PBS NewsHour - Science

As delegates from around the world gather in Lima, Peru, to work on a framework on climate change, thousands of Peruvians flocked to the capital to demand better protection for their lands and cultures. As part of our Culture at Risk series, Jeffrey Brown reports from Lima on the struggle to balance the protection of remote indigenous communities with industry and growth.

Researchers at North Carolina State University are inventing technology to decode dog talk. Hari Sreenivasan visits a computer science lab that has designed a harness to monitor physiological and emotional changes and send wireless commands through vibrations, which could be used with guide animals or search and rescue dogs.

NASA envisions a human presence on Mars in 20 years. But how will we get there? The Orion spacecraft, an unmanned capsule, will launch on its maiden voyage as an important test for future missions. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on the engineering hurdles as well as the budgetary ones.

Even though black holes are vital to our understanding of the universe, no one has ever seen one -- yet. To change this, a team of scientists in northern Chile, is using a network of telescopes around the globe to capture an image of a black hole for the first time to prove Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. Rebecca Jacobson reports.

On the Alaskan tundra, researchers are tracking the march of global warming. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien explores how soil composition and the sleep schedules of squirrels might offer data on the ways warmer temperatures are affecting ecosystems.

In our news wrap Thursday, the world experienced its hottest month of October since recording began -- the fifth month this year to set new highs. Also, as State Secretary John Kerry arrives in Vienna for a new round of Iran talks, the head of the U.N. Nuclear Agency reported that Iran has failed again to explain suspected research into nuclear bomb-making.

Could a small device that produces a common disinfectant be a key to helping stop the spread of Ebola? Seattle-based nonprofit organization PATH develops innovative medical tools for low-income countries. The NewsHour’s Cat Wise reports on their recent innovations.

Scientists have identified the virus that’s caused a massive die-off of starfish along the Pacific Coast. Now researchers must figure out what environmental factors are making the animals more susceptible to the pathogen. Special correspondent Katie Campbell of KCTS9 in Seattle reports for the public media project EarthFix.

Glacial ice is like nature's ancient history book, and today the story is climate change. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports from Alaska, where researchers are studying how warmer temperatures affect the ancient ice and the living things that depend on it.

The European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft lander had a bumpier ride than initially thought when it tried to settle on the surface of a comet. When its landing equipment failed, it bounced twice, and is now believed to be sitting on its side, raising questions about the future of the mission. Alok Jha of Independent Television News reports.

Why land on a comet at all if chance for error is so high? Science correspondent Miles O’Brien joins Judy Woodruff to explain what can be gained from the Rosetta spacecraft’s mission and what we can expect from its research.

The U.S. and China reached a historic agreement to drastically curb carbon emissions after months of secret talks. Will either side be able to deliver on the pledge? Michael Oppenheimer of Princeton University speaks with Gwen Ifill about the pressures that led to the landmark plan and which other countries may be influenced to address climate change.

The European Space Agency successfully landed a spacecraft the size of a washing machine on a moving comet -- a historic first for space exploration. Tom Clarke of Independent Television News reports on the Philae lander’s amazing touchdown.

Using the ALMA radio telescope in Chile, astronomers were able to capture the formation of a new planet, and scientists are observing it happen more clearly than ever before. Hari Sreenivasan reports.

There are two natural fiery wonders currently lighting up the earth and the heavens. The lava flowing from the volcano on Mount Kilauea in Hawaii is moving slowly, but there's no way to stop it. Meanwhile, there’s a sunspot the size of Jupiter which could potentially cause havoc with the high-frequency communications. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien joins Hari Sreenivasan for more.