Julia Cort

Augmenting human intelligence is a lot tougher than it looks, but scientists are edging closer with machines like 'Watson,' an IBM computing system that is gearing up to compete on the game show Jeopardy!, taking on Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter, two of the show's most successful and celebrated contestants of all time. This program is an updated version of the original broadcast, with additional content added.

Physicist Brian Greene discusses the historical quest for a grand unified theory in physics which will reconcile quantum physics and general relativity, and considers the possibility that superstring theory may bring an end to that search.

Cat tales: They may have stolen many hearts, and the internet, but cats can be perplexing pets. As much cuddly and playful as they are aloof and uncaring, they've often raised the question: Did humans ever really domesticate felines? And what more can science tell us about a relationship that predates history? Dog tales: Dogs have been our companions for thousands of years. But why? Do they really love us, or are they just in it for the food? Scientists...

Would you care to match wits with a dog, an octopus, a dolphin, or a parrot? You may think twice after watching the segments in this NOVA scienceNOW episode. While we may not be ready to send pets to Harvard, the remarkable footage and findings presented here demonstrate that many animal species are much smarter than we assume and in ways we had never imagined.

Using humor, everyday examples and computer animation for the more abstract concepts, author and physicist Brian Greene explains complex theories of the universe and the focus of his research, string theory.