English archers possessed their longbows, and sheriffs of the Old West, their six-guns; yet the samurai warriors of Japan wielded the most formidable weapon of all: the katana, or samurai sword, with its razor edge and unparalleled craftsma…

Scientists are exploring the role of a puzzling "second genome" in shaping our inherent predispositions. They seek to understand how this hidden genetic layer influences the course of our lives.

The question of whether anyone can run a marathon often arises: how does one cover twenty-six point two miles if a short walk around the block proves challenging? "Marathon Challenge," a production in collaboration with the Boston Athletic…

The dawn of the Space Age broke on October 4, 1957, heralded by the crimson of the Soviet flag as they launched the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik I. The event sent shockwaves across the globe, igniting a profound acceleration …

Drawing on courtroom reenactments meticulously crafted from transcripts and interviews with those who witnessed it, NOVA revisits the pivotal events of the federal case, *Kitzmiller v. Dover School District*.

In the northern reaches of Cameroon, the Mofu people share a profound connection with the insect world, most notably with the red driver ant. They cultivate a practical alliance with these creatures, employing them as a natural defense agai…

The Korean War, erupting in the early 1950s, witnessed epic aerial clashes above North Korea – a nascent jet war where American and Soviet aircraft locked in deadly combat. This program examines the war's aerial strategies, the cutting-edge…

We so readily accept our control over cold – from air conditioning and frozen meals to the liquid gases and superconductivity driving modern technology. Yet, what truly *is* cold? How is it achieved, and to what depths can it descend? This …

We readily accept our control over cold – from the hum of air conditioning and the convenience of frozen meals to the liquid gases and superconductivity that power modern technology. Yet, what truly *is* cold? How is it achieved, and to wha…

For twenty-five centuries, the Parthenon has endured assault: shot at, burned, shaken by earthquakes, stripped of its sculptures, nearly obliterated by an explosion, and marred by misguided attempts at restoration. It has served as a temple…

The 1960s witnessed a global fascination with the space race as the United States and the Soviet Union competed for lunar supremacy – a period etched in the collective memory through countdowns, launches, splashdowns, and celebratory parade…

In a research location near Fongoli, Senegal, a female chimpanzee selects a branch, gnawing the tip to create a sharp point. She then employs this simple spear to impale a bush baby concealed within a tree hollow. This represents a remarkab…

The 2002 discovery of *Microraptor*, a four-winged dinosaur roughly the size of a crow, has stirred renewed discussion within the scientific community regarding the evolution of flight. This remarkable fossil fuels debate over how avian cap…

The ancient Maya civilization of Central America bequeathed a complex and enigmatic hieroglyphic script, etched onto monuments, painted on pottery, and inscribed in books crafted from bark paper. For centuries, scholars deemed it too intric…

Tom and Ray Magliozzi, the familiar voices of NPR's *Car Talk*, delve into emerging technologies and envision the future of the automobile.

This award-winning documentary follows a challenging path undertaken by countless women in Ethiopia, a journey that begins in despair and shame and culminates in the promise of a renewed life. The film shares the intimate stories of rural w…

At seventy-eight, E.O. Wilson remains immersed in the inquisitive spirit of a boy exploring the natural world. In "Lord of the Ants," NOVA presents a portrait of this quiet Southerner and Harvard professor, a celebrated champion of ants, bi…