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The first program looks at miniscule machines that may become part of human bodies: robots coursing through the blood stream to battle cancer cells one on one; virtual vision systems projected directly into the cerebral cortex; or computers designed to interface with nervous systems.
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Mushroom enthusiast Professor Richard Fortey explores the strange and surprising science of fungi, unlocking the story of their evolution, their mysterious life-cycle, and their value to both the planet and ourselves. He and mycologist Dr. Patrick Hickey investigate the secret life of fungi, revealing why they have the power to heal and to kill, how mushrooms can form the biggest living organisms on earth, and why they are vital to the survival of...
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Genetically modified foods have been around for decades. Created by altering the DNA of one organism through the introduction of genes from another, they are mainly found in processed foods that use corn, soybeans, and sugar beets, and in feed given to farm animals that people later consume. Supporters argue that genetic modification can make food more flavorful, nutritious, and abundant and enables plants to fight disease, resist pests, and survive...
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The elasticity of blood vessels, the self-healing properties of bone, the strength of nacre, the smart adhesion of gecko feet, the self-cleaning quality of the lotus leaf, the resistance of the spiderweb: in such myriad ways, biology offers endless inspiration to nanomechanics. Nicola Pugno, an engineer and physicist at Università di Trento, Italy, has generated news-worthy research on a hierarchical nanotube or graphene adhesive system, which is...
14) Test Tube Tomato
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In the 1990s, a bunch of gene jockeys brought the first genetically engineered food to market. The business crashed but biotech science has flourished far beyond the produce aisle.
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Designing Life. Man has been doing it for over 10,000 years. You may not be aware of it, but we are surrounded by “Superlife," life-forms manipulated by Man. Test-tube Burger: Cell Culture, part of the Superlife Series, looks at artificial culturing of stem cells into muscle cells. Note- Superlife explores the science of how mankind is manipulating life for its benefit. The series does not attempt to address the concerns surrounding cloning, genetically...
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The human brain is the most complex object in the known universe: three pounds of tissue that somehow leads to all the triumphs and sorrows of the human race. After millennia of speculation about what goes on inside our heads, we now have the tools to explore its deepest reaches. These tools are leading to significant discoveries: breakthroughs that may shed light on the mystery of consciousness, free thousands from comas and afflictions such as epilepsy,...
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Designing Life. Man has been doing it for over 10,000 years. You may not be aware of it, but we are surrounded by “Superlife," life-forms manipulated by Man. Super Tuna: Cross-species Surrogacy, part of the Superlife Series, looks at interspecies cell implantation. Note- Superlife explores the science of how mankind is manipulating life for its benefit. The series does not attempt to address the concerns surrounding cloning, genetically modified...
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Since 2002 Indian agriculturalists have replaced almost all of their native seeds with genetically modified varieties due to intense campaigning by biotechnology giant Monsanto. Monsanto's proprietary BT cotton now occupies 90 percent of India's crop lands, having been sold with the understanding that it would improve yields and cut farmers' costs. But critics are questioning Monsanto's claims, and the farmers themselves report problems-their plants...