Catalyst

Australia is home to over a million species of plants and animals, but we're losing them at an alarming rate. In this race against time, Dr Ann Jones explores how technology can help protect our wildlife in bold new ways.

Intermittent fasting is growing in popularity, and aside from weight loss, there are claims it can improve our health. Dietician Dr Joanna McMillan tracks 5 people fasting to understand the benefits and impacts on our bodies.

It's a diagnosis we all dread but with advances in technology and medicine, more people are living better and longer with cancer. We follow patients experiencing this new kind of care - their stories are filled with hope.

Australia is home to 66 venomous species - some are so lethal they can kill a human in thirty minutes. But within the deadly cocktail of their venom, lies a potential pharmacy of drugs that could save your life.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

In Part 2 of Feeding Australia, Chef Paul West, Dietitian Professor Clare Collins and Dr Noby Leong reveal the key breakthroughs in science and technology that will shape what we might be eating in the coming decades.

Chef Paul West reveals the key breakthroughs in science and technology that will shape what we might be eating in the coming decades.

Uncover the secrets to healthier skin as we get up close and personal with some of the most common rashes, spots and blemishes. Dr Shalin Naik and Dr Caroline West show you how to care for your body's largest organ.

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.

For the past 35 years twins have been some of the most carefully studied people in Australia. In fact revealing the secrets of this extraordinary group of people, may just help all of us live a longer, healthier life.

Garry has tried to lose weight, but could his gut bacteria be keeping him fat? Nutrition scientist Dr Joanna McMillan explores controversial science suggesting gut bacteria might be affecting our appetites and mood.

In a new Catalyst special, three Australians embark on a remarkable six-week intervention to find out what happens to their health when they set out to transform the bacteria living in their guts, with surprising results.

What kind of exercise should we be doing, how much do we need & how hard should push ourselves? To help us live happier healthier lives Dr Caroline West & Dr Shalin Naik uncover the latest sport science secrets from the AIS.

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.

The dream of the driverless car has quickly moved from the realm of science fiction. Semi-autonomous cars can park themselves, stay within the well-marked lines of a modern freeway, steer and brake to avoid unseen obstacles.

After 20 years in space, NASA's Cassini spacecraft has begun the final chapter of its exploration of Saturn. It will end with a spectacular crash into its surface. Professor Alan Duffy will be there as the action unfolds.

Heart surgeon Dr Nikki Stamp takes us into the amazing world of our hearts - revealing how they function, how can we look after them and shows us the latest science she uses to help fix them when they go wrong.

66 million years ago an asteroid hit the planet. Now an expedition is underway to drill 1500m into the crater it created - the Chicxulub asteroid impact crater, aiming to unearthing the secrets that killed the dinosaurs.

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.

Professor Tim Flannery investigates how seaweed is helping to save the world - from growing the foods of the future, helping save the reef and even combating climate change.

In the series return of Catalyst, Biomedical engineer Dr Jordan Nguyen examines virtual reality & how it could transform the way we learn & travel. He also meets some of the most life-like avatars scientists are creating.

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.

In this confronting special, Catalyst explores the lethal threat of coral bleaching to the Great Barrier Reef, and the challenges we all face to protect this global treasure.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

GP & guest reporter Dr. Zeeshan Arain looks at artificial sweeteners and how they may impact our health. Plus an Australian paleontologist goes on a US expedition searching for dinosaur fossils in Antarctica.

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.

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.

How are storms changing as the world warms? Plus can orang-utans teach us a thing or two about computer games?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Biomedical engineer Dr. Jordan Nguyen & 13-year-old Riley aren't content developing cutting edge technology to give Riley superhuman powers. In Part 2 they want to push the boundaries to see if Riley can drive a car.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

New research reveals that Lavender can help bees make new memories & even change their DNA. Could it do the same for humans? Plus, climate change is affecting the 1000 year old World Heritage forests in Tasmania.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Graham Phillips sits down with physicists Dr. Katie Mack & Professor Lawrence Krauss to review Hollywood's treatment of science. And is the level of mercury in the fish we're eating safe for our health?

Prof. Vanessa Hayes is searching for the origins of modern society, revealing the bedrock of human genetic diversity. Her work exposes some startling truths about racial inequality in modern medicine.

Wi-Fi blankets our homes, schools & cities. Dr. Maryanne Demasi takes a closer look at the link between mobile phones & brain cancer & explores whether our wireless devices could be putting our health at risk.

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.

Dr. Jonica Newby investigates home batteries - how they work, why you will want one, how they will change the way we consume electricity & what they mean for the future of the world's power generation.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Catalyst investigates the science behind the low carb diet. What are the health benefits and are there any risks? Is it suitable for everyone?

How Aircraft Electromagnetic Interference (AEI) affects our military aircraft; Detecting Tilapia; the cane toads of our waterways and what makes Lasers so dangerous?

What does it mean when the weather report says - winds will be up to 50kph... How much notice should we really take?; With planes and birds sharing our skies, how common are collisions and how can they be avoided.

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.

Global Warming Pause: The big question in climate science - what happened to global warming? Virtual universe - reveals the life of the universe. Green alloys - 'reincarnating' CDs, pushbike and car parts.

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?

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.

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.

Dr. Graham Phillips delves into the latest research on testosterone, from the womb to old age, it moulds the male body & mind. It is also a hormone of good health during the life of both men & women.

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.

Catalyst investigates two ground breaking treatment procedures for epilepsy; We meet the man who discovered dark energy - Nobel Prize winner Professor Brian Schmidt.

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.

In this two-part Gut Reaction special, reporter Dr. Graham Phillips investigates whether the Western diet could be contributing to a whole litany of diseases by causing an imbalance in the bacteria deep inside our gut.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.