We have all heard the warning: “Don’t swallow gum, it will stay in your stomach for seven years.” It’s one of those playground myths that refuses to die. But science paints a very different picture.

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It's time now for our regular science news roundup with our friends at NPR's Short Wave podcast, Regina Barber and Pien Huang. Hey, y'all. PIEN HUANG, BYLINE: Hey, Juana. REGINA BARBER, BYLINE: Hey.

The base for conventional chewing gum contains food-grade plastic polymers. Natural gums, however, are known for their non-synthetic ingredients like tree sap and plant-based wax. But a researcher at ...

Recent scientific research reveals that the simple act of chewing gum offers several unexpected health benefits. While many people chew gum for fresh breath or enjoyment, studies show this habit can ...

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic less than five millimeters long, or smaller than a pencil eraser. They can be found in almost everything, including our air, water, food and apparently, ...

It's time now for our science news roundup from Short Wave, NPR's science podcast. I'm joined here in studio by the show's two hosts, Regina Barber and Emily Kwong. Hi, y'all. EMILY KWONG, BYLINE: Hi, ...