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Deadly Ascent
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Program Overview
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NOVA follows a team of climbers ascending Denali to try to solve the
mystery of why extreme cold and high altitude can kill.
The program:
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outlines the expedition's mission to monitor team members'
physiological states as they trek to the mountain's peak, the
highest in North America.
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points out that each climber ingests a radio thermometer pill
that continuously logs core body temperature.
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reviews the environmental conditions on Denali, one of the
coldest mountains on Earth.
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relates an experiment that details what happens to core body
temperature when a climber rests after a vigorous climb.
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describes illnesses that can affect mountain climbers, including
hypothermia, hyperthermia, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).
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notes the results of one altitude study that revealed that the
use of ginkgo reduced symptoms of AMS.
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chronicles several rescue attempts undertaken to aid climbers in
danger on the mountain.
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relates how oxygen saturation levels are affected during a
mountain climb and the problems that can occur when the levels
get too low.
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follows the team's progress as team members attempt to summit
the mountain.
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notes that scientists are coming closer to understanding the
limits of survival in extremely cold, high-altitude
environments.
Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after the program
is taped off the air.
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