Home / Series / Catalyst / Aired Order /

All Seasons

Season 1

Season 10

Season 11

Season 12

Season 13

Season 14

  • S14E01 Electric Cars Part One - Land Speed Record - Electric Cars Part Two - Leaning Tower - Future Farm

    • February 7, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Electric Cars Part One The team kick off their scientific trek with an electric car trial out of Perth. Land Speed Record Dr Derek Muller ditches electric cars in favour of a rocket vehicle. Electric Cars Part Two Simon Pampena discovers his sporty electric Lotus can't quite go the distance. Leaning Tower Dr Derek Muller turns watermelons into fruit salad in the name of physics. Future Farm Our trio measure how much methane sheep actually burp and a clever way to reduce their emissions.

  • S14E02 Part 1: Blasting for Gold - Part 2: Comedy Gold - Part 3: Salt Satellites

    • February 14, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Part 1: Blasting for Gold The team go underground gold mining in Kalgoorlie. Part 2: Comedy Gold Simon Pampena performs comedy using mathematics in Kalgoorlie, but will his numbers add up? Part 3: Salt Satellites The trio "sail" on Lake Lefroy and meet scientists using the salt lakes to keep satellites accurate.

  • S14E03 Part 1: Weebubbie Cave - School of the Air - Part 2: Weebubbie Cave - Eucla Sand Hills

    • February 21, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Part 1: Weebubbie Cave After a quick round of golf, Anja Taylor joins a team of scientists for a spell-binding diving expedition into the Nullarbor's deepest cave. School of the Air Derek and Simon stage a physics and maths roadshow for School of the Air students who live on the Nullarbor. Part 2: Weebubbie Cave On her second dive, Anja teams up with Dr Stefan Eberhard to discover the microscopic crustacea that inhabit the cave. Eucla Sand Hills The team reveal the surprising origin of the sandhills using just a touch of vinegar.

  • S14E04 Nullarbor safari - Measuring Our Coastline - Yalata Mulloway - Diprotodon Dig

    • February 28, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Nullarbor safari Anja,Derek and Simon join critter-wrangler, Harald Ehmann and find more Nullarbor wildlife than they bargained for. Measuring Our Coastline Derek and Simon unpack the "coastline paradox" as they gaze out over the stunning Bunda Cliffs. Yalata Mulloway The team go fishing for Mulloway and discover a satellite tagging project aimed at protecting this iconic fish. Diprotodon Dig The team join a fossil dig in the badlands of South Australia and discover the world's largest marsupial.

  • S14E05 Coorong Wetlands - Technoviticulture - Penguin Patrol

    • March 7, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Coorong Wetlands The team check on the health of the Lower Lakes and Coorong following the Big Dry. Technoviticulture Technology has become indispensable to modern wine making. Penguin Patrol In a world first, Maremma sheepdogs are protecting penguins from hungry foxes.

  • S14E06 Mapping Underwater Victoria - Cape Otway Lighthouse - Koalas - Hot Air Balloon Finale

    • March 14, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Mapping Underwater Victoria Anja and Derek hit the high seas to find out what lies beneath Victoria's coastal waters. Cape Otway Lighthouse Koalas In the Great Otway National Park and surrounding private land, there are as many as 18 koalas per hectare – the highest density ever recorded. Hot Air Balloon Finale Our On the Road team head to the Melbourne skies on a Hot Air Balloon.

  • S14E07 Fire Tornado - Flies for Food - Dog Empathy

    • June 6, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Fire Tornado How does a bushfire turn into a fire tornado? Flies for Food Maggots…they make you squirm…but what a healthy meal of pure protein they’d be! Graham Phillips explores a scheme to supply fly feed to agriculture and aquaculture. Dog Empathy Do dogs really care?

  • S14E08 Sustainable Fishing - Cyber Attack - Smart Arm

    • June 13, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Sustainable Fishing A look at the science involved in managing Australia's largest fishery. Cyber Attack How vulnerable is critical infrastructure to cyber attacks? Smart Arm A Smart Arm is helping stroke patients recover mobility.

  • S14E09 Dengue Fever - Scramspace - Voyager

    • June 20, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Dengue Fever Dr Maryanne Demasi reveals Australian research which may help to eliminate Dengue Fever. Scramspace A world leading Australian research team is preparing to launch a hypersonic scramjet. Voyager What has Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object, discovered?

  • S14E10 Doping to Win - Life Enhancing Drugs

    • June 27, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Doping to Win Do "performance enhancing" drugs really work and what are the side effects? Life Enhancing Drugs There are substances that could improve your mind power and help you learn faster or improve your memory.

  • S14E11 Extreme Weather - Underwater Optics

    • July 4, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Extreme Weather This special report looks at the domino effect of environmental and atmospheric factors that drive the globe to wetter, hotter, drier and colder extremes. Underwater Optics Cinematographer Pawel Achtel has developed a camera housing that brings ultra high definition underwater images to the big screen.

  • S14E12 Chiropractors

    • July 11, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Chiropractors Are chiropractors putting babies at risk?

  • S14E13 Rainbow Children - Sundrop Farm - Air Operations Simulator Research Centre - Algorithm of Love

    • July 18, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Rainbow Children Mark examines the evidence from social scientists and whether more research matters to the growing numbers of children from same sex couples. Sundrop Farm Anja and Simon visit an unlikely location for a sustainable energy world first, a huge greenhouse on the edge of the desert in South Australia. Air Operations Simulator Research Centre Ruben takes flight at the Air Operations Simulator Centre in Melbourne. Algorithm of Love Simon takes a look at how dating websites use complex maths to find you your perfect match.

  • S14E14 The Chemistry of Attraction

    • July 25, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    The Chemistry of Attraction Catalyst pulls back the covers on the science of attraction.

  • S14E15 Southern Surveyor - Ancient Teeth - Future Music

    • August 1, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Southern Surveyor Join Mark Horstman aboard the Southern Surveyor as she embarks on her last science voyage. Ancient Teeth Dr Graham Phillips looks at what ancient teeth reveal about our dental health today. Future Music How are computers changing the composition of music?

  • S14E16 Toxic Sugar? - Water Fluoridation

    • August 8, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Toxic Sugar? Is sugar in the diet driving the obesity crisis? Water Fluoridation Ruben reports on the benefits of fluoride and the controversy behind adding fluoride to our water supplies.

  • S14E17 Energy Drinks - 3D Virus - Military Uniform

    • August 15, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Energy Drinks Anja Taylor reveals the hidden dangers of energy drinks. 3D Virus Simon Pampena explores how a supercomputer can help researchers to better understand the poliovirus at an atomic level. Military Uniform Dr Graham Phillips goes deep inside a climate controlled defence chamber to test chemical warfare suits.

  • S14E18 Coal Dust - Quantum Computing

    • August 22, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Coal Dust Mark Horstman heads to Newcastle to reveal the efforts that are underway to identify potentially harmful concentrations of coal dust particulates. Quantum Computing Dr Graham Phillips delves into the world of the very very small to reveal the huge potential of quantum computing.

  • S14E19 Custom Universe - Finetuned for Us?

    • August 29, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    In a Catalyst special we explore the possibilities of Gravity waves. Einstein predicted them and now a telescope may have found evidence they exist, supporting the idea that there may be many universes.

  • S14E20 Wings of Wonder - Fossils Exposed - Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

    • September 12, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Fossils Exposed Engineers unearthed a remarkable treasure trove of fossils beneath Brisbane. Wings of Wonder Anja Taylor reports on how the amazing properties of insect wings could offer new hope for surgical implants. Eureka Prizes Interviews Catalyst asks some of our eminent scientists about the most important scientific issues facing Australia.

  • S14E21 Conservation Hunting - Shark Behaviour - Sexy Guitars

    • September 19, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Anja Taylor looks at the controversial issue of recreational hunters shooting feral animals as an effective management technique; do sharks choose their friends? And do men look sexier with a guitar?

  • S14E22 Drones - Gonorrhoea Superbug - Bike Rage

    • September 26, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Teaching drones to think for themselves; looking at ways to combat the super-bug gonorrhoea; and what causes bike rage?

  • S14E23 HIV Cure - Ancient Writing

    • October 3, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Will the 21st century be remembered for the eradication of HIV? It's possible. Dr Maryanne Demasi reports. And Dr Graham Phillips sees how 3D printing is being used to bring history within our grasp.

  • S14E24 Heart Of The Matter - Part 1: Dietary Villains

    • October 24, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    In this Catalyst special, Dr Maryanne Demasi investigates the science behind the long established claims that saturated fat causes heart disease by raising cholesterol.

  • S14E25 Heart Of The Matter - Part 2: Cholesterol Drug War

    • October 31, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    In the second episode of this two-part Catalyst special, Dr Maryanne Demasi uncovers the tactics used by drug companies to distort the data to make cholesterol lowering medications seem more effective than they are.

Season 15

  • S15E01 Meteors, Sea Level Rise, House Fires

    • July 17, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    The Catalyst team look at what YouTube can teach us about meteors and how far can sea levels rise? Also how to stay as safe as possible in a house fire.

  • S15E02 Tattoos, Moon Mining, Muscle Fibre

    • July 24, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Tattoos: They are on trend but how easy are they to remove? Moon Mining: Scientists look at ways to mine the moon. Muscle fibre Fishing Line: How fishing line, a hairdryer and an electric drill make artificial muscle fibres.

  • S15E03 Omega 3 Inmates, Antarctic Sea Ice, Dog Optimism

    • July 31, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Could omega 3 supplements reduce aggressive behaviour of inmates?; Antarctica Sea Ice: The sleeping giant of climate change; Dog Optimism: How does your dog view the world? Is it an optimist or pessimist?

  • S15E04 Radiation Fallout, Multiple Organ Failure

    • August 7, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Three years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster we explore the hidden impact of radioactive sediments and why do some trauma patients appear to recover from injury but just a few days later develop multiple organ failure?

  • S15E05 Gut Reaction: Part 1 - What You Eat Could Be Making You Ill

    • August 14, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    In the first of a two-part special, reporter Dr Graham Phillips investigates whether what we feed the bacteria deep inside our gut could be contributing to a whole litany of diseases.

  • S15E06 Gut Reaction: Part 2 - Let Food Be Thy Medicine

    • August 21, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    In this two-part special, reporter Dr Graham Phillips investigates whether what we feed these bacteria could be contributing to a whole litany of diseases.

  • S15E07 AE2 - The Silent ANZAC, Where Does Fat Go?

    • August 28, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Inside Australia's long lost World War 1 submarine, the AE2, we reveal her hidden secrets and investigate what scientists are doing to protect her from the ravages of time.

  • S15E08 Epilepsy, Brian Schmidt

    • September 4, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst investigates two ground breaking treatment procedures for epilepsy; We meet the man who discovered dark energy - Nobel Prize winner Professor Brian Schmidt.

  • S15E09 Jane Goodall, Mystery Mummy, Eureka Prizes

    • September 11, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Jane Goodall entered the forests of Tanzania as a girl with a dream. Twenty years later she left a woman with a mission; Can science help the dead speak? We 'unwrap' a mummy to unveil secrets hidden for thousands of years.

  • S15E10 Testosterone - It's Not All About Sex

    • September 18, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Graham Phillips delves into the latest research into testosterone, from the womb to old age, it not only moulds the male body and mind but is a hormone of good health during the life of a man. And it is true of women too.

  • S15E11 Honey Bees, Drinking Water, Driver Distraction

    • September 25, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst investigates how modern agriculture methods, increasing diseases and the impending threat of the deadly varroa mite could destroy the last safe-haven for bees on the planet.

  • S15E12 Mega Tsunamis, Allergy Pill, Nature Play

    • October 2, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Ground breaking Japanese research reveals clues about future hazards for tsunami-prone countries. How playing outdoors can improve children's health and could the bacteria in our stomach ulcers help cure allergies.

  • S15E13 Falling in Friendship

    • October 9, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Friendship. From before we can even speak, we seek the companionship of others. But why is this drive so powerful? And how come out of all the people we meet in our lives, we fall in friendship with some and not others?

  • S15E14 Global Warming Pause, Virtual Universe, Green Alloys

    • October 16, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Global Warming Pause - From 1975 to 1998 the world saw a rapid rise of global average air surface temperatures, linked to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Virtual Universe - Grab your popcorn and settle back to watch a movie about the Universe – this extraordinary super computer simulation called the Illustris, models a huge chunk of the universe: a cube 350 million light years across, and home to tens of thousands of galaxies. Green Alloys - What can be done about the mountains of waste products that can’t be recycled? A team from UNSW is ‘reforming’ products deemed unrecyclable.

  • S15E15 Tokyo Flood Prevention, Crying, Open Plan Office

    • October 23, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Tokyo flood prevention - How does a city of rivers defend itself in during flooding rain? Crying - are tears of joy different from tears of sorrow? Open plan office layout - how the open plan office can affect our health.

  • S15E16 Wind, Bird Strike

    • October 30, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Wind - Unless your hobby or business is affected by the wind most people ignore windy weather warnings. Bird Strike - Most people’s fear of flying stems from thoughts like 'how does this massive craft stay in the sky'?

  • S15E17 Aircraft Electromagnetic Interference, Tilapia, Laser Danger

    • November 6, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    How Aircraft Electromagnetic Interference (AEI) affects our military aircraft; Detecting Tilapia; the cane toads of our waterways and what makes Lasers so dangerous?

  • S15E18 Low Carb Diet - Fat or Fiction?

    • November 13, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst investigates the science behind the low carb diet. What are the health benefits and are there any risks? Is it suitable for everyone?

  • S15E19 Genetic ID, Tunnel Borer, Coral Trout

    • November 20, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    The Catalyst team look at how our genes can affect exercise performance; Come face to face with 120 metre tunnel borers Florence and Elizabeth; And reveal the good news for Coral trout on the Great Barrier Reef.

  • S15E20 Antiviral Abalone, Fermat's Theorem, Predator Scat

    • November 27, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Could abalone blood be the new treatment for cold sores and herpes?; The inspirational story of 350 year old mathematics problem and how it was solved; Tasmania's Great Poo Hunt - have foxes invaded the island state?

  • S15E21 Future Cities

    • December 4, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    The media abounds with visions of gloomy, automated megacities or totally sustainable ecological utopias but how do these futuristic visions relate to the development of Australian cities over the next eighty years? With soaring populations, how will we keep our cities liveable?

  • S15E22 Implant Protection, What Rat Is That?, Science of the Perfect Drink

    • December 11, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    There’s no doubt that cardiac implants or stents save lives.; A surprising number of native marsupials are mistaken for rats.; Three international experts and our very own Dr Graham Phillips taste test some popular beverages - the Gin & Tonic: how can you enhance the unique flavour of gin?

Season 16

  • S16E01 Polar People, Plant Based Medicine

    • February 3, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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.

  • S16E02 Lead Astray

    • February 10, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    Recent research suggests leaded petrol emissions may be behind a rise in violent crime rates. Anja Taylor investigates current sources of lead exposure and its developmental effects on children

  • S16E03 Alien Technology, Tick Allergy

    • February 17, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    Is 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.

  • S16E04 Passport Facial Recognition, Antivenom

    • February 24, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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.

  • S16E05 Tamiflu, Sun's Lost Sibling

    • March 3, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    Tamiflu: 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.

  • S16E06 Super Solar Cells, Where Birdsong Began

    • March 10, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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 electricity. This is more than double the efficiency of today's domestic rooftop solar panels, and could eventually lead to cheaper sources of renewable energy. Where Birdsong Began: Are our birds home-grown Aussies, or have we inherited a second-hand fauna from somewhere else? Mark Horstman explores genetic and fossil evidence that reveals the majority of the world’s birds have Australian ancestors.

  • S16E07 Powering The Mind

    • March 17, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    What is memory? In this episode of Catalyst, 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.

  • S16E08 Horse Whip, Antarctic Acidification

    • March 24, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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.

  • S16E09 Our Chemical Lives

    • March 31, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    Thousands of chemicals are used in everyday products – in our water, our food and in the air we breathe.

  • S16E10 Condoms, Toorale Man Murder Mystery

    • April 7, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    Regardless 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.

  • S16E11 Fit in 6 Minutes a Week

    • September 29, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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!

  • S16E12 Diagnosing Mental Illness, Ghostbusters, Brain Stimulation

    • October 6, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    This special episode investigates new research analysing facial expressions, voice and body posture that may be the key to diagnosing depression.

  • S16E13 Why Am I Still Fat?

    • October 13, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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.

  • S16E14 Can We Live on Mars Parrots versus Possums

    • October 20, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    NASA is currently planning to send astronauts to the red planet, and private company Mars One has volunteers who want to go there and never come back. The swift parrot is one of Australia’s most charismatic birds, but it’s also one of its most endangered.

  • S16E15 Too Much Medicine

    • October 27, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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.

  • S16E16 Female Sex Drive

    • November 3, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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?

  • S16E17 Einstein's Extraordinary Universe

    • November 10, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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.

  • S16E18 A Life Without Males

    • November 17, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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.

  • S16E19 Gluten: A Gut Feeling

    • November 24, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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?

  • S16E20 Sharks

    • December 8, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

    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.

  • S16E21 Episode 21

    • December 8, 2015
    • ABC (AU)

Season 17

  • S17E01 Battery-Powered Homes

    • February 2, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    There's a power revolution heading for our homes – a device that allows you to take power into your own hands. Its batteries, home batteries, and they've been called the holy grail of renewables – the key to the transition away from fossil fuels. Australia is at the vanguard of this revolution - we will be one of the first countries in the world to experience the transition to the battery powered home. Find out how you can be part of it.

  • S17E02 Oxytocin, Crown of Thorns Starfish

    • February 9, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    It turns out oxytocin is responsible for a lot more than just love. Dr Graham Phillips discovers oxytocin's great potential to treat social disorders, like drug addiction and alcoholism. #ABCcatalyst

  • S17E03 Wi-Fried

    • February 16, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Could wifi-enabled devices be harmful to our health? You cannot see it or hear it but Wi-Fi blankets our homes, our schools and our cities.

  • S17E04 Out of Africa

    • February 23, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    What can modern medicine learn from the people with the most diverse DNA on the planet?

  • S17E05 Science of Sci Fi Films, Mercury

    • March 1, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    From Matt Damon's recent hit, The Martian, through to Interstellar, Gravity and long-running favourite, Star Trek, Hollywood is obsessed with science fiction. Is the level of mercury in the fish we’re eating safe for our health?

  • S17E06 Music on the Brain

    • March 8, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Could the soundtrack of your life bring back fading memories? Catalyst takes you inside an extraordinary new program, revealing how personalised playlists can re-awaken the brains of people with dementia.

  • S17E07 Micro-Plastics, Tassie's Secrets

    • March 15, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    We look into marine life in Australia, to find out what plastics escape our household drains & what kind of damage they can do. And the geology of north-western Tasmania reveals similarities to Antarctica.

  • S17E08 If Pain Persists

    • March 22, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    This week we investigate recent advances in science and medical engineering that are transforming our understanding of chronic back pain & opening the door to new treatments.

  • S17E09 Motorcycle Clothes, Gravitational Waves

    • March 29, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    A new kind of telescope will allow us to observe a whole host of astronomical phenomena, like gravitational waves. Plus how protective is safety motorcycle gear anyway? Mark Horstman lays his body on the line.

  • S17E10 Honey Bee Brains and Lavender, Tassie Fires

    • April 5, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Lavender is a powerful smell, but could it be even more powerful than we think? We like to think Tasmania is a refuge from climate change – a cool green island at the bottom of a warming world.

  • S17E11 Blind Leading the Blind, Bionic Bra

    • April 12, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Researchers are getting a clearer picture on the way the brain turns sounds into images, redefining our understanding of vision. Plus, the "Bionic Bra" - providing the right amount of breast support as needed.

  • S17E12 Antibiotic Resistance

    • April 19, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, but their overuse is making them less effective as bacteria develop resistance. Can researchers outwit these clever bacteria & find novel ways to beat resistance? #ABCcatalyst

  • S17E13 Short Sightedness in Children, Saving a Furry Friend

    • April 26, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    We look into the rise of myopia & how scientists are finding a way to turn the tide on the epidemic. Plus meet Australia's first koala scat detection dog that's helping koala conservation researchers.

  • S17E14 Exercise and Cancer

    • May 10, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    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, Dr Jonica Newby investigates a medicine that will double your chance of survival – Its exercise, but not as we know it.

  • S17E15 Becoming Superhuman (1)

    • May 24, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Jordan Nguyen is a biomedical engineer. Riley Saban is a 13-year-old kid with cerebral palsy. Together they develop extraordinary, cutting edge technology that gives young Riley superhuman powers.

  • S17E16 Becoming Superhuman (2)

    • May 31, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Biomedical engineer Dr Jordan Nguyen & 13-year-old Riley Saban aren't content to just develop cutting edge technology that gives Riley superhuman powers, now they want to push the boundaries to see if Riley can drive a car.

  • S17E17 Meditation: Can It Really Change You?

    • June 7, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Graham Phillips embarks on an 8 week meditation course to find out if the ancient art lives up to the current hype. New research shows that it can affect the body & the mind & even alter the structure of the brain.

  • S17E18 Oldest Aussie Beer, Unboiling an Egg

    • June 14, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Could bottles, salvaged from a 220 year old Tasmanian ship wreck, contain the remnants of the world's oldest beer? Plus 'unboiling an egg' technology leads to new discoveries in renewable energy.

  • S17E19 Live Long Die Young

    • June 21, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Lab experiments show it's now possible to fight the four major diseases of old age. Anja Taylor investigates one of these methods achieving extraordinary results. Could this be the key to a long & healthy life?

  • S17E20 Stress and Cancer, Secrets of Pluto

    • June 28, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Researchers may have found a way to prevent the stress induced spread of cancer cells. Guest reporter, oncologist Dr Ranjana Srivastava investigates. Plus we reveal Pluto's secrets with mind boggling pictures.

  • S17E21 Toxic Ticks

    • July 5, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Do Australian ticks pose a greater health risk than we thought? For the first time, microbes inside native Aussie ticks are being probed, leading to new discoveries which may reveal the causes of unexplained illnesses.

  • S17E22 Soundscape, Juno's Mission

    • July 12, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    The natural world tells unseen stories through sound. Catalyst discovers what we can learn from listening to nature. Plus we go to Australia's tracking station Tidbinbilla to witness Juno going into orbit around Jupiter.

  • S17E23 Stormageddon, Orangutans

    • July 19, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    In the first week of June, four states were battered by a ferocious east coast low unusual in its size, damaging storm surge and intense rainfalls. Orangutans are highly intelligent animals and keeping them mentally engaged and challenged is paramount for Melbourne zoo keepers and researchers

  • S17E24 Gut Reaction (1)

    • July 26, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Could our food be making us sick - very sick? In the first of a two-part special, Dr Graham Phillips reveals research about the interplay between food and the bacteria deep within our guts. #ABCcatalyst

  • S17E25 Gut Reaction (2)

    • August 2, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    The final part of a Catalyst investigation into whether food could actually be our medicine. A healthy diet could be even more important than previously thought because food affects the bacteria deep inside our guts.

  • S17E26 Artificial Sweeteners, Antarctica Fossils

    • August 9, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    GP & guest reporter, Dr Zeeshan Arain looks at artificial sweeteners and how they may impact our health, & an Australian paleontologist goes on a US expedition searching for dinosaur fossils in Antarctica.

  • S17E27 Stentrode, Fantastic Voyage

    • August 16, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst looks at the game-changing new Australian device that aims to help the paralysed walk again. Plus virtual reality takes scientists and patients on a unique interactive journey inside the human body.

  • S17E28 Alzheimer's - Can We Prevent It?

    • August 23, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Can lifestyle choices delay or even prevent Alzheimer's disease? From what we eat to how much we move & sleep, scientists are suggesting that the power to push back the disease is largely in our hands.

  • S17E29 Gene Editing Made Simple

    • August 30, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Graham Phillips goes into the desert on a meteorite hunt to investigate the question: is there life on Mars? Plus the powerful gene-editing technique CRISPR that is transforming the field of genetics.

  • S17E30 Making Dogs Happy (1)

    • September 6, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    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 even tell. Are our dogs really happy & can we use science to make them happier?

  • S17E31 Making Dogs Happy (2)

    • September 13, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    In Part 2 of Making Dogs Happy, discover new science-based ways of communicating with dogs, how to better read what they are saying, how our own personalities impact their happiness & new technology to help make pets happier.

  • S17E32 Smell: Our Most Underestimated Sense

    • September 20, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Smell is our most ancient, but also our most underestimated sense. In this episode Anja Taylor investigates the hidden powers of smell & how smell influences many aspects of our lives in ways we often overlook.

  • S17E33 Hidden Secrets of Art, Out of Africa

    • September 27, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst goes behind the scenes at the NGV to see how scientists are revealing concealed gems with stunning clarity. Plus we revisit what genomicist Professor Vanessa Hayes discovered about the origins of modern society.

  • S17E34 Forensic Future, Alien Megastructure

    • October 4, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst investigates how cutting edge forensics together with developments in DNA testing are working towards putting a face to the nameless. Plus the massive megastructure puzzling astrophysicists - could it be alien-built?

  • S17E35 Coral Bleaching

    • October 11, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    In this confronting special, Catalyst explores the lethal threat of bleaching to the Great Barrier Reef, and the challenges we all face to protect this global treasure.

  • S17E36 Plain of Jars, Satellites

    • October 18, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    South East Asia's Plain of Jars is an archaeological enigma. Who carved these megalithic stone jars & what were they used for? Plus, Space is being invaded by a new breed of cheap satellites, smaller than a loaf of bread.

  • S17E37 Testosterone, Dr Jane Goodall

    • October 25, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

  • S17E38 Medicinal Cannabis

    • November 1, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Anecdotal evidence is building that cannabis has a positive effect on a long list of medical conditions from epilepsy, cancer, even Alzheimer's Disease. By applying scientific rigour can researchers uncover clinical evidence?

  • S17E39 Tick Bites, Swift Parrot

    • November 8, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Jonica Newby meets Dr Sheryl van Nunen, the clinician who discovered the link between tick bites & meat allergies. Plus we revisit a story on one of Australia's most charismatic & endangered birds - the swift parrot.

  • S17E40 The Anthropocene

    • November 15, 2016
    • ABC (AU)

    Scientists claim that the Earth has shifted out of the Holocene state & into a new geological epoch. We look at how the last 60 years has transformed the human race into a geological force to rival nature. #ABCcatalyst

Season 18

  • S18E01 Meet The Avatars

    • August 15, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    Imagine you could make a copy of a loved one. A digital clone with a life of its own – their Avatar.

  • S18E02 Can Seaweed Save the World?

    • August 22, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    Professor Tim Flannery investigates how seaweed is helping to save the world - from growing the foods of the future, helping clean polluted water and even combating climate change.

  • S18E03 Closing in the Hunt for Alien Life

    • August 29, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    Will we soon find evidence of alien life? Scientists are currently in the throes of an unprecedented search for ET - and an answer to this long-pondered question may come sooner than you think.

  • S18E04 Secrets of the Dinosaur Crater

    • September 5, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    A group of world-renowned scientists are on a quest to uncover the secrets of the most significant day in our planet's history: the day that killed the dinosaurs.

  • S18E05 Heartbeat: The Miracle Inside You

    • September 12, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Nikki Stamp takes us into the amazing world of our hearts -- revealing how they function, how we can look after them and shows us the latest science she uses to help fix them when they go wrong.

  • S18E06 Death Dive: Into The Rings Of Saturn

    • September 19, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    After a 20 year mission, space probe Cassini crashed into the surface of Saturn last week. Astronomer Associate Professor Alan Duffy was at Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking to bring you a blow-by-blow account of the action.

  • S18E07 Sit Back, Relax; The Dawn Of The Driverless Car

    • September 26, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst looks at the fast-emerging world of self-driving vehicles on our roads. The dream of the driverless car has always felt like it belonged in the realm of science fiction.

  • S18E08 Can we Save the Reef?

    • October 3, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    The Great Barrier Reef as we know it - home to thousands of marine species - is dying. Can We Save the Reef? is the epic story of Australian & international scientists who are racing to understand our greatest natural wonder.

  • S18E09 How To Exercise Better

    • October 10, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    We all know exercise is good for us. But how many of us really know what kind of exercise we should be doing, how much of it we need, or how hard we should push ourselves?

  • S18E10 Gut Revolution (Part 1) Melissa's Story

    • October 17, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    Is your mood influencing your gastrointestinal health or is it the other way around? Can a nutritional intervention provide help to sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome where modern medicine has little to offer?

  • S18E11 Gut Revolution (Part 2) Garry's Story

    • October 24, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    Gut Revolution seeks to sort the facts from the faeces in an observational series that follows two people with debilitating gut issues on their quest for better health. Garry has tried it all to lose weight, from the Biggest Loser to meal replacement shakes. And despite temporary victories, the kilos always pile back on. Are Garry's gut bacteria keeping him fat and can the Gut Revolution help him? Nutrition scientist Dr Joanna McMillan and her team of experts explore new and controversial science that suggests gut bacteria might just be affecting our appetites and moods.

  • S18E12 It’s A Twin Thing

    • October 31, 2017
    • ABC (AU)

    For the past 35 years, twins have been some of the most carefully studied people in Australia. 75,000 twins have been revealing the secrets of how much we inherit from our parents and in what ways our experience shapes who we become. Researchers are trying to understand what determines their personalities, makes them succeed at a school or even live longer.

  • S18E13 The Secret To Making Better Decisions

    • January 30, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    From the science of making choices to the solving power of algorithms, Mathematician Lily Serna looks at how the logic of mathematics can help you make better, smarter decisions.

  • S18E14 Farmer Needs a Robot

    • February 6, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    A group of pioneering scientists take their robots into the world of agriculture to see if they can help Aussie farmers tackle some of their biggest challenges. Will they change the way we've been farming for generations?

  • S18E15 Back To The Moon

    • February 13, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    The race to the moon is back. After a quiet half century since the last Apollo mission, Assoc Prof Alan Duffy takes us inside the new space race, where innovators and big dreamers are rewriting the book on space exploration.

  • S18E16 Gut Revolution (Part 3) Victoria's Story

    • February 20, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    Nutrition Scientist Dr Joanna McMillan takes on her most challenging case as she battles to help Victoria recover from debilitating anxiety & gut pains, using emerging science showing links between gut bacteria & the brain.

  • S18E17 Sleep Matters

    • February 27, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    Lawrence Leung lives a busy life - he's an actor, comedian and a dad to a young daughter. He doesn't always get enough sleep and often wonders if he should be getting more. In this episode of Catalyst, Lawrence explores the latest science behind sleep to find out what he's missing out on - and if he needs it at all. Lawrence meets some of Australia's top sleep scientists as he asks: What is sleep for? When should I go to bed? What happens if I don't sleep? And, how can I sleep better? Along the way he discovers that it's during sleep that the brain chooses which memories to strengthen and which to lose; that extreme sleep deprivation negatively affects a whole range of body functions; and that he should be sleeping more like an elite athlete - and a koala.

Season 19

  • S19E01 Skin Clinic

    • March 6, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    In this programme, Catalyst uncovers the secrets to healthier skin, gets up close and personal with some of the most common rashes, spots and blemishes - and shows you how to care for the largest organ in your body. And where better to do that than at the beach? With the help of a team of Australia's top dermatologists we'll find out why skin health is more than a cosmetic issue. We'll learn what we can all do to keep our skin working well for us at any age. We'll find out some surprising facts about moisturiser - and look at how technology is being used to help in the detection and protection against skin cancer. And in the burns unit of ground-breaking Australian surgeon Fiona Wood, we'll meet some of the patients benefiting from her work and find out the latest science around regenerating and protecting skin in trauma.

  • S19E02 Feeding Australia (Part 1) Foods of Tomorrow

    • August 14, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    A new season of Catalyst begins with a 2-part special, Feeding Australia, where chef Paul West reveals the key breakthroughs in science and technology that will shape what we might be eating in the coming decades.

  • S19E03 Feeding Australia (Part 2) A Sustainable Future

    • August 21, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    We're a nation with a big appetite and as the population moves towards 40 million it's only going to get bigger. Paul West, Professor Clare Collins and Dr Noby Leong reveal how technology is set to transform food production.

  • S19E04 How to Build a Time Machine

    • August 28, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst examines the science of time travel. What do we need to be able to do or understand to construct a functioning time machine? Dr Graham Phillips showcases the scientists working on the cutting edge of discovery.

  • S19E05 Beating Diabetes

    • September 4, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    Nutritionist Dr Joanna McMillan is on a mission to help stem the onslaught of Type 2 diabetes, devising a personalised program to help four Australians on the brink of developing the chronic illness.

  • S19E06 How To Be Lucky: The Maths Of Chance

    • September 11, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    Vibrant maths whizz Lily Serna pits mathematics against luck in fields as varied as birthdays, blackjack, Aussie rules football, and even air sea rescues - and puts the audience to the test in this massive maths test.

  • S19E07 Memory Matters

    • September 18, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    In the season final, Dr Caroline West meets scientists working at the forefront of memory research, introducing remarkable individuals whose exceptional memories and unique abilities are helping unlock the secrets of memory.

  • S19E08 Bionic Revolution

    • October 23, 2018
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Nikki Stamp meets Australians whose lives are transformed by artificial body parts, and scientists whose cutting-edge work merging biology with technology reveal a world on the cusp of a bionic revolution. (Final for 2018)

Season 20

  • S20E01 The Great Australian Bee Challenge - Part 1

    • January 29, 2019
    • ABC (AU)

    In the first of two programmes, host Paul West challenges four families to successfully keep a honeybee hive, bringing these everyday Australians up close to the very latest science about bee brains, communication and behaviour.

  • S20E02 The Great Australian Bee Challenge - Part 2

    • February 5, 2019
    • ABC (AU)

    In the final part of the competition, host Paul West follows our four families as they race to produce honey. For the country beekeepers getting any honey at all is proving tough as weeks of rain have kept the bees inside the hives. The city dwellers, meanwhile, face different challenges. House moves, and access problems mean major disturbances for the colonies.

  • S20E03 Allergy Clinic

    • February 12, 2019
    • ABC (AU)

    With Australia in the grip of an allergy epidemic, we set up a pop-up clinic to understand why so many of us are suffering from these conditions and reveal the latest science about what we can do to treat and prevent them.

  • S20E04 The Mindfulness Experiment

    • February 19, 2019
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst brings together 15 ordinary Australians to take part in a revealing scientific experiment - to see if practicing mindfulness can help treat conditions like chronic pain, anxiety and stress that affect millions of us.

  • S20E05 Black Hole Hunters

    • February 26, 2019
    • ABC (AU)

    Professor Tamara Davis meets the scientists on a quest to hunt down black holes, the journey has brought us to the cusp of an unprecedented milestone in scientific achievement - to photograph a black hole for the first time.

  • S20E06 Staying Younger For Longer: Body

    • August 13, 2019
    • ABC (AU)

    Ian Henderson, the recently retired and much loved ABC newsreader, sets out on a quest to find the secret to ageing healthily, and along the way uncovers some amazing new science that could benefit us all.

  • S20E07 Staying Younger for Longer: Brain

    • August 20, 2019
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Sarah McKay uncovers the revolutionary new science that promises to keep your brain healthy into old age and uncovers the drugs that hope to defeat many of the diseases of ageing.

  • S20E08 Should I Risk It?

    • October 8, 2019
    • ABC (AU)

    Lily Serna finds out how maths can help us all become smarter with the risks we take in life. And she discovers that far from taking too many risks, many of us are playing it too safe.

  • S20E09 Face Surgeons: Inside The Craniofacial Unit

    • October 15, 2019
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst reveals the extraordinary work of the Australian Craniofacial Unit in Adelaide, with unprecedented access behind the scenes to look at what lies beneath the face, and the surgeons trusted to make it whole again.

  • S20E10 Investigating Body Dysmorphia

    • October 22, 2019
    • ABC (AU)

    Journalist Ruby Jones meets some of the 2.5 million Australians whom body image concerns have become a serious mental health issue. Ruby discovers that far from vanity these disorders are crippling people's lives.

Season 21

  • S21E01 How Food Works (Part 1)

    • April 14, 2020
    • ABC (AU)

    In a two part special, chef Paul West, dietician Professor Clare Collins and chemist Dr Noby Leong reveal the delicious chemistry, biology and physics hidden inside the foods we love, so we can cook better and eat healthier.

  • S21E02 How Food Works (Part 2)

    • April 21, 2020
    • ABC (AU)

    Paul explores the science behind cryogenic freezing and how it's being used to ensure frozen fish tastes almost as good as fresh. In a gelato factory, Clare gets the scoop on why humans are hard-wired to desire junk food.

  • S21E03 Teeth Clinic

    • April 28, 2020
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst sets up a pop-up dental clinic in Western Sydney to investigate Australia's most common dental complaints, uncovering the tips to keep your mouth healthy and revealing surprising secrets behind a beautiful smile.

  • S21E04 Asteroid Hunters

    • May 5, 2020
    • ABC (AU)

    Asteroids are an ever-present threat to our survival, but as Astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davies discovers - they may also be responsible for kickstarting life on Earth.

  • S21E05 Building Greener Cities

    • May 12, 2020
    • ABC (AU)

    As our populations grow, cities are under increasing pressure. Physicist Dr Niraj Lal explores engineering solutions designed to make our cities cleaner, greener and more efficient places to live.

Season 22

  • S22E01 Are We Killing Our Koalas?

    • February 16, 2021

  • S22E02 Mars: Our Second Home?

    • February 23, 2021

  • S22E03 Mars: The Hunt for Life

    • March 2, 2021

  • S22E04 Kill or Cure? The Story of Venom

    • March 9, 2021

    Australia is home to a large number of venomous animals - some so lethal they can kill a human in minutes. But within the deadly cocktail of their venom, lies a potential pharmacy of drugs that could save your life.

  • S22E05 Cancer: A Story Of Hope

    • July 20, 2021

    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.

  • S22E06 The Truth About Fasting

    • July 27, 2021

    To better understand the benefits and impacts of intermittent fasting diets, dietician Dr Joanna McMillan tracks five Australians over six weeks.

  • S22E07 The Wildlife Revolution

    • August 3, 2021

    Nature journalist, Dr Ann Jones explores how technology can help protect our wildlife in bold new ways.

  • S22E08 The Grid: Powering The Future

    • August 10, 2021

    Energy scientist Dr Niraj Lal travels across the country to see what work is being done to harness green energy, to power our future reliably — and keep Australia’s lights on. Our continent is rich in renewable resources. We’re bathed in sun, have plenty of wind and there’s no shortage of waves, yet 75% of our electricity is still produced by burning coal and gas. More than a third of our greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity, and it’s having a devastating impact on our climate. But right now, we're in the middle of an energy revolution. As renewables grow rapidly the grid is evolving, bringing new challenges and opportunities. Nij visits a power station north of Adelaide to see how gas turbines derived from aircraft are supporting renewable technologies as they enter the grid. In remote South Australia, Nij climbs over 90 metres to the top of a wind turbine and learns how it can contribute to the grid even when the wind isn’t blowing, thanks to Australia’s largest battery. He travels to Flinders Island, Tasmania, to see how a microgrid — an independent energy system that can use multiple sources of renewable energy combined with a battery — is drastically reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and risk of blackouts. And ANU researcher Dr Bjorn Sturmberg shows Nij how electric vehicles and rooftop solar panels are paving the way towards a more distributed and localised grid we can all have more control over.

  • S22E09 Doctor At The Door: The McClellands

    • August 17, 2021

    How much could a doctor change your life if they saw how you lived? In a Catalyst special, Dr Preeya Alexander prescribes lifestyle interventions for a couple who struggle with excess weight, and their fussy eating son.

  • S22E10 Doctor At The Door: The Kulkarnis

    • August 24, 2021

    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.

  • S22E11 Magic And The Brain: The Science Of Illusion

    • August 31, 2021

    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.

Season 23

  • S23E01 The Secret Lives of Our Urban Birds

    • February 1, 2022
    • ABC (AU)
  • S23E02 The Big Brew Challenge

    • February 8, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    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.

  • S23E03 Miracle Babies: Operation Hope

    • February 15, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    This intimate look at the astonishing world of fetal surgery is a story of hope and incredible medicine.

  • S23E04 Forever Young? The Rise Of Injectables

    • February 22, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    We explore the psychology behind the injectable treatments trend and the consequences of pursuing youth and perfection.

  • S23E05 Solar Storms: A Warning From Space

    • March 1, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    Catalyst follows the scientists working to help us prepare for the next big solar event.

  • S23E06 The Science Of Relationships

    • August 9, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    Join Lily Serna as she explores the key ingredients to happy relationships and lasting friendships.

  • SPECIAL 0x21 Australia's Favourite Tree (1)

    • August 16, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Ann Jones and Paul West travel around Australia telling the stories of eight remarkable trees from across our vast and varied landscape, before a panel of expert judges will crown Australia's Favourite Tree.

  • SPECIAL 0x22 Australia's Favourite Tree (2)

    • August 23, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Ann Jones and Paul West travel across Australia to investigate the extraordinary lives of Australia's oldest, largest and most iconic trees and a panel of judges will crown Australia's Favourite Tree!

  • S23E07 Australia's Favourite Tree - Part 1 of 2

    • August 16, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Ann Jones and Paul West investigate the extraordinary lives of Australia's oldest, largest and most iconic trees.

  • S23E08 Australia's Favourite Tree - Part 2 of 2

    • August 23, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    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.

  • S23E09 Keep On Dancing - Part 1 of 2

    • October 4, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    Myf Warhurst hosts a unique experiment where a group of over 65-year-olds see if regular dancing can help slow the effects of aging.

  • S23E10 Keep On Dancing - Part 2 of 2

    • October 11, 2022
    • ABC (AU)
  • S23E11 Tom Gleeson's Secrets of the Australian Museum

    • October 18, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

    For the first time, cameras go behind the scenes at the Australian Museum. Join Gold Logie winner Tom Gleeson as he discovers the labs, treasures and action leading up to their biggest exhibition ever.

  • SPECIAL 0x23 Monsters Or Medicine?

    • May 16, 2023

    Parasites feed on us and can cause disease but pioneering Australian research shows they might be used to create new medicines. We examine these complex little creatures and how scientists try to harness their power for good.

Season 24

  • S24E01 The Dark Side Of The Universe

    • April 26, 2023

    We live in a spectacular world. And yet everything we have ever seen, felt, or touched adds up to just five per cent of everything there is. Prof Tamara Davis meets scientists leading the hunt for the dark universe.

  • S24E02 Megafauna: What Killed Australia's Giants - Part 1

    • June 28, 2024

    Australia was once home to extraordinary animals known as Megafauna. These giants lived here for millions of years - but what became of them? A team of scientists re-open this paleolithic cold case.

  • S24E03 Megafauna: What Killed Australia's Giants - Part 2

    • July 10, 2024

    Duration: 48 minutes 19 seconds48m Australia was once home to a group of extraordinary animals known as Megafauna. These giants lived here for millions of years, but in a blink of time, they disappeared. So what became of them?

Additional Specials

  • SPECIAL 0x1 Surviving Extremes: Don't Panic

    • December 1, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    How would your family cope in a tropical cyclone or a catastrophic bushfire? Dr Jonica Newby uncovers the links between climate change, human psychology & disastrous bushfires & cyclones, & how to survive the extremes.

  • SPECIAL 0x2 Surviving Extremes: How to Get Prepared for Extreme Weather

    • December 1, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Jonica Newby explains how this website can help you prepare for an extreme weather event.

  • SPECIAL 0x4 Fatherhood: Secrets of the Superdads

    • September 15, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    In a Catalyst special 'Fatherhood: Secrets of the Superdads' Dr Jonica Newby, Dr Graham Phillips and the team explore whether science can tell us how to be good dads.

  • SPECIAL 0x5 10th Anniversary Special (Part 1)

    • September 23, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

  • SPECIAL 0x6 10th Anniversary Special (Part 2)

    • September 30, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

  • SPECIAL 0x7 Catalyst: On The Road (Part 1)

    • February 7, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    The team defy gravity at 'The Leaning Tower of Gingin', before driving an electric Lotus into the ground on their way to a Future Farm to measure methane in sheep.

  • SPECIAL 0x8 Catalyst: On The Road (Part 2)

    • February 14, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    On this leg, the trio mine gold in Kalgoorlie and meet an international team of scientists who are using the salt of Lake Lefroy to gather accurate satellite data.

  • SPECIAL 0x9 Catalyst: On The Road (Part 3)

    • March 3, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Teeing off at the start of the Eyre Highway, Catalyst reporters Anja, Derek and Simon brave the bitumen visit to the fantastic water-filled caves at Weebubbie.

  • SPECIAL 0x10 Catalyst: On The Road (Part 4)

    • March 1, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Standing atop the spectacular Bunda Cliffs, Derek and Simon ponder how to accurately calculate the length of Australia's coastline.

  • SPECIAL 0x11 Catalyst: On The Road (Part 5)

    • March 8, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    Three Catalyst reporters, Anja, Derek and Simon, continue their road trek across Southern Australia. They have arrived where the Murray River meets the ocean and the Coorong Wetland.

  • SPECIAL 0x12 Catalyst: On The Road (Part 6)

    • March 15, 2013
    • ABC (AU)

    In the final summer Catalyst, Derek and Simon visit Warrnambool to join a team of researchers mapping and revealing for the first time the stunning natural features of Victoria's seafloor.

  • SPECIAL 0x13 Extras: Einstein's Mistake

    • February 24, 2011
    • ABC (AU)

    If Einstein were alive today he’d be so excited …well relatively speaking of course. Almost 100 years ago he came up with an idea that he deemed the greatest blunder of his life. But now it seems, this cosmic boo boo could have been a stroke of insightful genius.

  • SPECIAL 0x14 Extras: Moon Mining

    • July 24, 2014
    • ABC (AU)

    Dr Graham Phillips speaks with scientists at UNSW who are developing technology to mine the moon, exploring how we might build there, and possibly even establish a colony.

  • SPECIAL 0x15 Extras: Parallel Universes

    • June 30, 2011
    • ABC (AU)

    What makes our universe just right for our existence? It could be that the universe we call home is one of many, just a small part of a huge multiverse. Graham Phillips looks into various multiverse theories and highlights the difficulty in proving the theories. However, there are high hopes that CERN's Particle Accelerator will turn those theories into reality.

  • SPECIAL 0x16 Extras: The Search for Alien Astronomers

    • November 1, 2012
    • ABC (AU)

    Graham Phillips travels to Hawaii to look for signs of extra terrestrial astronomers.

  • SPECIAL 0x17 Extras: Mars Curiosity

    • August 16, 2012
    • ABC (AU)

    As the Mars science rover Curiosity touched down on the Martian surface this month, Graham Phillips was in NASA’s control room to feel the tension and excitement.

  • SPECIAL 0x20 The Secret Lives of Our Urban Birds

    • February 1, 2022
    • ABC (AU)

  • SPECIAL 0x24 The Truth About Menopause With Myf Warhurst

    • April 29, 2023
    • ABC (AU)

    A Catalyst special. Myf Warhurst is on the cusp of a big change: the change. Myf wants to know what's in store. What is menopause, what are the symptoms and what can she do about it?