contamination from PCB-tainted products