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This week in science: sea monsters, long COVID patients' microbiome, elephant carcasses

NPR | By Nathan Rott,

Regina G. Barber

Published October 15, 2026 at 5:33 PM EDT

NPR's science podcast Short Wave brings us stories about the hunting habits of ancient sea monsters, the microbiome of long COVID patients, and how elephant carcasses replenish the savannah.

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All Things Considered science

Nathan Rott

Nathan (Nate) Rott is a correspondent on NPR’s Science Desk, where he reports on the natural world and humanity’s relationship to it.

See stories by Nathan Rott

Regina G. Barber

Regina G. Barber is a co-host of Short Wave.