Seasons & Episodes
Jane Goodall
Meet Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, world-renowned primatologist, humanitarian, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace.
Shark Behavior
Do sharks have friends? Watch and see if there is actually anything to study when we look at the "social behavior" of s
Virtual Universe
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could just sit and watch a movie about the universe and see how everything unfolded? Tha
Polar People
Each year, over 2000 people apply for jobs in Antarctica, but few are successful. What are the physical and psychologica
Voyager
Take a look at the Voyager unmanned space probes launched in the 1970's -- and where they are now after 36 years of trav
Wings Of Wonder
Titanium implants are a favorite among surgeons. They're light, durable and strong and readily accepted by the human bod
Sun's Lost Siblings
In a family reunion like no other, astronomers reunite our sun with her long lost sibling. Dr Graham Phillips meets the
Super Solar Cells
Dr Graham Phillips investigates new technology that is able to convert more than 40 per cent of the sun's light into ele
Our Chemical Lives
Thousands of chemicals are used in everyday products – in our water, our food and in the air we breathe. It’s the ch
Antivenom
Good to know as you travel to the Antipodes - Australia has the most venomous snakes and spiders in the world. But, if y
Powering The Mind
What is memory? How do our memories change from childhood to adulthood? How we can build up greater brain reserves to p
Alien Technology
Is there anyone out there? Does the popular movie quote 'ET phone home' have any substance? Astronomers have been pointi
3D Virus
How can a supercomputer can help researchers to a better understanding of the poliovirus at an atomic level? This has i
Future Cities
It's amazing to think that in the 1900s a mere tenth of the world's population lived and worked in cities. Now it is ove
Quantum Computing
The promise of quantum computers is that what would otherwise take a billion years to calculate, could be done in a few
Peacock Spider
Think spiders aren't beautiful? Then think again! The colorful and beautiful jumping Peacock Spider, native to Austral
Allergy Pill
In the western world there’s an epidemic of allergies. Could it be that our lifestyles are too clean? And that we’re
Cardiac Implants
There’s no doubt that cardiac implants or stents save lives. They unblock arteries to prevent heart attacks. But becau
Honey Bees
It seems that the bee population crisis is intricately tied to the way we have changed our planet. Catalyst investigates
Extreme Weather
This special report looks at the domino effect of environmental and atmospheric factors that drive the globe to wetter,
Fast Food For Hummingbirds
By building see-through flowers, researchers at the University of Connecticut have captured high-speed, high-magnificati
Ancient Writing
Cuneiform documents in clay cover everything from political affairs to economic practices, from 3400BC right up to the t
Tokyo Flood Prevention
Fifty meters beneath the teeming mega-city of Tokyo is an underworld river system - 6.4km of tunnels, colossal water tan
Life Enhancing Drugs
Performance-enhancing drugs aren't limited to just sport and increasing your physical prowess. There are substances that
Bioluminescence
A short video on this phenomenon of nature, particularly evident in deep ocean animals.
Mega-tsunamis
By investigating the tell-tale signs of earthquakes and tsunamis written into the landscape over the last thousand years
Meteors, Sea Level Rise, House Fires
The Catalyst team look at what YouTube can teach us about meteors and how far can sea levels rise? Also how to stay as s
Tattoos, Moon Mining, Muscle Fibre
Tattoos: They are on trend but how easy are they to remove? Moon Mining: Scientists look at ways to mine the moon. Muscl
Omega 3 Inmates, Antarctic Sea Ice, Dog Optimism
Could omega 3 supplements reduce aggressive behaviour of inmates?; Antarctica Sea Ice: The sleeping giant of climate cha
Radiation Fallout, Multiple Organ Failure
Three years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster we explore the hidden impact of radioactive sediments and why do some t
Gut Reaction: Part 1 - What You Eat Could Be Making You Ill
In the first of a two-part special, reporter Dr. Graham Phillips investigates whether what we feed the bacteria deep ins
Gut Reaction: Part 2 - Let Food Be Thy Medicine
In this two-part Gut Reaction special, reporter Dr. Graham Phillips investigates whether the Western diet could be contr
AE2 - The Silent ANZAC, Where Does Fat Go?
Inside Australia's long lost World War 1 submarine, the AE2, we reveal her hidden secrets and investigate what scientist
Epilepsy, Brian Schmidt
Catalyst investigates two ground breaking treatment procedures for epilepsy; We meet the man who discovered dark energy
Dr. Jane Goodall Profile, Mystery Mummy, Eureka Prizes
Dr. Jane Goodall entered the forests of Tanzania as a girl with a dream. Twenty years later she left a woman with a miss
Testosterone - It's Not All About Sex
Dr. Graham Phillips delves into the latest research on testosterone, from the womb to old age, it moulds the male body &
Honey Bees, Drinking Water, Driver Distraction
Catalyst investigates how modern agriculture methods, increasing diseases and the impending threat of the deadly varroa
Mega Tsunamis, Allergy Pill, Nature Play
Ground breaking Japanese research reveals clues about future hazards for tsunami-prone countries. How playing outdoors c
Falling In Friendship
Friendship: From before we can even speak, we seek the companionship of others. But why is this drive so powerful? And h
Global Warming Pause, Virtual Universe, Green Alloys
Global Warming Pause: The big question in climate science - what happened to global warming? Virtual universe - reveals
Tokyo Flood Prevention, Crying, Open Plan Office
Tokyo flood prevention - How does a city of rivers defend itself in during flooding rain? Crying - are tears of joy diff
The Wind, Bird Strike
What does it mean when the weather report says - winds will be up to 50kph... How much notice should we really take?; Wi
Aircraft Electromagnetic Interference, Tilapia, Laser Danger
How Aircraft Electromagnetic Interference (AEI) affects our military aircraft; Detecting Tilapia; the cane toads of our
Low Carb Diet - Fat or Fiction?
Catalyst investigates the science behind the low carb diet. What are the health benefits and are there any risks? Is it
Genetic ID, Tunnel Borer, Coral Trout
The Catalyst team look at how our genes can affect exercise performance; Come face to face with 120 metre tunnel borers
Antiviral Abalone, Fermat's Theorem, Predator Scat
Could abalone blood be the new treatment for cold sores and herpes?; The inspirational story of 350 year old mathematics
Future Cities
With a soaring population how do we keep our cities liveable? And what will the city of tomorrow look like? Catalyst rep
Implant Protection, What Rat Is That?, Science Of The Perfect Drink
Reporter Mark Horstman gives up some of his own blood to test specially coated stents that can mimic the blood vessel wa
Polar People, Plant Based Medicine
Would you apply for a job in the Antarctic? Mark Horstman looks into the physical and psychological profiles of successf
Lead Astray
Could lead exposure in childhood lead to an adult life marked by violent crime? Although much is being done to reduce co
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. S
Passport Facial Recognition, Anti-venom
Dr. Jonica Newby tries her luck at passport fraud and Dr. Graham Phillips investigates the effectiveness of anti-venom f
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 su
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 electr
Powering The Mind
Anja Taylor investigates how our memories change from childhood to adulthood and how we can build up greater brain reser
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 Antar
Our Chemical Lives
Dr. Maryanne Demasi investigates the safety of chemicals found in everyday products and compares the level of chemicals
Condoms, Toorale Man
The next generation condom - a pleasure, not a duty to wear. And, can science solve the Toorale Man murder mystery? Mark
Fit In 6 Minutes A Week
Anja Taylor investigates the science behind low volume, high intensity fitness training, and takes on the challenge of g
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
Why Am I Still Fat?
Can obesity be treated as a chronic inflammatory disease? Mark Horstman explores these emerging fields of science, and m
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 repor
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
Female Sex Drive
Sex is the spark that ignites many relationships. It seems to fade more quickly in women. Dr. Newby investigates the sci
Einstein
To celebrate 100 years since Einstein's theory of General Relativity we visit three 'big physics' facilities where scien
A Life Without Males
We explore the recent extraordinary cases of virgin births in animals and find out whether humans could spontaneously cl
Gluten: A Gut Feeling
Millions of people are giving up gluten in pursuit of better health. In this special investigation, Dr. Maryanne Demasi
Sharks
In the final Catalyst for 2015, the team look at the scientific discoveries and innovations being made to ensure sharks
Batteries 24 Hour Renewable Power
Dr. Jonica Newby investigates home batteries - how they work, why you will want one, how they will change the way we con
Oxytocin, Crown of Thorns Starfish
It turns out oxytocin is responsible for a lot more than just love. Dr. Graham Phillips discovers oxytocin's great poten
Wi-Fried?
Wi-Fi blankets our homes, schools & cities. Dr. Maryanne Demasi takes a closer look at the link between mobile phones &
Out of Africa
Prof. Vanessa Hayes is searching for the origins of modern society, revealing the bedrock of human genetic diversity. He
Science of Sci-Fi Films, Mercury Hotspots
Dr. Graham Phillips sits down with physicists Dr. Katie Mack & Professor Lawrence Krauss to review Hollywood's treatment
Music on the Brain
Could the soundtrack of your life bring back fading memories? Catalyst takes you inside an extraordinary new program, re
Micro-Plastics, Tassie's Secrets
We look into marine life in Australia, to find out what plastics escape our household drains & what kind of damage t
If Pain Persists
This week we investigate recent advances in science and medical engineering that are transforming our understanding of c
Motorcycle Clothes, Gravitational Waves
A new kind of telescope will allow us to observe a whole host of astronomical phenomena, like gravitational waves. Plus
Lavender and the Honey Bee, Tassie Fires
New research reveals that Lavender can help bees make new memories & even change their DNA. Could it do the same for hum
Blind Leading the Blind, Bionic Bra
Researchers are getting a clearer picture on the way the brain turns sounds into images, redefining our understanding of
Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, but their overuse is making them less effective as bacteria develop resistance
Short Sightedness In Children, Saving A Furry Friend
We look into the rise of myopia & how scientists are finding a way to turn the tide on the epidemic. Plus meet Australia
Exercise and Cancer
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,
Becoming Superhuman (Part 1)
Dr. Jordan Nguyen is a biomedical engineer. Riley Saban is a 13-year-old kid with cerebral palsy. Together they develop
Becoming Superhuman (Part 2)
Biomedical engineer Dr. Jordan Nguyen & 13-year-old Riley aren't content developing cutting edge technology to give Rile
Meditation: Can It Really Change You?
Dr. Graham Phillips embarks on an 8 week meditation course to find out if the ancient art lives up to the current hype.
Oldest Aussie Beer, Unboiling An Egg
Could bottles, salvaged from a 220 year old Tasmanian ship wreck, contain the remnants of the world's oldest beer? Plus
Live Long Die Young
Lab experiments show it's now possible to fight the four major diseases of old age. Anja Taylor investigates one of thes
Stress and Cancer, Secrets of Pluto
Researchers may have found a way to prevent the stress induced spread of cancer cells. Guest reporter, oncologist Dr Ran
Toxic Ticks
Do Australian ticks pose a greater health risk than we thought? For the first time, microbes inside native Aussie ticks
Soundscape, Juno's Mission
The natural world tells unseen stories through sound. Catalyst discovers what we can learn from listening to nature. Plu
Gaming with Orang-utans, Stormageddon
How are storms changing as the world warms? Plus can orang-utans teach us a thing or two about computer games?
Gut Reaction (Part 1)
Could our food be making us sick - very sick? In the first of a two-part special, Dr Graham Phillips reveals research ab
Gut Reaction (Part 2)
The final part of a Catalyst investigation into whether food could actually be our medicine. A healthy diet could be eve
Artificial Sweeteners, Antarctica Fossils
GP & guest reporter Dr. Zeeshan Arain looks at artificial sweeteners and how they may impact our health. Plus an Aus
Stentrode, Fantastic Journey
Catalyst looks at the game-changing new Australian device that aims to help the paralysed walk again. Plus virtual reali
Alzheimer's - Can We Prevent It?
Can lifestyle choices delay or even prevent Alzheimer's disease? From what we eat to how much we move & sleep, scien
Gene Editing, Is There Life On Mars?
Graham Phillips goes into the desert on a meteorite hunt to investigate the question: is there life on Mars? Plus the po
Making Dogs Happy (Part 1)
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 e
Making Dogs Happy (Part 2)
In Part 2 of Making Dogs Happy, discover new science-based ways of communicating with dogs, how to better read what they
Smell: Our Most Underestimated Sense
Smell is our most ancient, but also our most underestimated sense. In this episode Anja Taylor investigates the hidden p
Hidden Secrets Of Art, Out Of Africa
Catalyst goes behind the scenes at the NGV to see how scientists are revealing concealed gems with stunning clarity. Plu
Forensic Future, Alien Megastructure
Catalyst investigates how cutting edge forensics together with developments in DNA testing are working towards putting a
Coral Bleaching
In this confronting special, Catalyst explores the lethal threat of coral bleaching to the Great Barrier Reef, and the c
Plain Of Jars, Tiny Satellites
South East Asia's Plain of Jars is an archaeological enigma. Who carved these megalithic stone jars & what were they
Testosterone, Dr. Jane Goodall
Dr. Graham Phillips investigates how testosterone affects our abilities, behaviour & health, in both men and women.
Medicinal Cannabis
Anecdotal evidence is building that cannabis has a positive effect on a long list of medical conditions from epilepsy, c
Tick Bites, Swift Parrot
Dr. Jonica Newby meets Dr. Sheryl van Nunen, the clinician who discovered the link between tick bites & meat allergi
The Anthropocene
Scientists claim that the Earth has shifted out of the Holocene state & into a new geological epoch. We look at how
Meet The Avatars
In the series return of Catalyst, Biomedical engineer Dr Jordan Nguyen examines virtual reality & how it could transform
Can Seaweed Save The World?
Professor Tim Flannery investigates how seaweed is helping to save the world - from growing the foods of the future, hel
Closing In: The Hunt For Alien Life
Will we soon find evidence of alien life? Scientists are currently in the throes of an unprecedented search for ET - and
The Day The Dinosaurs Died
66 million years ago an asteroid hit the planet. Now an expedition is underway to drill 1500m into the crater it created
Heartbeat: The Miracle Inside You
Heart surgeon Dr Nikki Stamp takes us into the amazing world of our hearts - revealing how they function, how can we loo
Death Dive: Into The Rings Of Saturn
After 20 years in space, NASA's Cassini spacecraft has begun the final chapter of its exploration of Saturn. It will end
Sit Back, Relax; The Dawn Of The Driverless Car
The dream of the driverless car has quickly moved from the realm of science fiction. Semi-autonomous cars can park thems
Can We Save the Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef as we know it - home to thousands of marine species - is dying. Can We Save the Reef? is the epic
How To Exercise Better
What kind of exercise should we be doing, how much do we need & how hard should push ourselves? To help us live happier
Gut Revolution (Part 1)
In a new Catalyst special, three Australians embark on a remarkable six-week intervention to find out what happens to th
Gut Revolution (Part 2) Garry's Story
Garry has tried to lose weight, but could his gut bacteria be keeping him fat? Nutrition scientist Dr Joanna McMillan ex
It's A Twin Thing
For the past 35 years twins have been some of the most carefully studied people in Australia. In fact revealing the secr
The Secret To Making Better Decisions
From the science of making choices to the solving power of algorithms, Mathematician Lily Serna looks at how the logic o
Farmer Needs A Robot
A group of pioneering scientists take their robots into the world of agriculture to see if they can help Aussie farmers
Back To The Moon
The race to the moon is back. After a quiet half century since the last Apollo mission, Assoc Prof Alan Duffy takes us i
Gut Revolution (Part 3) Victoria's Story
Nutrition Scientist Dr Joanna McMillan takes on her most challenging case as she battles to help Victoria recover from d
Sleep Matters
Actor, comedian and sleep-deprived new dad Lawrence Leung explores the latest science behind sleep to find out what he's
Skin Clinic
Uncover the secrets to healthier skin as we get up close and personal with some of the most common rashes, spots and ble
Feeding Australia: Foods of Tomorrow
Chef Paul West reveals the key breakthroughs in science and technology that will shape what we might be eating in the co
Feeding Australia: A Sustainable Future
In Part 2 of Feeding Australia, Chef Paul West, Dietitian Professor Clare Collins and Dr Noby Leong reveal the key break
How to Build a Time Machine
Catalyst examines the science of time travel. What do we need to be able to do or understand to construct a functioning
Beating Diabetes
Nutritionist Dr Joanna McMillan is on a mission to help stem the onslaught of Type 2 diabetes, devising a personalised p
How To Get Lucky: The Maths Of Chance
Vibrant maths whizz Lily Serna pits mathematics against luck in fields as varied as birthdays, blackjack, Aussie rules f
Memory Matters
In the season final, Dr Caroline West meets scientists working at the forefront of memory research, introducing remarkab
Bionic Revolution
Dr Nikki Stamp meets Australians whose lives are transformed by artificial body parts, and scientists whose cutting-edge
Allergy Clinic
With Australia in the grip of an allergy epidemic, we set up a pop-up clinic to understand why so many of us are sufferi
The Mindfulness Experiment
Catalyst brings together 15 ordinary Australians to take part in a revealing scientific experiment - to see if practicin
Black Hole Hunters
Professor Tamara Davis meets the scientists on a quest to hunt down black holes, the journey has brought us to the cusp
Staying Younger for Longer: Body
Ian Henderson, the recently retired and much loved ABC newsreader, sets out on a quest to find the secret to ageing heal
Staying Younger for Longer: Brain
Dr Sarah McKay uncovers the revolutionary new science that promises to keep your brain healthy into old age - and uncove
Should I Risk It?
Lily Serna finds out how maths can help us all become smarter with the risks we take in life. And she discovers that far
Face Surgeons: Inside the Craniofacial Unit
For 6 weeks, Catalyst was given unprecedented access to an incredible unit that performs some of the most complex and sp
Investigating Body Dysmorphia
Journalist Ruby Jones meets some of the 2.5 million Australians whom body image concerns have become a serious mental he
How Food Works (Part 1)
In a two part special, chef Paul West, dietician Professor Clare Collins and chemist Dr Noby Leong reveal the delicious
How Food Works (Part 2)
Paul explores the science behind cryogenic freezing and how it's being used to ensure frozen fish tastes almost as good
Teeth Clinic
Catalyst sets up a pop-up dental clinic in Western Sydney to investigate Australia's most common dental complaints, unco
Asteroid Hunters
Asteroids are an ever-present threat to our survival, but as Astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davies discovers - they may
Building Greener Cities
As our populations grow, cities are under increasing pressure. Physicist Dr Niraj Lal explores engineering solutions des
Kill or Cure? The Story of Venom
Australia is home to a large number of venomous animals - some so lethal they can kill a human in minutes. But within th
Are We Killing Our Koalas?
The koala is a national icon on the path to extinction. Professor Tim Flannery investigates the story behind the headlin
Mars: Our Second Home?
In the first of a two-part special, astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davis and astronomer Greg Quicke meet the Australian
Mars: The Hunt For Life
In this second episode of Catalyst's Mars special, astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davis and beloved astronomer Greg Qui
Kill or Cure: The Story of Venom
Australia is home to 66 venomous species - some are so lethal they can kill a human in thirty minutes. But within the de
Cancer: A Story of Hope
It's a diagnosis we all dread but with advances in technology and medicine, more people are living better and longer wit
The Truth About Fasting
Intermittent fasting is growing in popularity, and aside from weight loss, there are claims it can improve our health. D
The Wildlife Revolution
Australia is home to over a million species of plants and animals, but we're losing them at an alarming rate. In this ra
The Grid: Powering the Future
Dr Niraj Lal meets the Australians leading the biggest change to the electricity grid in a century: the rise of renewabl
Doctor at the Door: The McClellands
How much could a doctor change your life if they saw how you lived? In a Catalyst special, Dr Preeya Alexander prescribe
Doctor at the Door: The Kulkarnis
How much could a doctor change your life if they saw how you lived? In this two-part series GP Dr Preeya Alexander leave
Magic and the Brain: The Science of Illusion
Lily Serna explores the strange world of sensory perception, using magic and illusions to reveal the difference between
The Secret Lives of Our Urban Birds
Nature journalist and self-confessed bird-nerd, Ann Jones, heads out on an urban safari through Melbourne, uncovering th
The Big Brew Challenge
Celebrate the science of beer with chef Paul West, as three teams of budding brewmasters take on the challenge to make t
Miracle Babies: Operation Hope
This intimate look at the awe-inspiring world of fetal surgery is a story of hope and trailblazing medicine. Follow pion
Forever Young? The Rise of Injectables
Australians spend over a billion dollars on injectable treatments annually and clients seeking "tweakments" are getting
Solar Storms: A Warning from Space
Solar storms, eruptions from the Sun with the power of 20 nuclear bombs, have the potential to hit earth in just two day
The Science of Relationships
The happiest 50-year-olds are living to be the healthiest 80-year-olds. Their secret? Relationships. Lily Serna explores
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