Psychedelics as Medicine: The History of Peyote
Peyote is an important medicinal plant that is used in rites of passage and in religious and healing ceremonies in Indigenous communities.
Can Psychedelics Cure? Preview
Hallucinogenic drugs—popularly called psychedelics—have been used by human societies for thousands of years. Today, scientists are taking a second look at many of these mind-altering substances – both natural and synthetic – and discovering that they can have profoundly positive clinical impacts, helping patients struggling with a range of afflictions from addiction to depression and PTSD.
How Police Use Algorithms to Predict Crime
A machine learns from what’s programmed into it—and sometimes, that reinforces historical, discriminatory practices.
How Scientists Developed a Drug to Prevent HIV
Here's how scientists developed a once-a-day pill that reduced the risk of sexually transmitted HIV transmission by 99%, a breakthrough that transformed the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Watch the DART Spacecraft Smash into an Asteroid
Could we deflect an asteroid barreling toward Earth? NASA’s DART mission--the first test of its kind--showed that we may be able to knock an asteroid off its path, if we ever need to.
How Storm Surges Work—and Why They’re So Deadly
The deadliest part of a hurricane isn’t the wind–it’s water. Here’s what causes a storm surge, and which regions are most at risk.
How Computer Algorithms Make Predictions
These computer programs use artificial intelligence to look for patterns in data without human instruction.
Computers v. Crime Preview
In police departments and courts across the country, artificial intelligence is being used to help decide who is policed, who gets bail, how offenders should be sentenced, and who gets parole. But is it actually making our law enforcement and court systems fairer and more just? This timely investigation digs into the hidden biases, privacy risks, and design flaws of this controversial technology.
Saving Notre Dame’s Iconic Stone Vaulting
The water used to fight a fire at Paris’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and months of rainwater damaged the Cathedrals’ stonework but a team of geologist have a plan to save it.
Restoring Notre Dame's Iconic Stained Glass
After the fire, the team working on restoring the South Rose window noticed major changes to the original stained glass masterpiece.
Rebuilding Notre Dame
In April 2019, the world watched as a devastating fire almost destroyed Paris’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. Go behind the scenes with a team of engineers, masons, and timber workers tackling the daunting challenges of restoring the historic landmark.
Sharks Are Showing Up Earlier—and Staying Longer
Tiger sharks are being spotted off the coast of the New England earlier than usual, and they’re hanging around for longer. What's going on? And are they here to stay.
This Flood Barrier Could Save Venice
Venice is sinking, with sea level predicted to rise another 40 inches by the end of the century. Could a colossal network of flood barriers save it from the sea?
How Venice Was Built On a Swamp
Building a city on a lagoon has its challenges. Here's how the citizens of Venice accomplished this task centuries ago.
Saving Venice Preview
Rising seas and sinking land threaten to destroy Venice. Can the city’s new hi-tech flood barrier save it? Discover the innovative projects and feats of engineering designed to stop this historic city from being lost to future generations.
Ending HIV in America Preview
Almost 40 years after the discovery of HIV, could we be on the verge of ending the AIDS epidemic in America? How did scientists tackle one of the most elusive deadly viruses to ever infect humans? Can innovative drugs bring new infections to zero?
How Seaweed May Help Revive Our Oceans
In some parts of the ocean, like in the Gulf of Mexico, there is so little oxygen in the water that marine life is actually suffocating. Could kelp help, or is it mostly hype?
The Hidden Cause of Traffic Jams—and How to Solve Them
Some traffic jams seem to happen out of nowhere—it’s not rush hour, no construction, no accidents. These are called phantom traffic jams, generally caused by drivers tapping the brakes on and off. Could autonomous vehicles eliminate these traffic jams, and make our roads safer? Some researchers think so.
The False Promise of Cloning Your Pet
Departed pets can now live on through reproductive cloning. But many owners have been surprised to find that genetics aren’t everything—Fluffy the second turns out to be an animal all its own.
Why Distant Galaxies Look Red
The James Webb Space Telescope, a project 30 years in the making, launched in December 2021 and arrived at its destination point in January. The telescope will be able to see further into the infrared part of the spectrum than Hubble, and further back in time.
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