Add
Private Notes
How would your family cope in a tropical cyclone or a catastrophic bushfire? Dr Jonica Newby uncovers the links between climate change, human psychology & disastrous bushfires & cyclones, & how to survive the extremes.
Dr Jonica Newby explains how this website can help you prepare for an extreme weather event.
In this Catalyst special, Anja Taylor and Mark Horstman travel to opposite sides of the planet to investigate mega-fires, large uncontrollable fires that are on the rise globally.
In a Catalyst special 'Fatherhood: Secrets of the Superdads' Dr Jonica Newby, Dr Graham Phillips and the team explore whether science can tell us how to be good dads.
The team defy gravity at 'The Leaning Tower of Gingin', before driving an electric Lotus into the ground on their way to a Future Farm to measure methane in sheep.
On this leg, the trio mine gold in Kalgoorlie and meet an international team of scientists who are using the salt of Lake Lefroy to gather accurate satellite data.
Teeing off at the start of the Eyre Highway, Catalyst reporters Anja, Derek and Simon brave the bitumen visit to the fantastic water-filled caves at Weebubbie.
Standing atop the spectacular Bunda Cliffs, Derek and Simon ponder how to accurately calculate the length of Australia's coastline.
Three Catalyst reporters, Anja, Derek and Simon, continue their road trek across Southern Australia. They have arrived where the Murray River meets the ocean and the Coorong Wetland.
In the final summer Catalyst, Derek and Simon visit Warrnambool to join a team of researchers mapping and revealing for the first time the stunning natural features of Victoria's seafloor.
If Einstein were alive today he’d be so excited …well relatively speaking of course. Almost 100 years ago he came up with an idea that he deemed the greatest blunder of his life. But now it seems, this cosmic boo boo could have been a stroke of insightful genius.
Dr Graham Phillips speaks with scientists at UNSW who are developing technology to mine the moon, exploring how we might build there, and possibly even establish a colony.
What makes our universe just right for our existence? It could be that the universe we call home is one of many, just a small part of a huge multiverse. Graham Phillips looks into various multiverse theories and highlights the difficulty in proving the theories. However, there are high hopes that CERN's Particle Accelerator will turn those theories into reality.
Graham Phillips travels to Hawaii to look for signs of extra terrestrial astronomers.
As the Mars science rover Curiosity touched down on the Martian surface this month, Graham Phillips was in NASA’s control room to feel the tension and excitement.
Dr Maryanne Demasi travels to the US to meet the scientists who are working on a cure for HIV and shakes hands with the first man to be cured of the virus.
Testosterone has long been considered the hormone that makes men masculine. But is this common perception selling the hormone short?
Dr Ann Jones and Paul West travel around Australia telling the stories of eight remarkable trees from across our vast and varied landscape, before a panel of expert judges will crown Australia's Favourite Tree.
Dr Ann Jones and Paul West travel across Australia to investigate the extraordinary lives of Australia's oldest, largest and most iconic trees and a panel of judges will crown Australia's Favourite Tree!
Parasites feed on us and can cause disease but pioneering Australian research shows they might be used to create new medicines. We examine these complex little creatures and how scientists try to harness their power for good.
A Catalyst special. Myf Warhurst is on the cusp of a big change: the change. Myf wants to know what's in store. What is menopause, what are the symptoms and what can she do about it?
Do sharks have friends? Watch and see if there is actually anything to study when we look at the "social behavior" of sharks off the coast of New South Wales, Australia!
Take a look at the Voyager unmanned space probes launched in the 1970's -- and where they are now after 36 years of travel! Voyager I is the furthest travelled man made object in space. What are the missions finding in the distant universe?
Titanium implants are a favorite among surgeons. They're light, durable and strong and readily accepted by the human body. But with each surgery comes a small but potentially deadly risk - infection through the introduction of bacteria. How can they design implants to resist bacterial infection?
Dr Graham Phillips investigates new technology that is able to convert more than 40 per cent of the sun's light into electricity. This is more than double the efficiency of today's domestic rooftop solar panels, and could eventually lead to cheaper sources of renewable energy.
Thousands of chemicals are used in everyday products – in our water, our food and in the air we breathe. It’s the chemical soup of modern life and it’s virtually impossible to escape them. Is there adequate regulation and testing, or are we in the midst of an uncontrolled, human experiment?
What is memory? How do our memories change from childhood to adulthood? How we can build up greater brain reserves to power our mind into old age? Brain epigenetics, how the expression of our DNA can be changed by our experiences, is an intriguing new area of science with huge health implications.
How can a supercomputer can help researchers to a better understanding of the poliovirus at an atomic level? This has implications for understanding and eradicating deadly diseases worldwide.
The promise of quantum computers is that what would otherwise take a billion years to calculate, could be done in a few seconds. First-generation quantum computers have started to appear. Indeed, earlier this year, Google bought one, The D-Wave 2. How will this advance change our future lives?
Think spiders aren't beautiful? Then think again! The colorful and beautiful jumping Peacock Spider, native to Australia, will change your mind.
In the western world there’s an epidemic of allergies. Could it be that our lifestyles are too clean? And that we’re not exposing ourselves to bugs that help build our immune systems? Is there bacteria that is good for us?
There’s no doubt that cardiac implants or stents save lives. They unblock arteries to prevent heart attacks. But because the body treats stents as foreign, the risk of blood clots is ever present. How can we coat the stents in order to stop the rejections?
It seems that the bee population crisis is intricately tied to the way we have changed our planet. Catalyst investigates how modern agriculture methods, increasing diseases and the impending threat of the deadly varroa mite could destroy the last safe-haven for bees on the planet, Australia.
By building see-through flowers, researchers at the University of Connecticut have captured high-speed, high-magnification images of the remarkable tongue of the Hummingbird. And they've revealed that previously held theories about the diminutive birds are wrong!
Cuneiform documents in clay cover everything from political affairs to economic practices, from 3400BC right up to the time of Christ. But can modern technology unwrap clay envelopes so that archaeologists can preserve the artifact but see the letter inside? Watch and see!
Fifty meters beneath the teeming mega-city of Tokyo is an underworld river system - 6.4km of tunnels, colossal water tanks, massive pillars, giant pumps that remove 200 tons of floodwater every second. It’s an engineering marvel built to protect Tokyo against the increasing threat of flooding.
A short video on this phenomenon of nature, particularly evident in deep ocean animals.
By investigating the tell-tale signs of earthquakes and tsunamis written into the landscape over the last thousand years, Japanese scientists are rewriting the rule books for disaster prevention in the Pacific.
Equitana, Sea Mounts, Rat Nav
Diseased Bats, Ancient DNA, Argo Floats
Malaria jumps the gap from monkey to man; could bubbles be a solution to the hard hit mining industry? And see how a horse trainer applies his skill to the training of elephants, with remarkable success.
Virtual Reality - helping soldiers overcome PTSD - Is mankind the greatest enemy of sea turtles? - Could genetically modified bananas prevent third world malnutrition?
Paul Willis explores the universe from South America - A revolution in Heart Valve technology - Printing Solar Cells right on the money.
Eggs on ice, a new freezing technique aiding women who want to wait before giving birth - Insects helping to keep an eye out for terrorists - Footprints in the ash - where the megafauna roamed.
Space Storms: predicting the next big one - Insects on drugs: why locusts swarm - Bunnies bounce back: controlling the rise in rabbit numbers.
Stories: In Defence of the Flying Fox: Flying Foxes are destroying trees in the Botanical Gardens in Sydney and Melbourne, but is relocating them a viable solution? Indoor air: CSIRO scientists survey the air inside our homes to assess potential health risks. Fundamentals with Bernie Hobbs - The Einstein diet: Celebrities aren't the only stars shedding kilos. Mysteries of the Emperors: Unlocking the secrets of the enigmatic Emperor of the icy continent.
Robotic Heart Surgery, Penguin DNA, Voodoo, Placebo, The Father of Photovoltaics - Martin Green Profile, and the Sydney Brick Pit Fossil.
An historic Spanish voyage; mining undersea volcanoes; the latest in diving gear; deep sea diners; the deepest location on earth - the Mariana Trench.
Bone Scaffold, biggest bang, mystery of flesh eaters, Bioluminescence, Space Beer
Sleeping with a baby, staying up late, sleeping with pain
All about eyes
ant venon, turbulence, UG99, neurotoxins, dolphin power
Carbon Nano - Lucrative Algorithms - Fur Seals - West Coast Whales - Hot or Cold - Fast Food for Hummingbirds.
Radiation 101 - MEG Stuttering - Biggest Devonian Fish - Supertasters - Molten Steel - Nuclear Fungus.
Recovered Memories - 3D Printing - Wind and Waves - Gravity - Penguin Wave.
In the Beginning- The GM tomato - Sorting Wheat from Chaff - Food Wastage - Daily Bread or Dread.
Is there a budding psychopath in your family? Opening the South Pole via satellite; take a wild ride in the next generation of motion simulator.
Why a dog's paw preference matters; Could we be forever young?: The destructive power of tiny bubbles.
Thin Blood - Mountain Pygmy Possums - Coastal Flood Impact - Slinky Drop
Computer Game Addiction - Dolphin Courting - Tree Deaths
Danger Zones - Kawasaki Disease - Virus Hunters
Christchurch Earthquake - Project Aether - Joggobot - Lynne Milne - Sudoku
Exercise is Medicine - Grim Reaper Walk - Prof Richard Kingsford - NZ Transit of Venus
Stories: - Decoding the Risks: At-home genetic test kits now promise to predict your risk of disease before it strikes. - Exoskeleton: Mark Horstman test drives a revolutionary robotic exoskeleton which is designed to give mobility back to people paralysed by spinal injuries or disabled by disease. - Cats Purr: Jonica Newby enlists the help of cat owners and their purr-fect felines to help demonstrate what scientists have recently discovered about the humble purr. - Sydney Transit of Venus: Mark Horstman and Graham Phillips explore the excitement and importance of the last Transit of Venus in the century.
Stories: - Mobile Phone Risks: Can mobile phones cause cancer? - Mars Curiosity: As the Mars science rover Curiosity touched down on the Martian surface this month, Graham Phillips was in NASA’s control room to feel the tension and excitement. - Sitting is Deadly: Sitting down for prolonged periods of time can shorten our lifespan and regular exercise might not counteract the damage. - Coffee Spill: Using sensors and high speed cameras, physicists have revealed why coffee spills as you walk.
Stories: - MS Cure?: Some doctors contend that Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is triggered by an infection, which could be cured with antibiotics. - Feeding the Grid: Mark Horstman visits a family generating enough electricity from gas at home to feed the grid. - Dog Music: What drives a dog to spontaneously start singing along to music?
Stories: - Coral Winners: It's been predicted that climate change will cause the total devastation of the Great Barrier Reef within decades. - Nanopatch: A new vaccination delivery method could replace needles and syringes - and save millions of lives. - Air Cargo Scanner: Graham Phillips catches up with the Australian team that developed the world's first scanner capable of detecting explosives in air cargo containers. - Indigenous Science Education: Aboriginal elders and local teachers are joining forces to promote science in Australia's indigenous communities.
Stories: - Plastic Oceans: Plastics are now choking our oceans. - Barefoot Running: Is running barefoot better than running in shoes? - Suspect Line-Up: Jonica Newby explores a more accurate way to point the finger than traditional police line ups.
Stories: - Skin Deep: Dr Maryanne Demasi assesses the science behind minimally invasive treatments including Stem Cell Therapy, Botox and Laser Therapy. - Sun Damage: Surfing Scientist, Ruben Meerman examines the latest research into the safety of nanoparticles in sunscreens.
Mark Horstman witnesses the discovery of the biggest dinosaur footprint ever found and reports on the threat to the security of the dinosaur tracks posed by a massive industrial development.
Graham Phillips travels to the USA for a glimpse of the next, generation four, nuclear reactors and investigates what makes them intrinsically safer, and Anja Taylor debunks the myths about acne.
Is digital technology changing the way we think, act and feel? Are our brains being re-wired fundamentally? Catalyst examines how the digital revolution is changing us.
Maryanne Demasi investigates whether it is possible that a party drug could be the next big thing in treating depression.
Graham Phillips travels to the rarefied heights of the Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii to have a look at the Keck telescopes which are currently being used to look for signs that ET is out there somewhere in the galaxy.
Dr Derek Muller travels to Lausanne, Switzerland, where he discovers the true power of delicious Swiss chocolate - motivating paralysed rats to walk again.
A special report covering a hundred years of weather records from around Australia and what it means to the way we live.
Electric Cars Part One The team kick off their scientific trek with an electric car trial out of Perth. Land Speed Record Dr Derek Muller ditches electric cars in favour of a rocket vehicle. Electric Cars Part Two Simon Pampena discovers his sporty electric Lotus can't quite go the distance. Leaning Tower Dr Derek Muller turns watermelons into fruit salad in the name of physics. Future Farm Our trio measure how much methane sheep actually burp and a clever way to reduce their emissions.
Part 1: Blasting for Gold The team go underground gold mining in Kalgoorlie. Part 2: Comedy Gold Simon Pampena performs comedy using mathematics in Kalgoorlie, but will his numbers add up? Part 3: Salt Satellites The trio "sail" on Lake Lefroy and meet scientists using the salt lakes to keep satellites accurate.
Part 1: Weebubbie Cave After a quick round of golf, Anja Taylor joins a team of scientists for a spell-binding diving expedition into the Nullarbor's deepest cave. School of the Air Derek and Simon stage a physics and maths roadshow for School of the Air students who live on the Nullarbor. Part 2: Weebubbie Cave On her second dive, Anja teams up with Dr Stefan Eberhard to discover the microscopic crustacea that inhabit the cave. Eucla Sand Hills The team reveal the surprising origin of the sandhills using just a touch of vinegar.
Nullarbor safari Anja,Derek and Simon join critter-wrangler, Harald Ehmann and find more Nullarbor wildlife than they bargained for. Measuring Our Coastline Derek and Simon unpack the "coastline paradox" as they gaze out over the stunning Bunda Cliffs. Yalata Mulloway The team go fishing for Mulloway and discover a satellite tagging project aimed at protecting this iconic fish. Diprotodon Dig The team join a fossil dig in the badlands of South Australia and discover the world's largest marsupial.
Coorong Wetlands The team check on the health of the Lower Lakes and Coorong following the Big Dry. Technoviticulture Technology has become indispensable to modern wine making. Penguin Patrol In a world first, Maremma sheepdogs are protecting penguins from hungry foxes.
Mapping Underwater Victoria Anja and Derek hit the high seas to find out what lies beneath Victoria's coastal waters. Cape Otway Lighthouse Koalas In the Great Otway National Park and surrounding private land, there are as many as 18 koalas per hectare – the highest density ever recorded. Hot Air Balloon Finale Our On the Road team head to the Melbourne skies on a Hot Air Balloon.
Fire Tornado How does a bushfire turn into a fire tornado? Flies for Food Maggots…they make you squirm…but what a healthy meal of pure protein they’d be! Graham Phillips explores a scheme to supply fly feed to agriculture and aquaculture. Dog Empathy Do dogs really care?
Sustainable Fishing A look at the science involved in managing Australia's largest fishery. Cyber Attack How vulnerable is critical infrastructure to cyber attacks? Smart Arm A Smart Arm is helping stroke patients recover mobility.
Dengue Fever Dr Maryanne Demasi reveals Australian research which may help to eliminate Dengue Fever. Scramspace A world leading Australian research team is preparing to launch a hypersonic scramjet. Voyager What has Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object, discovered?
Doping to Win Do "performance enhancing" drugs really work and what are the side effects? Life Enhancing Drugs There are substances that could improve your mind power and help you learn faster or improve your memory.
Extreme Weather This special report looks at the domino effect of environmental and atmospheric factors that drive the globe to wetter, hotter, drier and colder extremes. Underwater Optics Cinematographer Pawel Achtel has developed a camera housing that brings ultra high definition underwater images to the big screen.
Chiropractors Are chiropractors putting babies at risk?
Rainbow Children Mark examines the evidence from social scientists and whether more research matters to the growing numbers of children from same sex couples. Sundrop Farm Anja and Simon visit an unlikely location for a sustainable energy world first, a huge greenhouse on the edge of the desert in South Australia. Air Operations Simulator Research Centre Ruben takes flight at the Air Operations Simulator Centre in Melbourne. Algorithm of Love Simon takes a look at how dating websites use complex maths to find you your perfect match.
The Chemistry of Attraction Catalyst pulls back the covers on the science of attraction.
Southern Surveyor Join Mark Horstman aboard the Southern Surveyor as she embarks on her last science voyage. Ancient Teeth Dr Graham Phillips looks at what ancient teeth reveal about our dental health today. Future Music How are computers changing the composition of music?
Toxic Sugar? Is sugar in the diet driving the obesity crisis? Water Fluoridation Ruben reports on the benefits of fluoride and the controversy behind adding fluoride to our water supplies.
Energy Drinks Anja Taylor reveals the hidden dangers of energy drinks. 3D Virus Simon Pampena explores how a supercomputer can help researchers to better understand the poliovirus at an atomic level. Military Uniform Dr Graham Phillips goes deep inside a climate controlled defence chamber to test chemical warfare suits.
Coal Dust Mark Horstman heads to Newcastle to reveal the efforts that are underway to identify potentially harmful concentrations of coal dust particulates. Quantum Computing Dr Graham Phillips delves into the world of the very very small to reveal the huge potential of quantum computing.
In a Catalyst special we explore the possibilities of Gravity waves. Einstein predicted them and now a telescope may have found evidence they exist, supporting the idea that there may be many universes.
Fossils Exposed Engineers unearthed a remarkable treasure trove of fossils beneath Brisbane. Wings of Wonder Anja Taylor reports on how the amazing properties of insect wings could offer new hope for surgical implants. Eureka Prizes Interviews Catalyst asks some of our eminent scientists about the most important scientific issues facing Australia.
Anja Taylor looks at the controversial issue of recreational hunters shooting feral animals as an effective management technique; do sharks choose their friends? And do men look sexier with a guitar?
Teaching drones to think for themselves; looking at ways to combat the super-bug gonorrhoea; and what causes bike rage?
Will the 21st century be remembered for the eradication of HIV? It's possible. Dr Maryanne Demasi reports. And Dr Graham Phillips sees how 3D printing is being used to bring history within our grasp.
In this Catalyst special, Dr Maryanne Demasi investigates the science behind the long established claims that saturated fat causes heart disease by raising cholesterol.
In the second episode of this two-part Catalyst special, Dr Maryanne Demasi uncovers the tactics used by drug companies to distort the data to make cholesterol lowering medications seem more effective than they are.
The Catalyst team look at what YouTube can teach us about meteors and how far can sea levels rise? Also how to stay as safe as possible in a house fire.
Tattoos: They are on trend but how easy are they to remove? Moon Mining: Scientists look at ways to mine the moon. Muscle fibre Fishing Line: How fishing line, a hairdryer and an electric drill make artificial muscle fibres.
Could omega 3 supplements reduce aggressive behaviour of inmates?; Antarctica Sea Ice: The sleeping giant of climate change; Dog Optimism: How does your dog view the world? Is it an optimist or pessimist?
Three years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster we explore the hidden impact of radioactive sediments and why do some trauma patients appear to recover from injury but just a few days later develop multiple organ failure?
In the first of a two-part special, reporter Dr Graham Phillips investigates whether what we feed the bacteria deep inside our gut could be contributing to a whole litany of diseases.
In this two-part special, reporter Dr Graham Phillips investigates whether what we feed these bacteria could be contributing to a whole litany of diseases.
Inside Australia's long lost World War 1 submarine, the AE2, we reveal her hidden secrets and investigate what scientists are doing to protect her from the ravages of time.
Catalyst investigates two ground breaking treatment procedures for epilepsy; We meet the man who discovered dark energy - Nobel Prize winner Professor Brian Schmidt.
Dr Jane Goodall entered the forests of Tanzania as a girl with a dream. Twenty years later she left a woman with a mission; Can science help the dead speak? We 'unwrap' a mummy to unveil secrets hidden for thousands of years.
Dr Graham Phillips delves into the latest research into testosterone, from the womb to old age, it not only moulds the male body and mind but is a hormone of good health during the life of a man. And it is true of women too.
Catalyst investigates how modern agriculture methods, increasing diseases and the impending threat of the deadly varroa mite could destroy the last safe-haven for bees on the planet.
Ground breaking Japanese research reveals clues about future hazards for tsunami-prone countries. How playing outdoors can improve children's health and could the bacteria in our stomach ulcers help cure allergies.
Friendship. From before we can even speak, we seek the companionship of others. But why is this drive so powerful? And how come out of all the people we meet in our lives, we fall in friendship with some and not others?
Global Warming Pause - From 1975 to 1998 the world saw a rapid rise of global average air surface temperatures, linked to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Virtual Universe - Grab your popcorn and settle back to watch a movie about the Universe – this extraordinary super computer simulation called the Illustris, models a huge chunk of the universe: a cube 350 million light years across, and home to tens of thousands of galaxies. Green Alloys - What can be done about the mountains of waste products that can’t be recycled? A team from UNSW is ‘reforming’ products deemed unrecyclable.
Tokyo flood prevention - How does a city of rivers defend itself in during flooding rain? Crying - are tears of joy different from tears of sorrow? Open plan office layout - how the open plan office can affect our health.
Wind - Unless your hobby or business is affected by the wind most people ignore windy weather warnings. Bird Strike - Most people’s fear of flying stems from thoughts like 'how does this massive craft stay in the sky'?
How Aircraft Electromagnetic Interference (AEI) affects our military aircraft; Detecting Tilapia; the cane toads of our waterways and what makes Lasers so dangerous?
Catalyst investigates the science behind the low carb diet. What are the health benefits and are there any risks? Is it suitable for everyone?
The Catalyst team look at how our genes can affect exercise performance; Come face to face with 120 metre tunnel borers Florence and Elizabeth; And reveal the good news for Coral trout on the Great Barrier Reef.
Could abalone blood be the new treatment for cold sores and herpes?; The inspirational story of 350 year old mathematics problem and how it was solved; Tasmania's Great Poo Hunt - have foxes invaded the island state?
The media abounds with visions of gloomy, automated megacities or totally sustainable ecological utopias but how do these futuristic visions relate to the development of Australian cities over the next eighty years? With soaring populations, how will we keep our cities liveable?
There’s no doubt that cardiac implants or stents save lives.; A surprising number of native marsupials are mistaken for rats.; Three international experts and our very own Dr Graham Phillips taste test some popular beverages - the Gin & Tonic: how can you enhance the unique flavour of gin?
Would you apply for a job in the Antarctic? Mark Horstman looks into the physical and psychological profiles of successful applicants. Dr Maryanne Demasi investigates the development of ingestible, protein based drugs.
Recent research suggests leaded petrol emissions may be behind a rise in violent crime rates. Anja Taylor investigates current sources of lead exposure and its developmental effects on children
Is there anyone out there? Does the popular movie quote 'ET phone home' have any substance? Astronomers have been pointing their radio telescopes at the skies for decades trying to pick up alien signals, so far without success. But now there's a new way of looking for aliens. Hitch a ride with Dr Graham Philips as he joins astronomers trawling through the galaxy looking for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence. Mammalian meat allergy is on the rise in Australia and the surprising cause - a tick bite. Dr Jonica Newby meets Dr Sheryl van Nunen, the clinician who discovered the link.
Dr Jonica Newby tries her luck at passport fraud and Dr Graham Phillips investigates the effectiveness of anti-venom for red back spider and brown snake bites.
Tamiflu: Imagine a Hollywood doomsday scenario - a flu pandemic sweeps the world, hundreds of millions of people are infected. How prepared are we for a flu pandemic? Sun's Lost Sibling: In a family reunion like no other, astronomers reunite our sun with her long lost sibling. Dr Graham Phillips meets the new relative and explores its similarities with our sun.
Super Solar Cells: Dr Graham Phillips investigates new technology that is able to convert more than 40 per cent of the sun's light into electricity. This is more than double the efficiency of today's domestic rooftop solar panels, and could eventually lead to cheaper sources of renewable energy. Where Birdsong Began: Are our birds home-grown Aussies, or have we inherited a second-hand fauna from somewhere else? Mark Horstman explores genetic and fossil evidence that reveals the majority of the world’s birds have Australian ancestors.
What is memory? In this episode of Catalyst, Anja Taylor investigates how our memories change from childhood to adulthood and how we can build up greater brain reserves to power our mind into old age.
Are we beating our horses to the finish line? Dr Jonica Newby investigates. And in a world first, a lab under the Antarctic ice puts the sea floor to the acid test.
Thousands of chemicals are used in everyday products – in our water, our food and in the air we breathe.
Regardless of the ever present risk of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, condoms are still a hard sell. A chance discovery on the banks of the Darling River has unearthed a murder mystery.
Anja Taylor investigates the science behind low volume, high intensity fitness training, and takes on the challenge of going from couch slouch to fighting fit, with just six minutes of exercise a week!
This special episode investigates new research analysing facial expressions, voice and body posture that may be the key to diagnosing depression.
Can obesity be treated as a chronic inflammatory disease? Mark Horstman explores these emerging fields of science, and meets ordinary people in their daily struggle with obesity.
NASA is currently planning to send astronauts to the red planet, and private company Mars One has volunteers who want to go there and never come back. The swift parrot is one of Australia’s most charismatic birds, but it’s also one of its most endangered.
Advances in medicine have propelled health care to new heights. But are we getting too much of a good thing? Dr Maryanne Demasi examines how our relentless pursuit for good health, could be making people sick.
Sex is the spark that ignites many relationships. It seems to fade more quickly in women. Dr Newby investigates the science of female libido, as she asks - what does it take to restore a healthy sex life?
To celebrate 100 years since Einstein's theory of General Relativity we visit three 'big physics' facilities where scientists are hoping to prove a prediction Einstein made over a century ago.
We explore the recent extraordinary cases of virgin births in animals and find out whether humans could spontaneously clone themselves. Reporter Anja Taylor investigates why males exist in the first place.
Millions of people are giving up gluten in pursuit of better health. In this special investigation, Dr Maryanne Demasi cuts through the hype of the gluten free diet. Should we all get on board or is it just another fad?
In the final Catalyst for 2015, the team look at the scientific discoveries and innovations being made to ensure sharks and humans can co-exist.
There's a power revolution heading for our homes – a device that allows you to take power into your own hands. Its batteries, home batteries, and they've been called the holy grail of renewables – the key to the transition away from fossil fuels. Australia is at the vanguard of this revolution - we will be one of the first countries in the world to experience the transition to the battery powered home. Find out how you can be part of it.
It turns out oxytocin is responsible for a lot more than just love. Dr Graham Phillips discovers oxytocin's great potential to treat social disorders, like drug addiction and alcoholism. #ABCcatalyst
Could wifi-enabled devices be harmful to our health? You cannot see it or hear it but Wi-Fi blankets our homes, our schools and our cities.
What can modern medicine learn from the people with the most diverse DNA on the planet?
From Matt Damon's recent hit, The Martian, through to Interstellar, Gravity and long-running favourite, Star Trek, Hollywood is obsessed with science fiction. Is the level of mercury in the fish we’re eating safe for our health?
Could the soundtrack of your life bring back fading memories? Catalyst takes you inside an extraordinary new program, revealing how personalised playlists can re-awaken the brains of people with dementia.
We look into marine life in Australia, to find out what plastics escape our household drains & what kind of damage they can do. And the geology of north-western Tasmania reveals similarities to Antarctica.
This week we investigate recent advances in science and medical engineering that are transforming our understanding of chronic back pain & opening the door to new treatments.
A new kind of telescope will allow us to observe a whole host of astronomical phenomena, like gravitational waves. Plus how protective is safety motorcycle gear anyway? Mark Horstman lays his body on the line.
Lavender is a powerful smell, but could it be even more powerful than we think? We like to think Tasmania is a refuge from climate change – a cool green island at the bottom of a warming world.
Researchers are getting a clearer picture on the way the brain turns sounds into images, redefining our understanding of vision. Plus, the "Bionic Bra" - providing the right amount of breast support as needed.
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, but their overuse is making them less effective as bacteria develop resistance. Can researchers outwit these clever bacteria & find novel ways to beat resistance? #ABCcatalyst
We look into the rise of myopia & how scientists are finding a way to turn the tide on the epidemic. Plus meet Australia's first koala scat detection dog that's helping koala conservation researchers.
By the time you hit mid life, odds are you or someone close to you will be touched by cancer. In this half-hour special, Dr Jonica Newby investigates a medicine that will double your chance of survival – Its exercise, but not as we know it.
Dr Jordan Nguyen is a biomedical engineer. Riley Saban is a 13-year-old kid with cerebral palsy. Together they develop extraordinary, cutting edge technology that gives young Riley superhuman powers.
Biomedical engineer Dr Jordan Nguyen & 13-year-old Riley Saban aren't content to just develop cutting edge technology that gives Riley superhuman powers, now they want to push the boundaries to see if Riley can drive a car.
Dr Graham Phillips embarks on an 8 week meditation course to find out if the ancient art lives up to the current hype. New research shows that it can affect the body & the mind & even alter the structure of the brain.
Could bottles, salvaged from a 220 year old Tasmanian ship wreck, contain the remnants of the world's oldest beer? Plus 'unboiling an egg' technology leads to new discoveries in renewable energy.
Lab experiments show it's now possible to fight the four major diseases of old age. Anja Taylor investigates one of these methods achieving extraordinary results. Could this be the key to a long & healthy life?
Researchers may have found a way to prevent the stress induced spread of cancer cells. Guest reporter, oncologist Dr Ranjana Srivastava investigates. Plus we reveal Pluto's secrets with mind boggling pictures.
Do Australian ticks pose a greater health risk than we thought? For the first time, microbes inside native Aussie ticks are being probed, leading to new discoveries which may reveal the causes of unexplained illnesses.
The natural world tells unseen stories through sound. Catalyst discovers what we can learn from listening to nature. Plus we go to Australia's tracking station Tidbinbilla to witness Juno going into orbit around Jupiter.
In the first week of June, four states were battered by a ferocious east coast low unusual in its size, damaging storm surge and intense rainfalls. Orangutans are highly intelligent animals and keeping them mentally engaged and challenged is paramount for Melbourne zoo keepers and researchers
Could our food be making us sick - very sick? In the first of a two-part special, Dr Graham Phillips reveals research about the interplay between food and the bacteria deep within our guts. #ABCcatalyst
The final part of a Catalyst investigation into whether food could actually be our medicine. A healthy diet could be even more important than previously thought because food affects the bacteria deep inside our guts.
GP & guest reporter, Dr Zeeshan Arain looks at artificial sweeteners and how they may impact our health, & an Australian paleontologist goes on a US expedition searching for dinosaur fossils in Antarctica.
Catalyst looks at the game-changing new Australian device that aims to help the paralysed walk again. Plus virtual reality takes scientists and patients on a unique interactive journey inside the human body.
Can lifestyle choices delay or even prevent Alzheimer's disease? From what we eat to how much we move & sleep, scientists are suggesting that the power to push back the disease is largely in our hands.
Graham Phillips goes into the desert on a meteorite hunt to investigate the question: is there life on Mars? Plus the powerful gene-editing technique CRISPR that is transforming the field of genetics.
We all like to think our dogs are really happy with us, but how can we be sure? New research suggests most of us can't even tell. Are our dogs really happy & can we use science to make them happier?
In Part 2 of Making Dogs Happy, discover new science-based ways of communicating with dogs, how to better read what they are saying, how our own personalities impact their happiness & new technology to help make pets happier.
Smell is our most ancient, but also our most underestimated sense. In this episode Anja Taylor investigates the hidden powers of smell & how smell influences many aspects of our lives in ways we often overlook.
Catalyst goes behind the scenes at the NGV to see how scientists are revealing concealed gems with stunning clarity. Plus we revisit what genomicist Professor Vanessa Hayes discovered about the origins of modern society.
Catalyst investigates how cutting edge forensics together with developments in DNA testing are working towards putting a face to the nameless. Plus the massive megastructure puzzling astrophysicists - could it be alien-built?
In this confronting special, Catalyst explores the lethal threat of bleaching to the Great Barrier Reef, and the challenges we all face to protect this global treasure.
South East Asia's Plain of Jars is an archaeological enigma. Who carved these megalithic stone jars & what were they used for? Plus, Space is being invaded by a new breed of cheap satellites, smaller than a loaf of bread.
Dr. Graham Phillips investigates how testosterone affects our abilities, behaviour & health, in both men and women. Plus Dr. Jane Goodall & her work as a World-renowned primatologist, conservationist & activist.
Anecdotal evidence is building that cannabis has a positive effect on a long list of medical conditions from epilepsy, cancer, even Alzheimer's Disease. By applying scientific rigour can researchers uncover clinical evidence?
Dr Jonica Newby meets Dr Sheryl van Nunen, the clinician who discovered the link between tick bites & meat allergies. Plus we revisit a story on one of Australia's most charismatic & endangered birds - the swift parrot.
Scientists claim that the Earth has shifted out of the Holocene state & into a new geological epoch. We look at how the last 60 years has transformed the human race into a geological force to rival nature. #ABCcatalyst
Imagine you could make a copy of a loved one. A digital clone with a life of its own – their Avatar.
Professor Tim Flannery investigates how seaweed is helping to save the world - from growing the foods of the future, helping clean polluted water and even combating climate change.
Will we soon find evidence of alien life? Scientists are currently in the throes of an unprecedented search for ET - and an answer to this long-pondered question may come sooner than you think.
A group of world-renowned scientists are on a quest to uncover the secrets of the most significant day in our planet's history: the day that killed the dinosaurs.
Dr Nikki Stamp takes us into the amazing world of our hearts -- revealing how they function, how we can look after them and shows us the latest science she uses to help fix them when they go wrong.
After a 20 year mission, space probe Cassini crashed into the surface of Saturn last week. Astronomer Associate Professor Alan Duffy was at Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking to bring you a blow-by-blow account of the action.
Catalyst looks at the fast-emerging world of self-driving vehicles on our roads. The dream of the driverless car has always felt like it belonged in the realm of science fiction.
The Great Barrier Reef as we know it - home to thousands of marine species - is dying. Can We Save the Reef? is the epic story of Australian & international scientists who are racing to understand our greatest natural wonder.
We all know exercise is good for us. But how many of us really know what kind of exercise we should be doing, how much of it we need, or how hard we should push ourselves?
Is your mood influencing your gastrointestinal health or is it the other way around? Can a nutritional intervention provide help to sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome where modern medicine has little to offer?
Gut Revolution seeks to sort the facts from the faeces in an observational series that follows two people with debilitating gut issues on their quest for better health. Garry has tried it all to lose weight, from the Biggest Loser to meal replacement shakes. And despite temporary victories, the kilos always pile back on. Are Garry's gut bacteria keeping him fat and can the Gut Revolution help him? Nutrition scientist Dr Joanna McMillan and her team of experts explore new and controversial science that suggests gut bacteria might just be affecting our appetites and moods.
For the past 35 years, twins have been some of the most carefully studied people in Australia. 75,000 twins have been revealing the secrets of how much we inherit from our parents and in what ways our experience shapes who we become. Researchers are trying to understand what determines their personalities, makes them succeed at a school or even live longer.
From the science of making choices to the solving power of algorithms, Mathematician Lily Serna looks at how the logic of mathematics can help you make better, smarter decisions.
A group of pioneering scientists take their robots into the world of agriculture to see if they can help Aussie farmers tackle some of their biggest challenges. Will they change the way we've been farming for generations?
The race to the moon is back. After a quiet half century since the last Apollo mission, Assoc Prof Alan Duffy takes us inside the new space race, where innovators and big dreamers are rewriting the book on space exploration.
Nutrition Scientist Dr Joanna McMillan takes on her most challenging case as she battles to help Victoria recover from debilitating anxiety & gut pains, using emerging science showing links between gut bacteria & the brain.
Lawrence Leung lives a busy life - he's an actor, comedian and a dad to a young daughter. He doesn't always get enough sleep and often wonders if he should be getting more. In this episode of Catalyst, Lawrence explores the latest science behind sleep to find out what he's missing out on - and if he needs it at all. Lawrence meets some of Australia's top sleep scientists as he asks: What is sleep for? When should I go to bed? What happens if I don't sleep? And, how can I sleep better? Along the way he discovers that it's during sleep that the brain chooses which memories to strengthen and which to lose; that extreme sleep deprivation negatively affects a whole range of body functions; and that he should be sleeping more like an elite athlete - and a koala.
In this programme, Catalyst uncovers the secrets to healthier skin, gets up close and personal with some of the most common rashes, spots and blemishes - and shows you how to care for the largest organ in your body. And where better to do that than at the beach? With the help of a team of Australia's top dermatologists we'll find out why skin health is more than a cosmetic issue. We'll learn what we can all do to keep our skin working well for us at any age. We'll find out some surprising facts about moisturiser - and look at how technology is being used to help in the detection and protection against skin cancer. And in the burns unit of ground-breaking Australian surgeon Fiona Wood, we'll meet some of the patients benefiting from her work and find out the latest science around regenerating and protecting skin in trauma.
A new season of Catalyst begins with a 2-part special, Feeding Australia, where chef Paul West reveals the key breakthroughs in science and technology that will shape what we might be eating in the coming decades.
We're a nation with a big appetite and as the population moves towards 40 million it's only going to get bigger. Paul West, Professor Clare Collins and Dr Noby Leong reveal how technology is set to transform food production.
Catalyst examines the science of time travel. What do we need to be able to do or understand to construct a functioning time machine? Dr Graham Phillips showcases the scientists working on the cutting edge of discovery.
Nutritionist Dr Joanna McMillan is on a mission to help stem the onslaught of Type 2 diabetes, devising a personalised program to help four Australians on the brink of developing the chronic illness.
Vibrant maths whizz Lily Serna pits mathematics against luck in fields as varied as birthdays, blackjack, Aussie rules football, and even air sea rescues - and puts the audience to the test in this massive maths test.
In the season final, Dr Caroline West meets scientists working at the forefront of memory research, introducing remarkable individuals whose exceptional memories and unique abilities are helping unlock the secrets of memory.
Dr Nikki Stamp meets Australians whose lives are transformed by artificial body parts, and scientists whose cutting-edge work merging biology with technology reveal a world on the cusp of a bionic revolution. (Final for 2018)
In the first of two programmes, host Paul West challenges four families to successfully keep a honeybee hive, bringing these everyday Australians up close to the very latest science about bee brains, communication and behaviour.
In the final part of the competition, host Paul West follows our four families as they race to produce honey. For the country beekeepers getting any honey at all is proving tough as weeks of rain have kept the bees inside the hives. The city dwellers, meanwhile, face different challenges. House moves, and access problems mean major disturbances for the colonies.
With Australia in the grip of an allergy epidemic, we set up a pop-up clinic to understand why so many of us are suffering from these conditions and reveal the latest science about what we can do to treat and prevent them.
Catalyst brings together 15 ordinary Australians to take part in a revealing scientific experiment - to see if practicing mindfulness can help treat conditions like chronic pain, anxiety and stress that affect millions of us.
Professor Tamara Davis meets the scientists on a quest to hunt down black holes, the journey has brought us to the cusp of an unprecedented milestone in scientific achievement - to photograph a black hole for the first time.
Ian Henderson, the recently retired and much loved ABC newsreader, sets out on a quest to find the secret to ageing healthily, and along the way uncovers some amazing new science that could benefit us all.
Dr Sarah McKay uncovers the revolutionary new science that promises to keep your brain healthy into old age and uncovers the drugs that hope to defeat many of the diseases of ageing.
Lily Serna finds out how maths can help us all become smarter with the risks we take in life. And she discovers that far from taking too many risks, many of us are playing it too safe.
Catalyst reveals the extraordinary work of the Australian Craniofacial Unit in Adelaide, with unprecedented access behind the scenes to look at what lies beneath the face, and the surgeons trusted to make it whole again.
Journalist Ruby Jones meets some of the 2.5 million Australians whom body image concerns have become a serious mental health issue. Ruby discovers that far from vanity these disorders are crippling people's lives.
In a two part special, chef Paul West, dietician Professor Clare Collins and chemist Dr Noby Leong reveal the delicious chemistry, biology and physics hidden inside the foods we love, so we can cook better and eat healthier.
Paul explores the science behind cryogenic freezing and how it's being used to ensure frozen fish tastes almost as good as fresh. In a gelato factory, Clare gets the scoop on why humans are hard-wired to desire junk food.
Catalyst sets up a pop-up dental clinic in Western Sydney to investigate Australia's most common dental complaints, uncovering the tips to keep your mouth healthy and revealing surprising secrets behind a beautiful smile.
Asteroids are an ever-present threat to our survival, but as Astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davies discovers - they may also be responsible for kickstarting life on Earth.
As our populations grow, cities are under increasing pressure. Physicist Dr Niraj Lal explores engineering solutions designed to make our cities cleaner, greener and more efficient places to live.
The koala is a national icon on the path to extinction. Professor Tim Flannery investigates the story behind the headlines, meeting researchers working to understand the threats koalas face, and how we can avoid them.
In the first of a two-part special, astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davis and astronomer Greg Quicke meet the Australian scientists on a mission to solve the many challenges of putting people on the red planet.
In this second episode of Catalyst's Mars special, astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davis and beloved astronomer Greg Quicke explore a question we've longed to answer - is there life on Mars?
Australia is home to a large number of venomous animals - some so lethal they can kill a human in minutes. But within the deadly cocktail of their venom, lies a potential pharmacy of drugs that could save your life.
Cancer. It’s a diagnosis that we all dread to hear. But with advances in technology and medicine, more people are living better and longer with their disease.
To better understand the benefits and impacts of intermittent fasting diets, dietician Dr Joanna McMillan tracks five Australians over six weeks.
Nature journalist, Dr Ann Jones explores how technology can help protect our wildlife in bold new ways.
Energy scientist Dr Niraj Lal travels across the country to see what work is being done to harness green energy, to power our future reliably — and keep Australia’s lights on. Our continent is rich in renewable resources. We’re bathed in sun, have plenty of wind and there’s no shortage of waves, yet 75% of our electricity is still produced by burning coal and gas. More than a third of our greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity, and it’s having a devastating impact on our climate. But right now, we're in the middle of an energy revolution. As renewables grow rapidly the grid is evolving, bringing new challenges and opportunities. Nij visits a power station north of Adelaide to see how gas turbines derived from aircraft are supporting renewable technologies as they enter the grid. In remote South Australia, Nij climbs over 90 metres to the top of a wind turbine and learns how it can contribute to the grid even when the wind isn’t blowing, thanks to Australia’s largest battery. He travels to Flinders Island, Tasmania, to see how a microgrid — an independent energy system that can use multiple sources of renewable energy combined with a battery — is drastically reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and risk of blackouts. And ANU researcher Dr Bjorn Sturmberg shows Nij how electric vehicles and rooftop solar panels are paving the way towards a more distributed and localised grid we can all have more control over.
How much could a doctor change your life if they saw how you lived? In a Catalyst special, Dr Preeya Alexander prescribes lifestyle interventions for a couple who struggle with excess weight, and their fussy eating son.
How much could a doctor change your life if they saw how you lived? In this episode, Dr Preeya Alexander meets Anu and Narendra Kulkarni who struggle with chronic pain, type 2 diabetes and anxiety.
Mathematician Lily Serna explores the strange world of sensory perception, using magic and illusions to reveal the difference between how we perceive the world, and reality.
Paul West celebrates the science behind brewing by inviting three teams of novice brewers to create a beer good enough to impress a panel of expert judges.
This intimate look at the astonishing world of fetal surgery is a story of hope and incredible medicine.
We explore the psychology behind the injectable treatments trend and the consequences of pursuing youth and perfection.
Catalyst follows the scientists working to help us prepare for the next big solar event.
Join Lily Serna as she explores the key ingredients to happy relationships and lasting friendships.
Dr Ann Jones and Paul West investigate the extraordinary lives of Australia's oldest, largest and most iconic trees.
Dr Ann Jones and Paul West travel across Australia meeting locals and scientists to help understand the lives of some of our most iconic trees.
Myf Warhurst hosts a unique experiment where a group of over 65-year-olds see if regular dancing can help slow the effects of aging.
For the first time, cameras go behind the scenes at the Australian Museum. Join Gold Logie winner Tom Gleeson as he discovers the labs, treasures and action leading up to their biggest exhibition ever.
We live in a spectacular world. And yet everything we have ever seen, felt, or touched adds up to just five per cent of everything there is. Prof Tamara Davis meets scientists leading the hunt for the dark universe.
Aerial Orang Utans - Melbourne Recital Centre - Planes Trains and Autism
Equitana, Sea Mounts, Rat Nav
Diseased Bats, Ancient DNA, Argo Floats
World's oldest mummies - Electron microscope - Climate seals
Water Recycling - Vitamin D - Rob Harcourt
Unforgettable memories - Sexual selection - Diamond magic - Kristian Lang
Risky Business - Bubble Engineering - Richard Jefferson
Malaria jumps the gap from monkey to man; could bubbles be a solution to the hard hit mining industry? And see how a horse trainer applies his skill to the training of elephants, with remarkable success.
Missing Links - Ancient Resurrection - What has Darwin Done for Us?
Virtual Reality - helping soldiers overcome PTSD - Is mankind the greatest enemy of sea turtles? - Could genetically modified bananas prevent third world malnutrition?
Paul Willis explores the universe from South America - A revolution in Heart Valve technology - Printing Solar Cells right on the money.
Eggs on ice, a new freezing technique aiding women who want to wait before giving birth - Insects helping to keep an eye out for terrorists - Footprints in the ash - where the megafauna roamed.
Space Storms: predicting the next big one - Insects on drugs: why locusts swarm - Bunnies bounce back: controlling the rise in rabbit numbers.
Body identity - Robot biomimicry - Sports motion
Drought Culprit - CMT Disease - Fingerprints
Inca Trails - Dingo secrets - Finches
Gravity Probe - Uranium Minerals
Devil in the Detail - Royal Botanic Garden - Squeaky Sand
What is a Stem Cell? - Stem Cells in the Brain - Stem Cells Repair
Universal Flu Vaccine - Prof. Penny Sackett - Eco Farming
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - Eurekas People's Choice awards
Moon Special
Eurekas 2009 Special
Dengue Mozzie - Photonic Chip - Brain Man
Exoplanets - Granddaddy fish - Weedy seadragons
Pedigree Dogs - Imaginary Friends - Dugongs
Giant Cuttlefish - Daniel O'Doherty - Sea Urchins
Prostate screening - The trouble with tests - Prostate cancer treatment
Wifi windfall - Virtual clinic - Carbon Country update
Cloud Seeding - Copenhagen - Royal Institution Australia
Rise of Slime - Coal Gas
Fighting fire with fire - Knowing the enemy - Decisions under fire
Stories: In Defence of the Flying Fox: Flying Foxes are destroying trees in the Botanical Gardens in Sydney and Melbourne, but is relocating them a viable solution? Indoor air: CSIRO scientists survey the air inside our homes to assess potential health risks. Fundamentals with Bernie Hobbs - The Einstein diet: Celebrities aren't the only stars shedding kilos. Mysteries of the Emperors: Unlocking the secrets of the enigmatic Emperor of the icy continent.
Robotic Heart Surgery, Penguin DNA, Voodoo, Placebo, The Father of Photovoltaics - Martin Green Profile, and the Sydney Brick Pit Fossil.
An historic Spanish voyage; mining undersea volcanoes; the latest in diving gear; deep sea diners; the deepest location on earth - the Mariana Trench.
Bone Scaffold, biggest bang, mystery of flesh eaters, Bioluminescence, Space Beer
Sleeping with a baby, staying up late, sleeping with pain
All about eyes
ant venon, turbulence, UG99, neurotoxins, dolphin power
Carbon Nano - Lucrative Algorithms - Fur Seals - West Coast Whales - Hot or Cold - Fast Food for Hummingbirds.
A brief history of Nanotechnology - Golden Bullets - Nano-engineering - Delivering Medicines - Imperfect Diamonds - How small is small?
Radiation 101 - MEG Stuttering - Biggest Devonian Fish - Supertasters - Molten Steel - Nuclear Fungus.
Australian Museum Eureka Prizes - Science Under Siege - Matilda-Jane Oke - Dr Paul Willis - Sleek Geeks
Evolution of the Electric Guitar - Astronaut John Grunsfeld - Cyanide Seeds - Natures Poisons - Honey Bee Aerobatics
Recovered Memories - 3D Printing - Wind and Waves - Gravity - Penguin Wave.
In the Beginning- The GM tomato - Sorting Wheat from Chaff - Food Wastage - Daily Bread or Dread.
Is there a budding psychopath in your family? Opening the South Pole via satellite; take a wild ride in the next generation of motion simulator.
Big Wave Surf Movie Goes 3D - Ibis Eggs - Parrot Talk - Snowy Flows
Why a dog's paw preference matters; Could we be forever young?: The destructive power of tiny bubbles.
Lab Burger - Eating Insects - Rip Survivor - Proof of ID
The Trouble with Sex
Thin Blood - Mountain Pygmy Possums - Coastal Flood Impact - Slinky Drop
Computer Game Addiction - Dolphin Courting - Tree Deaths
Shark Repellent - Nun’s Plight - Facial Recognition - Physics on the Street: Weightlessness
Danger Zones - Kawasaki Disease - Virus Hunters
Christchurch Earthquake - Project Aether - Joggobot - Lynne Milne - Sudoku
Exercise is Medicine - Grim Reaper Walk - Prof Richard Kingsford - NZ Transit of Venus
Stories: - Decoding the Risks: At-home genetic test kits now promise to predict your risk of disease before it strikes. - Exoskeleton: Mark Horstman test drives a revolutionary robotic exoskeleton which is designed to give mobility back to people paralysed by spinal injuries or disabled by disease. - Cats Purr: Jonica Newby enlists the help of cat owners and their purr-fect felines to help demonstrate what scientists have recently discovered about the humble purr. - Sydney Transit of Venus: Mark Horstman and Graham Phillips explore the excitement and importance of the last Transit of Venus in the century.
Stories: - Mobile Phone Risks: Can mobile phones cause cancer? - Mars Curiosity: As the Mars science rover Curiosity touched down on the Martian surface this month, Graham Phillips was in NASA’s control room to feel the tension and excitement. - Sitting is Deadly: Sitting down for prolonged periods of time can shorten our lifespan and regular exercise might not counteract the damage. - Coffee Spill: Using sensors and high speed cameras, physicists have revealed why coffee spills as you walk.
Stories: - MS Cure?: Some doctors contend that Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is triggered by an infection, which could be cured with antibiotics. - Feeding the Grid: Mark Horstman visits a family generating enough electricity from gas at home to feed the grid. - Dog Music: What drives a dog to spontaneously start singing along to music?
Stories: - Coral Winners: It's been predicted that climate change will cause the total devastation of the Great Barrier Reef within decades. - Nanopatch: A new vaccination delivery method could replace needles and syringes - and save millions of lives. - Air Cargo Scanner: Graham Phillips catches up with the Australian team that developed the world's first scanner capable of detecting explosives in air cargo containers. - Indigenous Science Education: Aboriginal elders and local teachers are joining forces to promote science in Australia's indigenous communities.
Stories: - Plastic Oceans: Plastics are now choking our oceans. - Barefoot Running: Is running barefoot better than running in shoes? - Suspect Line-Up: Jonica Newby explores a more accurate way to point the finger than traditional police line ups.
Stories: - Skin Deep: Dr Maryanne Demasi assesses the science behind minimally invasive treatments including Stem Cell Therapy, Botox and Laser Therapy. - Sun Damage: Surfing Scientist, Ruben Meerman examines the latest research into the safety of nanoparticles in sunscreens.
Denisovans - Gladstone Dredging - The Sun's Energy
Mark Horstman witnesses the discovery of the biggest dinosaur footprint ever found and reports on the threat to the security of the dinosaur tracks posed by a massive industrial development.
Graham Phillips travels to the USA for a glimpse of the next, generation four, nuclear reactors and investigates what makes them intrinsically safer, and Anja Taylor debunks the myths about acne.
Is digital technology changing the way we think, act and feel? Are our brains being re-wired fundamentally? Catalyst examines how the digital revolution is changing us.
Maryanne Demasi investigates whether it is possible that a party drug could be the next big thing in treating depression.
Graham Phillips travels to the rarefied heights of the Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii to have a look at the Keck telescopes which are currently being used to look for signs that ET is out there somewhere in the galaxy.
Dr Derek Muller travels to Lausanne, Switzerland, where he discovers the true power of delicious Swiss chocolate - motivating paralysed rats to walk again.
A special report covering a hundred years of weather records from around Australia and what it means to the way we live.
Electric Cars Part One The team kick off their scientific trek with an electric car trial out of Perth. Land Speed Record Dr Derek Muller ditches electric cars in favour of a rocket vehicle. Electric Cars Part Two Simon Pampena discovers his sporty electric Lotus can't quite go the distance. Leaning Tower Dr Derek Muller turns watermelons into fruit salad in the name of physics. Future Farm Our trio measure how much methane sheep actually burp and a clever way to reduce their emissions.
Part 1: Blasting for Gold The team go underground gold mining in Kalgoorlie. Part 2: Comedy Gold Simon Pampena performs comedy using mathematics in Kalgoorlie, but will his numbers add up? Part 3: Salt Satellites The trio "sail" on Lake Lefroy and meet scientists using the salt lakes to keep satellites accurate.
Part 1: Weebubbie Cave After a quick round of golf, Anja Taylor joins a team of scientists for a spell-binding diving expedition into the Nullarbor's deepest cave. School of the Air Derek and Simon stage a physics and maths roadshow for School of the Air students who live on the Nullarbor. Part 2: Weebubbie Cave On her second dive, Anja teams up with Dr Stefan Eberhard to discover the microscopic crustacea that inhabit the cave. Eucla Sand Hills The team reveal the surprising origin of the sandhills using just a touch of vinegar.
Nullarbor safari Anja,Derek and Simon join critter-wrangler, Harald Ehmann and find more Nullarbor wildlife than they bargained for. Measuring Our Coastline Derek and Simon unpack the "coastline paradox" as they gaze out over the stunning Bunda Cliffs. Yalata Mulloway The team go fishing for Mulloway and discover a satellite tagging project aimed at protecting this iconic fish. Diprotodon Dig The team join a fossil dig in the badlands of South Australia and discover the world's largest marsupial.
Coorong Wetlands The team check on the health of the Lower Lakes and Coorong following the Big Dry. Technoviticulture Technology has become indispensable to modern wine making. Penguin Patrol In a world first, Maremma sheepdogs are protecting penguins from hungry foxes.
Mapping Underwater Victoria Anja and Derek hit the high seas to find out what lies beneath Victoria's coastal waters. Cape Otway Lighthouse Koalas In the Great Otway National Park and surrounding private land, there are as many as 18 koalas per hectare – the highest density ever recorded. Hot Air Balloon Finale Our On the Road team head to the Melbourne skies on a Hot Air Balloon.
Fire Tornado How does a bushfire turn into a fire tornado? Flies for Food Maggots…they make you squirm…but what a healthy meal of pure protein they’d be! Graham Phillips explores a scheme to supply fly feed to agriculture and aquaculture. Dog Empathy Do dogs really care?
Sustainable Fishing A look at the science involved in managing Australia's largest fishery. Cyber Attack How vulnerable is critical infrastructure to cyber attacks? Smart Arm A Smart Arm is helping stroke patients recover mobility.
Dengue Fever Dr Maryanne Demasi reveals Australian research which may help to eliminate Dengue Fever. Scramspace A world leading Australian research team is preparing to launch a hypersonic scramjet. Voyager What has Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object, discovered?
Doping to Win Do "performance enhancing" drugs really work and what are the side effects? Life Enhancing Drugs There are substances that could improve your mind power and help you learn faster or improve your memory.
Extreme Weather This special report looks at the domino effect of environmental and atmospheric factors that drive the globe to wetter, hotter, drier and colder extremes. Underwater Optics Cinematographer Pawel Achtel has developed a camera housing that brings ultra high definition underwater images to the big screen.
Chiropractors Are chiropractors putting babies at risk?
Rainbow Children Mark examines the evidence from social scientists and whether more research matters to the growing numbers of children from same sex couples. Sundrop Farm Anja and Simon visit an unlikely location for a sustainable energy world first, a huge greenhouse on the edge of the desert in South Australia. Air Operations Simulator Research Centre Ruben takes flight at the Air Operations Simulator Centre in Melbourne. Algorithm of Love Simon takes a look at how dating websites use complex maths to find you your perfect match.
The Chemistry of Attraction Catalyst pulls back the covers on the science of attraction.
Southern Surveyor Join Mark Horstman aboard the Southern Surveyor as she embarks on her last science voyage. Ancient Teeth Dr Graham Phillips looks at what ancient teeth reveal about our dental health today. Future Music How are computers changing the composition of music?
Toxic Sugar? Is sugar in the diet driving the obesity crisis? Water Fluoridation Ruben reports on the benefits of fluoride and the controversy behind adding fluoride to our water supplies.
Energy Drinks Anja Taylor reveals the hidden dangers of energy drinks. 3D Virus Simon Pampena explores how a supercomputer can help researchers to better understand the poliovirus at an atomic level. Military Uniform Dr Graham Phillips goes deep inside a climate controlled defence chamber to test chemical warfare suits.
Coal Dust Mark Horstman heads to Newcastle to reveal the efforts that are underway to identify potentially harmful concentrations of coal dust particulates. Quantum Computing Dr Graham Phillips delves into the world of the very very small to reveal the huge potential of quantum computing.
In a Catalyst special we explore the possibilities of Gravity waves. Einstein predicted them and now a telescope may have found evidence they exist, supporting the idea that there may be many universes.
Fossils Exposed Engineers unearthed a remarkable treasure trove of fossils beneath Brisbane. Wings of Wonder Anja Taylor reports on how the amazing properties of insect wings could offer new hope for surgical implants. Eureka Prizes Interviews Catalyst asks some of our eminent scientists about the most important scientific issues facing Australia.
Anja Taylor looks at the controversial issue of recreational hunters shooting feral animals as an effective management technique; do sharks choose their friends? And do men look sexier with a guitar?
Teaching drones to think for themselves; looking at ways to combat the super-bug gonorrhoea; and what causes bike rage?
Will the 21st century be remembered for the eradication of HIV? It's possible. Dr Maryanne Demasi reports. And Dr Graham Phillips sees how 3D printing is being used to bring history within our grasp.
In this Catalyst special, Dr Maryanne Demasi investigates the science behind the long established claims that saturated fat causes heart disease by raising cholesterol.
In the second episode of this two-part Catalyst special, Dr Maryanne Demasi uncovers the tactics used by drug companies to distort the data to make cholesterol lowering medications seem more effective than they are.
The Catalyst team look at what YouTube can teach us about meteors and how far can sea levels rise? Also how to stay as safe as possible in a house fire.
Tattoos: They are on trend but how easy are they to remove? Moon Mining: Scientists look at ways to mine the moon. Muscle fibre Fishing Line: How fishing line, a hairdryer and an electric drill make artificial muscle fibres.
Could omega 3 supplements reduce aggressive behaviour of inmates?; Antarctica Sea Ice: The sleeping giant of climate change; Dog Optimism: How does your dog view the world? Is it an optimist or pessimist?
Three years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster we explore the hidden impact of radioactive sediments and why do some trauma patients appear to recover from injury but just a few days later develop multiple organ failure?
In the first of a two-part special, reporter Dr Graham Phillips investigates whether what we feed the bacteria deep inside our gut could be contributing to a whole litany of diseases.
In this two-part special, reporter Dr Graham Phillips investigates whether what we feed these bacteria could be contributing to a whole litany of diseases.
Inside Australia's long lost World War 1 submarine, the AE2, we reveal her hidden secrets and investigate what scientists are doing to protect her from the ravages of time.
Catalyst investigates two ground breaking treatment procedures for epilepsy; We meet the man who discovered dark energy - Nobel Prize winner Professor Brian Schmidt.
Dr Jane Goodall entered the forests of Tanzania as a girl with a dream. Twenty years later she left a woman with a mission; Can science help the dead speak? We 'unwrap' a mummy to unveil secrets hidden for thousands of years.
Dr Graham Phillips delves into the latest research into testosterone, from the womb to old age, it not only moulds the male body and mind but is a hormone of good health during the life of a man. And it is true of women too.
Catalyst investigates how modern agriculture methods, increasing diseases and the impending threat of the deadly varroa mite could destroy the last safe-haven for bees on the planet.
Ground breaking Japanese research reveals clues about future hazards for tsunami-prone countries. How playing outdoors can improve children's health and could the bacteria in our stomach ulcers help cure allergies.
Friendship. From before we can even speak, we seek the companionship of others. But why is this drive so powerful? And how come out of all the people we meet in our lives, we fall in friendship with some and not others?
Global Warming Pause - From 1975 to 1998 the world saw a rapid rise of global average air surface temperatures, linked to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Virtual Universe - Grab your popcorn and settle back to watch a movie about the Universe – this extraordinary super computer simulation called the Illustris, models a huge chunk of the universe: a cube 350 million light years across, and home to tens of thousands of galaxies. Green Alloys - What can be done about the mountains of waste products that can’t be recycled? A team from UNSW is ‘reforming’ products deemed unrecyclable.
Tokyo flood prevention - How does a city of rivers defend itself in during flooding rain? Crying - are tears of joy different from tears of sorrow? Open plan office layout - how the open plan office can affect our health.
Wind - Unless your hobby or business is affected by the wind most people ignore windy weather warnings. Bird Strike - Most people’s fear of flying stems from thoughts like 'how does this massive craft stay in the sky'?
How Aircraft Electromagnetic Interference (AEI) affects our military aircraft; Detecting Tilapia; the cane toads of our waterways and what makes Lasers so dangerous?
Catalyst investigates the science behind the low carb diet. What are the health benefits and are there any risks? Is it suitable for everyone?
The Catalyst team look at how our genes can affect exercise performance; Come face to face with 120 metre tunnel borers Florence and Elizabeth; And reveal the good news for Coral trout on the Great Barrier Reef.
Could abalone blood be the new treatment for cold sores and herpes?; The inspirational story of 350 year old mathematics problem and how it was solved; Tasmania's Great Poo Hunt - have foxes invaded the island state?
The media abounds with visions of gloomy, automated megacities or totally sustainable ecological utopias but how do these futuristic visions relate to the development of Australian cities over the next eighty years? With soaring populations, how will we keep our cities liveable?
There’s no doubt that cardiac implants or stents save lives.; A surprising number of native marsupials are mistaken for rats.; Three international experts and our very own Dr Graham Phillips taste test some popular beverages - the Gin & Tonic: how can you enhance the unique flavour of gin?
Would you apply for a job in the Antarctic? Mark Horstman looks into the physical and psychological profiles of successful applicants. Dr Maryanne Demasi investigates the development of ingestible, protein based drugs.
Recent research suggests leaded petrol emissions may be behind a rise in violent crime rates. Anja Taylor investigates current sources of lead exposure and its developmental effects on children
Is there anyone out there? Does the popular movie quote 'ET phone home' have any substance? Astronomers have been pointing their radio telescopes at the skies for decades trying to pick up alien signals, so far without success. But now there's a new way of looking for aliens. Hitch a ride with Dr Graham Philips as he joins astronomers trawling through the galaxy looking for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence. Mammalian meat allergy is on the rise in Australia and the surprising cause - a tick bite. Dr Jonica Newby meets Dr Sheryl van Nunen, the clinician who discovered the link.
Dr Jonica Newby tries her luck at passport fraud and Dr Graham Phillips investigates the effectiveness of anti-venom for red back spider and brown snake bites.
Tamiflu: Imagine a Hollywood doomsday scenario - a flu pandemic sweeps the world, hundreds of millions of people are infected. How prepared are we for a flu pandemic? Sun's Lost Sibling: In a family reunion like no other, astronomers reunite our sun with her long lost sibling. Dr Graham Phillips meets the new relative and explores its similarities with our sun.
Super Solar Cells: Dr Graham Phillips investigates new technology that is able to convert more than 40 per cent of the sun's light into electricity. This is more than double the efficiency of today's domestic rooftop solar panels, and could eventually lead to cheaper sources of renewable energy. Where Birdsong Began: Are our birds home-grown Aussies, or have we inherited a second-hand fauna from somewhere else? Mark Horstman explores genetic and fossil evidence that reveals the majority of the world’s birds have Australian ancestors.
What is memory? In this episode of Catalyst, Anja Taylor investigates how our memories change from childhood to adulthood and how we can build up greater brain reserves to power our mind into old age.
Are we beating our horses to the finish line? Dr Jonica Newby investigates. And in a world first, a lab under the Antarctic ice puts the sea floor to the acid test.
Thousands of chemicals are used in everyday products – in our water, our food and in the air we breathe.
Regardless of the ever present risk of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, condoms are still a hard sell. A chance discovery on the banks of the Darling River has unearthed a murder mystery.
Anja Taylor investigates the science behind low volume, high intensity fitness training, and takes on the challenge of going from couch slouch to fighting fit, with just six minutes of exercise a week!
This special episode investigates new research analysing facial expressions, voice and body posture that may be the key to diagnosing depression.
Can obesity be treated as a chronic inflammatory disease? Mark Horstman explores these emerging fields of science, and meets ordinary people in their daily struggle with obesity.
NASA is currently planning to send astronauts to the red planet, and private company Mars One has volunteers who want to go there and never come back. The swift parrot is one of Australia’s most charismatic birds, but it’s also one of its most endangered.
Advances in medicine have propelled health care to new heights. But are we getting too much of a good thing? Dr Maryanne Demasi examines how our relentless pursuit for good health, could be making people sick.
Sex is the spark that ignites many relationships. It seems to fade more quickly in women. Dr Newby investigates the science of female libido, as she asks - what does it take to restore a healthy sex life?
To celebrate 100 years since Einstein's theory of General Relativity we visit three 'big physics' facilities where scientists are hoping to prove a prediction Einstein made over a century ago.
We explore the recent extraordinary cases of virgin births in animals and find out whether humans could spontaneously clone themselves. Reporter Anja Taylor investigates why males exist in the first place.
Millions of people are giving up gluten in pursuit of better health. In this special investigation, Dr Maryanne Demasi cuts through the hype of the gluten free diet. Should we all get on board or is it just another fad?
In the final Catalyst for 2015, the team look at the scientific discoveries and innovations being made to ensure sharks and humans can co-exist.
There's a power revolution heading for our homes – a device that allows you to take power into your own hands. Its batteries, home batteries, and they've been called the holy grail of renewables – the key to the transition away from fossil fuels. Australia is at the vanguard of this revolution - we will be one of the first countries in the world to experience the transition to the battery powered home. Find out how you can be part of it.
It turns out oxytocin is responsible for a lot more than just love. Dr Graham Phillips discovers oxytocin's great potential to treat social disorders, like drug addiction and alcoholism. #ABCcatalyst
Could wifi-enabled devices be harmful to our health? You cannot see it or hear it but Wi-Fi blankets our homes, our schools and our cities.
What can modern medicine learn from the people with the most diverse DNA on the planet?
From Matt Damon's recent hit, The Martian, through to Interstellar, Gravity and long-running favourite, Star Trek, Hollywood is obsessed with science fiction. Is the level of mercury in the fish we’re eating safe for our health?
Could the soundtrack of your life bring back fading memories? Catalyst takes you inside an extraordinary new program, revealing how personalised playlists can re-awaken the brains of people with dementia.
We look into marine life in Australia, to find out what plastics escape our household drains & what kind of damage they can do. And the geology of north-western Tasmania reveals similarities to Antarctica.
This week we investigate recent advances in science and medical engineering that are transforming our understanding of chronic back pain & opening the door to new treatments.
A new kind of telescope will allow us to observe a whole host of astronomical phenomena, like gravitational waves. Plus how protective is safety motorcycle gear anyway? Mark Horstman lays his body on the line.
Lavender is a powerful smell, but could it be even more powerful than we think? We like to think Tasmania is a refuge from climate change – a cool green island at the bottom of a warming world.
Researchers are getting a clearer picture on the way the brain turns sounds into images, redefining our understanding of vision. Plus, the "Bionic Bra" - providing the right amount of breast support as needed.
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, but their overuse is making them less effective as bacteria develop resistance. Can researchers outwit these clever bacteria & find novel ways to beat resistance? #ABCcatalyst
We look into the rise of myopia & how scientists are finding a way to turn the tide on the epidemic. Plus meet Australia's first koala scat detection dog that's helping koala conservation researchers.
By the time you hit mid life, odds are you or someone close to you will be touched by cancer. In this half-hour special, Dr Jonica Newby investigates a medicine that will double your chance of survival – Its exercise, but not as we know it.
Dr Jordan Nguyen is a biomedical engineer. Riley Saban is a 13-year-old kid with cerebral palsy. Together they develop extraordinary, cutting edge technology that gives young Riley superhuman powers.
Biomedical engineer Dr Jordan Nguyen & 13-year-old Riley Saban aren't content to just develop cutting edge technology that gives Riley superhuman powers, now they want to push the boundaries to see if Riley can drive a car.
Dr Graham Phillips embarks on an 8 week meditation course to find out if the ancient art lives up to the current hype. New research shows that it can affect the body & the mind & even alter the structure of the brain.
Could bottles, salvaged from a 220 year old Tasmanian ship wreck, contain the remnants of the world's oldest beer? Plus 'unboiling an egg' technology leads to new discoveries in renewable energy.
Lab experiments show it's now possible to fight the four major diseases of old age. Anja Taylor investigates one of these methods achieving extraordinary results. Could this be the key to a long & healthy life?
Researchers may have found a way to prevent the stress induced spread of cancer cells. Guest reporter, oncologist Dr Ranjana Srivastava investigates. Plus we reveal Pluto's secrets with mind boggling pictures.
Do Australian ticks pose a greater health risk than we thought? For the first time, microbes inside native Aussie ticks are being probed, leading to new discoveries which may reveal the causes of unexplained illnesses.
The natural world tells unseen stories through sound. Catalyst discovers what we can learn from listening to nature. Plus we go to Australia's tracking station Tidbinbilla to witness Juno going into orbit around Jupiter.
In the first week of June, four states were battered by a ferocious east coast low unusual in its size, damaging storm surge and intense rainfalls. Orangutans are highly intelligent animals and keeping them mentally engaged and challenged is paramount for Melbourne zoo keepers and researchers
Could our food be making us sick - very sick? In the first of a two-part special, Dr Graham Phillips reveals research about the interplay between food and the bacteria deep within our guts. #ABCcatalyst
The final part of a Catalyst investigation into whether food could actually be our medicine. A healthy diet could be even more important than previously thought because food affects the bacteria deep inside our guts.
GP & guest reporter, Dr Zeeshan Arain looks at artificial sweeteners and how they may impact our health, & an Australian paleontologist goes on a US expedition searching for dinosaur fossils in Antarctica.
Catalyst looks at the game-changing new Australian device that aims to help the paralysed walk again. Plus virtual reality takes scientists and patients on a unique interactive journey inside the human body.
Can lifestyle choices delay or even prevent Alzheimer's disease? From what we eat to how much we move & sleep, scientists are suggesting that the power to push back the disease is largely in our hands.
Graham Phillips goes into the desert on a meteorite hunt to investigate the question: is there life on Mars? Plus the powerful gene-editing technique CRISPR that is transforming the field of genetics.
We all like to think our dogs are really happy with us, but how can we be sure? New research suggests most of us can't even tell. Are our dogs really happy & can we use science to make them happier?
In Part 2 of Making Dogs Happy, discover new science-based ways of communicating with dogs, how to better read what they are saying, how our own personalities impact their happiness & new technology to help make pets happier.
Smell is our most ancient, but also our most underestimated sense. In this episode Anja Taylor investigates the hidden powers of smell & how smell influences many aspects of our lives in ways we often overlook.
Catalyst goes behind the scenes at the NGV to see how scientists are revealing concealed gems with stunning clarity. Plus we revisit what genomicist Professor Vanessa Hayes discovered about the origins of modern society.
Catalyst investigates how cutting edge forensics together with developments in DNA testing are working towards putting a face to the nameless. Plus the massive megastructure puzzling astrophysicists - could it be alien-built?
In this confronting special, Catalyst explores the lethal threat of bleaching to the Great Barrier Reef, and the challenges we all face to protect this global treasure.
South East Asia's Plain of Jars is an archaeological enigma. Who carved these megalithic stone jars & what were they used for? Plus, Space is being invaded by a new breed of cheap satellites, smaller than a loaf of bread.
Anecdotal evidence is building that cannabis has a positive effect on a long list of medical conditions from epilepsy, cancer, even Alzheimer's Disease. By applying scientific rigour can researchers uncover clinical evidence?
Dr Jonica Newby meets Dr Sheryl van Nunen, the clinician who discovered the link between tick bites & meat allergies. Plus we revisit a story on one of Australia's most charismatic & endangered birds - the swift parrot.
Scientists claim that the Earth has shifted out of the Holocene state & into a new geological epoch. We look at how the last 60 years has transformed the human race into a geological force to rival nature. #ABCcatalyst
Imagine you could make a copy of a loved one. A digital clone with a life of its own – their Avatar.
Professor Tim Flannery investigates how seaweed is helping to save the world - from growing the foods of the future, helping clean polluted water and even combating climate change.
Will we soon find evidence of alien life? Scientists are currently in the throes of an unprecedented search for ET - and an answer to this long-pondered question may come sooner than you think.
A group of world-renowned scientists are on a quest to uncover the secrets of the most significant day in our planet's history: the day that killed the dinosaurs.
Dr Nikki Stamp takes us into the amazing world of our hearts -- revealing how they function, how we can look after them and shows us the latest science she uses to help fix them when they go wrong.
After a 20 year mission, space probe Cassini crashed into the surface of Saturn last week. Astronomer Associate Professor Alan Duffy was at Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking to bring you a blow-by-blow account of the action.
Catalyst looks at the fast-emerging world of self-driving vehicles on our roads. The dream of the driverless car has always felt like it belonged in the realm of science fiction.
The Great Barrier Reef as we know it - home to thousands of marine species - is dying. Can We Save the Reef? is the epic story of Australian & international scientists who are racing to understand our greatest natural wonder.
We all know exercise is good for us. But how many of us really know what kind of exercise we should be doing, how much of it we need, or how hard we should push ourselves?
Is your mood influencing your gastrointestinal health or is it the other way around? Can a nutritional intervention provide help to sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome where modern medicine has little to offer?
Gut Revolution seeks to sort the facts from the faeces in an observational series that follows two people with debilitating gut issues on their quest for better health. Garry has tried it all to lose weight, from the Biggest Loser to meal replacement shakes. And despite temporary victories, the kilos always pile back on. Are Garry's gut bacteria keeping him fat and can the Gut Revolution help him? Nutrition scientist Dr Joanna McMillan and her team of experts explore new and controversial science that suggests gut bacteria might just be affecting our appetites and moods.
For the past 35 years, twins have been some of the most carefully studied people in Australia. 75,000 twins have been revealing the secrets of how much we inherit from our parents and in what ways our experience shapes who we become. Researchers are trying to understand what determines their personalities, makes them succeed at a school or even live longer.
From the science of making choices to the solving power of algorithms, Mathematician Lily Serna looks at how the logic of mathematics can help you make better, smarter decisions.
A group of pioneering scientists take their robots into the world of agriculture to see if they can help Aussie farmers tackle some of their biggest challenges. Will they change the way we've been farming for generations?
The race to the moon is back. After a quiet half century since the last Apollo mission, Assoc Prof Alan Duffy takes us inside the new space race, where innovators and big dreamers are rewriting the book on space exploration.
Nutrition Scientist Dr Joanna McMillan takes on her most challenging case as she battles to help Victoria recover from debilitating anxiety & gut pains, using emerging science showing links between gut bacteria & the brain.
Lawrence Leung lives a busy life - he's an actor, comedian and a dad to a young daughter. He doesn't always get enough sleep and often wonders if he should be getting more. In this episode of Catalyst, Lawrence explores the latest science behind sleep to find out what he's missing out on - and if he needs it at all. Lawrence meets some of Australia's top sleep scientists as he asks: What is sleep for? When should I go to bed? What happens if I don't sleep? And, how can I sleep better? Along the way he discovers that it's during sleep that the brain chooses which memories to strengthen and which to lose; that extreme sleep deprivation negatively affects a whole range of body functions; and that he should be sleeping more like an elite athlete - and a koala.
In this programme, Catalyst uncovers the secrets to healthier skin, gets up close and personal with some of the most common rashes, spots and blemishes - and shows you how to care for the largest organ in your body. And where better to do that than at the beach? With the help of a team of Australia's top dermatologists we'll find out why skin health is more than a cosmetic issue. We'll learn what we can all do to keep our skin working well for us at any age. We'll find out some surprising facts about moisturiser - and look at how technology is being used to help in the detection and protection against skin cancer. And in the burns unit of ground-breaking Australian surgeon Fiona Wood, we'll meet some of the patients benefiting from her work and find out the latest science around regenerating and protecting skin in trauma.
A new season of Catalyst begins with a 2-part special, Feeding Australia, where chef Paul West reveals the key breakthroughs in science and technology that will shape what we might be eating in the coming decades.
We're a nation with a big appetite and as the population moves towards 40 million it's only going to get bigger. Paul West, Professor Clare Collins and Dr Noby Leong reveal how technology is set to transform food production.
Catalyst examines the science of time travel. What do we need to be able to do or understand to construct a functioning time machine? Dr Graham Phillips showcases the scientists working on the cutting edge of discovery.
Nutritionist Dr Joanna McMillan is on a mission to help stem the onslaught of Type 2 diabetes, devising a personalised program to help four Australians on the brink of developing the chronic illness.
Vibrant maths whizz Lily Serna pits mathematics against luck in fields as varied as birthdays, blackjack, Aussie rules football, and even air sea rescues - and puts the audience to the test in this massive maths test.
In the season final, Dr Caroline West meets scientists working at the forefront of memory research, introducing remarkable individuals whose exceptional memories and unique abilities are helping unlock the secrets of memory.
Dr Nikki Stamp meets Australians whose lives are transformed by artificial body parts, and scientists whose cutting-edge work merging biology with technology reveal a world on the cusp of a bionic revolution. (Final for 2018)
