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Bat Superpowers Preview

30s
Bats have been implicated in deadly epidemics such as COVID-19 and Ebola, yet scientists are discovering evidence that they may hold a key to a longer and healthier life. From caves in Thailand and Texas to labs around the globe, NOVA meets the scientists who are decoding the superpowers of the bat.
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What will it take to get out of this pandemic?

28m 19s
In most U.S. states, a surge in cases is reigniting conversations about the country’s response to the pandemic. Dr. Alok Patel speaks with a leading epidemiologist and a specialist in infectious diseases to gain perspective on pressing concerns, from vaccine effectiveness and boosters to vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and inequity at a national and global scale.
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The Science of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

28m 7s
According to a recent report released by the U.S. government, nearly 150 aerial objects observed between 2004 and 2021 remain unidentified—with the exception of one large deflated balloon. But what if there’s another explanation out there? Could extraterrestrial intelligence explain some sightings? To find out, Dr. Alok Patel explores the possibilities with an astrophysicist and a NASA engineer.
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Using Technology to Cope With Drought

28m
With the help of hydrologists and innovators on the ground and in the lab, Dr. Alok Patel learns about the traditional ecological knowledge of the Navajo Nation in the especially hard-hit Southwest. And he speaks with innovators applying advanced technology to agricultural practices, like drone surveillance and artificial intelligence, to prepare for and cope with drought.
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How California's Droughts Lead to Other Disasters

5m 54s
Each year, California and the Southwest break new records for droughts and high temperatures, which bring damaging heat waves, wildfires, and even flooding. Learn how these catastrophes operate together—and how engineers are working on new technologies to help us survive.
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Preparing for the Pacific Northwest's Next Major Earthquake

6m 12s
An earthquake with a magnitude of 8 or higher hasn’t rumbled beneath the contiguous U.S. in more than 300 years. Now, the Pacific Northwest is due for another "big one." Clues from the past, along with modern-day science, can help coastal Indigenous communities understand the risks and develop novel mitigation strategies.
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The Science of Exercise—and Getting Back in the Game

30m 1s
We’re stretching it out and exploring the science of exercise and—after more than a year of unexpected interruption—getting back in the game. Dr. Alok Patel checks in with an expert in exercise physiology and an Olympic athlete, biomechanist, and chiropractor.
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Sciencing Out: What it Means to Make Information Tangible

14m 22s
In this episode of Sciencing Out, host Reyhaneh Maktoufi introduces you to two of these experts—statistician and pioneer of modern nursing Florence Nightingale, and modern-day data journalist Mona Chalabi, who’s used her illustrations and graphics to visualize everything from how hairy you are to healthcare inequities.
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Ship That Changed the World Preview

29s
The Age of Exploration and Europe’s imperial colonization of far-off lands was launched by a revolution in ship design that made long-distance voyages practical. A newly discovered 500-year-old wreck offers vital clues to this momentous innovation.
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Sciencing Out: How Trust in Medicine and Science is Built

14m 11s
In the second episode of Sciencing Out, host Reyhaneh Maktoufi introduces us to two women: 18th-century Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and modern-day wildlife conservationist Paula Kahumbu. By dedicating time to build public trust, both Lady Mary and Paula made major positive changes in their communities.
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