The second edition of our Magazine takes audiences to historic Boston, the developing world, and even to the Moon. Indeed, The Nature of Things Magazine travels beyond our world to bring audiences timely and engaging stories about life, the universe and everything in it.
Deadly Fakes takes audiences into the multi-billion dollar underworld of counterfeit drugs. It's organized and it's global, but it flourishes in the world's most vulnerable places and preys on the weakest among us. In Kenya, malaria is rampant. This once curable disease has become a killer, and young children are the most susceptible. In certain regions of Kenya, 80% of children have malaria, the most common life-threatening infection in the world. The disease continues to mutate, and experts the world over are alarmed that the one fool-proof treatment that is left - A-C-T's, or "artemisinin combination therapy," is being compromised by greedy counterfeiters. Once fake versions of A-C-Ts start to circulate among malarial patients, it could create a drug-resistant strain of the medication. And then we're looking at a major global health crisis. Deadly Fakes visits the frontlines of one of the world's most frightening health scenarios.
2007 is the 50th anniversary of Sputnik 1, the launch of which began a space race between the U.S. and the Soviets that lasted almost 20 years. A little known piece of the history is the story of the Soviet "Lunokhod." Tank on the Moon tells the tale of the Soviets' mysterious goal: to land a self-propelled robot on the Moon that could be controlled from the Earth - 385,000 kilometres away. It is the stuff of science fiction. Through trial and error, and a series of lucky guesses, the first Lunokhod (translation: Moonwalker) was launched on February 19, 1969. Unfortunately the rocket was destroyed and in a few seconds, years of hard work were lost. But in an era where the consequences of failure meant feeling the heavy hand of the Kremlin, Soviet engineers were ultimately successful in their efforts and the Lunokhod made a triumphant soft landing in the Sea of Rains on November 17, 1970. The secret was out. Tank on the Moon shares the failure and successes of this great Soviet secret.
Suzuki Nation gives viewers a chance to see David Suzuki in his element: discussing issues that reflect his unwavering commitment to the world around us. In this segment, David chats with Boston Bruins' defenseman, Andrew Ference. This soft-spoken hockey player has stepped away from the usual stereotype and has made it a personal goal to be more conscientious when it comes to his impact on the environment. Moreover, he's proudly managed to convince 18 of his team-mates to go carbon neutral - buying offsets for the carbon they produce by traveling to and from games. Now, because of his leadership, the NHL Player's Association (NHLPA) is on the verge of taking the carbon neutral challenge to their entire membership. David talks to Andrew about his family, the choices he makes and the influence his decisions could have on hockey players everywhere.
