PBS Science Shows & Nature Programs, News & More

John Glenn Recounts His Historic Mission in Space

PBS NewsHour

Mon Feb. 20, 2012

Fifty years ago, NASA astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth, despite numerous glitches. Judy Woodruff and Glenn discuss how the historic mission changed the space race. Continue

Songs of the Humpbacks

Nature

Tue Feb. 21, 2012

Male humpbacks have become famous for the compositions they improvise together, from one year to the next. Continue

A World of Ocean Giants

Nature

Mon Feb. 13, 2012

Join PBS Nature, as it dives into the world of whales and dolphins, and reveals the secrets of their intimate lives like never before. Watch a preview of Ocean Giants. Continue

Animated Map Plots One Year of Quakes

PBS NewsHour

Mon Feb. 13, 2012

We recently stumbled on this animated map that plots all of 2011's earthquakes that registered above magnitude 6. Each circle represents an earthquake -- the bigger the circle, the greater the magnitude. Continue

Russians Drill Into Ancient Lake in Coldest Spot on Earth

PBS NewsHour

Thu Feb. 09, 2012

After decades drilling through more than two miles of ice in the coldest spot on Earth, Russian scientists announced this week that they reached their goal: a subglacial lake the size of Lake Ontario, which has been sealed off from the world for as long as 20 million years. Continue

Dolphin Mud Walls

Nature

Thu Feb. 23, 2012

In the shallows of Florida Bay, the fish can be very difficult to catch. To feed, dolphins create walls of mud that trap the nearby fish. This video demonstrates the problem-solving capabilities of these intelligent marine mammals. Continue

Dolphin Mud Walls

Nature

Wed Feb. 22, 2012

In the shallows of Florida Bay, the fish can be very difficult to catch. Dolphins solve the problem by creating walls of mud that trap the nearby fish. Continue

To Kill Parasites, Fruit Flies Self Medicate With Alcohol

PBS NewsHour

Wed Feb. 22, 2012

A new study published last week in the journal Current Biology shows that fruit flies infected by parasitic have the ability to self medicate, seeking out alcohol to kill off these parasites. Continue

The Mating Marathon

Nature

Wed Feb. 22, 2012

A group of humpback males compete for the affection of a female. After the fight, the losing males engage in some surprisingly behavior. This video reveals both the violent and gentle sides of these massive baleen whales. Continue

The Oldest Mammal on the Planet

Nature

Wed Feb. 22, 2012

Analysis of one Amino acid in Bowhead Whales' tissue is revealing astonishing information about their age. There are some estimates that the whales could be over 200 years old, making them one of the oldest animals on the planet. Continue

Climate Expert Assumed False Identity to Obtain Documents

PBS NewsHour

Tue Feb. 21, 2012

Fallout over internal memos that were leaked from the conservative Heartland Institute rattled the climate world again this week, when a climate researcher confessed to lying in order to obtain and distribute them. Continue

Raccoon Fact Sheet

Nature

Wed Feb. 08, 2012

Black masks, omnivorous eating habits, and dexterous paws. Facts and stats about Procyon lotor. Continue

Broken Heart Syndrome: Yes, It's Real

PBS NewsHour

Tue Feb. 14, 2012

Broken hearts seem to be on the upswing these days. That's in strictly clinical terms: More doctors are diagnosing a condition that literally stuns the heart after a profound emotional shock. Continue

Search for Ancient Mummies

Cave People of the Himalaya

Wed Feb. 08, 2012

A mission, set within the world’s highest mountains, to find ancient mummies and uncover secrets of a lost civilization that have been hidden in cliff-top graves for thousands of years. Continue

Great White Shark

Inside Nature's Giants

Thu Feb. 02, 2012

The experts travel to South Africa to dissect a 15-foot-long great white shark. Comparative anatomist Dr. Joy Reidenberg uncovers the amazing array of senses the shark possesses, including the ability to detect the electro-magnetic field given off by other creatures. Continue

Bubble Play

Nature

Thu Feb. 23, 2012

What will a group of dolphins make of the silvery rings of air produced by a bubble machine? In this video, scientists carry out an experiment that examines at dolphin play and creativity. Continue

The Oldest Mammals on the Planet

Nature

Wed Feb. 22, 2012

Analysis of one Amino acid in the Bowhead Whale's tissue is revealing astonishing information about their age. There are some estimates that Bowhead Whales could be over 200 years old, making them one of the oldest animals on the planet. Continue

Baleen, Blubber,and Blowholes

Nature

Wed Feb. 22, 2012

Baleen, blubber, and blowholes: A comprehensive fact sheet on whales, the famous marine mammals of the order Cetacea. Continue

Bubble Play

Nature

Wed Feb. 22, 2012

What will dolphins make of the silvery rings of air produced by an underwater bubble machine? Continue

The Mating Marathon

Nature

Wed Feb. 22, 2012

A group of humpback males compete for the affection of a female. After the fight, the losing males engage in some surprisingly gentle behavior. Continue

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