Catalyst – Series 16
Episodes
Polar People, Plant Based Medicine
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.
Lead Astray
Could lead exposure in childhood lead to an adult life marked by violent crime? Although much is being done to reduce contamination, once the damage has been done, it can't be reversed.
Tick Meat Allergy, Alien Technology
Mammalian meat allergy is on the rise in Australia and the surprising cause is a tick bite. Dr. Jonica Newby meets Dr. Sheryl van Nunen, the clinician who discovered the link.
Passport Facial Recognition, Anti-venom
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, The Sun's Lost Sibling
Faced with a flu pandemic, will anti-viral drugs protect us? Dr. Maryanne Demasi investigates. Plus searching for our sun's lost siblings - what can it tell us about the existence of life on other planets?
Super Solar Cells, Where Birdsong Began
Graham Phillips investigates new technology that is able to convert more than 40 per cent of the sun's light into electricity. Plus Mark Horstman discovers that no other continent has been as important for bird evolution.
Powering The Mind
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.
Horse Whip, Antarctic Acidification
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.
Our Chemical Lives
Dr. Maryanne Demasi investigates the safety of chemicals found in everyday products and compares the level of chemicals in her own body with clean living convert and media personality Sarah Wilson.
Condoms, Toorale Man
The next generation condom - a pleasure, not a duty to wear. And, can science solve the Toorale Man murder mystery? Mark Horstman joins the dig team on this extraordinary investigation.
Fit In 6 Minutes A Week
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!
Diagnosing Mental Illness, Ghostbusters, Brain Stimulation
Could facial expressions, voice and body posture be the key to diagnosing depression? Plus we take a look at a range of non-invasive brain stimulation therapies that may help treat depression.
Why Am I Still Fat?
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.
Can We Live on Mars?, Parrots versus Possums
Catalyst meets one of Mars One's brave astronauts, & takes a look at NASA's new interplanetary spaceship. Catalyst reporter Mark Horstman joins scientists in the Tasmanian wilderness as they try to save the swift parrot.
Too Much Medicine
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.
Female Sex Drive
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?
Einstein
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.
A Life Without Males
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.
Gluten: A Gut Feeling
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?
Sharks
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.