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An exoplanet, how ant colonies deal with disease and a volcanoes-Black Death link

By Emily Kwong,

Regina G. Barber

Published December 11, 2025 at 4:48 PM CST

Regina Barber and Emily Kwong of NPR's Short Wave discuss an Earth-sized exoplanet, how ant colonies deal with disease and a possible link between volcanoes and the Black Death.

Emily Kwong

Emily Kwong (she/her) is the founding reporter and now co-host for Short Wave, NPR's daily science podcast. Her first homework assignment in kindergarten was to bring in a leaf to class. She's been looking at trees ever since.

Regina G. Barber

Regina G. Barber is Short Wave's Scientist in Residence. She contributes original reporting on STEM and guest hosts the show.