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.

For 400 million years, sharks have dominated the Earth's oceans. They have survived 5 planetary mass extinctions to become the top predators of the sea, honed to an evolutionary perfection. But what shark species is the most deadly? And where in the world is it least safe to venture in to the water? Naked Science travelled across the world from Australia to California to find out.

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.

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.

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.

Has planet Earth ever had a close encounter with aliens? NGC explores significant UFO sightings, interstellar travel, whether ETs could survive on Earth, interspecies communication, alien abduction cases, and whether life on Earth originated in space.

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.

An imaginary "human" time traveler takes us on a journey back to the moment our solar system was born 4.5 billion years ago and examines the natural forces that created Earth and the conditions necessary for life to exist.

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.