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NOVA | PBS
website NOVA | PBS
NOVA brings you short audio stories from the world of science -- anything from hurricanes to mummies to neutrinos. For more science programming online and on air, visit NOVA's Web site at pbs.org/nova, or watch NOVA broadcasts Wednesday nights on PBS.
audio A Clean Energy Future?
Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Steven Chu is the U.S. Secretary of Energy under President Obama. He’s a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, and a big proponent of renewable power, like wind and solar. He says that although they’re essential to fight climate change, that’s only one reason we should adopt them in the United States. Another reason is purely economic—there’s a lot of money to be made in the clean energy market. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Doug Hamilton. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for "Power Surge" is provided by the Kendeda Fund and NASA. Additional funding by Michael and Roxanne Zak, the Earth Science Program at NASA and by the Millicent and Eugene Bell Foundation. For more on green technology, visit us online at pbs.org/nova

feed audio (Repeat) NOVA Minute: How to Speak Walrus
Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:01:00 -0500
Marine biologist Colleen Reichmuth says that few mammals can match the vocal talents of the walrus. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Doug Hamilton. Learn more at pbs.org/nova NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers.
audio (Repeat) NOVA Minute: Whiz Kid
Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500
In this episode, biochemist Erika Ebbel describes how a mentor helped her transform into a scientist when she was 11 years old. Produced by David Levin and Rob Chapman. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers.
audio Finding a Fake Van Gogh
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500
NOVA scienceNOW's Dean Irwin discusses what he learned about this new computer technology while producing his story on digital art authentication. Podcast produced by David Levin. Music by Jeff Allen. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and PBS Viewers. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our Web site at http://www.pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Archeology in the Deep
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500
Brenden Foley hunts ancient shipwrecks for a living. But he’s not after sunken treasure--he’s after information. Foley is a marine archeologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He’s taking a new approach to the field. Instead of just focusing on a handful of shipwrecks, he wants to take a broad look, finding and cataloging wrecks in the Mediterranean that date to a wide timeframe. In this podcast, he talks to us about his work. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers. To learn more about undersea archeology, go to pbs.org/nova
audio Speaking Ancient Maya
Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500
Anthropologist Barbara Macleod says that studying the ancient Maya language offers a unique window into the past. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Rima Chaddha. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers. Major funding for "Cracking the Maya Code" is provided by the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities, with additional funding provided by The Solow Art and Architecture Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0407101. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this video podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more on translating ancient Maya, visit us online at pbs.org/nova/mayacode
audio Life in the Blast Zone
Tue, 3 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500
Ecologist Charlie Crisafulli describes how the ecosystem around Mt. St. Helens is rebuilding itself 30 years after the catastrophic eruption. Thirty years ago, a violent eruption ripped through the side of Mt. St. Helens in western Oregon. The blast killed 57 people and countless animals, and turned hundreds of miles of forest into barren wasteland. In this podcast, hear from ecologist Charlie Crisafulli on the slow recovery of the Mt. St. Helens ecosystem, and learn how the timing of the eruption actually spared some plant and animal life. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Kristine Allington. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/sthelens
audio Surprises in Your Genes
Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500
In order to develop from an embryo, animals as different as fruit flies and humans call on a nearly identical set of genes. But how does this one common genetic toolkit create so many different species? It turns out that it's not the genes you have--it's how you use them. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interviews by John Rubin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio In Defense of Pluto
Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500
After Pluto was discovered in 1930, it enjoyed the title of planet for more than 75 years. But in 2006, that all changed. At a meeting in Prague, the International Astronomical Union adopted a new definition for planethood, leaving the solar system with only eight planets. But not everyone agrees with its decision. In this podcast, planetary scientist Alan Stern talks to us about Pluto’s demotion, and why he thinks it should be back on list of planets. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers. For more information, visit: www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/pluto-files.html
audio Darwin's Debut
Tue, 6 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500
Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species," changed science forever. His radical notions still draw some controversy, but how were they received a century and a half ago? In this podcast, hear from biologist Ken Miller, historian Jim Moore, and the late paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould on the impact of Darwin's ideas. Podcast produced by David Levin and Susan K. Lewis. Original interviews by Susan K. Lewis and David Espar. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio Sexual Cannibalism
Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, biologist Maydianne Andrade explains that sexual cannibalism-a gruesome mating behavior shown of Redback Spiders-is a prime example of how evolution works. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Josh Seftel. Funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and PBS viewers. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Touching the Past
Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:00:00 -0500
For Chief Anne "Little Fawn" Richardson, Pocahontas is more than a legendary historical figure. Richardson can trace her own ancestry back to the 17th century, when her tribe, the Rappahannocks, were part of a vast domain ruled by Pocahontas's father. In this podcast, Richardson reflects on the clash of cultures between Pocahontas's people and the English settlers of Jamestown. Podcast produced and edited by Susan K. Lewis. Interview by Kirk Wolfinger. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, visit http://www.pbs.org/nova/pocahontas
audio Learning From Bonobos
Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:00:00 -0500
Primate researcher Vanessa Woods says that when it comes to emotional intelligence, bonobos put the human world to shame. In this podcast, Woods talks to NOVA's Susan Lewis about the behavior of this remarkable species and what it can teach us about our own evolution. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Susan K. Lewis. Music by Ja Prawn (freemusicarchive.org/music/Ja_Prawn/). Funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and PBS viewers. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers. You can learn more about bonobos, chimps, and what makes us human on pbs.org/nova/sciencenow.
audio Galileo and the Telescope
Tue, 8 Nov 2011 12:00:00 -0500
Galileo has been called the "father of modern science". His observations of the night sky in the early 1600s confirmed a new model of the universe, where the Earth orbited the sun—not the other way around. But before he was studying the universe, Galileo was working on practical problems. And his early goals for the telescope weren’t so scientific. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by David Axelrod. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Additional funding for "Hunting the Edge of Space" is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Mt. Cuba Astronomical Foundation and the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. To learn more about the history of the telescope, go to pbs.org/nova/telescope.
audio The Big Deal with CERN: Stephon Alexander
Tue, 1 Nov 2011 12:00:00 -0500
Cosmologist Stephon Alexander says he'd be surprised if we didn't find the Higgs particle. Podcast produced by David Levin and Rima Chaddha, with audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova
audio Space and Time Explained: Leonard Susskind
Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Physicist Leonard Susskind says that Einstein radically changed the way we think about space, but his equations can’t explain exactly what it is. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova
audio Space and Time Explained: Alan Guth
Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Physicist Alan Guth says that the concept of "space" is more complicated than you might think. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova
audio Space and Time Explained: Max Tegmark
Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Physicist Max Tegmark says that researchers still don’t fully understand what time is. It’s one of the biggest mysteries in physics. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova
audio Space and Time Explained: Steven Weinberg
Thu, 6 Oct 2011 17:00:00 -0500
The concept of "Space," is a tough one to explain--even for a Nobel prize-winnig physicist like Steven Weinberg. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova
audio Space and Time Explained: Jana Levin
Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Physicist Janna Levin says that Einstein and Newton had very different ideas about what space and time really were. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova
audio Space and Time Explained: Peter Galison
Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Peter Gallison is a physicist and historian of science. He says that although humans may sense time as moving constantly forward, it doesn’t really work that way. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova
audio Space and Time Explained: Jim Gates
Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Physicist Jim Gates says that even after you take all the matter out of the universe, space still wouldn’t be empty. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova
audio Space and Time Explained: Sean Carroll
Thu, 8 Sep 2011 17:00:00 -0500
To most of us, time seems like a one-way street, moving from past to future. But physicists like Sean Carroll have a different way of thinking about it. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova
audio Rebuilding on Ground Zero
Thu, 1 Sep 2011 16:00:00 -0500
In the months after 9/11, New York City faced a difficult decision. What should it do with the site where the twin towers once stood? For architecture critic Paul Goldberger, there was only one choice: rebuild. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova
audio Life on Ice
Mon, 8 Aug 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Could permafrost under Martian soil be the key to finding life on the red planet? Chris McKay, a planetary scientist for NASA, thinks there's a good chance we'll see evidence of ancient microbes if we just follow the ice. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Anna Lee Strachan. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/mars
audio Shaping Skulls
Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:00:00 -0500
For thousands of years, people around the world have modified their bodies with tattoos and piercings. But some cultures, like the ancient Inca in Peru, took that practice beyond skin deep. They sometimes used ropes and boards to slowly change the shape of human skulls. It’s a process called "cranial modification." In this podcast, bioarcheologist Valerie Andrushko explains. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Melissa Salpietra. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/machupicchu
audio Hiding in Plain Sight
Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, marine biologist Roger Hanlon explains why octopuses are masters of camouflage. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Susan Lewis. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more about the remarkable camouflage of octopuses--and their cousins, cuttlefish--on pbs.org/nova/camo.
audio Voice of the Space Shuttle
Thu, 7 Jul 2011 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, we spoke to former NASA Public Affairs Officer Steve Nesbitt. Nesbitt announced more than a dozen Space Shuttle missions, giving play-by-play radio commentary as the craft flew into orbit. Nesbitt spoke to us about his experience as the public voice of NASA the early days of the Shuttle program, and gave his thoughts on its retirement. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. You can learn more about the space shuttle, and the missions NASA is planning after its retirement at pbs.org/nova.
audio Cooperative Apes
Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, learn why studying the emotions of our close primate relatives--chimpanzees and bonobos--might shed light on the evolution of human culture. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. You can learn more about bonobos, chimps, and what makes us human on pbs.org/nova/sciencenow.
audio A Bolt From the Blue
Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:00:00 -0500
Neurologist and author Oliver Sacks has come across plenty of odd stories while studying the human brain, but none are quite as mysterious as that of his colleague, Tony Cicoria. In 1994, Cicoria was struck by lightning, and developed a sudden, inexplicable passion for playing and writing piano music. In this podcast, hear Sacks describe Cicoria's transformation. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Dempsey Rice/Daughter One productions. Music by The New You. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova
audio NOVA Minute: How to Speak Walrus
Fri, 27 May 2011 14:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, marine biologist Colleen Reichmuth describes the many ways a walrus can communicate using sound. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Doug Hamilton. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova.
audio A Trip to the Parthenon
Tue, 24 May 2011 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, art historian Jeff Hurwitt explains what made the Parthenon the greatest temple of Ancient Greece. Produced by Susan Lewis. Original interview by Gary Glassman. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more about the history of the Parthenon at pbs.org/nova/parthenon
audio Finding the Lost City
Tue, 17 May 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Egyptologist Mark Lehner thinks it took almost 20,000 people to build the Great Pyramids. But where did all those workers live? In this podcast, Lehner describes how he found evidence of a "lost city" on the Giza plateau. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Peter Tyson. Music courtesy Pharaoh's Daughter (freemusicarchive.org/music/Pharaohs_Daughter/), Selva de Mar (freemusicarchive.org/music/Selva_de_Mar/), and APMmusic. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/sphinx
audio Wireless Electricity
Thu, 12 May 2011 17:00:00 -0500
WiTricity, a small startup based outside of Boston, is creating a system that can transmit electricity wirelessly. It’ll make charging electric cars easy, eliminating the need for bulky cables. What impact might this have on the electric vehicle market? Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers.
audio Life in the Blast Zone
Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Thirty years ago, a violent eruption ripped through the side of Mt. St. Helens in western Oregon. The blast killed 57 people and countless animals, and turned hundreds of miles of forest into barren wasteland. In this podcast, hear from ecologist Charlie Crisafulli on the slow recovery of the Mt. St. Helens ecosystem, and learn how the timing of the eruption actually spared some plant and animal life. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Kristine Allington. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the Hubble, go to pbs.org/nova/sthelens
audio The Many Gods of Israel
Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Archeologist Bill Dever says that in addition to the Hebrew god Yahweh, ancient Israelites may have worshipped a Canaanite female goddess called Asherah. This podcast was produced by David Levin and Susan Lewis. Interview by Gary Glassman. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for "The Bible's Buried Secrets" is provided by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, and the Righteous Persons Foundation. For more on what archeology is revealing about biblical times, visit www.pbs.org/nova/bible
audio Improving Maternal Health
Fri, 8 Apr 2011 17:00:00 -0500
In the year 2000, the United Nations set out to make basic maternal healthcare a universal right within 15 years. How far have we come worldwide? In this podcast, we talked to Adrienne Germain, president of the International Women's Health Coalition. They're a group that works closely with the U.N. to improve the health and rights of women worldwide. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more about the status of women's health around the world at pbs.org/nova
audio Training for a Nuclear Crisis
Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Are workers at U.S. nuclear power plants fully prepared to deal with emergencies triggered by natural disasters? To find out, we visited the training center for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. Pilgrim is on the Atlantic coast near Plymouth, Massachussets, about an hour's drive south of Boston. It's one of 23 nuclear plants in the U.S. that use the same nuclear reactor design as the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Take a virtual tour of the control room in a U.S. nuclear power plant at pbs.org/nova
audio Galileo and the Telescope
Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:00:00 -0500
Galileo has been called the "father of modern science". His observations of the night sky in the early 1600s confirmed a new model of the universe, where the Earth orbited the sun—not the other way around. But before he was studying the universe, Galileo was working on practical problems. And his early goals for the telescope weren’t so scientific. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by David Axelrod. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Additional funding for "Hunting the Edge of Space" is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Mt. Cuba Astronomical Foundation and the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. To learn more about the history of the telescope, go to pbs.org/nova/telescope.
audio Defining Intelligence: Seth Shostak
Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:00:00 -0500
Astronomer Seth Shostak thinks that if alien intelligence is out there, we'll know it when we see it. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Hear other experts describe what intelligence means to them. Visit us online at pbs.org/nova
audio Defining Intelligence: Steven Pinker
Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:00:00 -0500
Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker says that modern human intelligence is the result of thousands of years of accumulated knowledge. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Hear other experts describe what intelligence means to them. Visit us online at pbs.org/nova
audio Defining Intelligence: Nicholas Humphrey
Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:00:00 -0500
Theoretical psychologist Nicholas Humphrey explains the concept of social intelligence. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Hear other experts describe what intelligence means to them. Visit us online at pbs.org/nova
audio Defining Intelligence: Rodney Brooks
Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, roboticist Rodney Brooks describes what "intelligence" means in his field. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Hear other experts describe what intelligence means to them. Visit us online at pbs.org/nova
audio NOVA Minute: The Interaction of Species
Wed, 2 Mar 2011 16:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, naturalist E.O. Wilson describes the challenges of understanding how ecosystems evolve. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Gail Willumsen. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/eowilson
audio Toward a Smart Electric Grid
Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:00:00 -0500
On August 14, 2003, the biggest blackout in American history struck the Northeast U.S. and parts of Canada. 50 million people lost power, and the blackout showed how vulnerable and even outdated our electricity system is. To fix that problem, some energy experts think it's time to upgrade to a "smart grid," one that uses digital technology to regulate itself. Vijay Vaitheeswaran is energy correspondent for The Economist magazine. In this interview, he explains why we need to take the power grid into the 21st century. Produced by David Levin. Interview by Terri Randall. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Additional funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. To read a full interview with Vijay Vaitheeswaran, go to pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio The Risks of Automated Flight
Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:00:00 -0500
Most passenger jets today fly under computer control, at least to some extent. Usually, those computers make flying safer. But like any machine, they can sometimes break down, leading, in rare cases, to major accidents. In this interview, aviation expert Bill Voss explains why he thinks airlines should put more emphasis on solving computer automation problems during pilot training. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Hear more audio stories at pbs.org/nova
audio When Lightning Strikes Aircraft
Fri, 11 Feb 2011 11:00:00 -0500
After the crash of Air France Flight 447 in 2009, widespread debate appeared on the Internet about whether a lightning strike could have brought the plane down. Just how dangerous is lightning to an aircraft in flight? In this podcast, aviation safety expert John Cox and veteran airline pilot Martin Alder weigh in. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interviews by Darlow Smithson productions. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Hear more audio stories at pbs.org/nova
audio Smart Birds
Fri, 4 Feb 2011 11:00:00 -0500
Some parrots can talk-but can they really understand what they're saying? In this podcast, researcher Irene Pepperberg describes her cognitive experiments with African grey parrots, and discusses why the line between human and animal intelligence is sometimes blurry. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Major funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and public television viewers. For more fun science stories, visit our Web site at http://www.pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio The Dangers of Nanotech
Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:00:00 -0500
In the growing field of nanotechnology, engineers are creating countless new microscopic materials. They're used in thousands of consumer goods, from cell phones to cosmetics and sunscreen. But how safe are they? To find out, we talked to Andrew Maynard, physicist and director of the Risk Science Center at the University of Michigan. We talked to him about the potential dangers of nanotech. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for "Making Stuff" is provided by the National Science Foundation. Additional funding provided by the Department of Energy. For more on nanotechnology, visit us online at pbs.org/nova/tech
audio Suspended Animation
Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:00:00 -0500
Stopping signs of life and starting them again might seem like pure sci-fi—but cell biologist Mark Roth says it's very possible. In this podcast, he explains why. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn about other ways that science is extending human life. Go to pbs.org/nova/sciencenow.
audio Solar Sails
Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:00:00 -0500
The next generation of spacecraft will travel faster than ever before. But they might not be propelled by rockets. If Dean Alhorn has his way, they'll be powered by light. Alhorn is an engineer at NASA's Marshall Space Flight center. He designs solar sails. They're basically big silver kites in space that are pushed along by the sun's rays. And Alhorn says they might change spaceflight in the very near future. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn about other new types of propulsion that NASA is testing, and how they might help us get to Mars. Go to pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio NOVA Minute: Global Earthquakes
Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, geologist Chris Goldfinger describes why earthquakes in one part of the globe might trigger others worldwide. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova
audio Pearl Harbor Sub Discovered
Mon, 3 Jan 2011 16:00:00 -0500
In this podcast hear how a newly identified wreck found outside of the harbor may rewrite the history of the Japanese attack. Produced by David Levin. Original interviews by Kirk Wolfinger. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/killersubs
audio NOVA Minute: The 2012 Hoax
Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explains that despite all the doomsday claims on the Internet, the world will NOT end in 2012. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio NOVA Minute: The Language of Science
Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, African-American chemistry pioneer Percy Julian gives his take on scientific language. Produced by David Levin and Susan Lewis NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/julian
audio NOVA Minute: Stewards of the Earth
Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, Native American geologist Alexandrea Bowman describes her path to science, which led from baby seals to Long Island Sound. Produced by David Levin and Rob Chapman. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife
audio Ethics of Erasing Memory
Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:00:00 -0500
If you could take a drug that could erase your memories, would you do it? It's not such a hypothetical question—neuroscientists have identified a drug that can wipe out memory in rats. It's not something that could be used on humans, but its existence raises a lot of big ethical issues. To sort those out, we talked to Art Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn where the science stands on memory-erasing drugs, go to pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio NOVA Minute: Whiz Kid
Thu, 9 Dec 2010 15:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, biochemist Erika Ebbel describes how a mentor helped her transform into a scientist when she was 11 years old. Produced by David Levin and Rob Chapman. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife
audio The Psychology of Spaceflight
Mon, 6 Dec 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, NASA psychologist Al Holland discusses some of the the mental challenges astronauts might face during a mission to Mars. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Find out how we might make it to Mars, and learn about the dangers we'd face along the way. Visit us at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow.
audio NOVA Minute: The Enormity of Things
Wed, 1 Dec 2010 16:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, geologist Adrienne Block explains how she investigates mountains that lie beneath the humongous ice sheets of Antarctica. Produced by David Levin and Rob Chapman. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife
audio NOVA Minute: When I Look Up
Wed, 24 Nov 2010 10:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson describes how the universe called him when he was nine years old. Produced by David Levin and Rob Chapman. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife
audio NOVA Minute: Doctor's Orders
Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, climate scientist Gavin Schmidt explains why the Earth needs to see a doctor… today. Produced by David Levin and Rob Chapman. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife
audio Astronomy at Stonehenge?
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:00:00 -0500
In the 1960s, a new theory surfaced that claimed Stonehenge was the work of ancient astronomers, and that its giant stone pillars were used to predict eclipses of the moon and sun. But was there anything to the idea? To find out, we talked to NOVA's senior science editor, Evan Hadingham. He trained as an archeologist and has written two books on Stonehenge. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn what motivated the builders of Stonehenge at pbs.org/nova/ancientworlds
audio NOVA Minute: Big Inventions
Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode hear from engineer Colin Angle, cofounder of iRobot, the company that makes the Roomba vacuum cleaner. In this podcast, he explains how small inventions can yield huge results. Produced by David Levin and Rob Chapman. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife
audio The Origin of Dogs
Mon, 8 Nov 2010 17:00:00 -0500
New DNA evidence shows that dogs were probably domesticated from wolves in the Middle East about eight thousand years ago. But wolves are generally fierce animals that travel in packs, and they're usually afraid of humans. That's pretty far off from the behavior of today's family pets. So how could that poodle in your backyard have come from a wolf? To find out, we spoke to Clive Wynne, who studies animal behavior at the University of Florida. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Gaia Remerowski. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about undersea archeology, go to pbs.org/nova
audio NOVA Minute: Monkey Psychology
Thu, 4 Nov 2010 13:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, experimental psychologist Laurie Santos explains how she studies monkeys in order to learn how humans think. Produced by David Levin and Rob Chapman. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife
audio Got Elevator Stories?
Mon, 1 Nov 2010 16:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, radio producer Nick Van der Kolk describes how he ran into Al Gore on an elevator in Chicago. Do you have an elevator story of your own? Have you ever been stuck in one? Did you overcome an elevator phobia? Tell us about your experience at pbs.org/nova/tech . Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Lawrence Lanahan and Bruce Wallace. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers.
audio How the Elevator Changed New York
Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, Paul Goldberger, an architecture critic for The New Yorker, describes how the elevator changed the face of New York City. Produced by David Levin. Interview by Joe Seaman. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Hear the story of one New Yorker who was stuck in an elevator for almost two days. Find it at pbs.org/nova/tech
audio NOVA Minute: To Boldly Go...
Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, ethnobotanist Ina Vandebroek explains why her job is like Star Trek. Listen in. Produced by David Levin and Rob Chapman. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
audio Rescuing the Miners
Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:00:00 -0500
When 33 Chilean miners were trapped in a cave-in this August, rescuers had to dig through more than 2000 feet of solid rock to free them. It was the deepest rescue ever attempted, and it would have to be done fast. but how? To find out, we talked to Greg Hall, owner of Drillers Supply International, a small Texas company that helped drill the rescue shaft in a record 33 days. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the Chilean mine rescue, go to pbs.org/nova/tech
audio Can Robots Save Miners' Lives?
Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In light of the amazing mine rescue in Chile last week, our partners at PRI's "The World" asked whether technology could be used to prevent mining accidents in the first place. In this podcast, The World's Lisa Mullins interviews Mark Yim, a mechanical engineer at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Interview produced by PRI's The World. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the Chilean mine rescue, go to pbs.org/nova/tech
audio Sacred Architecture
Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:00:00 -0500
When designing Gothic cathedrals, some medieval builders drew on sacred measurements laid out in the pages of the Bible. In this podcast, we talked to art historian Stephen Murray from Columbia University to find out why. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about Gothic architecture, visit pbs.org/nova/ancient
audio NOVA Minute: Music for the Masses
Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, game developer Eran Egozy from Harmonix--the video game company that created Rock Band and Guitar Hero--explains how he uses ones and zeros to bring music-making to everyone. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife
audio NOVA Minute: Inventing the Ascender
Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, mechanical engineer Nate Ball explains why a spectacular failure helped him learn how to build a life-saving device. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife
audio A Trip to the Parthenon
Fri, 8 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, art historian Jeff Hurwitt explains what made the Parthenon the greatest temple of Ancient Greece. Produced by Susan Lewis. Original interview by Gary Glassman. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more about the history of the Parthenon at pbs.org/nova/parthenon
audio A Mission to Mars?
Thu, 7 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, NOVA Online's editor-in-chief, Peter Tyson, interviews former astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Aldrin was the second man to set foot on the moon, and thinks that a human presence on Mars is inevitable in the future. Listen in to find out why. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Peter Tyson. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more about the future of human spaceflight at pbs.org/nova/space
audio NOVA Minute: The Bottom of Things
Tue, 5 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, biologist Mark Siddall from the American Museum of Natural History tells us how he found a rare species of leech in the rectum of a hippo. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Josh Seftel and Tom Miller. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
audio NOVA Minute: Becoming the Professor
Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, nanoscientist Rich Robinson from Cornell University explains what inspired him to become a professor. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Josh Seftel. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/secretlife
audio NOVA Minute: Cliff Tabin
Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, geneticist Cliff Tabin from Harvard Medical School explains how limbs form in an embryo. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by John Rubin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio Surprises in Your Genes
Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In order to develop from an embryo, animals as different as fruit flies and humans call on a nearly identical set of genes. But how does this one common genetic toolkit create so many different species? It turns out that it's not the genes you have—it's how you use them. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interviews by John Rubin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio Big Thinkers: If Darwin Were Here
Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:00:00 -0500
We've come a long way toward understanding evolution since the "Origin of Species" was first published 150 years ago. So what would Darwin think if he could see his theory's impact today-both on a scientific and social level? In this podcast, oceanographer Sylvia Earle, historian Jim Moore, and cognitive scientist Steven Pinker offer their best guesses. Podcast produced by David Levin and Susan K. Lewis. Original interviews by Susan K. Lewis and David Espar. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio Big Thinkers: Why Does Evolution Matter?
Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:00:00 -0500
In 1859, Charles Darwin published the "Origin of Species", a book that changed science forever. But why is it still important to understand his theories today? In this podcast, oceanographer Sylvia Earle, biologist Ken Miller, and the late paleontologist Steven Jay Gould offer their takes on the subject. Podcast produced by David Levin and Susan K. Lewis. Original interviews by Susan K. Lewis and David Espar. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio NOVA Minute: Jonathan Losos
Tue, 7 Sep 2010 17:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, hear zoologist Jonathan Losos explain why small lizards outlasted the dinosaurs. Produced by David Levin. Original audio courtesy WCAI-FM, Woods Hole, MA. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio Chasing Down Dinner
Fri, 3 Sep 2010 14:00:00 -0500
Evolving an ability to run long distances might have been key to survival for early humans. In this podcast, we talked to Dan Lieberman, an evolutionary biologist at Harvard University, to find out why. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Gaia Remerowski. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers. Learn more about human evolution at pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio How We Became Human
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:00:00 -0500
Today, humans are rapidly changing the world's climate-but some anthropologists think climate may have once changed us. In this podcast, Rick Potts, director of the Human Origins Program at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, explains why a rapidly shifting environment could have shaped early human behavior. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Graham Townsley. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/becominghuman
audio Music and Memory
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:00:00 -0500
Slowly, inevitably, Alzehimer's disease robs a person of their memories. Not just everyday memories--like where to find keys or a wallet--but more profound ones, like the names and faces of loved ones. Right now, there's no cure. But one pair of researchers thinks music might help mitigate the effects of the disease. Podcast produced by Rebecca Cheung. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about memory and the brain, go to pbs.org/nova/body
audio Better Forecasts for Aircraft
Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, engineer Bruce Carmichael from the National Center for Atmospheric Research describes how new weather forecasting technology could make flights over oceans safer. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about aviation safety, go to pbs.org/nova/space
audio NOVA Minute: E.O. Wilson
Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:00:00 -0500
NOVA Minutes are regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, hear naturalist E.O. Wilson give his thoughts on the ways humans interact with the natural world. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Gail Willumsen. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/eowilson
audio NOVA Minute: Bonnie Bassler
Mon, 2 Aug 2010 14:00:00 -0500
In this NOVA Minute, biologist Bonnie Bassler explains how bacteria "talk" to one another. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Digital Diamonds?
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:00:00 -0500
Can man-made diamond pave the way for the electronics of the future? It depends who you talk to. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Julia Cort. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by Pfizer, the National Science Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Hiding in Plain Sight
Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, marine biologist Roger Hanlon explains why octopuses are masters of camouflage. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Susan Lewis. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more about the remarkable camouflage of octopuses--and their cousins, cuttlefish--on pbs.org/nova/camo.
audio NOVA Minute: Neil Herman
Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:00:00 -0500
This July is "flight month" at NOVA. In this podcast, hear pilot Neil Herman from Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome describe what it's like to fly antique aircraft. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova
audio The Perfect Hunter
Wed, 7 Jul 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, biologist Christine Drea explains why social intelligence is the key to hyena's deadly hunting skills. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Susan K. Lewis. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. You can learn more about animal intelligence on pbs.org/nova/sciencenow.
audio NOVA Minute: Chad Wille
Fri, 2 Jul 2010 12:00:00 -0500
This July is "flight month" at NOVA. In this podcast, hear pilot Chad Wille from Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome describe what it's like to fly antique aircraft. Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova
audio NOVA Minute: Sam Bowring
Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this "NOVA Minute", geologist Sam Bowring from MIT offers his thoughts on mass extinctions. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Julia Cort. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Global Warning
Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, glaciologist Lonnie Thompson describes why global warming and melting glaciers could impact everything from drinking water supplies to the spread of infectious disease—and even political issues like refugees and terrorism. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Dana Rae Warren. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers.
audio NOVA Minute: Mark Lehner
Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, hear a taste of what we're airing on WGBH 89.7 FM in Boston. We call audio tidbits like these "NOVA Minutes", and air them three time per week during Morning Edition. Since they're not yet available online, we'll sprinkle them liberally into the podcast feed over the next few months. Stay tuned! Produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers.
audio Learning From Bonobos
Mon, 7 Jun 2010 17:00:00 -0500
Vanessa Woods is a science journalist and primate researcher who studies Bonobos, a close relative to chimpanzees. She says that when it comes to emotional intelligence, they put the human world to shame. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Susan K. Lewis. Music by Ja Prawn (freemusicarchive.org/music/Ja_Prawn/). NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. You can learn more about bonobos, chimps, and what makes us human on pbs.org/nova/sciencenow.
audio A Bolt From the Blue
Fri, 28 May 2010 13:00:00 -0500
Neurologist and author Oliver Sacks has come across plenty of odd stories while studying the human brain, but none are quite as mysterious as that of his colleague, Tony Cicoria. In 1994, Cicoria was struck by lightning, and developed a sudden, inexplicable passion for playing and writing piano music. In this podcast, hear Sacks describe Cicoria's transformation. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Dempsey Rice/Daughter One productions. Music by The New You. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/musicminds
audio Cooperative Apes
Mon, 24 May 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, learn why studying the emotions of our close primate relatives--chimpanzees and bonobos--might shed light on the evolution of human culture. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. You can learn more about bonobos, chimps, and what makes us human on pbs.org/nova/sciencenow.
audio NASA's Forgotten Tapes
Wed, 12 May 2010 17:00:00 -0500
In the mid 1960s, NASA launched the first of five lunar orbiters. Each one transmitted hundreds of images of the moon's surface back to Earth, which NASA recorded onto miles of analog tape. It was state of the art technology for the 1960s. But today, it's mostly forgotten. For the last 40 years, the tapes from the Lunar Orbiter missions have collected dust in a warehouse, and the computer drives that could read them have gone the way of the dinosaurs. In this podcast, we talked to Dennis Wingo, an engineer who's working to recover the images from the now-obsolete tapes. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers.
audio Life in the Blast Zone
Mon, 3 May 2010 12:00:00 -0500
Thirty years ago, a violent eruption ripped through the side of Mt. St. Helens in western Oregon. The blast killed 57 people and countless animals, and turned hundreds of miles of forest into barren wasteland. In this podcast, hear from ecologist Charlie Crisafulli on the slow recovery of the Mt. St. Helens ecosystem, and learn how the timing of the eruption actually spared some plant and animal life. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Kristine Allington. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the Hubble, go to pbs.org/nova/sthelens
audio The Deciding Factor
Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:00:00 -0500
For more than 100 years, academic economists have treated the market almost like a force of nature--a vast invisible system that operates independently from human emotions. But on a day-to-day basis, emotion plays a big role in the choices we make. In this podcast, we talked to Jennifer Lerner, a social psychologist at Harvard University, about how our feelings affect our financial decisions. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Malcolm Clark. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobill, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Additional funding for "Mind Over Money" provided by T. Rowe Price. To learn more about what caused the economic crash of 2008, go to pbs.org/nova/money
audio Twenty Years of Hubble
Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:00:00 -0500
On Saturday, April 24th, the Hubble Space Telescope will reach its 20th year in orbit. To mark the anniversary, we spoke to Ed Weiler, Chief Scientist for the Hubble mission from 1979 to 1998. He talked to us about the Hubble's early days--its conception, its first years in space, and its infamous optical problems, which blurred its view until a repair mission replaced faulty cameras in 1993. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the Hubble, go to pbs.org/nova/hubble
audio Hubble's Legacy
Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:00:00 -0500
On April 24th, NASA celebrates the Hubble Space Telescope's 20th year in orbit. Over the last two decades, it's sent back thousands of stunning images of deep space. For scientists, these pictures have allowed a deeper understanding of the universe. For the public, they've been a source of wonder and inspiration. With the Hubble's anniversary around the corner, we asked Neil deGrasse Tyson to give his take on the telescope's legacy. He's the director the Hayden Planetarium in New York, and is one of Hubble's biggest fans. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the Hubble, go to pbs.org/nova/hubble
audio Galileo and the Telescope
Tue, 6 Apr 2010 17:00:00 -0500
Galileo has been called the "father of modern science". His observations of the night sky in the early 1600s confirmed a new model of the universe, where the Earth orbited the sun--not the other way around. But before he was studying the universe, Galileo was working on practical problems. And his early goals for the telescope weren't so scientific. Podcast produced by David Levin. Origial interview by David Axelrod. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Additional funding for "Hunting the Edge of Space" is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Mt. Cuba Astronomical Foundation and the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. To learn more about the history of the telescope, go to pbs.org/nova/telescope.
audio Tiny Black Holes
Fri, 2 Apr 2010 10:00:00 -0500
The Large Hadron Collider, CERN's massive particle collider in Geneva, Switzerland, is finally online. It's the most powerful physics experiment in the world, capable of creating tiny black holes as it smashes sub atomic particles together. Not to worry, though: In this podcast, physicist Dave Wark explains that there's no way these can destroy the world. This podcast was produced by David Levin. Interview with Dave Wark by Rima Chaddha. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. To learn more, visit www.pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio The Origin of Dogs
Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:00:00 -0500
New DNA evidence shows that dogs were probably domesticated from wolves in the Middle East about eight thousand years ago. But wolves are generally fierce animals that travel in packs, and they're usually afraid of humans. That's pretty far off from the behavior of today's family pets. So how could that poodle in your backyard have come from a wolf? To find out, we spoke to Clive Wynne, who studies animal behavior at the University of Florida. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Gaia Remerowski. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about undersea archeology, go to pbs.org/nova
audio Archeology in the Deep
Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:00:00 -0500
Brenden Foley hunts ancient shipwrecks for a living. But he's not after sunken treasure--he's after information. Foley is a marine archeologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He's taking a new approach to the field. Instead of just focusing on a handful of shipwrecks, he wants to take a broad look, finding and cataloging wrecks in the Mediterranean that date to a wide timeframe. In this podcast, he talks to us about his work. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about undersea archeology, go to pbs.org/nova
audio Stuck on Mars
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:00:00 -0500
NASA's twin rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, have been exploring the surface of Mars for more than six years. It's an impressive fact, considering they were only designed to last for three months. But despite this longevity, recent mechanical failures have brought the Spirit rover to a standstill. In this podcast, we talked to Bruce Banerdt, the Project Scientist for the Mars rover missions, about the fate of this now-stationary rover. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Susan K. Lewis. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the Mars rovers, go to pbs.org/nova/mars
audio The Littlest Planet
Fri, 5 Mar 2010 10:00:00 -0500
In 2006, the International Astronomical Union decided on new definition of a planet--and Pluto didn't make the grade. It was bumped down to "dwarf planet" status. But it's not alone. It's now one of five known dwarf planets in the solar system. One of them, called Ceres, may hold clues to how life formed on Earth. In this podcast, we talked to planetary scientist Mark Sykes about this tiny world. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Susan K. Lewis. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/pluto
audio In Defense of Pluto
Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:00:00 -0500
After Pluto was discovered in 1930, it enjoyed the title of planet for more than 75 years. But in 2006, that all changed. At a meeting in Prague, the International Astronomical Union adopted a new definition for planethood, leaving the solar system with only eight planets. But not everyone agrees with its decision. In this podcast, planetary scientist Alan Stern talks to us about Pluto's demotion, and why he thinks it should be back on list of planets. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers.
audio Photographing Extreme Ice
Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0500
James Balog has been working as a nature photographer for more than 30 years. His latest project, the Extreme Ice Survey, is helping scientists document the rapid melt of glaciers worldwide—something he says is visible evidence of human-caused climate change. In this interview, he discusses his work. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/extremeice
audio Diving Into Danger
Tue, 9 Feb 2010 11:00:00 -0500
Scientists are excited about the Bahamas, and it's not just the tropical vacations that have their interest. It's what's underneath the surface of the islands—huge caves systems filled with water. They're called blue holes, and deep inside of them lie clues to past climate change, new species of invertebrates, even human remains from people who lived on the islands long before Columbus visited. In this podcast, hear from Kenny Broad, a researcher who led a diving expedition into blue holes last year. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by James Barrat. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Music courtesy APM music and Universildo (freemusicarchive.org/music/Universildo/). Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/cavedive
audio Shaping Skulls
Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:00:00 -0500
For thousands of years, people around the world have modified their bodies with tattoos and piercings. But some cultures, like the ancient Inca in Peru, took that practice beyond skin deep. They sometimes used ropes and boards to slowly change the shape of human skulls. It's a process called "cranial modification." In this podcast, bioarcheologist Valerie Andrushko explains. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Melissa Salpietra. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/machupicchu
audio Finding the Lost City
Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:00:00 -0500
Egyptologist Mark Lehner thinks it took almost 20,000 people to build the Great Pyramids. But where did all those workers live? In this podcast, Lehner describes how he found evidence of a "lost city" on the Giza plateau. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Peter Tyson. Music courtesy Pharaoh's Daughter (freemusicarchive.org/music/Pharaohs_Daughter/), Selva de Mar (freemusicarchive.org/music/Selva_de_Mar/), and APMmusic. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/sphinx
audio Notes from The Pluto Files
Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:00:00 -0500
While filming "The Pluto Files" Neil deGrasse Tyson and NOVA producer Terri Randall took a cross-country journey to trace the history of that distant cosmic body. Along the way, they met with the family of the late Clyde Tombaugh—the man who discovered Pluto in 1930. In this podcast, Neil talks to Terri about his experience on the trip. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Terri Randall. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/pluto
audio Surprises in Your Genes
Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:00:00 -0500
In order to develop from an embryo, animals as different as fruit flies and humans call on a nearly identical set of genes. But how does this one common genetic toolkit create so many different species? It turns out that it's not the genes you have—it's how you use them. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interviews by John Rubin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio Big Thinkers: If Darwin Were Here
Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:00:00 -0500
We've come a long way toward understanding evolution since the "Origin of Species" was first published 150 years ago. So what would Darwin think if he could see his theory's impact today-both on a scientific and social level? In this podcast, oceanographer Sylvia Earle, historian Jim Moore, and cognitive scientist Steven Pinker offer their best guesses. Podcast produced by David Levin and Susan K. Lewis. Original interviews by Susan K. Lewis and David Espar. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio Big Thinkers: Why Does Evolution Matter?
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:00:00 -0500
150 years ago, Charles Darwin published the "Origin of Species", a book that changed science forever. But why is it still important to understand his theories today? In this podcast, oceanographer Sylvia Earle, biologist Ken Miller, and the late paleontologist Steven Jay Gould offer their takes on the subject. Podcast produced by David Levin and Susan K. Lewis. Original interviews by Susan K. Lewis and David Espar. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio Big Thinkers: Evolution and God
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:00 -0500
Even though Darwin's theory is the foundation of modern biology, it's still controversial in some religious circles. But was evolution considered a serious threat to religion in Darwin's day? And can devoutly religious people accept evolution today? In this podcast, historian Jim Moore, professor of philosophy Dan Dennett, and Biologist Ken Miller weigh in on the subject. Podcast produced by David Levin and Susan K. Lewis. Original interviews by Susan K. Lewis and David Espar. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio Pearl Harbor Sub Discovered
Mon, 7 Dec 2009 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, learn how a newly identified wreck found outside Pearl Harbor may rewrite the history of the Japanese attack. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interviews by Kirk Wolfinger. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/killersubs
audio Big Thinkers: Darwin's Debut
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500
150 years ago today, Charles Darwin published the "Origin of Species," a book that changed science forever. His ideas still draw some controversy-but how were they received a century ago? In this podcast, hear from biologist Ken Miller, historian Jim Moore, and the late paleontologist Steven Jay Gould on the impact of Darwin's ideas. Podcast produced by David Levin and Susan K. Lewis. Original interviews by Susan K. Lewis and David Espar. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/evolution
audio Chasing Down Dinner
Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:00:00 -0500
Evolving an ability to run long distances might have been key to survival for early humans. In this podcast, we talked to Dan Lieberman, an evolutionary biologist at Harvard University, to find out why. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Gaia Remerowski. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/becominghuman
audio How We Became Human
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Today, humans are rapidly changing the world's climate-but some anthropologists think climate may have once changed us. In this podcast, Rick Potts, director of the Human Origins Program at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, explains why a rapidly shifting environment could have shaped early human behavior. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Graham Townsley. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/becominghuman
audio Hands on Hubble
Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0500
John Grunsfeld, an astronomer and astronaut, says that fixing the Hubble Space Telescope was be a delicate operation. In this podcast, he explains how astronauts had to literally let their fingers do the walking when working on satellite-and why the gloves of their space suits played a major role in the mission's success. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Rush DeNooyer. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, visit us online at pbs.org/nova/hubble
audio Capturing Darwin's Dilemma
Fri, 2 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0500
In 1862, Charles Darwin faced his greatest dilemma-whether or not to go public with his incendiary theory of evolution. It was a turning point for him, and for science as a whole. Today, scriptwriter John Goldsmith, former head of the British Writer's Guild, has crafted the story into a two-hour special for NOVA. In this interview, he talked to NOVA's Susan Lewis about the challenges of making of the film, and his fascination with the Darwin family. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Susan Lewis. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/darwin
audio Portland Science Pub
Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, Neil deGrasse Tyson visits Portland, Oregon, to participate in a monthly event called the "Science Pub." Sponsored by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the "Pub" invites researchers to talk about their work, answer audience questions, and have a beer. It's a science conversation done Oregon style. The original event lasted over two hours, but we trimmed the Q&A down to about 30 minutes. Podcast edited by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Cosmic Perspective: Looking Up
Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0500
As an astrophysicist, NOVA scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson has a unique view of the universe. Hear his "Cosmic Perspective" on looking up at the night sky. Audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Cosmic Perspective: Bad News
Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0500
As an astrophysicist, NOVA scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson has a unique view of the universe. Hear his "Cosmic Perspective" on bad news. Audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Cosmic Perspective: The Search for Life
Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:00:00 -0500
As an astrophysicist, NOVA scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson has a unique view of the universe. Hear his "Cosmic Perspective" on the search for life in the universe. Audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Cosmic Perspective: Dark Matter
Tue, 4 Aug 2009 17:00:00 -0500
As an astrophysicist, NOVA scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson has a unique view of the universe. Hear his "Cosmic Perspective" on dark matter. Audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Cosmic Perspective: Water
Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0500
As an astrophysicist, NOVA scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson has a unique view of the universe. Hear his "Cosmic Perspective" on finding water on other planets. Audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Cosmic Perspective: Coming To Our Senses
Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0500
As an astrophysicist, NOVA scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson has a unique view of the universe. Hear his "Cosmic Perspective" on coming to our senses. Audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Cosmic Perspective: Northern Lights
Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:00:00 -0500
As an astrophysicist, NOVA scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson has a unique view of the universe. Hear his "Cosmic Perspective" on the Northern Lights. Audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Cosmic Perspective: Finding Planets
Mon, 6 Jul 2009 17:00:00 -0500
As an astrophysicist, NOVA scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson has a unique view of the universe. Hear his "Cosmic Perspective" on the search for other planets. Audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Cosmic Perspective: Carbon
Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0500
As an astrophysicist, NOVA scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson has a unique view of the universe. Hear his "Cosmic Perspective" on the element carbon. Audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio A Bolt From the Blue
Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Neurologist and author Oliver Sacks has come across plenty of odd stories while studying the human brain, but none are quite as mysterious as that of his colleague, Tony Cicoria. In 1994, Cicoria was struck by lightning, and developed a sudden, inexplicable passion for playing and writing piano music. In this podcast, hear Sacks describe Cicoria's transformation. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Dempsey Rice/Daughter One productions. Music by The New You. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/musicminds
audio Pitch Perfect
Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Learning to sing like the pros isn't something you can do overnight. Over the last decade, though, recording studios have been fudging things a bit with software called Auto-Tune. It lets engineers change the pitch of sour notes. But can it make even hopeless amateurs sound decent? In this podcast, we enlisted the help of a few brave souls on the NOVA staff to find out. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interviews by David Levin and Vin Liota. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio A Life in Space
Fri, 5 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0500
For a boy from Costa Rica, being an astronaut must have seemed like a pipe dream. But despite long odds, Franklin Chang-Diaz made the cut. In this podcast, he reflects on hurdles he's cleared on his path to space, and describes the sense of both danger and elation that comes with the job. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Josh Seftel. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Forgotten Genius: Who was my father?
Mon, 1 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Percy Julian was a groundbreaking African-American scientist in the 20th century. Long before the Civil Rights Movement, he pioneered a path in a field that was dominated by whites and plagued by racial prejudice. Yet few people today even know his name. In this podcast, Julian's late son, Percy Jr., describes his father's personality. Podcast produced by David Levin and Susan Lewis. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for "Forgotten Genius" is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/julian.
audio Forgotten Genius: Percy Julian
Fri, 22 May 2009 12:00:00 -0500
Percy Julian was a groundbreaking African-American scientist in the 20th century. Long before the Civil Rights Movement, he pioneered a path in a field that was dominated by whites and plagued by racial prejudice. Yet few people today even know his name. In this podcast, hear an excerpt of a speech this forgotten genius gave at Indiana University in 1965. Podcast produced by David Levin and Susan Lewis. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for "Forgotten Genius" is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/julian.
audio Sexual Cannibalism
Wed, 13 May 2009 15:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, biologist Maydianne Andrade explains that sexual cannibalism-a gruesome mating behavior shown of Redback Spiders-is a prime example of how evolution works. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Josh Seftel. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio The Insider Who Knew
Wed, 6 May 2009 16:00:00 -0500
NASA engineer Rodney Rocha, whose warnings and calls for action went unheeded, speaks out about the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster. This podcast was produced by David Levin. Interview by Arun Rath. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more on E = mc2, visit www.pbs.org/nova/columbia
audio Speaking Ancient Maya
Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0500
Anthropologist Barbara Macleod says that studying the ancient Maya language offers a unique window into the past. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Rima Chaddha. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for "Cracking the Maya Code" is provided by the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities, with additional funding provided by The Solow Art and Architecture Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0407101. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this video podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more on translating ancient Maya, visit us online at pbs.org/nova/mayacode
audio Global Warning
Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, glaciologist Lonnie Thompson describes why global warming and melting glaciers could impact everything from drinking water supplies to the spread of infectious disease-and even political issues like refugees and terrorism. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Dana Rae Warren. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio More Than Games
Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, computer scientist Luis Von Ahn describes how tapping into the countless hours people spend playing games can help solve complex problems that stump computers. Podcast produced by David Levin. Inteview by Josh Seftel. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Tom and Ray Take Liberties
Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0500
As producer Joe Seamans notes in this podcast, the hundreds of e-mails we've received from our audience for "Car of the Future" have been terrific, with great questions for the experts as well as ideas for alternative vehicles. There also have been a few, well, rather imaginative suggestions. Tom and Ray, naturally, couldn't help having a little fun with them. Listen in. This podcast was produced by Susan Lewis and edited by David Levin. Interview by Joe Seamans. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Funding for the Car of the Future Open Production Web site is provided by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. To learn more, visit http://www.pbs.org/nova/car
audio Back To the Moon
Mon, 6 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, David Morrison, interim director of NASA's Lunar Science Institute, discusses why he thinks it's important for humans to return to the Moon. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Photographing Extreme Ice
Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0500
James Balog has been working as a nature photographer for more than 30 years. His latest project, the Extreme Ice Survey, is helping scientists document the rapid melt of glaciers worldwide--something he says is visible evidence of human-caused climate change. In this interview, he discusses his work. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/extremeice.
audio Forging the Inca Empire
Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0500
The Inca Empire of South America lasted just over 100 years. But in that short span, the Incas conquered an area almost as vast as the Roman Empire. In this podcast, Terence D'Altroy of Columbia University describes why the Incas were so successful. Podcast produced and edited by David Levin. Interview by Peter Tyson. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, visit www.pbs.org/nova/inca
audio Neil on Hubble
Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, our series host, Neil deGrasse Tyson, describes where he'd point the Hubble Space Telescope if he had the chance. He also touches on past debates over whether or not to keep the Hubble program alive. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio The Art of Running
Fri, 6 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, elite athlete Uta Pippig describes her philosophy on running and her experiences as an advisor to 13 novice runners NOVA is following as they embark on their first marathon. Podcast produced and edited by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, visit www.pbs.org/nova/marathon
audio The 2012 Hoax
Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:00:00 -0500
Our series host Neil deGrasse Tyson says that despite all those doomsday claims on the Internet, the world will NOT end in 2012. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by Pfizer, the National Science Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our Web site at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Defining Science: The Power of Science
Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Neil Shubin is a Paleontologist at the University of Chicago and the Field Museum. He says that scientific theories like evolution are different from other ideas for some very specific reasons. Produced by Susan Lewis and David Levin. Interview by Gary Glassman. "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial" is produced by NOVA and Vulcan Productions, Inc. in association with The Big Table Film Company. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, Pacific Life, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more on the nature of science and the latest battle over the teaching of evolution, visit us online at pbs.org/nova/id
audio Defining Science: Science Is Not Dogmatic
Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Robert Pennock is a philosopher of science at Michigan State University. He says that while some creationists claim that science itself is a religion, their argument simply doesn't hold up. Produced by David Levin and Susan Lewis. Interview by Gary Glassman. "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial" is produced by NOVA and Vulcan Productions, Inc. in association with The Big Table Film Company. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, Pacific Life, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more on the nature of science and the latest battle over the teaching of evolution, visit us online at pbs.org/nova/id
audio Defining Science: Science vs. Religion
Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Brown University biologist Ken Miller was a key witness in the 2005 trial of Kitzmiller v. Dover, the latest battle over the teaching of evolution in public schools. In this podcast, he describes the nature of science, its limits, and how it differs from religion. Produced by David Levin. Interview by Gary Glassman. "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial" is produced by NOVA and Vulcan Productions, Inc. in association with The Big Table Film Company. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, Pacific Life, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more on the nature of science and the latest battle over the teaching of evolution, visit us online at pbs.org/nova/id
audio Defining Science: Only a Theory?
Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Philosopher Barbara Forrest of Southeast Louisiana University was a key witness in the 2005 trial of Kitzmiller v. Dover, the latest battle over the teaching of evolution in public schools. In this podcast, she explains that people who claim evolution is "only a theory" are misusing the word "theory". Produced by Susan Lewis and David Levin. Interview by Gary Glassman. "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial" is produced by NOVA and Vulcan Productions, Inc. in association with The Big Table Film Company. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, Pacific Life, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more on the nature of science and the latest battle over the teaching of evolution, visit us online at pbs.org/nova/id
audio Caught in a Culture War
Mon, 9 Feb 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Journalist Lauri Lebo grew up in the area of Dover, Pennsylvania, and her father was a devout fundamentalist Christian. When a controversy over the teaching of evolution began to tear the town apart, Lebo not only covered the story, but also was personally affected by it. Produced by Susan K. Lewis and David Levin. Interview by Gary Glassman. "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial" is produced by NOVA and Vulcan Productions, Inc. in association with The Big Table Film Company. Funding for NOVA is provided by The DOW Chemical Company, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more on the nature of science and the latest battle over the teaching of evolution, visit us online at http://www.pbs.org/nova/id
audio Judging Intelligent Design
Fri, 6 Feb 2009 17:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, U.S. District Judge John Jones describes what it was like to preside over the landmark case of Kitzmiller v. Dover, explains why he ruled that intelligent design does not qualify as a science, and more. Produced by David Levin. Interview by Richard Maurer and David Levin. "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial" is produced by NOVA and Vulcan Productions, in association with The Big Table Film Company. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, Pacific Life, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the Dover case and the controversy over Intelligent Design, visit us online at pbs.org/nova/id
audio Decoding Speech
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, Vlad Sejnoha, an expert in speech recognition software, describes why recognizing and transcribing spoken language with computers is not as easy as you might think. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interviews by David Levin and Rachel VanCott. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Voice recognition is just one part of secret surveillance techniques being used by U.S. Intelligence agencies. To learn more about them, visit pbs.org/nova/spyfactory.
audio The Governator
Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger describes his state's plan to fight global warming. Podcast produced by David Levin and Susan Lewis. Interview by Larry Klein. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about California's new green energy policies, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/energy
audio Digital Diamonds?
Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Can man-made diamond pave the way for the electronics of the future? It depends who you talk to. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Julia Cort. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by Pfizer, the National Science Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Luscious Garage
Fri, 9 Jan 2009 17:00:00 -0500
Most auto repair shops don't make a point of being environmentally friendly-but Luscious Garage isn't your average shop. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Larry Klein. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn about other companies that are helping California go green, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/energy
audio Life on Ice
Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:00:00 -0500
Could permafrost under Martian soil be the key to finding life on the red planet? Chris McKay, a planetary scientist for NASA, thinks there's a good chance we'll see evidence of ancient microbes if we just follow the ice. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Anna Lee Strachan. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/mars
audio The Coldest Frontier
Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:00:00 -0500
Simon Schaffer is a historian of science at the University of Cambridge, England. In this podcast, he discusses the search for absolute zero and its impact on science and technology. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by David Dugan. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the race to conquer cold, visit our Web site at pbs.org/nova/zero
audio Phoenix Arrives
Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:00:00 -0500
Thousands of things could go wrong at any stage of the Mars Phoenix Lander's mission. But Peter Smith, the mission's Principal Investigator, says that the most nerve-wracking parts are getting Phoenix safely into space and back down again on Mars. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Jonathan Grupper. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/mars
audio Did Bugs Do In the Dinos?
Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0500
Did a massive asteroid kill off the dinosaurs? Maybe not. Entomologist George Poinar thinks something much smaller might have done the job. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Terri Randall. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by Pfizer, the National Science Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Additional funding is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova/sciencenow
audio Touching the Past
Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0500
For Chief Anne "Little Fawn" Richardson, Pocahontas is more than a legendary historical figure. Richardson can trace her own ancestry back to the 17th century, when her tribe, the Rappahannocks, were part of a vast domain ruled by Pocahontas's father. In this podcast, Richardson reflects on the clash of cultures between Pocahontas's people and the English settlers of Jamestown. Podcast produced and edited by Susan K. Lewis. Interview by Kirk Wolfinger. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, visit http://www.pbs.org/nova/pocahontas
audio Talking With Apes
Wed, 3 Dec 2008 16:00:00 -0500
In this podcast, hear about about Sue Savage-Rumbaugh's language studies with bonobos, a primate closely related to humans. Interview conducted by Rima Chaddha. Podcast produced and edited by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more on bonobos and what they might teach us about ourselves, visit www.pbs.org/nova/bonobos