NOVA | PBS show

NOVA | PBS

Summary: NOVA brings you short audio stories from the world of science -- anything from hurricanes to mummies to neutrinos. For more science programming online and on air, visit NOVA's Web site at pbs.org/nova, or watch NOVA broadcasts Wednesday nights on PBS.

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  • Artist: WGBH Science Unit
  • Copyright: Copyright 2013 NOVA/WGBH Educational Foundation

Podcasts:

 Packaging You Can Eat | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 5:51

Have you ever eaten a cocktail? Held a mouthful of juice in your hand? A team of chefs, chemists, and designers has come up with a way for you to do just that. They've created a biodegradable shell that can enclose ice cream, mousses, cheeses, and liquids. For more global science stories, visit: http://www.world-science.org/ NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

 Boosting Kids' Brain Power | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 7:06

An Oxford University researcher will soon test whether applying an electric current to part of the brain can help children learn math—an effect previously demonstrated in adults. Parents are already lining up for access to the device. But is the technique safe? And is this an ethical way to improve a child's performance in school? For more global environmental stories, visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/ http://www.theworld.org/category/topics/environment/ NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

 Magnetic Fish Hooks Save Sharks | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 5:58

It sounds like a plot device from a comic book: a simple substance that can make the powerful weak. But it's not kryptonite. An enterprising chemist says he's found a substance—several, in fact—that work against some of the most fearsome predators in the ocean. And he wants to use his discovery to protect them. This podcast was produced by Sam Eaton for NOVA and PRI's "The World." For more global environmental stories, visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/ http://www.theworld.org/category/topics/environment/ NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

 Elements in the Ocean | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 4:05

There's a lot more to the oceans than salt and water. Many other ingredients make up the rich broth that sustains marine life and helps regulate the Earth's climate. But where do those ingredients come from? To answer that question, French geochemist Catherine Jeandel has collected seawater from all over the world and is examining it for elemental clues. This podcast was produced by Sam Eaton for NOVA and PRI's "The World." For more global environmental stories, visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/ http://www.theworld.org/category/topics/environment/ NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

 A Gene for Fish Order | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 8:12

British scientists have developed a genetic test for a disorder that causes people to emit an unusual body odor: The gene causes sufferers to smell like rotten fish. For those who have been ostracized—shunned by friends and unable to hold jobs because they are perceived as unhygienic—the test offers some solace. But one patient says the genetic discovery has not changed his life as much as he had hoped for. This podcast was produced by Sam Eaton for NOVA and PRI's "The World." For more global environmental stories, visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/ http://www.theworld.org/category/topics/environment/ Visit our friends at PRI's "The World" for a behind-the-scenes interview with reporter Ari Daniel Shapiro, and to find other stories about personal genetic testing. For more information on trimethylaminuria, visit tmau.org.uk. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

 Sandy's Warning | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 6:03

Hurricane Sandy has renewed the debate over climate change in the United States, and two high-profile reports released since the storm have made it clear that without big changes we're headed for an extremely serious climate disruption. Reporter Sam Eaton takes a look at what would have to happen to avoid the most catastrophic effects of global warming. This podcast was produced by Sam Eaton for NOVA and PRI's "The World." For more global environmental stories, visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/ http://www.theworld.org/category/topics/environment/ NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

 Costa Rica's Hunting Ban | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 4:28

Costa Rica, a tropical country known for its national parks and ecotourism, has proposed a further step to protect its environment: a ban on all hunting. But even in this environmentally conscious nation, the legislation faces obstacles. This podcast was produced by Sam Eaton for NOVA and PRI's "The World." For more global environmental stories, visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/ http://www.theworld.org/category/topics/environment/ NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

 Climate Change and Sandy | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 6:35

Could climate change be contributing to extreme weather events like Hurricane Sandy? Jennifer Francis, a climatologist at Rutgers University in New Jersey, believes that may be the case. In fact, her research shows that Arctic warming may have contributed to many of the extreme weather events of the past few years. Sam Eaton reports from New Jersey. This podcast was produced by Sam Eaton for NOVA and PRI's "The World." For more global environmental stories, visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/ http://www.theworld.org/category/topics/environment/ NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers.

 (Repeat) NOVA Minute: How to Speak Walrus | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:28

Marine biologist Colleen Reichmuth says that few mammals can match the vocal talents of the walrus. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Doug Hamilton. Learn more at pbs.org/nova NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers.

 Finding a Fake Van Gogh | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 6:12

NOVA scienceNOW's Dean Irwin discusses what he learned about this new computer technology while producing his story on digital art authentication. Podcast produced by David Levin. Music by Jeff Allen. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and PBS Viewers. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0229297. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For more fun science stories, visit our Web site at http://www.pbs.org/nova/sciencenow

 Speaking Ancient Maya | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 4:19

Anthropologist Barbara Macleod says that studying the ancient Maya language offers a unique window into the past. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Rima Chaddha. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and PBS viewers. Major funding for "Cracking the Maya Code" is provided by the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities, with additional funding provided by The Solow Art and Architecture Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0407101. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this video podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more on translating ancient Maya, visit us online at pbs.org/nova/mayacode

 The Big Deal with CERN: Stephon Alexander | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:22

Cosmologist Stephon Alexander says he'd be surprised if we didn't find the Higgs particle. Podcast produced by David Levin and Rima Chaddha, with audio editing by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova

 Space and Time Explained: Leonard Susskind | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:40

Physicist Leonard Susskind says that Einstein radically changed the way we think about space, but his equations can't explain exactly what it is. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova

 Space and Time Explained: Alan Guth | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:14

Physicist Alan Guth says that the concept of "space" is more complicated than you might think. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova

 Space and Time Explained: Max Tegmark | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:32

Physicist Max Tegmark says that researchers still don't fully understand what time is. It's one of the biggest mysteries in physics. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. For more science stories, visit our website at pbs.org/nova

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