Naked Science

The Earth's core is some 4000 miles beneath our feet. Beneath the rocky surface lies massive amounts of liquid metals that generate a protective magnetic field. That field shields the planet from dangerous space radiation. Without it, Earth would be as barren as Mars. But with the inner core cooling, is that scenario inevitable?

We have no natural defenses to the deadly extremes offered up by nature. Lightning bolts, excessive heat, severe cold, water, hail and wind are all examined for their respective threats to the human body.

This episode takes you to the shark bite capitals of the world for "up close and personal" views of bull and tiger sharks, and the infamous great whites. A camera is also inserted into the stomach of a live shark to get an inside view of how this highly-evolved killing machine operates.

The supposed ability of some individuals to mentally transmit and receive thoughts is examined in this hour. Unsubstantiated claims are not proof, so several experiments are conducted to put the phenomenon to the test. This includes exploring the telepathic connection that some twins claim to experience through a series of tests on one twin and recording the other twin's reaction, and a Ganzfeld test where a person in one room attempts to transmit mental pictures to another person in a different room.

Galeras, Fuego, St. Helens, Kilauea, Popocatepetl. These are names of currently active volcanoes. They all have the ability to end human life, destroy millions of dollars of property, and instill fear. Volcanoes are necessary to build mountains, create new geological features, and are, figuratively speaking, the veins of our planet. Despite the brilliance and vividness of volcanoes, there is an intensity that cannot be escaped. This intensity has caused the deaths of over 30,000 people in just the last two decades. That's why it's important for scientists to be able predict when a volcano will erupt. To get an idea as to what's happening beneath the surface, vocanologists measure the temperature and gas content of magma as it rises in underground chambers, as well as changes in the movement of the nearby surface. Their goal is to recognize all the predictable signs of an eruption and, like a jigsaw puzzle, put them all together into predictions that are accurate.

Even if we found the perfect Earth-like planet among the stars, how would we survive the trans-galactic journey? Scientists are working on making the mission to Mars and beyond a reality.

Two centuries of science has changed the bullet from a basic round ball into a highly-specialized form of ammunition. The advancements that have made modern-day bullets so efficient and deadly are examined.

Ever since the tragedy on December 2004 when huge waves pummeled the coastline of the Indian Ocean, people have been left with three questions: how, why, and what can we do to prevent it from happening again. The first is simple enough. However, the other two require more thought and initiative. The reasons may never be fully understood, but as human beings we have the ability to minimize or possibly even prevent the loss of human life should this merciless disaster ever strike again. Naked Science investigate what exactly the governments of the world are doing to get warnings out to people within hours, days, possibly weeks before one happens again. Scientists worldwide are for the first time working together to develop an understanding of the circumstances that take place to create tsunamis and consider what it takes to prevent the loss of human life and property.

Naked Science examines evidence that has survived over 4 billion years to answer questions that have plagued scientists and philosophers alike, such as: why we are here, what caused our planet to come to existence, what caused the diversity of life and natural spectacles available on this pristine ecosystem we call earth, and what exactly does it take to support human life. Via direct and indirect evidence and interviews with many of the best minds of science, Naked Science aims to not only answer these questions, but answer the questions that drive the human spirit.

Unlike many other natural disasters, landslides offer no real advance warning. Often triggered by heavy rainfall, landslides pose a danger to those who live in areas where humans have altered the local geography. In addition to video taken of landslides in progress, this episode highlights efforts being made to protect motorists from rocks and boulders falling onto roadways.

Are there actually strange creatures swimming in Loch Ness? This episode examines the photographic evidence and the many high tech attemps to gain proof of Nessie's existence. Using computers, the famous photos and films are analyzed and the results are less than convincing.

Why do so many people claim to have been visited or abducted by aliens? Are these sightings mere hallucinations or something more? Experts interviewed consider most to have been concocted by the brain operating in a culture awash in UFO images and folklore. Studies show that dreams can be triggered by something as simple as electromagnetic waves. But if aliens want to contact us, how can they do this? One way is through radio waves. SETI investigators scan the skies searching for a signal from intelligent life form. Perhaps beings more advanced have discovered how to manipulate time and space to find shortcuts to overcome the barrier of distance between locations in the universe. Or maybe they have sent tiny robots to investigate our planet.