Nathan Rott

NOTE: This episode contains multiple high-pitched noises (human and other animals) that some listeners might find startling or distressing.

In this episode, host Regina G. Barber and NPR correspondent Nate Rott dive into the science behind the sound of fear. Along the way, they find out what marmot shrieks, baby cries and horror movie soundtracks have in common — and what all of this tells us about ourselves.

If you like this episode, check out our episode on fear and horror movies.

Curious about other science powering the human experience? Email us at shortwave@npr.org and we might cover your topic on a future episode!

The newest version of the popular board game Catan will make players wrestle with a society-wide problem: How do you build, develop and expand without overly polluting the world?

Widespread flooding in southern California is turning hillsides into rivers of mud, knocking out power to many and leading to evacuation orders in some areas. At least three people have been killed.

Heavy rainfall and flooding is expected, and evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in some counties on the state's Southern and Central coast.

California is getting drenched by what meteorologists are calling a life-threatening storm.

The COP28 climate negotiations in Dubai wrapped up early today with an agreement that calls on nations to transition away from fossil fuels. But some counties say this still doesn't go far enough.

Ukrainian officials and power companies are preparing for Russia to ramp up its attacks on energy infrastructure again as temperatures dip.

Sushi restaurants are still open all over Ukraine. It's a small example of how the country's consumer economy continues despite nearly two years of war.

Ukraine enters the winter months with stalled front lines and uncertainty about continued Western support for its war with Russia. Congress is debating whether to approve a new bloc of funding.

The Key deer is losing the only place it lives, raising uncomfortable questions for the people tasked with keeping endangered species alive.

The endangered deer species on the Florida Keys is being threatened by rising seas, and that is raising uncomfortable questions for wildlife managers. The deer are the size of a golden retriever.

A new global assessment of the world's amphibians finds that more than 2 of every 5 known species is at risk of extinction. Habitat loss, disease and climate change are the main drivers.

NPR's Nathan Rott speaks with psychiatrist Dr. Jessica Gold about the need for colleges and universities to provide appropriate mental health services for students.

The Endangered Species Act has helped save hundreds of species from extinction. But climate change presents a new threat to endangered species and wildlife officials working to protect them.

Tropical storm Idalia made landfall early Wednesday morning on a rural part of Florida's Gulf Coast after it underwent what meteorologists call "rapid intensification," a term to become familiar with.

A landmark youth climate ruling from Montana could have significant repercussions for future climate lawsuits, legal experts say.

Hurricane Hilary continues her march to Baja California, and people on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border are getting ready for projected heavy rains and flooding.

A Montana judge ruled in favor of 16 youths who argued that a law stopping agencies from considering climate impacts while issuing permits violates their right to a clean and healthy environment.

Gray wolves used to roam most of North America before being hunted, trapped and driven out of most of the continental U.S. by the early 1900s. They are native to California.

A new study finds that winter wave heights have increased along California's coastline as human actions have warmed the world's climate. Bigger waves are a threat to the already vulnerable coast.