A weekly documentary series, each episode providing an in-depth look at a different subject of scientific research. Subjects examined by this show have included the cutting edge of theoretical physics, a return to the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, the long-term effects of Amazon deforestation, and the development of life-saving medical techniques.

Inside the high-tech, high-stakes competition to create America’s newest fighter plane. NOVA goes behind the doors of the world’s two largest aerospace companies to record classified meetings, climbs into cockpits to fly the most revolutionary planes, and examines the high-stakes battle waged between Boeing and Lockheed Martin to build the most capable and versatile fighter ever created—the Joint Strike Fighter. You’re on the front line as the two aerospace giants fight for a contract that will make aviation history and help protect America, and that could provide the winner total domination of the U.S. defense fighter industry. Marking the first time filmmakers have been allowed inside a major weapons competition, NOVA enters Boeing’s Phantom Works and Lockheed’s legendary Skunk Works, and travels to the flight test centers at Edwards Air Force Base and Patuxnet Naval Air Station to document key moments of the competition. Join military brass, aviation engineers, and test pilots as they race to create a single aircraft that meets three criteria—that the winning plane be stealthy, affordable, and adaptable to the widely varying needs of the Air Force, Navy, and Marines. Filmed over four years, Battle of the X-Planes reveals the breakthrough designs, heartbreaking setbacks, adrenaline-fueled test flights, and one final nail-biting decision—the winner of the most lucrative contract in military history-–the Joint Strike Fighter.
Special DVD features include: bonus video footage of Lockheed fighters; a visit to a "graveyard" for old military planes; materials and activities for educators; outfitting a fighter pilot activity; designing a stealth plane; link to the Battle of the X-Planes companion Web site; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.

1 大数定律的发现是启动，费马帕斯卡发展出概率论成为预测基础
2 赌博和预测的关系。赌场也靠数学挣钱，数字预测的应用远不止赌场
3 电脑时代的计算能力暴涨使天气数字预报如虎添翼,现在的3天预报都很精准
4 科研中的应用，p值的初衷和重要，乃至编织数据贴近p值也很常见。
5 分析2016年总统大选民调和结果的差异...

一场神秘数学之旅——这将会是关于数学在数个世纪以来令人惊叹的力量的一次探索。从第一次无线电传输到成功将登陆车送上火星，数学在这一切事物中都至关重要。然而数学究竟为何有这些力量？数学到底是一项发明、还是发现？它到底是人类大脑的产物、还是宇宙自身的语言？“数学大谜思”这期节目将解释数学运算如何在大脑中运作，并且思索为何数学在解码宇宙的科学探索中是如此管用。