Filmmaker and Science Friday producer Emily Driscoll discusses one unusual mathematical quest: determining the number of licks it takes to get to the center of a lollipop.

As director of the Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium, author and host of his own science talk show and podcast, Neil deGrasse Tyson has made a career of learning about the universe and helping the rest of us understand it. Reporter Andrea Vasquez talked with Dr. Tyson about the future of space exploration and how he makes the cosmos a little clearer for the masses.

More American children are battling autism than AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined, and scientists are working furiously to get to the bottom of it. But to really understand autism, scientists need to examine human brain tissue, which is in short supply. Now, a network of research institutions is working to change that.

Women from New York to India are joining together at hackathons in an effort to fight against gender-based violence. Jennifer Vento, managing director of the digital marketing firm Women Online, discusses how these efforts have led to new technologies that protect women both on and offline.

Phil Metzger, a planetary physicist at the University of Central Florida Space Institute, discusses whether or not humans could settle on other planets and moons.

Engineers in California are building a giant magnet that could help power the world. The magnet would be at the heart of a giant nuclear fusion reactor currently being developed in the south of France as part of an international mega-project to generate clean, renewable energy.

For those who suffer from pain in their limbs or have altogether lost the ability to use them, one unique type of therapy may offer some relief. Through the use of a simple mirror, the brain can be tricked into perceiving a disabled limb as functioning normally and without pain. Some patients even experience relief after just a single session of what’s known as mirror therapy.

Derek Grassman is the innovator behind the wind energy company Kohilo Wind. He was always passionate about clean energy, but it wasn’t until Grassman found himself homeless and living in the woods that he was able to turn his ideas into a reality.

After years of research and development, MLB Network premiered Statcast. This revolutionary new technology allows scouts and fans alike to track the game and players on a whole new level -- and all in real time. MLB Advanced Media’s Chief Technology Officer Joseph Inzerillo joins us now to discuss how Statcast could change the way we watch baseball.

One motorcycle manufacturer is revving up to get law enforcement vehicles to go green.

Algae is one of the most diverse, adaptable and ubiquitous life forms on the planet. More than just pond scum, it’s a source of food and increasingly fuel. And at one algae farm, researchers are employing these tiny green plants to trace the origins of sex.

For many of us, our smartphones and tablets have already replaced our desktop and laptop computers. And now, they’re becoming a filing cabinet of our personal data, from bank account details to private health records, which makes these pocket-sized computers tempting targets for hackers. How much security can technology provide as we conduct more business on the go?

As space exploration continues to forge ahead, scientists are considering 3D printing as an option for building in outer space.

New York based startup deCervo uses neuroimaging to understand the science behind decision-making in sports. The technology is currently being used to evaluate baseball players based on how quickly their brains identify and react to pitches.

What do you do with a $2-billion spaceship when it can no longer ferry astronauts to and from space? In 2011, the Kennedy Space Center visitor complex in Orlando, Florida, found a new home for the decommissioned space shuttle Atlantis.

Parkinson’s disease may present itself slowly, frequently starting with a slight tremor or a shake. In some cases, these symptoms can be so debilitating that patients find themselves unable to perform even the simplest of tasks. Reporter Briana Vannozzi meets a medical team employing innovative surgical techniques to combat the tremors robbing patients of their independence.

One of our most precious resources—fresh and clean drinking water—is in short supply. The largest desalination plant in North America, located near Tampa, Florida, uses reverse osmosis to create safe, clean, and much needed water for a thirsty public.

A study reveals that monkeys and humans perceive illusions similarly.

Could mankind live on another planet? Madhu Thengavelu, a professor in the department of astronomical engineering at the University of Southern California and an expert in space architecture and engineering, explains how scientists are working on building settlements on the Moon and Mars.

The innovators behind the code-learning app Lrn discuss the future of learning.