The asteroid that exploded over Siberia—injuring more than 1,000 and damaging buildings in six cities—was a shocking reminder that Earth is a target in a cosmic shooting range. From the width of a football field to the size of a small city, these space rocks have the potential to be killers. In a collision with Earth, they could set off deadly blast waves, raging fires and colossal tidal waves.

With just a few simple tools, anyone can turn a cockroach into a tiny controllable 'bugborg.' Why would you want to? It turns out that these nasty pests could turn into life savers in the future. For media credits, visit: pbs.org/nova/tech/cockroach-cyborgs.html

Move over peanuts, there’s a new packaging material in town—and it’s made of mushrooms.

Host David Pogue tries to find out if there are physical limits to how fast we can go.

For generations, the Dutch have regarded the water surrounding them as an enemy, building dams and dykes to fend it off. But with climate scientists predicting sea level rises and increased flooding, some engineers are taking a different approach. Their solution? Floating buildings, which work with the water rather than against it, creating a real-life water world.

In October 2012, superstorm Sandy cut a path of devastation across the Caribbean and the East Coast, killing hundreds and doing tens of billions of dollars in damage. Now, one year after Sandy’s deadly strike, NOVA follows up on its 2012 film “Inside the Megastorm” with a fresh investigation of the critical questions raised by this historic storm.

Cold is the new hot in this brave new world. For centuries we've fought it, shunned it, and huddled against it. Cold has always been the enemy of life, but now it may hold the key to a new generation of science and technology that will improve our lives. In "Making Stuff: Colder," David Pogue explores the frontiers of cold science from saving the lives of severe trauma patients to ultracold physic

The world has always been a dangerous place, so how do we increase our odds of survival? In "Making Stuff: Safer," David Pogue explores the cutting-edge research of scientists and engineers who want to keep us out of harm’s way. Some are countering the threat of natural disasters with new firefighting materials and safer buildings. Others are at work on technologies to thwart terrorist attacks.

Gross Science: These flesh-eating plants usually prey on unsuspecting insects. But one species of ant calls this plant home. Watch the drama unfold...through watercolor animation! For media credits, visit: pbs.org/nova/nature/plants-killer-ants.html

Could tiny drones be the pollinators of the future? Credits Animated and Narrated by Anna Rothschild Cinematography by Steve McCarthy Original Footage ©WGBH Educational Foundation 2013 Additional Footage Courtesy Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering SLOW MOTION: Flying Hoverfly ©iStockphoto/Schroptschop

Engineers race to complete 1 World Trade Center as they grapple with the final challenges.

Losing one's nose was not completely uncommon in 16th century Europe. To replace their lost sniffers, some brave patients underwent an early form of rhinoplasty, which was performed without antibiotics or anesthesia.

To keep their technicians safe from potential bombs, police departments use remote controlled robots to investigate.

On May 20, 2013, a ferocious EF5 tornado over a mile wide tore through Moore, Oklahoma, inflicting 24 deaths and obliterating entire neighborhoods. It was the third time an exceptionally violent tornado had struck the city in 14 years. Yet predicting when and where these killer storms will hit still poses a huge challenge. Why was 2011—the worst ever recorded tornado season?

Host David Pogue explores the cutting-edge research behind a new wave of innovation.

See how the ancient Egyptians built their deadly composite bows.

Follow the manhunt, step-by-step, for the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings.

Gross Science: How bed bugs reproduce is the stuff of nightmares.

An ancient Greek computer could predict eclipses with impressive accuracy.

A blinding flash of light streaked across the Russian sky, followed by a shuddering blast strong enough to damage buildings and send more than 1,000 people to the hospital. On the morning of February 15, 2013, a 7,000-ton asteroid crashed into the Earth's atmosphere. According to NASA, the Siberian meteor exploded with the power of 30 Hiroshima bombs.