April 17th-22nd, 2007
Athens, Hellenic American Union

By CAID in collaboration with Teleciencia and IAMS

JAPAN PARTICIPATIONS

The Cyborg Revolution
Original title: Tachinaba Takashi Saizensen Houkokou: Cyborg Gijyutsu ga Jinrui wo Kaeru
Duration: 74'
Producer: Tatsuhiro Fujiki
Director: Tomoharu Okada / Naoko Omi
Participant: Yuki Yoshida
Company: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
Scientific field: Human & Technologies
Year: 2005
Country: Japan

Neuro-engineering, through the active participation of researchers throughout the world, is developing at an explosive pace. People with disabilities are being assisted by arms that move in response to thought alone and mechanical eyes. Medical treatments that involve the mechanical stimulation of the brain have produced dramatic results for some chronic illnesses and psychological disorders. It has also been found that the brain itself changes when it is linked to a machine.

Equator – Challenge of Change
Original title: Sekidou Seimei no Wa ‘"Africa Kiseki no Sougen"
Duration: 52'
Producer: Shinichi Murata/ Peter Hayden
Director: Toshio Hashiba
Participant: Yuki Yoshida
Company: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
Scientific field: Biology & Ecology
Year: 2005
Country: Japan

While most Equatorial regions are distinguished by dense rainforests and a year without seasons, the opposite is true of the Africa Savannah. For much of the time the land is parched by the unforgiving Equatorial sun, only to dramatically and suddenly come to life with the annual rains.
Created by the rain shadow from the Great Rift Valley, the Savannah is a product of the intense geological history of Africa. Here, at this site where prehistoric Africa met prehistoric Eurasia the great mammal species of the continent converge to play out the endless struggle between predator and prey.

The Art of Aging: Limitless Potential of the Brain
Original title: Rouka ni Idomu (1) Anata no Nou wa Yomigaeru
Duration: 52'
Producer: Shuji Yamamoto
Director: Jun Ochiai, Yorimasa Takeda
Participant: Yuki Yoshida
Company: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
Scientific field: Human, Health
Year: 2004
Country: Japan

Some people continue to enjoy an active intellectual life even past the age of a hundred. How is it possible for these "super seniors" to stay alert and active? The elderly brain has always been unexplored territory, but now cutting-edge technologies are being applied to unravel its mysteries. Although scientists had long thought that neural cells could not regenerate, recent research has shown that new cells are born even in the brains of the elderly. With a little will and effort, brain functions that have been weakened by age can be revitalized.

The programme