The Nature of Things

Episode 1

Sex, Lies and Secrecy: DIssecting Hysterectomy

Three-quarters of a million hysterectomies are performed annually in North America. In close to 80% of these the ovaries are removed at the time of surgery, which robs women of a natural and healthy hormonal balance, and which can result in subsequent problems. This documentary looks at the choices being made and possible less-invasive alternatives.

Episode 2

Terrible Lizards of Oz

A study of the archaic mammals and marine reptiles that flourished in prehistoric Australia.

Episode 3

Selling Sickness

Exposing the unhealthy relationship between society, medical science and the pharmaceutical industry.

Episode 4

Arktika: The Russian Dream That Failed

Follows the ambitious and disasterous Soviet attempt to conquer a vast arctic region spanning half of the top of the world.

Episode 5

Shipbreakers

Directed by award-winning filmmaker and producer Michael Kot ( Let Freedom Ring, Aftermath: The Remnants of War), Shipbreakers takes audiences to a remote stretch of beach on the Arabian Sea where obsolete ships are turned into smouldering scrap metal and toxic waste. Here, blood, sweat and steel collide daily. The ships' 'death' is certain - more than 4,000 vessels have met their fate in the industrial community of Alang, India. Almost as certain is the fate of many workers. Though the gateway greeting at Alang says, 'Safety is our motto,' the workers have their own slogan: a ship a day, a death a day. On average, one worker dies on the job every day - evaporated in explosions, crushed by falling steel, their bodies sliced by cables or broken by falls. Of the remainder, one in four will contract cancer from exposure to asbestos, PCBs and other toxic substances. It is considered the new economy at work. Employment has gone to the lowest bidder in a global billion-dollar business where men and boys work barefoot with blowtorches, risking their lives for three dollars a day. If it were not for them, the world would be littered with the rusting hulks of ravaged steel, loaded with waste and lethal fuels. The shipbreakers in Alang (population 40,000) - a town that didn't exist until two decades ago - travel here from all over India. They live in shacks, built over a malarial swamp, with no running water or toilets. Few plan on staying, but the pull of the wages is powerful.

Episode 6

Clot Busters

Exploring a new treatment for stroke victims.

Episode 7

Killed by Care: Making Medicine Safe

Exploring the tragic consequences of medical error and the devastating impact it can have on patients, their families and on health care workers as well.

Episode 8

Tale of a Tiny Bird

A young girl meets the King of Songbirds and visits his kingdom, where she meets his tiny subjects. She also gets a chance to observe scientists, who have devoted their lives to studying birds and their epic migratory journeys.

Episode 9

Apocalypse Cow: The Mad Cow Story, Part 1

The Mad Cow epidemic started in the United Kingdom and has spread to more than 20 countries around the world. A look at the effects of BSE, commonly known as Mad Cow disease, on the cattle industry and on people.

Episode 10

Apocalypse Cow: The Mad Cow Story, Part 2

Part 2; Examining BSE - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (mad cow disease), including a look at the financial impact on the farming industry.

Episode 11

Bhopal: The Search for Justice

Looking at the 1984 chemical leak in Bhopal, India, which killed fifteen thousand people at the time and continues to have severe health effects on people who were in contact with the chemical cloud when the leak occurred.

Episode 12

Forbidden Forest

Exploring New Brunswick's Acadian forest, public land which has been used for clear-cutting.

Episode 13

Passion & Fury, The Emotional Brain: Anger

Uncover the startling discoveries researchers make when they scan the brains of sociopaths. See how these studies are being put to use in helping young people cope with anger at an early age.

Episode 14

Passion & Fury, The Emotional Brain: Love

Anthropologists dissect this emotion to its core: lust, romantic love and attachment. How we are aroused is explored: smell and tone of voice play into attraction and compatibility.

Episode 15

Passion & Fury, The Emotional Brain: Fear

What triggers fear, our physiological reactions, and what purpose it serves are studied. Scientists investigate how our brain assesses the need for fight or flight.

Episode 16

Passion & Fury, The Emotional Brain: Happiness

Drawing a distinction between the lasting state of happiness and the pursuit of instant pleasure, the evolutionary role of happiness, and asks what happens in the brain, and possibly in our genes, that make some people happy and others sad

Episode 17

Fighting Fire with Fire

Exploring the various methods fire crews use to prepare for and control large fires, including setting fires and allowing others to continue burning.

Episode 18

Being Caribou, Part 1

Examines complex factors that affect socialization of aggressive behavior among humans.

Episode 19

Being Caribou, Part 2

The Numurindi people from Australia's South East Arnemland have developed a culture.

Episode 20

Whale Mission: The Last Giants

Part 1 of a two-part examination of whales and what the future may hold for them.

Episode 21

Whale Mission: Keepers of Memory

Conclusion. The plight of whales in the 21st century is detailed. Included: efforts to determine how many whales there are by retracing the routes of ancient whalers.

Episode 22

Origins of Human Aggression: The Other Story

Examines the complex factors that affect the socialization of aggressive behavior among humans. Biological, environmental and psychological components are addressed, and guidelines for the prevention of human violence are provided.

Episode 23

Five Seasons

The way of life of the Numurindidi people in Australia's; Northern Territory's Gulf of Carpentaria is detailed.

Episode 26

Episode #45.26

Tue, Aug 10, 2004

Drug detection experts are determined to ensure Athens Olympics 2004 is run clean.

Episode 27

Passion & Fury: The Emotional Brain - Anger

Tue, Mar 22, 2005

Uncover startling discoveries researchers make when they scan brains of sociopaths.

Episode 28

Passion & Fury: The Emotional Brain - Love

Tue, Mar 29, 2005

Anthropologists dissect this emotion to its core: lust, romantic love and attachment.

Episode 29

Passion & Fury: The Emotional Brain - Fear

Wed, May 11, 2005

What triggers fear, our physiological reactions, and what purpose it serves are studied.

Episode 30

Passion & Fury: The Emotional Brain - Happiness

Wed, May 18, 2005

Drawing a distinction between lasting state of happiness and pursuit of instant pleasure, program explores evolutionary role of happiness,.