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.
As the Dead Sea shrinks, engineers prepare a daring solution: connect it with the Red Sea by way of a massive desalination plant. If it works, it could stabilize the legendary lake and ease regional tensions. But will it put the environment at risk?
A mass of fossilized fish, uncovered in North Dakota, appear to preserve the catastrophic fallout of the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs.
When a ball traveling through the air is spinning, some physics known as the magnus force kicks in to make it bend or curve. The magnitude of the magnus force depends on the ball’s rate of spin as well as its mass, velocity, radius, and the density of the air around it.
How do we see objects? By intercepting waves of light bouncing off of them and into our eyes, each reflected at a different angle. One way to achieve invisibility is to bend the paths of light using lenses, mirrors, or metamaterials with unique reflective properties. There are a lot of problems still to be solved—and valuable applications awaiting those who succeed.
In 2017, scientists were using a telescope in Chile to hunt for Planet X, thought to be far beyond Pluto. But Jupiter came into view along with 12 never-before-seen moons, bringing the gassy giant’s current total moon count to an astonishing 79.
Some people hunger for power, others are corrupted by it, and some are defined by it. But what does power do to our brains and bodies? Individuals with less power are more reliant on other people to meet their needs— so their brain pathways activate to help them understand the people they’re relying on. In contrast, those that feel powerful have a more adaptive way of handling stress.
Deepfakes are an increasingly popular editing technique that uses artificial intelligence to alter faces and voices in videos. Part of the name comes from the AI used to create them, deep learning. Similar technology has been used in Hollywood for years, but with AI getting better and more accessible, today they’re all over the internet.
Nicotine addiction came with high price for one teen, and he’s not alone. Increasingly popular vape devices like JUUL pose health risks and harm developing brains.
Wally “Wallace” Broecker, a pioneer of climate science, explains why he wishes he could have lived another 50 years.
After Ethiopian flight 302 fell from the sky, marking the second Boeing 737 Max 8 crash within 6 months, experts weigh in on what may have happened.
The World Wide Web revolutionized the way we use the internet. Before it existed, the internet was mostly used by scientists and engineers to share information.
By identifying and studying super corals—those that survive best in warming waters—scientists are trying to help reefs across the planet.
Warming air and sea surface temperatures are making storms wetter and more intense.
It changes the dynamic of the entire reefscape, and can be detrimental to corals and the animals that depend on them.
Check out the new streaming service from Cascade PBS, which pairs your PBS favorites with an ever-growing selection of TV series and films from around the world. Enjoy dedicated mobile and TV apps.
