About this season
Catalyst is Australia's premier science investigation series. Each week the team brings you stories from Australia and around the world, meeting scientists at the forefront of discovery.
Episodes (17)
1. Meet The Avatars
Aired 15 August 2017 • 58 min
In the series return of Catalyst, Biomedical engineer Dr Jordan Nguyen examines virtual reality & how it could transform the way we learn & travel. He also meets some of the most life-like avatars scientists are creating.
2. Can Seaweed Save The World?
Aired 22 August 2017 • 56 min
Professor Tim Flannery investigates how seaweed is helping to save the world - from growing the foods of the future, helping save the reef and even combating climate change.
3. Closing In: The Hunt For Alien Life
Aired 29 August 2017 • 59 min
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.
4. The Day The Dinosaurs Died
Aired 5 September 2017 • 30 min
66 million years ago an asteroid hit the planet. Now an expedition is underway to drill 1500m into the crater it created - the Chicxulub asteroid impact crater, aiming to unearthing the secrets that killed the dinosaurs.
5. Heartbeat: The Miracle Inside You
Aired 12 September 2017 • 58 min
Heart surgeon Dr Nikki Stamp takes us into the amazing world of our hearts - revealing how they function, how can we look after them and shows us the latest science she uses to help fix them when they go wrong.
6. Death Dive: Into The Rings Of Saturn
Aired 19 September 2017 • 30 min
After 20 years in space, NASA's Cassini spacecraft has begun the final chapter of its exploration of Saturn. It will end with a spectacular crash into its surface. Professor Alan Duffy will be there as the action unfolds.
7. Sit Back, Relax; The Dawn Of The Driverless Car
Aired 26 September 2017 • 30 min
The dream of the driverless car has quickly moved from the realm of science fiction. Semi-autonomous cars can park themselves, stay within the well-marked lines of a modern freeway, steer and brake to avoid unseen obstacles.
8. Can We Save the Reef?
Aired 3 October 2017 • 57 min
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.
9. How To Exercise Better
Aired 10 October 2017 • 30 min
What kind of exercise should we be doing, how much do we need & how hard should push ourselves? To help us live happier healthier lives Dr Caroline West & Dr Shalin Naik uncover the latest sport science secrets from the AIS.
10. Gut Revolution (Part 1)
Aired 17 October 2017 • 58 min
In a new Catalyst special, three Australians embark on a remarkable six-week intervention to find out what happens to their health when they set out to transform the bacteria living in their guts, with surprising results.
11. Gut Revolution (Part 2) Garry's Story
Aired 24 October 2017 • 55 min
Garry has tried to lose weight, but could his gut bacteria be keeping him fat? Nutrition scientist Dr Joanna McMillan explores controversial science suggesting gut bacteria might be affecting our appetites and mood.
12. It's A Twin Thing
Aired 31 October 2017 • 54 min
For the past 35 years twins have been some of the most carefully studied people in Australia. In fact revealing the secrets of this extraordinary group of people, may just help all of us live a longer, healthier life.
13. The Secret To Making Better Decisions
Aired 30 January 2018 • 59 min
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.
14. Farmer Needs A Robot
Aired 6 February 2018 • 56 min
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?
15. Back To The Moon
Aired 13 February 2018 • 51 min
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.
16. Gut Revolution (Part 3) Victoria's Story
Aired 20 February 2018 • 60 min
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.
17. Sleep Matters
Aired 27 February 2018 • 55 min
Actor, comedian and sleep-deprived new dad Lawrence Leung explores the latest science behind sleep to find out what he's missing out on - and if he even needs it at all.