101. Astrobiology
Does extraterrestrial life exist? Segments include an explanation of how we look for alien life millions of light years away, a visit to Mars right here on Earth, and a meeting with the premier planet finder, who just might find another Earth out there.
102. Pseudoscience
To be scientific, a claim or hypothesis must be able to be proven true or false. We need to understand the world around us through the processes of science, not through the deceptions of pseudoscience. Segments include an exposé of techniques used by psychics, the science of walking on a bed of flaming coals, and "The Case of the Extraordinary Claim."
103. Addiction
Is addiction a disease? Segments focus on doctors who seek to better understand addictive behaviors by looking at the brain, psychological and social factors; individuals who live with substance abuse issues; and scientists who are working to identify the genes that may lead to addiction.
104. Cloning
The possibilities of cloning reach far beyond the notion of creating a genetically exact duplicate of an animal or human being. The same techniques could potentially be used to cure diseases or repair damaged organs. Segments include an explanation from a developmental biologist of why cloning animals is so difficult; a demonstration of how cloning works; and a visit to a lab where stem cells are used to repair damaged spinal cords.
105. Nuclear Energy
With mounting evidence of global warming, Americans are revisiting the idea of nuclear energy. It's a clean energy source that we could produce here, but there's still the issue of the waste. Technology has improved, but are the benefits worth the risks? Segments include a visit to a nuclear reactor and Bill's exploration of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, where the government is trying to store U.S. nuclear waste.
106. Sports
Why do we play sports, and why do we watch sports? Billions of dollars are spent every year on this worldwide phenomenon that, as it turns out, relies on a great deal of physics. Segments include physics demonstrations and a look at the "sports mind" in a variety of sports, from the 100-meter sprint with Olympic champion Maurice Green to the cat-like reactions of U.S. women's soccer goalie Hope Solo.
107. Population
Population affects the planet in densely packed city slums as well as the wide-open highways of U.S. urban sprawl. We'll compare population issues around the world, from demographics to social and cultural aspects, and see how education and industrialization can affect population. Segments include Third World population anecdotes from experts in the field, a look at consumption trends, and an analysis of mass-media education efforts.
108. Race
When it comes to race, we might think that we're different because we look different. But if you look at DNA, the only things that distinguish us from one another are surface features such as the color of our skin. Segments include an investigation of why humans look so different on the outside when research has shown that the iconic markers for race really are skin-deep, and a demonstration in which Bill has his DNA sequenced.
109. Antibiotics
Since the 1980s, deaths from infectious diseases have increased. While much of this is due to new "bugs" such as HIV and hepatitis C, the alarming increase in antibiotic resistance is also responsible. Segments include a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to discuss antibiotic drug resistance, a discussion of narrow-spectrum antibiotics and "bacteriocins," and an eye-opening demonstration of the impact of hand-washing on germs.
110. Genetically Modified Foods
Right now, more than half of the foods in your grocery store have been genetically modified in some way. Is genetic engineering safe for humans and the environment? Various sides of this controversial issue are presented—from traditional wheat breeders to organic, anti-pesticide researchers to corporate genetic engineering giants.
111. Transportation
Transportation is the single largest cause of air pollution. Segments include a historical retrospective on American car culture, a look at cutting-edge traffic simulation software, and the exciting promise of fuel-efficient cars and state-of-the-art hydrogen technology.
112. Global Climate Change
There's no question that the world is getting warmer. Are humans responsible or is this just part of a natural global cycle? Segments include a visit to the National Ice Core Laboratory in Denver to see how scientists identify and evaluate climate and atmospheric gases from 400,000 years ago; a demonstration showing how increased levels of C0² will affect temperatures on Earth, and a discussion of the role fossil fuels play in global climate change.
113. Evolution of Sex
Why sex? For one thing, with sex we're trying to stay ahead of the germs that are always attacking us. With one act of mixing our genes through sexual reproduction, there are millions of new possible combinations to help fight off the parasites. Segments include an explanation of the relationship between sex and parasites, an experiment in which women use scent to detect subtle genetic differences in men, and a discussion of the risks organisms take in reproducing sexually rather than asexually.
