NOVA Science Video Podcast | PBS

Medical researchers and ER doctors are testing therapies that cool down patients to save their lives. 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, and PBS viewers.

Computer scientist Jason Leigh has a novel way of achieving immortality—creating a lifelike avatar of himself. 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, and PBS viewers.

A gene called FOXO may be a real elixir of longevity. Can all of us harness its power? 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, and PBS viewers.

Meet Alan Sage, a finalist in Intel's Science Talent Search who recently began his first year as an undergraduate at Yale. Alan's research into the "root memory" of plants may have an impact on future Alzheimer's treatments. In his spare time, Alan writes poetry and raps fiercely. Alan is one of the scientists profiled in "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers," a web-exclusive series from NOVA. Every two weeks, you'll have a chance to meet a new scientist or engineer. Watch their videos. Ask them questions. Find out how their surprising secret lives fuel their science, and vice versa. "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers" is produced for NOVA by Seftel Productions. Visit pbs.org/nova/secretlife Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers" is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Custom-made hearts, lungs, kidneys, and other organs could revolutionize organ transplantation. 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, and PBS viewers.

Irv Gordon has driven his 1966 Volvo more than 2.7 million miles. But don't ask if you can drive it yourself. 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, and PBS viewers.

Meet Emily Whiting, a Ph.D. student at MIT who explores the intersection of architecture, structural engineering, and computer graphics. Using her studies of Gothic cathedrals and other very old buildings, Emily creates animations that help guide the efficient and effective creation of new buildings. When not thinking about megabytes and concrete, Emily scales really, really tall things—she's a rock-climber. Emily is one of the scientists profiled in "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers," a web-exclusive series from NOVA. Every two weeks, you'll have a chance to meet a new scientist or engineer. Watch their videos. Ask them questions. Find out how their surprising secret lives fuel their science, and vice versa. "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers" is produced for NOVA by Seftel Productions. Visit pbs.org/nova/secretlife Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers" is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

A daredevil engineer born in India now drives NASA's Mars rovers. 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, and PBS viewers.

Meet Dave Sulzer, a neuroscientist at Columbia University who studies how different parts of the brain communicate with each other and what impact these processes could have in treating diseases. An accomplished musician in his own right, Dave conducts the "largest orchestra in the world," the Thai Elephant Orchestra. He is one of the scientists profiled in "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers," a web-exclusive series from NOVA. Every two weeks, you'll have a chance to meet a new scientist or engineer. Watch their videos. Ask them questions. Find out how their surprising secret lives fuel their science, and vice versa. "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers" is produced for NOVA by Seftel Productions. Visit pbs.org/nova/secretlife Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers" is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

With a "small sun" for an engine, a new rocket might be able to zip us to Mars and back in under three months. 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, and PBS viewers.

How do you keep food fresh on a three-year round-trip to Mars? NASA scientist-chefs are cooking up some ideas. 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, and PBS viewers.

Meet Shaundra Daily, a computer scientist and engineer who designs technologies to help adults and children reflect on their beliefs, values, and attitudes. She is one of the scientists whom we are profiling on "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers," a web-exclusive series from NOVA. Every two weeks, you'll have a chance to meet a new scientist or engineer. Watch their videos. Ask them questions. Find out how their surprising secret lives fuel their science, and vice versa. "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers" is produced for NOVA by Seftel Productions. Visit pbs.org/nova/secretlife Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers" is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Today's suits are notoriously bulky. MIT's Dava Newman is out to change that with a radical, and sleek, new design. 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, and PBS viewers.

A trip to Mars and back could take two to three years. Can humans survive the journey, fraught with deadly meteoroids, bone and muscle wasting, and perilous levels of radiation? Scientists are developing new ways to keep astronauts alive, using novel meteoroid-proof materials, artificial gravity, and exercise. But will they be enough?

Andre Fenton studies the biological basis of human memory. And he never forgets to find some quiet time to meditate. He is one of the scientists whom we are profiling on "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers," a web-exclusive series from NOVA. Every two weeks, you'll have a chance to meet a new scientist or engineer. Watch their videos. Ask them questions. Find out how their surprising secret lives fuel their science, and vice versa. "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers" is produced for NOVA by Seftel Productions. Visit pbs.org/nova/secretlife Exclusive funding for "The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers" is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.