Digestion and Nutrition
This program examines the chemical structure of food and the human body’s ability to convert food into fuel and raw materials. Major and minor nutrients are defined, catabolism and anabolism are contrasted, and the fun..
Digestive system: your personal power plant
This program examines the processes by which the digestive system acts as a power plant for the body by turning food into energy. Topics discussed include the process of energy conversion; the structure and function of t..
Digital Dark Age? Gambling with Humankind’s Knowledge
Compact and portable, digitized information is an attractive alternative to bulky books, analog media, and emulsion-based photographs—but can it stand the test of time? In this program, Stewart Brand, co-inventor of th..
Diplomacy (Part One)
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker explains that private diplomacy is sometimes the most effective diplomacy. Secretary Baker adds that, "...the one thing that you don't want to do when you're trying to conduct dip..
Diplomacy (Part Two)
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about the delicate negotiations he conducted with Eduard Schevardnadze, foreign minister of the Soviet Union, following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. The issue at hand was..
Dirty Water: Eutrophication
Among the greatest threats to estuaries and other closed bodies of water is eutrophication. This is the process by which abnormally high levels of nutrients are introduced into the environment. This can create an imbalan..
Dirty Water: Global Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
Many scientists are convinced that there is a connection between global climate change and the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Those who believe that global warming is a real and serious problem often cite ..
Dirty Water: Marine Absorption of Carbon Dioxide
Many scientists believe that the greenhouse gas problem would be far worse today if the ocean didn't absorb as much carbon dioxide as it does. Some in the scientific community are looking into the feasibility of increasi..
Dirty Water: Oceanic Clues About Climate Change
Many scientists believe they can better understand today's climate patterns by comparing them to those from the past. One way to do this is by examining ancient sediment samples.
Dirty Water: Pollution in Bays and Estuaries
Among the areas hardest hit by marine pollution are bays and estuaries which, under normal circumstances, are extraordinarily productive. Estuaries are vulnerable to more than just oil spills and harbor development. They..