Over the last ten years, a growing number of researchers have dedicated themselves to rigorous laboratory studies of extrasensory perception, or ESP. *NOVA* examines the evidence both supporting and refuting claims of paranormal phenomena, …

From the vantage point of space, an astronaut witnessed a brilliant white light emanating from the depths of Earth: Antarctica, the ice-bound continent we are only now beginning to comprehend. *NOVA* journeys to this frozen wilderness, a la…

The challenge of managing rapid population growth remains a deeply contested issue. In this report, NOVA examines the People's Republic of China's one-child policy—a transformative decree that has profoundly impacted a society historically …

A definitive cure for paralysis resulting from spinal injuries remains elusive. Many neurosurgeons express skepticism, citing the central nervous system’s limited capacity for self-repair. However, dissenting voices maintain that hope persi…

Al Giddings stands as a preeminent figure in underwater photography. NOVA offers a compelling glimpse into his work, revealing the otherworldly beauty and hidden dangers of the ocean depths.

Agriculture stands as America's foremost industry, its productivity a source of admiration globally. Yet, this very success is steadily eroding the fundamental resources upon which farming depends: water and soil. In this report, NOVA exami…

What responsibilities does the United States bear to its Indigenous people? With a significant Indian Health Service Act facing renewal in Congress this Spring (1984), NOVA examines the current condition of medical care for a people who mai…

Physicist Victor Weisskopf was a man of wide interests – a devoted listener to music and a true global citizen. In a profile, NOVA explores the life of this international figure in science, revealing that one of the foremost minds of the 20…

Amidst a period of diminished scientific collaboration between the United States and the Soviet Union—a low point not seen since the 1950s—an unprecedented exchange will bring eight prominent scientists from both nations together for direct…

Nova ventures into new territory with its inaugural National Science Test. Viewers are invited to test their knowledge against a panel of distinguished guests: Jane Alexander, Jules Bergman, Marva Collins, and Edwin Newman. The program is h…

Mahaweli, a project exceeding a billion dollars, reshapes the landscape of Sri Lanka through extensive irrigation. This ambitious undertaking raises a critical question: will it represent a significant advancement, or will its consequences …

In Laos, the Hmong people speak of "yellow rain," a phenomenon that has prompted inquiry from NOVA. The program investigates whether this unusual precipitation represents a deliberate use of chemical weapons, or if it is instead a result of…

Deep in the Ecuadorian jungle, NOVA encounters a community of indigenous people whose customs remain rooted in the Paleolithic era. It is thirty years since their initial encounter with the modern world, yet they have preserved a way of lif…

NOVA examines the "blue revolution"—the contemporary advancements in the age-old practice of cultivating aquatic life, both animal and plant—across the United States, Japan, Scotland, and other nations.

In NOVA's latest work, a continuation of "A Normal Face," the author explores the increasingly complex intersection of technology and artistry within contemporary reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.

For over two decades, they have been integral to the United States' endeavors in space. This is a look at the accomplished and daring women who comprise this vital force. NOVA explores the careers of astronauts like Sally Ride and her fello…

Renowned underwater cinematographer Al Giddings guides NOVA's audience into the depths, illuminating the reality and mythology that surround the great white shark.

The discussion surrounding acid rain intensifies. *NOVA* journeys to West Germany, the mid-Atlantic region, and New England to explore the complexities of this environmental issue.

What connections exist between dinosaurs, a panda’s vestigial thumb, and the elaborate train of a peacock’s tail? Renowned paleontologist and evolutionary theorist, Dr. Stephen Jay Gould, offers intriguing insights into these relationships …

The documentary explores the life, era, and groundbreaking work of Gregor Mendel, the 19th-century Augustinian friar who, through his experiments in selective breeding, earned the title "Father of Genetics."