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February 3, 2015

Series 16

01. 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.

30min
February 3, 2015

02. 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.

30min
February 10, 2015

03. 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.

30min
February 17, 2015

04. 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.

30min
February 24, 2015

05. 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?

30min
March 3, 2015

06. 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.

30min
March 10, 2015

07. 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.

30min
March 17, 2015

08. 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.

30min
March 24, 2015

09. 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.

30min
March 31, 2015

10. 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.

30min
April 7, 2015

11. 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!

30min
September 29, 2015

12. 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.

30min
October 6, 2015

13. 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.

30min
October 13, 2015

14. 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.

30min
October 20, 2015

15. 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.

30min
October 27, 2015

16. 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?

30min
November 3, 2015

17. 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.

30min
November 10, 2015

18. 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.

30min
November 17, 2015

19. 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?

30min
November 24, 2015

20. 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.

30min
December 8, 2015