Anja Taylor
Catalyst (2009)
Series 16
Catalyst is Australia's premier science investigation series. Each week the team brings you stories from Australia and around the world, meeting scientists at the forefront of discovery.
Released Feb. 1, 2009
Episode 30 min
2+
S16E1 - 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.
Feb. 3, 2015, midnight
S16E2 - 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.
Feb. 10, 2015, midnight
S16E3 - 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.
Feb. 17, 2015, midnight
S16E4 - 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.
Feb. 24, 2015, midnight
S16E5 - 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?
March 3, 2015, midnight
S16E6 - 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.
March 10, 2015, midnight
S16E7 - 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.
March 17, 2015, midnight
S16E8 - 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.
March 24, 2015, midnight
S16E9 - 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.
March 31, 2015, midnight
S16E10 - 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.
April 7, 2015, midnight
S16E11 - 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!
Sept. 29, 2015, midnight
S16E12 - 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.
Oct. 6, 2015, midnight
S16E13 - 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.
Oct. 13, 2015, midnight
S16E14 - 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.
Oct. 20, 2015, midnight
S16E15 - 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.
Oct. 27, 2015, midnight
S16E16 - 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?
Nov. 3, 2015, midnight
S16E17 - 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.
Nov. 10, 2015, midnight
S16E18 - 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.
Nov. 17, 2015, midnight
S16E19 - 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?
Nov. 24, 2015, midnight
S16E20 - 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.
Dec. 8, 2015, midnight
Network: ABC TV
Episode Runtime: 30 min.
Season Runtime: 30 min.
Released: Feb. 1, 2009
Last Air Date: Aug. 9, 2022, midnight
Status: Returning Series
Certification: TV-G / 2+
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