Breakthrough

2015 • National Geographic Channel
4.3
56 reviews
TV-14
Rating
Eligible
Watch in a web browser or on supported devices Learn More

Season 1 episodes (6)

1 Fighting Pandemics
11/1/15
The Ebola outbreak of 2014 almost brought the world to its knees, but this crisis has mobilized scientists and researchers, paving the way for new treatments and vaccines. From antibiotics and vaccines to computer programs that predict how viruses will spread, new lifesaving tools will be used to fight a wide range of viruses in the near future, including HIV, influenza, dengue fever, malaria, and a host of other killer diseases.
2 More Than Human
11/8/15
Scientific advancements are challenging the concept of what it means to be human. Technology embedded in our bodies is fairly common: artificial limbs, pacemakers. But new research is taking us beyond replacement parts and into a new realm that is changing the nature of the human body and the human mind. Will the fusion of biology and technology change how we think, how we feel, how we experience the world?
3 Decoding the Brain
11/15/15
Scientific advancements are challenging the concept of what it means to be human. Technology embedded in our bodies is fairly common: artificial limbs, pacemakers. But new research is taking us beyond replacement parts and into a new realm that is changing the nature of the human body and the human mind. Will the fusion of biology and technology change how we think, how we feel, how we experience the world?
4 The Age of Aging
11/29/15
In recent years, close study of the aging process has opened up new ways that could help us all live healthier for longer. Can we move beyond treating individual diseases, and instead treat the aging process itself? But would a longer life necessarily be a better life? A loose-knit group of researchers believe the real breakthrough is extending our health span — the period of life spent free of disease.
5 Energy on the Edge
12/6/15
We are surrounded by clean, raw energy waiting to be tapped — energy that could eventually replace fossil fuels. Finding new ways to harness the energy around us takes a rare breed of scientist-engineers: men and women with a combination of technical skill, imagination, and unwavering focus. If we act now, developments in energy production could avert disaster and usher in a new era of clean, safe energy.
6 Water Apocalypse
12/13/15
California is on the brink of an apocalypse. The state faces a future of drought that will cost billions in lost farm revenue and thousands of jobs. But the challenges facing the state are not unique: All over the world, governments are struggling with bigger populations and a diminishing supply of freshwater. Innovators across the globe are seeking solutions in emergent technologies to prevent a planet-wide water crisis.

About this show

Filmed by some of the best directors in Hollywood – Ron Howard, Brett Ratner, Paul Giamatti, Akiva Goldsman, Angela Bassett and Peter Berg – Breakthrough brings you six thought-provoking and imaginative stories of scientific discovery as it explores cutting-edge projects with breakthrough potential, transformative tools that could solve pressing problems. Can unleashing the creative potential of talented people result in revolutionary change?

Ratings and reviews

4.3
56 reviews
Priscilla Manning
November 8, 2015
This documentary truly gave me insight on the Ebola outbreak and how out of control it could have became. I learned a lot of things watching this that I never would have known otherwise. My misconceptions of Ebola were numerous. I feel a lot less ignorant about the matter now.....
Did you find this helpful?
Bodie Camp
November 3, 2015
Thank you National Geographic and Peter Berg for the educational material and spot lighting these real HERO'S!
Did you find this helpful?
Jacob Brazille
November 22, 2015
Amazing what we as humans have been able to accomplish. These episodes are truly amazing at showing what humans have fine and where we are headed in the future.
Did you find this helpful?

Rate this show

Tell us what you think.