Catalyst

Season 16

TV-G
Exploring the forefront of science and technology, Catalyst brings you compelling stories looking at the latest in science from health and medical breakthroughs to astronomy, environment, and agriculture.

Where to Watch Season 16

21 Episodes

  • Polar People, Plant Based Medicine
    E1
    Polar People, Plant Based MedicineWould 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
    E2
    Lead AstrayCould 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.
  • Alien Technology, Tick Allergy
    E3
    Alien Technology, Tick AllergyIs 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.
  • Passport Facial Recognition, Anti-venom
    E4
    Passport Facial Recognition, Anti-venomDr. 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, Sun's Lost Sibling
    E5
    Tamiflu, Sun's Lost SiblingTamiflu: 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, Where Birdsong Began
    E6
    Super Solar Cells, Where Birdsong BeganGraham 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
    E7
    Powering The MindAnja 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
    E8
    Horse Whip, Antarctic AcidificationAre 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
    E9
    Our Chemical LivesDr. 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 Murder Mystery
    E10
    Condoms, Toorale Man Murder MysteryRegardless 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.
  • Fit In 6 Minutes A Week
    E11
    Fit In 6 Minutes A WeekAnja 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
    E12
    Diagnosing Mental Illness, Ghostbusters, Brain StimulationCould 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?
    E13
    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
    E14
    Can We Live on Mars?, Parrots versus PossumsCatalyst 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
    E15
    Too Much MedicineAdvances 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
    E16
    Female Sex DriveSex 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's Extraordinary Universe
    E17
    Einstein's Extraordinary UniverseTo 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
    E18
    A Life Without MalesWe 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
    E19
    Gluten: A Gut FeelingMillions 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
    E20
    SharksIn the final Catalyst for 2015, the team look at the scientific discoveries and innovations being made to ensure sharks and humans can co-exist.
  • Episode 21
    E21
    Episode 21

 

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