In the wild heart of forests and along the edges of marshes, NOVA seeks to unravel the mystery of birdsong, revealing unexpected echoes of how humans learn to speak.

For many insects and certain mammals, scent serves as their principal language. NOVA explores this phenomenon, illustrating how, for instance, the intricate society within an ant colony is entirely structured around olfactory signals. Furth…

The relentless pursuit of matter's most basic components, achieved by shattering it into increasingly smaller fragments, has yielded a bewildering array of particles. This enduringly perplexing endeavor – arguably one of science’s most cost…

The majority of us dedicate roughly a third of our lives to a state we barely comprehend. Some individuals thrive on minimal sleep, functioning optimally after only a few minutes, while others insist that eight hours is woefully insufficien…

NOVA is partnering with scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey on an exploration of the San Francisco Bay, seeking to understand the intricate interplay of its physical processes, chemical composition, and living ecosystems.

Fifteen thousand years ago, in the Dordogne Valley of France, Cro-Magnon people – early humans of the late Ice Age – devoted time beyond mere survival to creating images on the walls of their caves. *NOVA* journeys with French and American…

Nova has joined a cohort of English biologists residing on a platform in the Red Sea, where they have spent years studying the crown-of-thorns starfish. This creature is infamous for the destruction it inflicts upon the coral reefs of Austr…

Do you ever notice your body responding differently depending on the hour? NOVA explores the optimal and less ideal times for work, the peak of libido, and the period when your body is most sensitive to alcohol.

One year after the United States outlawed the insecticide, the question remains: has the case against DDT truly been proven? It may seem an odd inquiry, but *NOVA* dares to ask it nonetheless. The program charts the history of DDT, from its…

Nova presents portraits of two distinct figures in science: Richard Feynman, a theoretical physicist at the height of his accomplishments and a Nobel laureate, and Richard Lewontin, a respected biologist and population geneticist from Harva…

In this work, NOVA examines the ascent of T.D. Lynsenko to prominence within the Soviet Union during the early 20th century, and the profound consequences of his influence on plant genetic research in the nation.

Deep within the Hoggar Mountains, at the heart of the Sahara, resides Sidi Mohammed and his family: children, grandchildren, cousins, and a handful of women who were once enslaved. Their harsh surroundings offer little sustenance. NOVA expl…

The possibility of a terrorist organization acquiring plutonium meant for nuclear reactors and constructing a weapon of unimaginable destructive force – a crude atomic bomb – is explored by Theodore Taylor, a former designer of atomic and h…

The relentless pursuit of greater scale has defined progress since the Industrial Revolution. NOVA explores the philosophy of E.F. Schumacher, author of *Small Is Beautiful*, who argues for a fundamental shift in perspective. He posits that…

For over a thousand years, the Mayan civilization thrived in the rainforests of Central America. Discovered and ultimately dismantled by the Spanish conquistadors, it faded from prominence until explorers rediscovered it in the 19th century…

A valuable source of protein, fish offers a potential solution to the escalating global food crisis. Yet, in 1972, the worldwide fish catch experienced a significant downturn. This work examines the possible factors contributing to that dec…