Nova

- Season 43

(2016)

To avoid trampling historical "World War I trench warfare tunnels" in Belgium archaeologists were brought to clear a path for the construction of a pipeline.

Four and a half billion years ago, the young Earth was a hellish place-a seething chaos of meteorite impacts, volcanoes belching noxious gases, and lightning flashing through a thin, torrid atmosphere. Then, in a process that has puzzled scientists for decades, life emerged. But how? NOVA joins mineralogist Robert Hazen as he journeys around the globe. From an ancient Moroccan market to the Australian Outback, he advances a startling and counterintuitive idea-that the rocks beneath our feet were not only essential to jump-starting life, but that microbial life helped ...

What happened to a quarter quadrillion krill and what does it mean for some of our favorite animals; penguins, whales and seals. Scientists are determined to find out if we should relax, worry or panic.

On April 25, 2015 a devastating earthquake rocked Nepal, wiping out villages and leaving thousands dead. Through eyewitness footage, expert interviews, and stunning graphics, NOVA reveals the anatomy of this megaquake while scientists race to answer urgent questions: Is another big one coming?

Deep-sea scientists study the undersea world of creatures that flash, sparkle, shimmer or glow.

Memory is the glue that binds our mental lives. But how does it work? Neuroscientists using cutting-edge techniques are exploring the precise molecular mechanisms of memory. By studying a range of individuals ranging-from an 11-year-old whiz-kid, Jake Hausler, who remembers every detail of his life to a woman who had memories implanted-scientists have uncovered a provocative idea.

Murdered more than 5,000 years ago, Otzi the Iceman is the oldest human mummy on Earth. Now, newly discovered evidence sheds light not only on this mysterious ancient man, but on the dawn of civilization in Europe.

Machines with human-like capabilities have long been the stuff of science fiction. Until now. Meet the world's most advanced humanoid robots as they leave the lab, battle real-world challenges, and endeavor to become part of our everyday lives.

They were pioneering warriors, expert seafarers, and colonists of the North Atlantic realm. The Vikings even claimed in their sagas to have reached America. Now, renowned archaeologist Sarah Parcak uncovers new clues about their legendary expeditions and settlements.

Alzheimer's disease ravages the minds of over 40 million victims worldwide. The cause of Alzheimer's disease and whether it can be stopped is one of the greatest medical mysteries of our time. Join courageous patients participating in clinical trials, and then go behind the scenes of the major drug trials to see how researchers target and test therapies that may slow and even prevent Alzheimer's disease.

From Yellowstone to the Yukon, to Southern Africa's elephant highways stretching across five nations, explore how newly established wildlife corridors may offer a glimmer of hope to some of our planet's most cherished-but endangered-species.

Engineers work to save historic Gay Head Lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard, which is falling victim to the ocean's erosion of the island's cliffs.

Historians and engineers investigate how Allied forces conspired to destroy Hitler's "supergun".

Investigate the psychology of a terrorist and examine how radical organizations have grown to make use of modern propaganda and social media tools in order to cultivate an army of self-radicalized killers.

Once the envy of the world, American schools are now in trouble. Can the science of learning- including new insights from neuroscientists, psychologists, and educators-reveal how kids' brains work and tell us which techniques are most likely to engage and inspire growing minds? Teachers, students, parents, and scientists take center stage as NOVA explores a new vision for the School of the Future.

Scientists are using archaeological and cultural findings to map humans' exodus from Africa and identify the adaptive skills required for the journey.

Follow an army of engineers and designers as they tackle the complex challenge of building Crossrail, a massive new subterranean railway deep beneath the streets of London.

This program explains the formation, chemistry, variations and allure of the most notable gemstones; diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, jade and opals.

History's most important metals and how they advanced civilization.

Drill down to discover the treasures beneath our feet that power our world. Fossil fuels-coal, oil, and natural gas-powered the industrial revolution and allowed us to build a way of life that many cherish today. Personal cars, planes, lights, hot showers-all of these are gifts from our fossil fuels... but they have a dirty dark side in that they are polluting the planet. What is it about these natural resources that has allowed them to fuel our civilization? What secrets are locked in their molecules? Where did that energy come from, and can we find alternative ...