Does the root of the fagara hold as much promise as the stethoscope? This exploration examines the roles played by both traditional herbal practices and conventional Western medicine in the well-being of the Nigerian people.

This program investigates evidence gleaned from ancient rocks and meteorites, seeking to reconstruct the formation of our planet, the events of its primordial history, and the emergence of life. The journey takes us to the site of a recent …

NOVA explores the Dead Sea, a place of unparalleled low elevation, situated 1400 feet below sea level and shared by Israel and Jordan. With careful management, this unique environment holds the potential to become a crucial natural resource…

The eruption of Mount St. Helens earlier this year drew global attention to the astonishing power unleashed by volcanoes. Geologists from across the world gathered at the volcano, and NOVA joined their observation, providing comprehensive c…

Nova delves into the potential of scientific inquiry to illuminate the complexities of murder—to understand its causes and explore avenues for prevention. The program examines the often grim work of those confronting mortality: police offic…

The notion of healthcare has long been simplified to a few remedies – aspirin and chicken soup. In reality, it is now a vast and complex undertaking, capable of both remarkable advancements and exorbitant expense. The question of affordabil…

With sophisticated instruments, astronomers now pierce the obscuring veil of the Milky Way, revealing a universe teeming with perhaps a hundred billion galaxies. In this exploration, NOVA journeys into the cosmos to witness these ancient cl…

For a period of 150 million years, dinosaurs not of the bird variety reigned supreme over the Earth. Then, 65 million years ago, they disappeared abruptly, along with a vast portion of the planet’s flora and fauna. NOVA explores a compellin…

NOVA films the breathtaking beauty, remarkable resilience, and untamed power of wild animals, drawing compelling parallels to the extraordinary feats of Olympic athletes. The program juxtaposes human athletic prowess with the inherent grace…

More than three centuries have passed since Galileo first beheld Saturn's magnificent rings through his newly constructed telescope. Now, NOVA explores the wonders and fresh enigmas revealed by Voyager 1 during its unprecedented journey.

NOVA investigates a growing concern: the potential risks inherent in modern computers' accumulation of seemingly innocuous data about our lives – from purchases and medical visits to charitable donations. These machines can amass a depth of…

The United States experiences a higher rate of fire-related deaths than any other industrialized nation. A recent report by NOVA reveals troubling deficiencies in the country's fire prevention efforts, exposing critical vulnerabilities to d…

A profound secret resides within the master violins crafted by Italian artisans such as Antonio Stradivari during the 17th and 18th centuries. Now, a physicist from Wisconsin, working in isolation within his cellar, may have unlocked the en…

A NOVA explores the astonishing revelations of X-ray astronomy. This burgeoning field has unveiled a universe far more bewildering and turbulent than previously conceived, teeming with neutron stars, luminous stars, supernovae, quasars, and…

For centuries, those who have faced them have known locusts as the "teeth of the wind," and they continue to threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of millions. Unusually heavy desert rains transform these seemingly harmless grasshoppers int…

A century after its initial spark, the debate surrounding Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species" is reigniting, fueled by fresh discoveries and fervent conviction. NOVA delves into the contemporary challenges posed to evolutionary theory, exa…

The breathtaking special effects of films like "2001" and "Star Wars" captivated audiences, yet few grasped the astonishingly advanced technologies underpinning their fantastical narratives. NOVA explores the twentieth century's visionary i…

You are not alone. Whether we acknowledge it or not, every human being, and indeed nearly every living creature, exists in a state of being fundamentally shaped by ancient life. Within each cell, countless prehistoric organisms operate in c…

In his keen and often witty observations, William H. Whyte examines the parks, plazas, and streets of urban life, and the individuals who populate them. Through years of meticulous research, Whyte sought to understand the reasons behind the…

Imagine, if you will, the peculiar experience of having your reflection engage in conversation. This is not a fanciful notion, but a commonplace occurrence for identical twins. NOVA explores the remarkable history of scientific inquiry into…