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Making plentiful use of animation, this comprehensive video clip library of 32 two-to-three-minute segments brings plant biology to life! Visual learners will particularly benefit from the intricate processes and key botanical concepts illustrated in each self-contained video. A versatile teaching tool, Plant Biology is also an excellent student research resource.
Some people suffer chronic pain long after an injury has healed, while others can jump from a two-story building and not feel a thing. This film reveals the physiological foundations of both scenarios as it examines the mechanics of pain perception. Viewers meet a family whose unique genetic code has lent insight into the sensation of pain, while a man who cut off his own arm to save his life describes what he felt-and what he didn't feel-during the unthinkable experience. Researchers are finding that even early childhood events play a role in the ability to tolerate pain, and that a blend of neurology and psychology yields promising new treatments in its management.
A high-energy blend of wildlife footage and quirky motion graphics, this collection of 26 fun and informative one-minute video clips highlights important facts about animals, from basic to bizarre. What's on these creatures' menus? Where do they like to hang out? How do they get from place to place? Animal Crackers tells it like it is as it introduces viewers to penguins with crazy hairdos, monkeys with massive noses, dancing lemurs, ferocious frill-necked lizards, and many others!
In the not-so-distant future, athletes and other physically active people won't use needles, pills, or stick-ons for extra strength and endurance-those traits will be cultivated genetically. But one person's athletic utopia is another's sci-fi nightmare, and the World Anti-Doping Agency is already raising the alarm. This program examines the controversy in the wider context of biomedical advances as well as in the arena of sports. Featured case studies include gene therapy experiments with mice conducted by famed researcher Dr. Nadia Rosenthal and several other genetically relevant medical examples. Renowned geneticist Dr. Theodore Freidmann is also interviewed. Contains brief posterior nudity related to steroid use testing.
This comprehensive video clip library of 50 two -to -three -minute segments -breathtakingly filmed in locales around the world -will open viewers' eyes as they learn key biological, environmental, and geological concepts associated with the ecological communities forming the biosphere. Whether using a single biome clip to support a discussion or an entire five -clip biome module to give students a quick introduction, Biomes of the Earth is an indispensable educational tool.
The human body is always on the move. Whether we are jumping, running or sitting still; blood is pumping, muscles are contracting, and joints are moving. The body's internal systems perform complex processes every second of every day, so we can spend our time doing whatever we need to. This Australian-made, curriculum fit program takes us inside the human body, showing us just how the musculoskeletal and cardio-respiratory systems work and how they influence and respond to movement. This information-packed program is presented in a clear and logical format, with vivid animations and real-life examples that will engage viewers from start to finish.
When beginning any health and fitness program we need to test our health-related and skill-related components of fitness in order to expose our strengths and weakness and to determine what components we need to work on. This doesn't just apply to a trained athlete, but is just as relevant to the untrained person of any age. In this Australian-made, curriculum fit program we learn practical tests that measure the health-related and skill-related components of fitness, how to apply the FITT principle to a training program, and what happens to the cardio-respiratory system when we exercise.
How can we use biomechanical principles to enhance performance? Trained athletes, fitness fanatics, and casual exercisers alike can all benefit from an understanding of biomechanics. In this Australian-made, curriculum fit program we see the main types of motion in action and learn how to calculate velocity, acceleration and momentum. We examine the two types of balance, discover the importance of knowing your centre of gravity and learn how to calculate force. We also explore the principles of fluid mechanics, including buoyancy, displacement and resistance. This is an action-packed, insightful examination of the mechanics of our bodies in motion.
This documentary tracks the war being waged by entomologists, ecologists, government officials, and private citizens against the Asian longhorned beetle-a nonnative species of insect that could destroy one third of America's trees. In addition to illustrating how these beetles do their damage, Bugged stresses the vigilance and cooperation needed to identify infestations and halt their spread. Interviewees include Ann Hajek and E. Richard Hoebeke, of Cornell University; Joseph Gittleman, Clint McFarland, and Phillip Lewis, of the USDA; and other concerned individuals. A useful case study for introducing the concept of invasive species!
Note: Only available in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Australia/New Zealand and South Africa.
The question of human origins, and of the beginning of life itself, is one of the most controversial science has ever wrestled with-and the debates are as divisive today as they were in the 19th century. This program tells the story of how scientists came to explain the genesis and diversity of living things; it also explores the connection between evolution and the long and violent history of our planet. Although Charles Darwin figures in most any discussion of evolution, viewers will also encounter ocean adventurers, eccentric French aristocrats, mountain climbers, a secret Victorian publisher with 12 fingers, and a ridiculed German meteorologist.
This program tells the story of how the secret of life has been pursued through the ages, using the prism of the most complex organism known-the human body. It begins with Galen's attempts to save the lives of gladiators in ancient Rome, continues with the macabre dissections and near-perfect drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, explores the idea of electricity as a "life force," and ventures into the microscopic realm of the cell. The film also connects a moral crisis triggered by work on the nuclear bomb with one of the greatest breakthroughs in biology-understanding the structure and workings of DNA.
We now know that the brain is the organ which, more than any other, makes us human-and yet, until the 17th century, it was barely studied. This program highlights the twin sciences of brain anatomy and psychology and their varying visions of what it means to think, feel, make decisions, and experience the world. Viewers learn about the potential for these disciplines to overlap or merge, and in the process the film reveals some surprising and uncomfortable truths about what really shapes humanity. It also presents the intriguing idea that, thanks to our brains, we are all-whether we realize it or not-carrying out science from the moment we are born.
Head injury, epilepsy, experimental surgery gone wrong-in this program, host Michael Mosley provides evidence that these medical misfortunes have helped break new ground in understanding how healthy brains work. Examples include HM, the victim of a botched lobotomy that left him unable to form new memories, but whose subsequent participation in studies significantly advanced knowledge of human memory; Paul Broca's identification of a speech production area in the frontal lobes, illustrated by a visit to the Musee Dupuytren, where the brains of his patients are still preserved; and the case of a split-brain operation that cured epilepsy, but with an unforeseen result: the patient's left hand seemed to have a mind of its own.
Where do emotions come from, and why do we experience them? Is there a connection between reason and emotion? In this program, host Michael Mosley uses vintage footage and his own willingness to be a test subject to review classic and sometimes disturbing experiments on the nature of fear, love, and empathy. The discussion includes John B. Watson's tests on 9-month-old "Little Albert," in which the infant was conditioned to feel fear; Antonio Damasio's findings on gambling, logic, and decision-making; and the work that Harry Harlow did with monkeys and their surrogate mothers that helped change thinking about the value of cuddling a newborn baby.
In this program, host Michael Mosley provides an illustrated history of some of the most notorious psychology experiments ever conducted in science's attempt to explore behavior, brainwashing, and free will. The survey includes Ivan Pavlov, his famous dogs, and his less-famous test trials on children; the CIA's MK-ULTRA project, in which LSD was given to unsuspecting test subjects; and Robert Heath's experimental psychosurgery on African-American subjects. Mosley also talks with B. F. Skinner's daughter; a man who participated in Stanley Milgram's obedience experiments; and a survivor of William Sargant's electroshock therapy. Under the guidance of controversial psychiatrist David Nutt, Mosley even ingests psilocybin to explore its potential in treating mental illness.
From cooking breakfast to driving home from work, we rely on the body's natural interfaces for nearly every task. Ironically, our senses are easily fooled and seem to affect each other in strange ways. This program follows new explorations in biology, neurology, and psychology that are shedding light on how the five senses work-not just as individual abilities but in tandem. Demonstrations feature bizarre optical illusions that reveal the subjectivity of color; a magic show that illuminates the eye-brain relationship; a synesthete who makes fresh food taste stale through the use of ambient sound; and a man who lost his sight as a child and has learned how to echolocate, bat-style, by clicking his tongue.
Announced at the dawn of the 21st century, the first draft of the human genome map hinted at a new world of personalized medicine and targeted gene therapies. After more than a decade, how close are we to that scientific utopia? This program looks for answers as it follows three individuals who hope their serious genetic disorders may soon be treated or cured. Sophie, 21, has cystic fibrosis. She wonders if the gene therapy that has saved a young boy from a deadly immunological disease might point to an answer for CF. Meanwhile, Tom, a 35-year-old alcoholic, visits a lab that has helped identify the genetic basis of his affliction, and Emma, also 35, longs for reassurance that her son won't suffer from genetically inherited cancer as she has.
In this edition of the Journal, Bill Moyers is joined by historian Juan Cole and GlobalPost journalist Shahan Mufti to examine how America's increasingly strained relationship with Pakistan will impact the prospects for peace, human rights, and democracy in that war-torn region. Moyers then speaks with Daniel Goleman, author of Ecological Intelligence, about building awareness of how consumer products impact the environment and whether the concept of green is in fact a mirage. The program concludes with an unequivocal "Maybe" on a question that each technology consumer, willing or unwilling, must eventually answer: to Twitter or not to Twitter?
If the 20th century was the era of physics and nuclear fission, the 21st belongs to the life sciences. Moving from gene, to genome, to genetically based diseases, this program provides an overview of the interrelated fields of genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics, with an emphasis on practical applications of biotechnology to the field of medicine. Are genetically personalized drugs around the next corner? Commentary is provided by Bob Forgey, of ProNAI Therapeutics; Bill Worzel and Jeanne Orhnberger, of Genetics Squared; and Drs. Brian Athey and Elliott Hill, of the University of Michigan.
Scientists have come a long, long way since Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin, the wonder drug of the 20th century. This program explains the function of infection -fighting antibiotics; vaccinations and insulin, crucial to the prevention of diseases such as smallpox and the management of diabetes; recombinant drugs, treatments involving genetically engineered DNA; and stem cells, those chameleon -like building blocks of the body. Commentary is provided by Drs. James Baker, Brian Athey, and Elliott Hill, of the University of Michigan; Susanne Kleff, of MBI International; and Bob Forgey, of ProNAI Therapeutics.
As the world's population and overall standard of living continue to increase, the growing demand for food, fuel, and consumer products has reached unprecedented levels. This program examines how biotechnology is helping to meet those needs through genetic engineering to increase crop yields and improve the nutritional value of key staple foods; animal agriculture, founded on selective breeding and edging toward lab -based genetic engineering; and industrial applications of biotech in the manufacturing of chemicals, textiles, beverages, and fuel. Commentary is provided by Steve Pueppke and Len Fleck, of Michigan State University; Farzaneh Teymouri and Susanne Kleff, of MBI International; Jeanne Orhnberger, of Genetics Squared; and Bob Forgey, of ProNAi Therapeutics.
The Nuclear Age - sprung upon the world with the atomic bomb - remains a bitter memory. How biotechnology, with its power to change life on Earth at the most fundamental level, will be viewed in the decades to come depends on decisions being made right now. This program confronts viewers with some of the ethical and moral implications of cloning, stem cell research, and animal testing. Commentary is provided by Jeanne Orhnberger, of Genetics Squared; Bob Forgey, of ProNAI Therapeutics; Drs. Elliott Hill, Brian Athey, and James Baker, of the University of Michigan; Len Fleck, of Michigan State University; and Susanne Kleff, of MBI International.
Not every machine can recharge and repair itself on a regular basis. Fortunately, the human machine can-quickly rebounding to a state of alertness, adaptability, and high-gear action. This program explores the staggering capabilities of the body's interlinked devices, from the sleeping brain to the wide-awake reproductive system. Viewers learn about the photographic powers of the eye, which surpass those of almost any camera; the 260-million-cell interface on which the brain depends for vision; the 16,000 nerve endings in the inner ear; and the biochemical complexities of our skin, immune system, hormones, and genitals. Illustrations of the body's collective DNA reveal its physical aspects-strung together it would reach beyond the solar system-and its central role in creating new human "machines."
The intention behind the Indonesian Mega Rice Project was a good one: by demolishing millions of acres of peat swamp forest, land could be cleared to cultivate much-needed grain. But the project unleashed a cascade of interlocking social and ecological catastrophes-a situation considered to be one of the worst environmental disasters on the planet. This program follows the efforts of agronomist Suwido Limin to protect his peat swamp forest research areas from the fires raging across Borneo as a result of the failed Mega Rice Project. The film makes the point that the flames now ravaging this unique ecosystem are also destroying an important carbon sink, exacerbating climate change and helping to give Indonesia the dubious distinction of being the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
Cells are, in a sense, just tiny bags of chemicals-so what "instructs" them to divide and function? This program shows how biologists addressed the question during the 19th and 20th centuries. Starting with Friedrich Miescher's discovery of nuclein, or DNA, the film examines Theodor Boveri's work with sea urchins, which clarified the role of chromosomes, as well as Thomas Hunt Morgan's study of inheritance in fruit flies and his introduction of the term gene. The contributions of Frederick Griffith, Maurice Wilkins, and the under-recognized Rosalind Franklin are held up as milestones on the path to the Watson-Crick double-helix model. Walter Gehring's mutation studies are also featured.
It was a businessman, not a trained scientist, who first gained entry to the cryptic world of cells. This program relates the early history of microbiology and genetics, beginning with the story of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, a 17th-century Dutch textile merchant with a talent for making microscopes. Moving from van Leeuwenhoek's discovery of "animalcules" to Robert Hooke's cork studies and coinage of the term cell, the film then focuses on Joseph Jackson Lister's multi-lens microscope technology, Robert Brown's identification of cell nuclei, and the collaboration of Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden. Robert Remak's groundbreaking findings about cell division form the climax of the episode.
From hydras to humans, every organism on Earth can trace its ancestry back to the first primitive cell. Will biotechnology one day create a cell outside of that family tree? This program looks at 21st-century genetic science and its search for the secret of life's creation. Background information highlights the Oparin-Haldane Hypothesis and its vision of a prebiotic soup as well as Stanley Miller's famous experiment, the central role of RNA in protein synthesis, and Herbert Boyer's achievement in gene-splicing. A visit with Dr. Stephen del Cardayre of biotech start-up LS9 reveals ways to remodel an existing cell-while Dr. George Church of Harvard Medical School hints at building one from scratch.
Marking the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, this program shows how Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution and explores its ramifications in today's scientific community. Renowned natural history interpreter David Attenborough travels the globe, examining fresh evidence for Darwinian thought and illustrating why it is more relevant than ever. Viewers encounter findings from a wide range of disciplines, including paleontology, biogeography, anatomy, and embryology, as well as early controversies surrounding the study of plate tectonics. Spectacular wildlife footage reveals fascinating animal behavior and helps depict the theory that changed the world's thinking.
The Classification System is the arrangement of living things categorised by their different characteristics - an organised understanding of the natural world we live in. Recently this system has been further refined using studies of DNA. In this program we discuss how the classification system is organised and how scientific names are arrived at. The dichotomous keys used by biologists to classify specimens are demonstrated and the five major groups of living things are explained. An entertaining program that explains how observed characteristics of living things are used to establish a classification system.
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In this program, philosopher and theologian Conor Cunningham argues that only extremist viewpoints-Creationism and ultra-Darwinism-make evolution and religion mutually exclusive. Experts from across the gamut of opinions frame the debate and trace its origins, including Father Gregory Tatum of the Ecole Biblique; University of Oxford historian Pietro Corsi; Darwin scholar Nick Spencer, author of Darwin and God; "Answers in Genesis" lecturer Terry Mortenson; Francis Collins, former director of the Human Genome Project; philosophers Daniel Dennett and Michael Ruse; Susan Blackmore, author of The Meme Machine; and University of Cambridge paleobiologist Simon Conway Morris.
Why does tolerance for alcohol differ so widely from person to person? Do genetic factors make alcoholism unavoidable in some people? Should we drink at all? This program searches for answers, following addiction expert Dr. John Marsden as he observes-and participates in-experiments that assess alcohol's neurological and physiological impact. After exploring basic chemical and evolutionary concepts, Marsden visits London's Institute of Psychiatry, where brain scans, genetic testing, and psychological profiling shed light on alcohol addiction. In the U.S., Marsden goes inside the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to study other genetic markers, while moving toward a greater understanding of alcoholism in his own family history.
In addition to accelerating the depletion of the planet's oil reserves, gasoline-powered vehicles on America's roads spew hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. Currently there are two major alternatives to oil-based fuel, both of which result in zero emissions at the point of use: hydrogen-a source of energy that will likely still be unavailable for widespread use for decades to come-and electricity. This program addresses the necessity of reducing vehicular impact on the environment while considering some of the latest developments in electric car technology.
How is it that the genetically identical clone of a tortoiseshell cat turned out to be a gray-striped tabby? The answer lies in epigenetics. This program presents evidence that DNA is not necessarily destiny, and that diet, stress, and environmental exposures can all modify gene expression. With commentary from experts, detailed animations of cell mechanics, and examples from everyday life, Epigenetics succeeds in delivering an informative and entertaining explanation of how cell memory, methylation, and RNA interference cause these changes to occur. The video also examines the role of epigenetics in stem cell function, and the promising developments the field holds for treating cancer and neurological disease.
Two of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer may soon become the targets of powerful drugs that work in tandem with the body's own immune system. This program explores recent research in the development of biochemical weapons to fight brain and skin cancer. Visiting a German pharmaceutical company at the forefront of these advances, the film shows how TGF (transforming growth factor) beta proteins create a protective layer around brain tumors and how antisense agents are deployed to break through these malignant defenses. Microscopic time-lapse views illustrate the process. The use of humane animal cloning to produce bispecific antibodies for fighting skin cancer is also illustrated in detail. Numerous expert interviews are included.
Is it possible to gain a complete picture of one's own consciousness? Or will the mind always remain an unsolved jigsaw puzzle? In this program, University of Oxford professor Dr. Marcus du Sautoy takes part in fascinating experiments that probe the complexities of the brain and awareness. After an overview of the mirror-recognition test, du Sautoy undergoes an MRI scan that identifies which part of his brain switches off when he succumbs to an anesthetic. Subsequently, he attempts to stay oriented while monitoring a live video image of himself from behind; endures the illusion of inhabiting another person's body; and copes with other procedures designed to unravel his sense of self.
This program follows three people with currently untreatable conditions as they explore the possibility of cures via stem cells. Paralyzed from the waist down, Sophie Morgan, 24, pursues spinal injection of nerve cells cultured from human embryonic stem cells. Dean Third, 38-a patient with the potentially fatal inherited condition dilated cardiomyopathy-observes research on the injection of regenerative stem cells into the heart wall and efforts to create a prototype replacement heart involving the extracellular matrix of a rat heart reseeded with rat stem cells. And amputee Anthony Bath, 30, looks to stem cell innovations in the areas of bone and skin regrowth with the hope that such technology could soon become the basis for a new leg.
What did the 2009 swine-origin H1N1 outbreak teach us about how to prepare for future pandemics? This program addresses the issue by traveling to viral hot spots around the world and interviewing high-ranking disease-prevention experts. Viewers learn about the basics of influenza microbiology, the factors that distinguish swine-origin H1N1 from a seasonal virus, its mechanisms for spreading, its possible mutations, and its potential global impact. Tools used to fight it, including proper hygiene, quarantines, vaccines, and antivirals, are also discussed. Experts include Dr. Sylvie Briand of the World Health Organization, Dr. M. L. Gougeon of the Pasteur Institute, and Dr. Jean-Paul Gonzalez of the French-administered Institute for Research Development.
Is the heart more than just a muscular pump? Does it have a neurological importance, or perhaps even a mental or emotional capacity, overlooked by modern science? This program examines controversial theories about the heart emerging from diverse perspectives. Dr. Rollin McCraty of central California's Institute of HeartMath outlines basic ideas of cardiac-related emotional intelligence; Dr. Gary Schwartz, director of the VERITAS Research Program at the University of Arizona, explains his notions of recurrent feedback and cellular memory and their basis in heart transplant cases; while Dr. Harry Burns, Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, offers a more mainstream medical view. Contains graphic footage of heart surgery.
After an introductory segment on cell characteristics, this program discusses the way human body cells function and combine into the structures that sustain life. Topics include membrane permeability and the processes of passive and active transport; cytoplasm, with its cytosol, organelles, and inclusions; the constituent parts of the nucleus and the stages and processes of the cell cycle; the four basic tissue types; and the skin, the body's largest organ.
This program examines the chemical structure of food and the human body's ability to convert food into fuel and raw materials. Major and minor nutrients are defined, catabolism and anabolism are contrasted, and the function of the digestive tract at the cellular level is scrutinized. The sequence of physical and chemical processes that facilitate digestion is also illustrated, spotlighting each constituent anatomical system: mouth/esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. A segment on healthier eating concludes the program.
This program traces the development of a human being from conception to full -term fetus, with a focus on the functions of the male and female reproductive systems. The three stages of development in the womb - pre -embryonic, embryonic, and fetal, generated by the mechanisms of division, differentiation, morphogenesis, patterning, and growth - are illustrated, after which there is a close examination of male and female puberty - the maturation of the reproductive system and the beginning of human sexual response.
This program takes a close look at the organs of the human circulatory system and how they work to sustain life. After an introductory overview, the composition of blood - its plasma, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets - is analyzed, blood types and Rh factor are considered, the role of hemoglobin in transporting oxygen is explained, and the anatomy and function of the heart is examined. Factors that affect blood pressure and circulation are also discussed, along with the circulatory demands of exercise.
After an introductory segment contrasting the human endocrine and nervous systems, this program addresses the complex physiology of the endocrine system. Topics include the endocrine organs and glands; the characteristics of hormones and the process of signal transduction; hormonal regulation of blood glucose and blood calcium levels; the roles of growth hormone, thyroid hormone, testosterone, and estrogen in bodily development; hormones and reproduction; and hormonal involvement in the fight -or -flight response.
This program examines how the human immune system defends the body against disease -causing invaders - and how in some cases its antigen -fighting capabilities can be turned against the bodily cells it protects. Topics include the elements of the immune system, passive barrier defenses and nonspecific reactive responses, the humoral immune response and its associated antibodies, and the process of cell -mediated immunity. The program also addresses the importance of vaccines, the mechanics of allergies and autoimmune diseases, and advances in the field of immunology.
This program discusses the development, organization, and functions of the nervous system and the input organs that stimulate it. Beginning with an introductory overview of neural anatomy, the video outlines the organization of the central and peripheral nervous systems and the processes of sensation, transduction, and perception. In addition, the senses of vision, hearing, taste, smell, and equilibrium are analyzed, as well as sensitivities to temperature, pressure, and pain; bodily movement via the somatic neurons is illustrated; and the neural mechanics of sleep and wakefulness are considered.
Following an opening segment on the importance of oxygen to the human body, this program studies the structure and function of the respiratory system. Topics include the anatomy of the upper respiratory tract, the lower respiratory tract, and the alveoli; the diffusion of gas molecules through the walls of the alveoli and capillaries, and the effect of high altitude on the diffusion process; and the mechanics of breathing via the bulk flow transport process. In addition, the program describes three factors that help prevent lung collapse and the role of the medulla oblongata in regulating breathing.
This program deconstructs the human skeletal and muscular systems, two interdependent assemblies that endow the body with structure and movement. Beginning with an introductory overview, the video identifies the body's bones by dividing the skeleton into its axial and appendicular components, analyzes bone composition, describes the process of bone repair, and categorizes bone and joint types. The program then shifts focus to the skeletal muscular system - a detailed study of muscle cells, fibers, bundles, and connective tissue. The ATP -fueled process of muscle contraction is addressed as well.
A mutagen is an agent (physical, chemical or biological) capable of altering the structure of DNA within our cells. Mutagens generally act either directly on the DNA themselves or produce chemicals that in turn act on the DNA causing substitutions, deletions, insertions, or rearrangement of important genetic code. In this program we take a look inside the human body to discover how the DNA in our cells can be affected by chemicals, radiation, and other things we encounter in our everyday lives. We also discuss how mutagens can result in the development of cancers in the human body.
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As mayor of Colombia's capital between 1998 and 2001, Enrique Penalosa succeeded in turning Bogota into a world-class example of how to reduce traffic congestion and the pollution that accompanies it. He was instrumental in introducing protected cycle lanes, a car-free day, a rapid transit system that has been copied around the globe, and more. In this program, Penalosa takes viewers on a guided tour of the city he has helped to transform from a center of criminal activity into an incubator for transit innovation.
Enzymes are the critical ingredient in every organism that make life possible. They are catalysts and drive every chemical reaction that takes place in the human body, enabling our bodies to be built from proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In this program we investigate the role of enzymes in detail, offering both theoretical and practical examples. We look at how enzymes function in living organisms, enzyme kinetics, enzyme substrate complex, enzyme activity, and finally the power of enzymes in the 21st century. We demonstrate enzyme activity, and the affects of substrate concentration, the pH, temperature and inhibitors.
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How accurate is the term "identical twins"? Can a cell-for-cell likeness between two siblings really exist? And what does that say about the supposed uniqueness of each human being? This program examines the genetics, physiology, and psychology behind such questions as it presents fascinating real-world case studies of identical twin development. Viewers meet monozygotic twins raised apart and finally reunited, another pair who suffered identical illnesses at the same time, and two brothers, both doctors, setting out to discover if their shared genes mean they will be identical forever. Two decades of medical research on physical similarities in twins-recorded down to the tiniest skin markings-highlight the concept of "natural cloning."
Despite their shared genetic makeup, some "identical" twins don't appear identical at all-raising important questions about the role of environment in human development. This program explores several ways in which monozygotic twins grow and change on separate paths as well as the epigenetic, anatomical, and psychological factors involved. With the help of 4D scanning and CGI graphics, viewers learn how uterine conditions impact identical twins differently and how life experiences can shape gene expression. Case studies include gay and straight twin brothers, obese and slender twin sisters, and another pair of sisters who seem to have aged at dramatically different speeds. Meanwhile, twin doctors reflect on their contrasts as well as their similarities.
Ticking away inside the human body are the timepieces that govern our daily and seasonal lives. This program shows how these biological clocks dictate physiological behavior-determining when our brains are most alert, when our stomachs are ready to break down food, and when our bodies want to sleep. Viewers learn why most babies are born in the early morning, why most teenagers want to sleep until noon, why most heart attacks occur between 8 and 10 am, and why most Olympic records are broken late in the day. Veteran chronobiologists, including Dr. Till Roenneberg of the University of Munich and Dr. Russell Foster of Imperial College, London, add their expertise to the program. Contains mature themes and brief nudity.
Virtually every reef system in the world is endangered, and the island nations of the South Pacific provide some of the most troubling examples. This program examines the uncertain future of tropical offshore ecosystems using the French collectivity of New Caledonia as a case study. Viewers accompany lagoon protection crew members as they patrol fragile marine reserves by boat; an itinerant researcher who describes frequent legal conflicts between tribal interests and environmental regulations; and outreach personnel working with Kanak and Melanesian leaders to reduce traditional hillside burns, which lead to high sediment levels in lagoons.
Note: Only available in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Ireland, Malta and South Africa.
Scientists have long operated under the principle that intelligent behavior must be directed by a centralized consciousness. This program examines evidence that the act of swarming creates an altogether different form of intelligence: decentralized awareness, consciousness with no center. The following facets of swarm intelligence are addressed: how individual actions within a flock of starlings create a large-scale system that controls itself and makes collective decisions; how local decisions within a colony of red harvester ants positively shape the aggregate well-being of the entire colony; the limited ability of a single fish to manipulate the movement of its school through bad decision-making; the application of swarm intelligence to robotics; and whether, or to what extent, crowds of people self-organize through the collective dynamics of swarm logic.
In 1970, the paper industry set its sights on the lush forests of Tasmania-beginning what environmentalists call a chain saw massacre that still cuts down 8 million cubic meters of timber each year. This program documents the ongoing fight to save the coveted woodlands, championed by a diverse group of activists. Viewers learn about early on-site protests that met with violence and abuse, as well as a wider and increasingly sophisticated Internet campaign against Gunns Limited, a corporate giant in the wood products industry, urging investors not to fund the company's new pulp mill project. Will a real winner emerge from this bitter conflict, and will the weapons be legal or lethal?
Note: Only available in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Ireland, Malta and South Africa.
It is estimated that by 2030 the vast majority of humankind will be living in an urban environment, putting an immense strain on the planet's natural resources. Using Freiburg, in Germany, as an example of a model eco-city that has proved its sustainability over time, this program reimagines the urban development process. Proposals to create experimental ecopolises such as Masdar, in the United Arab Emirates, and Dongtan, in China, are discussed as well.
Nanomedicine holds immense promise for enabling doctors to intervene in an illness or injury directly at the cellular level. Filmed in Europe, Asia, and the United States, this program shows viewers oncologic nanomarkers that can identify even tiny tumors with pinpoint precision; injectable intelligent delivery systems that can evade bodily and pathogen defenses to deliver targeted nanodoses of medicine without harming surrounding tissue; regenerative nanotherapies, as illustrated by an experiment in which a mouse's optic nerve is severed and then repaired; nanoscale lab-on-chip devices that will one day automate continual monitoring/dosing cycles; and more.
From SARS to the swine flu, viruses that threaten the developed world seem to be growing in ranks. Even as medical science rises to the challenge, our knowledge of viruses is filled with troubling gaps and bewildering realities. Starting on the virus front lines-the rainforests of central Africa-this program unlocks the truth about nature's greatest terror weapons. Viewers learn why HIV is such a successful virus, why monkey pox may become the next global killer, and why viruses actually benefit marine ecosystems. In addition, the film shows how modern agriculture and international travel have given viruses more chances than ever to flourish inside us.
The average person will speak approximately 370 million words in his or her lifetime-a simple fact. And yet the underlying structures-sociological, anatomical, developmental, intellectual-have proved to be some of science's most impenetrable mysteries. This program spotlights researchers who are unlocking the deepest secrets of speech: Deb Roy and the Human Speechome Project; Tecumseh Fitch and his study of vocal tract positioning in animals; Cathy Price, who is piecing together a speech-related map of the brain; William Fifer and his study of the roots of language reception in babies; Ofer Tchernichovski, who is conducting The Forbidden Experiment with zebra finches; Faraneh Vargha-Khadem and the isolation of speech gene FOXP2; and Simon Kirby, whose Alien Language Experiment illustrates the evolution of language from random to structured. Special guest: Noam Chomsky.
Human beings were never born to read. This program seeks to understand how the brain, which has evolved no hardwired "reading center," made the leap to literacy; why reading well-crafted writing is so profoundly important to intellectual and emotional development; and whether the Internet, with its blogs and videos and games, is placing novels-a prime type of reading material for nurturing the capacity for empathy-at risk. Why Reading Matters is a trip into the space where neuroscience and literature overlap, a place where experiments involving fMRI and MEG imaging, talk of neuroplasticity and brain activation, experiences of stroke victims and people with mood disorders, and discussions of Wuthering Heights and Shakespeare's trick of turning nouns and adjectives into verbs shed a brilliant light on the intricate interplay between mind, brain, and text.