Wow in the World: The NPR Archive : NPR

Wow in the World

G-Force Vs. Wasabi: How The Brain Registers Pain (encore)

March 22, 2021 • It's time for another spicy smack down in the world of Wow, and this time Gramma G-Force and a Naked Mole Rat go head to head in a battle of...Wasabi?! How will our fearless competitors handle the heat? And what does their brain have to do with it? A new scientific study just might have what it takes to predict the results before the competition even begins! It's The Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the World of the brain on pain! (originally aired 6/17/19)

G-Force Vs. Wasabi: How The Brain Registers Pain (encore)

Listen · 25:39 25:39

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Wow in the World

An Eyebrow Evolution! (encore)

March 15, 2021 • Once upon a time, our earliest human ancestors all had a permanent case of 'angry face' due to the big bony ridges on their foreheads. Over time we've evolved flexible brows that can communicate our complex emotions. Evolutionary anthropologists are trying to figure out why. Join Mindy and Guy Raz for an ancient family reunion, and discover the who, what, when, where, why, how and WOW in the world of eyebrows! (originally aired 8/13/18)

An Eyebrow Evolution! (encore)

Listen · 29:02 29:02

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Wow in the World

Spit-Take! The Science Of Saliva And Those Bitter Bites (encore)

March 8, 2021 • Having trouble breaking through the bitter bites of nature's leafiest greens and cocoa beans? Well before you do that spit-take, you may want to chew on this nature's candy just a little longer! New research suggests that the key savoring the bitter flavors of brussel sprouts, kale, and even coffee, can be found in your spit! Join Mindy and Guy Raz as they explore the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the World of SALIVA! (originally aired 9/10/18)

Spit-Take! The Science Of Saliva And Those Bitter Bites (encore)

Listen · 26:48 26:48

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Wow in the World

Are You Smarter Than A Toilet? (encore)

March 1, 2021 • Are you tired of the same old toilet? Mindy is! And thanks to a team of engineers at Stanford University, a newer, smarter, toilet is on the horizon! Join Mindy, Guy Raz, and Dennis at the Bathroom Showcase, as they learn the latest in new toilet technology! It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the world of SMART TOILETS! (Originally aired 5/4/20)

Are You Smarter Than A Toilet? (encore)

Listen · 28:18 28:18

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Wow in the World

What's Slower Than Slow? (encore)

February 22, 2021 • Sloths, snails and salamanders, when it comes to slow animals there's a bunch of different animals to choose from. But there's one animal that stands out above all the rest when it comes to being very ... very ... slow. But what animal is it? Mindy and Guy make their way down to the Snoozefest Arena for the annual 100m Not-A-Dash to find out! It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the World of epic slow pokes! (originally aired 4/27/20)

What's Slower Than Slow? (encore)

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Wow in the World

Ah, BATS! (encore)

February 15, 2021 • What in the world does Guy Raz's new micro house have in common with a tree hollow for vampire bats? And how in the world can humans learn about sharing from these blood slurping, flying mammals? And why in the world are they barfing into each other's mouths?! Join Mindy, Guy Raz, and the rest of their "colony" as they uncover these answers and more! It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the World of Vampire Bats! Originally aired 4/20/20

Ah, BATS! (encore)

Listen · 30:05 30:05

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Wow in the World

Nice-Off! Cats Vs Dogs (encore)

February 8, 2021 • It's a rivalry that goes back as far as time itself; Cats vs Dogs! For the past 10,000 years dogs have held the title of 'Man's Best Friend', but scientifically speaking, are dogs any more friendlier than your average feline? Well, luckily that's the topic of this years' "Nice-Off!"! Listen as Guy and Mindy face give play by play coverage as cats and dogs go head to head to settle this question once and for all! It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the World of furry four-legged behavior! Originally aired 4/13/20

Nice-Off! Cats Vs Dogs (encore)

Listen · 27:57 27:57

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Wow in the World

Laughter In A Can: How Our Brains Interpret Funny Business (encore)

February 1, 2021 • What in the wow is "canned laughter" and how in the world does it work? Join Mindy and Guy Raz as they explore the funny business of our brains on canned laughs! It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the World of LAUGHTER! Originally aired, 3/30/20

Laughter In A Can: How Our Brains Interpret Funny Business (encore)

Listen · 24:17 24:17

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Wow in the World

Listen To Your Mummy! (encore)

January 25, 2021 • A voice is calling from beyond the grave! Scientists from England have used computer modeling, a couple of CAT scans and a 3D printer to recreate the voice of a 3000 year old mummified priest! Join Mindy and Guy Raz as they travel back in time to see how close these scientists got to the real thing! It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How and Wow in the World of ancient human voices! Originally aired 2/23/20

Listen To Your Mummy! (encore)

Listen · 25:23 25:23

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Wow in the World

The Buzz on Bee Barf! (encore)

January 18, 2021 • Once upon a time, scientists believed that bees chose plants with the sweetest nectar. But new research shows that there's actually more to the story. Join Mindy and Guy Raz for an epic tale of one Gramma BEE-Force, and a bunch of barf - for SCIENCE! It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and WOW of bumblebee vomit. Originally aired 3/16/20

The Buzz on Bee Barf! (encore)

Listen · 30:01 30:01

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Wow in the World

Underwater Nit-Pickin': Cleaner Shrimp And Why Big Fish Won't Eat Them (Encore)

January 11, 2021 • Mindy is feeling the entrepreneurial spirit as she opens up a "Nit-Pickin'" stand to pluck the lice from her neighbors' heads. When Guy Raz asks her about her business model for this new enterprise, she replies by taking him on a wild under the sea adventure to explore the inspiration behind her nit-pickin' station. It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow of cleaner shrimp and their clientele. Originally Aired 3/2/20

Underwater Nit-Pickin': Cleaner Shrimp And Why Big Fish Won't Eat Them (Encore)

Listen · 29:44 29:44

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Wow in the World

A Scientific Songtacular (Encore)

January 4, 2021 • From pop to hip-hop and from disco to techno, humans love music! Monkey's on the other hand ... well that's a completely different question! Join Mindy and Guy Raz as they experiment with their new invention that turns speech into song, and quickly learn that not all animals have an appreciation for the musical arts! It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the World of monkey brains on music, in this 100th episode SONGTACULAR! Originally aired 12/23/19

A Scientific Songtacular (Encore)

Listen · 31:40 31:40

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Wow in the World

Tinkerclass (Week 2 Day 5): Reflect & Share (encore)

January 1, 2021 • It's day 5 of TINKERCLASS--the reflect and share phase. Today we share your reflections from this week's project inspired from the episode, Rat Race!

Tinkerclass (Week 2 Day 5): Reflect & Share (encore)

Listen · 4:57 4:57

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Wow in the World

Tinkerclass (Week 2 Day 4): Improve & Retest (encore)

December 31, 2020 • It's day 4 of TINKERCLASS--the improve and retest phase. See what you need to improve your speed! Then, test it again, and again and again and share your results with us! This week's project features the Wow in the World episode, Rat Race!

Tinkerclass (Week 2 Day 4): Improve & Retest (encore)

Listen · 2:39 2:39

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Wow in the World

Tinkerclass (Week 2 Day 3): Create & Test (encore)

December 30, 2020 • It's day 3 of TINKERCLASS--the create and test phase. Using your plan from yesterday, it's time to bring your idea to life! This week's project features the Wow in the World episode, Rat Race!

Tinkerclass (Week 2 Day 3): Create & Test (encore)

Listen · 2:48 2:48

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Wow in the World

Tinkerclass (Week 2 Day 2): Explore & Plan (encore)

December 29, 2020 • It's day 2 of TINKERCLASS--Explore & Plan. You won't need to collect your own mischief of rats to explore and plan your project. Just your favorite stuffed animal or action figure and stuff you have around your house to build a car. This week's project features the Wow in the World episode, Rat Race!

Tinkerclass (Week 2 Day 2): Explore & Plan (encore)

Listen · 2:03 2:03

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Wow in the World

Tinkerclass (Week 2 Day 1): Rat Race! (encore)

December 28, 2020 • Lab rats, start your engines! What in the world happened when scientists created tiny rodent-sized cars and taught rats how to drive? And why in the world are these four-legged creatures using their newfound freedom to pick up Froot Loops? And how in the world can all of this benefit us humans?! The rat race is on, and Mindy and Guy Raz are taking you for a ride! It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the World of rat brains behind the wheel! (originally aired 12/9/19).

Tinkerclass (Week 2 Day 1): Rat Race! (encore)

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Wow in the World

Two Whats!? And a Wow! - Holiday Wrap Battle

December 25, 2020 • Why does Guy Raz think Mindy wants to throw a rap battle? And what does this have to do with the HOLIDAYS?! We've got questions AND answers on this special, jolly round of Two Whats?! & A Wow! We're challenging you to separate the fact from the fiction about the HOLIDAYS!

Two Whats!? And a Wow! - Holiday Wrap Battle

Listen · 10:17 10:17

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Wow in the World

Chugga Chugga CHEW CHEW! The Science of Misophonia

December 21, 2020 • It's game night at Mindy's gingerbread mansion, and a rip roaring round of "What's that Sound" is on the menu. All goes well until Guy Raz begs to end the game as the "sounds" are more than his ears can handle! Why is it that certain sounds cause some people's brains to go bonkerballs? It's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the world of misophonia!

Chugga Chugga CHEW CHEW! The Science of Misophonia

Listen · 28:37 28:37

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Wow in the World

Two Whats!? And a Wow! - Oldie But a Goodie

December 18, 2020 • Why is Gramma G-Force donating some of her old items to the Unnatural History Museum? And what does this have to do with ANCIENT INNOVATIONS? We've got questions AND answers on another ol' episode of Two Whats?! & A Wow! We're challenging you to separate the fact from the fiction about ANCIENT INNOVATIONS!

Two Whats!? And a Wow! - Oldie But a Goodie

Listen · 10:12 10:12

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Wow in the World

Masking For A Friend: The Science of How Wearing A Mask Helps Us And Our Neighbors

December 14, 2020 • It's 2020's hottest fashion statement! But it's not just a great looking addition to your face, it's also a vitally important tool for keeping you and your loved ones safe during this weird and wacky time. Join Guy and Mindy as they explore the who, what, where, why, how and wow in the world of mask wearing!

Masking For A Friend: The Science of How Wearing A Mask Helps Us And Our Neighbors

Listen · 30:48 30:48

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Wow in the World

Two Whats!? And a Wow! - Sleep On It

December 11, 2020 • Guy Raz is making a schedule for the perfect slumber, and while Mindy might find his color-coded snoozing chart unusual, it's not half as unusual as the sleeping habits of some animals. On this round of Two Whats?! & A Wow, we challenge you to separate the fact from fiction on the science of animal sleeping behaviors!

Two Whats!? And a Wow! - Sleep On It

Listen · 10:59 10:59

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