Emily Kwong

The most ferocious predator for us humans is actually quite small: the mosquito. They are hungry for blood, spreading diseases like malaria, yellow fever and dengue – and picking up new ones all the time. But what if we could wipe out the mosquito? Gene-editing technology could do it, potentially saving millions of lives. But it comes with serious potential for risk. Which begs the question: Should we get to decide when humanity rewrites nature? Here to discuss that is Ben Bradford, the host of a new podcast distributed by the NPR Network: Are We Doomed?Interested in more science? Email us your question at [email protected] to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.

Scientists have long studied inner experience, including inner speech (aka an "inner monologue"). Richard Drury/Getty Image hide caption

In Beyond Inheritance, Roxanne Khamsi explains gene mutation -- why it happens, what we know about it, and how it could shift our understanding of our own bodies.

Summer is here, your windows are open and the smell of…car exhaust and the latest wildfire are wafting in. This air pollution is harmful to almost every organ, including the brain. Today on Short Wave, we talk about one way air pollution may cloud your memory.Interested in more episodes about how where we live affects us? Email us your question at [email protected] and we may turn it into an episode!Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.

Is sewage the future of green aviation? Corn. Sewage. Cooking oil. All of them have been pitched as a possible alternative jet fuel ... but are any of them viable?

You pick up your phone to do one quick task, and suddenly 20 minutes have flown by without you even noticing. How do apps do that to you? Today on the show, we bring you an episode of Short Wave that explains how your phone is designed specifically to hold your attention.Fact checking by Tyler Jones.Connect with The Indicator — Sign up for The Indicator’s brand new newsletter— Buy the Planet Money book— Find our socials, YouTube and more!— For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+

Inside the mind of one of the most majestic animals on Earth By Emily Kwong

Psychologist Ken Carter uses a 40-point scale to measure someone's sensation seeking behavior. Lower is more chill, higher is more thrill. phillyskater/Getty Images hide caption

EMILY KWONG: You're listening to Short Wave from NPR. [FIREWORKS CRACKLING]

A Joby Aviation flight over New York City. Joby Aviation hide caption Taking an air taxi to the airport may become as simple as ordering a ride share today.