Catalyst: Recent Episodes
ABC TV
Catalyst returns to take you to the heart of the biggest science stories from Australia and around the world, revealing the latest understanding of how science affects our lives – from deep inside the human body to the furthest reaches of outer space. Each hour-long program delves into the very latest science, meets researchers at the cutting edge, and shows how scientific thinking is changing the lives of everyday people.
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.
Dr Ann Jones and Paul West investigate the extraordinary lives of Australia's oldest, largest and most iconic trees.
Join Lily Serna as she explores the key ingredients to happy relationships and lasting friendships.
Catalyst follows the scientists working to help us prepare for the next big solar event.
We explore the psychology behind the injectable treatments trend and the consequences of pursuing youth and perfection.
This intimate look at the astonishing world of fetal surgery is a story of hope and incredible medicine.
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.
Join nature journalist Dr Ann Jones on an urban safari through Melbourne to discover the hidden world of the city’s feathery friends.
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.
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.
In episode one, Dr Preeya Alexander heads to Penrith in Western Sydney to spend time with the McClelland family and help them take back control of their health and wellbeing.
Dr Niraj Lal meets the Australians leading the biggest change to the electricity grid in a century: the rise of renewable energy.
Nature journalist, Dr Ann Jones explores how technology can help protect our wildlife in bold new ways.
To better understand the benefits and impacts of intermittent fasting diets, dietician Dr Joanna McMillan tracks five Australians over six weeks.
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.
Nature journalist, Dr Ann Jones, meets the scientists who are turning deadly venom into lifesaving drugs.
In the second of a two-part Mars special, astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davis and astronomer Greg Quicke explore the clues on our blue planet that are inspiring the search for life on the red planet.
In the first of a two-part Mars 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.
Professor Tim Flannery investigates the story behind the koala extinction headlines, meeting researchers working to understand the threats they face, and how we can avoid them.
Physicist Dr Niraj Lal explores engineering solutions designed to make our cities cleaner, greener and more efficient places to live.
Astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davis explores the impact asteroids have had on our planet and discovers that they may hold the key to one of the greatest scientific mysteries of all – how life began.
Catalyst explores Australia’s most common dental complaints at a special pop-up clinic, where presenters Dr Brad McKay and Kumi Taguchi uncover the best tips to keep your mouth healthy and unveil surprising secrets that could reduce the need to drill and fill.
Chef Paul West, dietician Professor Clare Collins and chemist Dr Noby Leong explore the science behind the cryogenic freezing of fish, why we are hard-wired to desire junk foods, and the chemistry of hot and spicy foods.
In this special Catalyst series, chef Paul West, dietician Professor Clare Collins and chemist Noby Leong reveal the delicious chemistry, biology and physics hidden inside the foods we all love, so we can cook better and eat healthier.
Investigative journalist Ruby Jones meets some of the 2.5 million Australians for whom body image concerns have become a serious mental health issue.