From Newton and the apple, to Edition and the light bulb, science is full of great moments of discovery. But are the days of shouting "Eureka" over? Not by a long shot. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, the great unanswered questions of science. Also, from cold fusion to Biosphere II -- when good science goes bad.

SEGMENT 1

Science writer John Horgan states his premise that we have come to the end of scientific discovery. Geologist, research scientist, and professional trumpet player, Robert Hazen tells Judith Strasser that he is mystified by Horgan's claim: he enthusiastically insists that the universe is much more amazing than we know and there's a lot left to discover -- including the limits of our own lack of knowledge.

SEGMENT 2:

Mathematician A.K. Dewdney tells Steve Paulson that bad science is not fraudulent science -- it's more a question of the thrill of discovery running over the scientific method. Dewdney uses Biosphere II as an example of "bad science." Dewdney's book is "Yes, We Have No Neutrons: An Eye-Opening Tour through the Twists and Turns of Bad Science." Also, physicist Alan Guth explains to Steve Paulson how he got involved in cosmology; came up with a radical new theory about the origins of the unverse; and what happened to his career thereafter. Guth teaches at M.I.T. and is the author of "The Inflationary Universe: The Quest for a New Theory of Cosmic Origins."

SEGMENT 3:

Physiologist Robert Root Bernstein of Michigan State University talks with Jim Fleming about the ancient knowledge and medical practices of the shamans and healers of antiquity, and says that much of their lore is in use in hospitals today. Root Bernstein is the author (with Michele Root Bernstein) of "Honey Mud Maggots and Other Medical Marvels."

Distribution dates:

• week of 09/21/97 - hour 2
• week of 09/27/98 - hour 2