INC. (Firm) NHK ENTERPRISES 21
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One of astronomy's most revolutionary discoveries is the heliocentric theory, which stated the sun was at the center of the universe. But it has been recently found that this hypothesis by Nicolaus Copernicus was greatly influenced by Islamic astronomy. In fact, many names of the stars are Arabic. Further developing the science from Ancient Greece, Islamic scientists accurately measured the positions of the sun and stars to determine the direction...
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Stress can kill. The latest studies have revealed that extreme kinds of stress can be life-threatening, and is now known to cause serious mental illnesses such as depression and possibly even dementia. Why does stress trigger the abnormal condition of destroying the brain? Why does stress cause depression in some people, yet not in others? In addition to revealing the mechanism of stress, this episode features innovative and easy stress prevention...
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Skyscrapers are symbols of big cities. But the mega earthquake that hit Kumamoto, Japan, in 2016 proved that even earthquake-resilient high-rise buildings can shake greatly and suffer severe damage. The culprit is the long period seismic pulse, which is lurking in active faults throughout the world. Simulations of this motion showed that tall buildings shook three times more, causing them to tilt. This episode depicts the destructive power of the...
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"Successful aging" is now a key term for people around the globe. Japan is home to the world's highest proportion of centenarians: people who are older than 100 years old. What explains this longevity? As researchers worldwide look for answers, their studies of centenarians are gaining attention. The latest findings imply that everyone has the potential to live long, depending on the conditions. This program introduces viewers to "super" centenarians...
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New research has revealed a previously-overlooked threat, what's known as a "glucose spike." It happens when blood sugar levels soar for a short time after eating. The spike is hard to detect in regular health check-ups. If left untreated, it could lead to a higher risk of diabetes, hardening of the arteries, strokes, and heart attacks. It could also spark cellular cancer or dementia. How should we approach this cause of so many maladies? This program...
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The ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai is extremely popular worldwide. At 86, he created a monumental, 3-meter-wide composition using bold brushstrokes to depict the ancient Japanese deity Susanoo slaying several gods of pestilence. The work was destroyed by fire during the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and the only clue to its original form was a single monochrome photograph. In 2016, experts relied on that photo as a guide as they launched a project...
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Ninety-nine percentof our blood vessels are said to be capillaries. With age, these tiny tubules break, becoming hollow "ghost" vessels that cause wrinkles in the skin. Scientists are now finding they are also tied to higher risks from age-related ailments, including osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. Using the latest in biological imaging and super-high-resolution 3D CGI, this program delves into the mechanism behind broken capillaries. It also...
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Adolescence is a time when cute children suddenly become rebellious teenagers. The latest scientific research suggests this is deeply related to a "special mechanism" uniquely acquired during evolution; the troubling adolescent behavior is actually a part of human brain development. In this era of rapidly shifting social environments, the special workings of the adolescent brain are putting our children under enormous pressure, sometimes causing depression,...
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North Korea has continued to rattle the global community by going ahead with nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, without fear of international sanctions. This documentary unveils the mysterious "Kingdom of Kim" based on material obtained exclusively by NHK. A classified national file in excess of 12,000 pages contained on one USB memory stick, apparently leaked from the Korean People's Army, reveals the strategic plan of leader Kim Jong-un....
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Meteorologists around the world are concerned that accurate forecasting is becoming more and more difficult. The biggest reason for this is the rapid increase in the temperature of seawater triggered by global warming. This rise in temperature causes the flow of water vapor and winds to change, thereby allowing super typhoons to expand and increase in number. The accumulated data and the experiences at present are limited. The margin of error in forecasts...
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Be it chess or Go, artificial intelligence has swept aside human grandmasters. Now, this human-surpassing AI technology is leaping from the game console into the real world. A taxi company in Japan has boosted passenger numbers by 20% by introducing an AI system that anticipates peak demand and dispatches cars accordingly. In the US, AI is used in courtrooms to calculate the risk of recidivism and help determine prison terms. This new technology is...
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If you think it's "just" stress, think again. Heavy stress ruins your health and can even take your life. It's what's known as "killer stress." The latest studies in neuroscience and molecular physiology have revealed a complex mechanism. Stress can trigger a chain reaction of hormonal abnormalities in the body, causing destruction of brain cells and blood vessels, leading to death. From heart diseases, strokes, to cancer, this episode explores the...