NOVA

Science and Nature Series / 24 Seasons

NOVA brings you stories from the frontlines of science and engineering, answering the big questions of today and tomorrow, from how our ancestors lived, to whether parallel universes exist, to how technology will transform our lives. Visit the official website to watch full-length documentaries, or explore our world through short-form video, on our digital publication NOVA Next.

Watch Latest: S52 E6

53m 32s

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

3m 49s

THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, binds to receptors in and outside of the brain, causing cells to behave differently. Cannabinoid receptors, named after cannabis, are found in nearly every organ of the human body.

A Veteran's Story of Medical Cannabis Use and Arrest

5m 34s

To manage his post-traumatic stress after serving in Iraq, Sean Worsley got a medical cannabis card in Arizona. Then he and his wife were charged with possession in Alabama, which changed the course of their lives.

The Cannabis Question Preview

30s

As state-legalized cannabis spreads, NOVA investigates the latest scientific evidence for its potential benefits and risks, and how criminalization has disproportionately harmed communities of color.

Unique Adaptations may Explain Bats' Resistance to Viruses

3m 2s

The heartbeats of some species of flying bat can reach 1,066 beats per minute. Could this level of activity — unrivaled by any other mammal — help explain bat super immunity?

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.

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.

How COVID-19 and Climate Change Affect Breathing

4m 13s

An ornithologist and conservationist shares how the coronavirus pandemic's effects on his ability to breathe has echoed the disproportionate effects of climate change on certain communities

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can Solar Storms Knock Out Our Power Grid?

6m 55s

Solar storms have the potential to affect our power grid and cause widespread blackouts. Watch how researchers and engineers are working together to make sure that doesn’t happen.

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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