Can exercises make you smarter? Can exercising make your brain more fit as well? The New York Times recently reported that a University of Michigan study showed that memory training exercises can increase intelligence.

The death factory at Auschwitz was a closely guarded secret of the Third Reich — until two men, Rudolph Vrba and Alfred Wetzler, escaped to tell the world. See their story of the escape through Poland on Secrets of the Dead.

In his response to Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s recent remarks, Sen. Barack Obama
denounced Wright’s comments as “destructive” and said they do not accurately
portray the black church or the candidate’s own values and beliefs. Watch video.

Thirteen President Neal Shapiro gives the details, including that the half-hour program, titled Your World Tonight, will be helmed by Marc Rosenwasser from Associated Press, and will replace the airing of BBC World News on Thirteen.

The “Superfish” marine biologist Rick Rosenthal chases in this Sunday’s episode of Nature are among the most elegant and streamlined swimmers in the sea. But what is it like to swim with monsters?

As the Chinese climbers with the Olympic Torch look to ascend Mt. Everest, the other climbers on the mountain have been dealing with extensive climbing bans for weeks, and now communications bans since last week.

Mark Bittman, food columnist for the New York Times and host of public television’s “The Best Recipes in the World,” visited our studio for a live interactive webcast right here on Thirteen.org. Watch the full episode.

Religion & Ethics Newsweekly videoblogs reactions to Rev. Wright’s recent Press Club speech and posts video; NewsHour has continuing coverage; and the debate continues on the Moyers blog following the interview with Rev. Wright.

Australian Shark Count hits 4,022 sharks so far; 1,000-pound Colossal Squid Corpse thaws for study; Warning buoys installed on Atlantic (East Coast) to protect Right Whales.

“Every age,” writes Shakespeare scholar and cultural critic Marjorie Garber, “creates its own Shakespeare.” What cultural, religious or political lens are we viewing and interpreting Shakespeare through today?