Alan also visits a controversial gene therapy project that's attempting to grow new blood vessels in diseased hearts. This program will explore the impact that invasive species and viruses are having on environmental and human health around the world. In increasing numbers, foreign animal and plant species are jumping national and international boundaries and wrecking havoc on ecosystems that offer no natural resistance or predators to the unwelcome guests. We'll explore some of the most egregious aliens and see what's being done to control them. Playing to Learn To many educators, nothing beats a contest to bring out the best in their science and engineering students.
Many children face challenges far beyond the usual stresses and strains of growing up.
Alan meets several kids who are growing up different, along with the doctors and researchers who are trying to mitigate the difficulties they face. Until very recently the vast area under the world's ocean surfaces was virtually unknown and unreachable by humans. Now, with new technologies and research techniques in hand, the undersea world is starting to yield its secrets. In this program we'll see how scientists using new technologies are exploring life in the undersea world. Stories will include a profile of pioneering ocean explorer Robert Ballard, and an investigation into the plight of the dwindling wild Atlantic salmon.