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Can't solve a puzzle? Sleep on it, a new study suggests

NPR | By Regina G. Barber,
Rachel Carlson
Published February 5, 2026 at 4:41 PM EST

NPR's Short Wave talks about babies' perceptions of rhythm, how sleep may help us solve puzzles and why snakes may be able to fast so long.

Copyright 2026 NPR
Regina G. Barber
Regina G. Barber is Short Wave's Scientist in Residence. She contributes original reporting on STEM and guest hosts the show.
Rachel Carlson
Rachel Carlson (she/her) is a production assistant at Short Wave, NPR's science podcast. She gets to do a bit of everything: researching, sourcing, writing, fact-checking and cutting episodes.
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