Laurie Cahalane

Hallucinogenic drugs, popularly called psychedelics, have been used by human societies for thousands of years. Today, scientists are taking a second look at many of these mind-altering substances, both natural and synthetic, and discovering that they can have profoundly positive clinical impacts, helping patients struggling with a range of afflictions from addiction to depression and PTSD.

In Augmented, Hugh Herr, a biophysicist working to create brain-controlled robotic limbs, shares his personal journey. At age 17, Herr's legs were amputated after a climbing accident. Frustrated by the crude prosthetic limbs he was given, Herr set out to remedy their design, leading him to a career as an inventor of innovative prosthetic devices. Now, Herr is teaming up with an injured climber and a surgeon at a leading Boston hospital to test a new...

Butterflies are perhaps the world's most beloved insects. But beneath their colorful charm, there's a wealth of hidden scientific secrets that show butterflies to be smarter and more resilient than we ever imagined.

Renowned paleontologist Kirk Johnson embarks on an epic adventure through time at the polar extremes of the planet. Following a trail of fossils found in all the wrong places - beech trees in Antarctica, redwoods and hippo-like mammals in the Arctic - NOVA uncovers the bizarre history of the poles, from miles-thick ice sheets to warm polar forests teeming with life.

Scott Burnett is 'Scatman' - an Australian ecologist who believes that fully understanding any animal requires understanding its poop. By identifying and analyzing an animal's scat for DNA and hormones, he discovers essential details of its behavior, how it fits in the ecosystem, and even how to protect it, all without needing to trap or disturb it.

Eagles dominate the skies. But what makes these predators so special? Researchers put one eagle to the test, and stunning up-close footage reveals her incredible strength, eyesight, and flying skills.