Horizon Season 25, Episode 23: Superconductor - The Race for the Prize

1

The Transpanted Brain

This episode of Horizon looks at a new approach that holds hope for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease.

60 min

2

Death of a Star

Horizon documents the first sighting of a star in supernova at its initial stages. The study of the spacial event provides fascinating insight into the life of our own universe.

60 min

3

Playing With Madness

In the report by Horizon, they looks at manic depression and how is now known that it has a strong genetic component.

60 min

4

The Canal in the Jungle

This episode of the Horizon explores the Panama Canal, now a billion dollar commercial sea crossroad between continents. The future of the canal is in danger because of damage to rain forests.

60 min

5

Death of the Working Classes

Horizon investigates how those who are born into a working class family are at greater risk of dying early than if born a child of the professional classes.

60 min

6

The Greenhouse Effect

This documentary report by Horizon examines the devastating effects of the Greenhouse Effect (earth's temperature rising) and how man is causing it.

60 min

7

Struggling for Control

This is a Horizon report on Britain's air traffic control capabilities and the use of outdated and unreliable equipment.

60 min

8

Thinking

Explores the limits of digital computers and artificial intelligence. Includes the views of John Searle, a philosopher at the University of California who refutes the claims for 'thinking' machines.

60 min

9

Patients on Trial

Horizon looks at the experimental treatment of four cancer patients in the USA who have volunteered to try the LAK/Interleuken 2 treatment.

60 min

10

Purple Warrior - Rules of Engagement

This is part one of a two-part series by Horizon reporting on a military exercise code named Purple Warrior which is designed to test lessons learned during the Falklands war.

60 min

11

Purple Warrior - Limited War

This is part two of a two-part series by Horizon reporting on a military exercise code named Purple Warrior which is designed to test lessons learned during the Falklands war.

60 min

12

The Heart of Another

Horizon looks at the progress of two heart disease patients at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital in Britain.

60 min

13

Easter Islands - The Secret

This is part one of a two-part Horizon series about the mystery of Easter Island, the stone statues, and the civilization that erected them.

60 min

14

Easter Islands - The Story

This is part two of a two-part Horizon series about the mystery of Easter Island, the stone statues, and the civilization that erected them.

60 min

15

Doctors to Be - Trial by Interview

Horizon presents part one of a three-part series on the education of doctors in Britain. In this episode, we look at the ordeal of an interview faced by two potential students applying to St. Mary's Medical School.

60 min

16

Doctors to Be - The Knowledge

Horizon presents part two of a three-part series on the education of doctors in Britain. In this episode, we examine the first two years of education at St. Mary's Medical School and at the exams that have to be passed.

60 min

17

Doctors to Be - Welcome to the Real World

Horizon presents part three of a three-part series on the education of doctors in Britain. In this episode, a group of medical students are followed from the beginning of their third year of medical education up to the point where they meet patients for the first time.

60 min

18

Cancer at Bay

Horizon investigates if changes in lifestyle could reduce the risks of cancer.

60 min

19

Traces of Murder

In this documentary, Horizon explores how to solve murder cases with the help of new technology.

60 min

20

The Hope of Progress

Horizon interviews the scientist and Nobel prize winner, Peter Medawar.

60 min

21

A Newsday Revolution

This report by Horizon covers how the electronic revolution in television news affects the way it is gathered, edited, and presented.

60 min

22

A Good Test?

Horizon investigates the use of psychological techniques in job recruitment and career development.

60 min

23

Superconductor - The Race for the Prize

This Horizon episode presents the breakthroughs in superconductivity research in several countries.

60 min

24

Believe Me

Horizon brings you a report on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis which is a neurological disease that has been puzzling doctors for more than 30 years.

60 min

25

The Quest for Tannu Tuva

Richard Feynman was not only an iconoclastic and influential theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate but also an explorer at heart. Feynman through video recordings and comments from his friend and drumming partner Ralph Leighton tell the extraordinary story of their enchantment with Tuva, a strange and distant land in the centre of Asia. While few Westerners knew about Tuva, Feynman discovered its existence from the unique postage stamps issued there in the early 20th century. He was intrigued by the unusual name of its capital, Kyzyl, and resolved to travel to the remote, mountainous land. However, the Soviets, who controlled access, were mistrustful, unconvinced that he was interested only in the scenery. They obstructed his plans throughout 13 years. The majority of the scenes are extended narratives by Feynman. There is included a delightful extended discussion and demonstration of Feyman's bongo playing. Feynman explains how he used a phrase book of the Tuva language to write and express an interest in visiting there. The proposed trip took years to arrange. The programme never does get to show Feyman in Tuva; he died of abdominal cancer a few days after the recorded interview, at age 69 in February 1988. The story is interspersed with earlier recorded conversations by Feynman that add his perspectives on the nature of physics. So, this is not a travel documentary at all; rather it is another fascinating insight into the exciting personality of Richard Feynman. "You have no responsibility to live up to what other people think you ought to accomplish." - Richard Feynman (1918-1988).

60 min