10 Things to Know About - Episode Guide

Dogs… frogs… flying… balloons… our fears and phobias can be as bizarre as they are diverse! But how are our fears created in the first place? And what happens inside our brain when we feel the fear?! In this week's show, Aoibhinn gets up close and personal with some rather large spiders to better understand and perhaps even overcome her arachnophobia, Kathriona investigates how fears can be created, and Jonathan willfully submits himself for some ‘water-boarding' and uncovers some disturbing truths about the neuroscience of torture.

From people who are involved in terrible accidents, to the general wear and tear of our bodies as we age, advances in robotics and biomaterials are transforming lives worldwide. Aoibhinn meets Stephen Lowry from Newry who, having lost his hand in a bomb attack in the 80s has had his life transformed by his new bionic prosthesis. Kathriona investigates brain stimulation devices for treating diseases like Parkinson's, and Jonathan looks into advanced stem cell therapy that could help regenerate damaged heart cells after a heart attack.

"A gut instinct…", "misery guts", "guts for garters", "gut wrenching"; we've been obsessed with it for centuries, but increasing evidence proves a healthy gut plays a crucial role in a healthy body & mind. Aoibhinn discovers the challenges of getting probiotics into our gut when most bacteria die in the acidic juices of our stomach, Kathriona finds out why many researchers now consider the gut to be our second brain and are investigating which bacteria could be key to developing a range of psychobiotics (mood controlling bacteria) and Jonathan reveals how analyzing the evolving gut microbiota of infants could provide new opportunities for improving infant health and the optimising infant milk formula composition.

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It produces our every thought, action, memory, feeling and experience of the world. But what happens when the brain goes wrong? Jonathan gets an MRI scan to reveal the structure and activity in his brain, and then meets 2FM DJ Rick O'Shea who has been living with epilepsy since he was a teenager. Aoibhinn finds out about the first study to link deterioration of parts of the brain with structural changes in patient DNA and gene activity, and Kathriona visits the RCSI Brain Bank to find out how brain donation is crucial to furthering our understanding of brain diseases.

Water is something we often take for granted, but it's a hugely valuable resource that plays a vital part in every aspect of our lives. Kathriona finds out how our increasing use and recycling of plastic is creating microplastics, tiny particles which ultimately contribute to the Plastic Soup swirling around the world's oceans. Aoibhinn investigates new diagnostics and technologies for treating water infected with cryptosporidium, and Jonathan meets Teagasc researchers using forensic geoscience to trace where sediment originates to analyse potential threats to aquatic flora and species such as the Freshwater Pearl Mussel.

An alarming number of people are knowingly or otherwise abusing over the counter pain medications. Could there be another way? Aoibhinn and Jonathan take each on in a pain-off (!) and test whether a technique known as transcranial direct current stimulation could increase their pain thresholds. Meanwhile Kathriona finds out what it's like to live with chronic pain, discovers some fascinating and perhaps unexpected benefits of placebos, and meets researchers who are trying to capitalise on the naturally produced cannabis-like chemicals in our own body to help relieve pain.

We live in a country with a rapidly ageing population yet we're still obsessed with holding on to our youth. In the first episode of the new series we look at some of the new ways in which Irish science is trying to help us stay young.

Reliance on fossil fuels is over. We have entered an era of smarter, greener, more connected living and Ireland's smart grid is absolutely key to the homes, transport and communications networks of the future!

Invasive species are a threat to the planet's environment and biodiversity, wreaking havoc on a country's native flora and fauna, so what is Irish Science doing to stop the aliens invading Ireland?

Ireland is famous for its food and drink, from dairy produce to beef and of course a good old pint of the black stuff, but how much do we really know about what makes Irish food so special?

This week we look at some of the advances in science and technology which are helping us to limit, prevent or recover from injury, and improve our general performance… but also find out what can happen when we push things a little too far…

From entertainment to tourism to sex, 2016 is the year virtual reality has finally broken into the mainstream. But could it also be the future of healthcare and even used to validate or question historical testimony? Jonathan, Aoibhinn and Kathriona put on their headsets and journey into the virtual world…

In the first episode of the new series, we're investigate radon, the silent radioactive killer that's naturally contained in the rocks and soils across Ireland. Incredibly, exposure to radon gas in our homes is second only to smoking as the leading cause of lung cancer in Ireland and yet its surprisingly easy to tackle.

Can our minds connect directly with computers to communicate thought and transcend human limitations? Researchers are making impressive progress toward achieving such a vision.

The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is globally recognised as one of the greatest potential threats to human health. No new class of antibiotic has been found since 1987, and in February 2017, the UN's World Health Organisation released its first ever list of the World's Most Dangerous Superbugs, saying, "Within a generation, without new antibiotics, deaths from drug-resistant infection could reach 10 million a year. Without new medicines to treat deadly infection, lifesaving treatments like chemotherapy and organ transplant, and routine operations like caesareans and hip replacements, will be potentially fatal."Aoibhinn travels to Geneva to meet Dr. Marc Sprenger, Director of Antimicrobial Resistance at the World Health Organisation to find out more about the AMR threat, and what is being done to fight back.

The energy from 1.5 hours of sunlight on the earth's surface is sufficient to meet annual global energy consumption – so how here in Ireland can we fully reap the benefits of such an amazing, renewable resource?

Genetics is currently one of the most exciting areas of scientific research and after decades of promise, the science of gene therapy, where ‘bad genes' are removed or replaced is finally starting to deliver and one of the best examples of this is happening right here in Ireland.

Drones have been the hot new technology for a number of years now, and as the technology advances and costs come down, they're becoming incredibly versatile in how they can be used. FPV (First Person View) racing is an exciting new sport that combines the science of high-tech drones and the thrill of high-speed racing. These tiny racing drones can reach speeds of up to 100km/h and Jonathan visits the Irish Drone Nationals at Mondello Park to try it out for himself.

Over 70% of our planet is covered by ocean, yet it remains one of our greatest mysteries with less than 15% of the world's oceanic environment having been mapped in high resolution.

In The Seabed, we dive in to discover some of the mysteries of the deep! Aoibhinn meets Maria Judge of Geological Survey Ireland to find out about ‘The Real Map of Ireland' that reveals details of the incredible mountains and canyons that are hidden beneath the waves.

In Space, Jonathan heads to the European Space Agency in Amsterdam to meet the Irish researchers who are playing their part in the development of future space missions! Stephen O'Connor and Kim Heary are the first Irish graduates to experience a unique 2 year ESA traineeship in partnership with the Irish Research Council, and Jonathan finds out how they're learning their trade with access to some of the most innovative technologies for testing new materials for satellites.

This week, we investigate the science of Soil– a living, breathing ecosystem and one of the most complex structures known to mankind. It gives us clean air, filters our water, and provides us with our food, forests and wildlife, and Aoibhinn meets Sara Vero and David Wall at Teagasc's Soil Research Centre in Wexford to find out about some of the 213 different types of soil we have here in Ireland. Digging a cross section into the ground, they discuss the conditions soil needs to thrive and feed the planet, the problems created from compaction, and the crucial role earthworms play in running a healthy farm!

This week, we investigate the complexities of human Memory. Kathriona meets Prof Gillian Murphy, psychologist at UCC, to investigate false memories, fake news and the power of suggestion, before putting her own memory to the test as the sole witness of a car crash.

As renewable energies continue to challenge our reliance on fossil fuels, could Bioenergy help provide a sustainable future for generations to come? Jonathan meets SEAI's Matthew Clancy to find out what bioenergy is and discuss some of the key opportunities and challenges for developing the bio economy in Ireland.

In Ireland, 40,000 people are diagnosed with Cancer every year and research into treatments and potential cures continues unabated. Aoibhinn talks to Averil Power, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society about what exactly cancer is and how we can reduce our risks of developing it, before meeting breast cancer survivor Dorothy Conaghan, who discusses the importance of regular screening, early diagnosis and continued research into new cancer treatments.

Currently just 30% of Irish electricity comes from renewables and existing plans should bring that to 55% by 2030 but the government has announced a new ambition to make it 70% by then. So where is all that extra energy going to come from? Well, the answer might be right on our doorstep.

61% of adults in Ireland are currently overweight or obese and almost a third of Irish children are now overweight, but there are some amazing people raising awareness of the issue. In this episode, Aoibhinn meets patient advocate Susie Birney who reveals the challenges of living with obesity and we hear from Dr Grace O'Malley and Dr Cathy Breen on the necessary approaches to tackling the obesity crisis. The links between obesity and diseases such as cancer and diabetes are well known, and Jonathan and Kathriona meet researchers Andrew Hogan and Lydia Dyck who are increasingly interested in the important role of our immune system – and our Natural Killer cells – in maintaining a healthy body weight.

They're in everything from your phone to your shower, and from your toothpaste to cream to soothe your baby's bum! Metals that are extracted from the ground underpin every aspect of lives and Ireland is internationally renowned as a resource of metals and minerals. In Episode Three, we dig into the geology of what's here and why, and find out about the technology and techniques used to locate and safely extract them from the ground.

The World Health Organisation describes Air Pollution as the world's single biggest environmental health risk and the right to fresh air is something none of us can take for granted. Poor air quality kills more than 1500 people in Ireland every year and has a serious impact on our environment and ecology. In this episode we ask just what are the dangers in a gulp of air, and meet the scientists who are looking to tackle the issue head on…

Vaccinations are known to save millions of lives every year – yet there is an increasingly worrying trend around the world to mistrust them and refuse vaccination. In Episode Five we look at the history of vaccines and some of the reasons leading to vaccine hesitancy, we find out why a virus most associated with causing Cervical cancer is also connected to an increasing number of HPV-Driven Head and Neck Cancers, and with the HPV vaccine programme being expanded to boys in 2019, we meet Kevin Brennan – brother of the late advocate Laura Brennan – to highlight the importance of the HPV vaccine We'll also look at the latest research in vaccine development for people with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV, people receiving chemotherapy for cancer, or undergoing organ transplantation.

Jonathan takes to waters of Lough Hyne to investigate the stunning bioluminescence of the natural world and Kathriona finds out how the power of light is driving new medical technologies.

Kathriona meets the researchers recording changes in nature through modern technologies to monitor changes in our environment, Jonathan looks at the critical role of our bumblebees, and Aoibhinn reveal how centuries-old plant samples can provide clues to changes in our biodiversity.

Aoibhinn investigates food sensory perception… Kathriona sniffs out the science of taste… and Jonathan is in Waterford to uncover the hidden secrets of terroir in Irish whiskey!

Kathriona meets the researchers unlocking the mysteries of Ireland's vanishing lakes, Aoibhinn reveals how our past may provide clues to help us better manage drought… and Jonathan considers a future of climate extremes, where protection of and resilience in our groundwater resources will be even more essential…

Kathriona investigates how aligning wind energy with hydrogen production could be key to decarbonising our transport and heating sectors. Aoibhinn meets the scientists who are developing new materials and technologies that could split water to produce emission-free ‘green' hydrogen, and Jonathan checks out the first Irish trials of hydrogen-powered buses!

We meet the Irish researchers playing a key role in the fightback against Covid-19. Kathriona meets the researchers who are working to track the spread of the disease and identify genetic changes that may impact on treatments and vaccine development.  Jonathan highlights how Ireland's world-leading TILDA study is ideally positioned to examine and better understand the impact of the pandemic and lockdown measures on older people.  And of course, despite the current negative associations, not all viruses are bad! Kathriona investigates the most abundant and deadly viruses on the planet… and how they're being used to tackle infection and harmful bacteria in food processes.

Since the first lockdown at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been spending more time outdoors, whether that be sea swimming because the local pool is closed or meeting friends for long walks in parks just to get out of the house!

Blood is a vitally important part of the body. It provides the oxygen our organs need to survive, carries platelets that clot when we cut ourselves, and prevents us from getting infections. But it is also immensely complex. In this episode, Jonathan and Kathriona meet the researchers investigating the effects of Covid-19 on our platelet's ability to clot, discuss the impact of Long Covid, and the work being carried out to further our understanding of the condition that affects thousands of people across Ireland.

With over 1,450km of rocky shoreline, Ireland's coast is surrounded by hundreds of species of seaweed. For centuries, this seaweed has been harvested by coastal communities and used by farmers for fertilising their fields, as a home remedy for bronchitis and chronic coughs, and is even said to be one of the two foods that St Colmcille survived on.

The effects of climate change can be seen around the world with increased intensity and frequency of storms causing flash floods, and extreme heat leading to terrifying wildfires.  These geological hazards can be deadly and have devastating effects on communities. Because Ireland isn't over a fault line and we don't suffer from wildfires, it's easy to think geohazards don't affect us, but our location on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean makes us vulnerable to them.

Healthier houses are an important step to help mitigate climate change, with Irish homes responsible for one quarter of overall energy use and 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. As well as reducing a home's emissions, modern ventilation and insulation systems are key to improving air quality in houses, benefiting the health of the buildings themselves and the health of the people who live and, now more frequently than ever, work in them.

From Sunday roast dinners to Friday night takeaways, food has long been a central feature of our lives. We don't just eat for our survival, we eat for pleasure, to celebrate weddings, deaths, birthdays, achievements. Yet we still don't fully understand how the digestive system works, how our bodies choose which compounds to absorb and how the microbiome in the gut interacts with the brain.

As the global population rises, questions are being asked as to how we can continue to feed the planet with more sustainable food products and behaviours. Could the answer be the humble insect? Insects have a high protein content and carbon-friendly breeding methods, and with three types of insects already in use in the EU, Jonathan checks out the latest Irish research into edible insects and does some taste testing at the National Ploughing Championships to see if members of the public might be open to adding crickets to their cornflakes!

For a small island nation, we are heavy hitters when it comes to sports. The country cheered on Kellie Harrington as she won gold in the Olympics, the Irish rugby team as they won a historic match (and series!) against the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time and who could forget Rachael Blackmore winning the Aintree Grand National?

Cannabis is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and has been cultivated in Ireland for over 1,000 years. Unfortunately, cannabis became synonymous with marijuana. During the US war on drugs in the 20th century, cannabis became outlawed, meaning hemp was also affected.

In 2019, a third of our waste, 1.2 million tonnes, was exported for recycling. However, once it leaves our shores, we don't know where it ends up and have no control over whether it's even recycled. The current system is not sustainable… but what if, what we're throwing away as "waste", is not just salvageable, but rich in resources?

We're all making concerted efforts to adopt greener lifestyles, however it can take an immediate crisis to make us aware of the vulnerability of our energy sources.  The war in Ukraine has seen fuel prices soar to unprecedented highs with warnings of rolling cuts to heat and electricity over winter.

We meet researchers across the west coast of Ireland who are collaborating to improve access to Mental Health services for adolescents in rural and marginalised communities. We'll also meet the Irish researchers studying zebrafish to explore whether the microbiome can affect hormones like oxytocin and identify mechanisms which could lead to better understanding and management of mental health illness.

In this episode we discuss how better land management and land planting trees is an essential part of our climate goals, we meet the researchers who are breeding trees to create better quality timber and tackle devastating diseases like ash dieback, and reflect on how literature can shape our views on trees and nature.

In this episode, we examine how nutrition can help reduce age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, thereby reducing frailty. We'll hear about the causes of delirium and meet the researchers who want to raise awareness of the condition within healthcare to help reduce misdiagnoses with dementia. Finally, we investigate a disease that is so prevalent you could fill Croke Park with the people in Ireland who suffer from it. Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of blindness in Ireland. We catch up with the researchers who are working to find the causes of this disease and hope to develop cures for it.

When choosing where we want to live, we usually ask questions such as, how far you are to the local shops, whether there are any good schools nearby or if it's a long and arduous commute to the workplace. We rarely consider how the environment around where we live could affect our health. In this episode, it's all about Location, Location, Location.

Fungi are an ancient form of life, existing long before the first amphibians, reptiles or mammals roamed the planet. There are estimated to be well over 1 million species of fungi worldwide – some can be poisonous and destroy trees, others can be very healthy to eat or can help crops absorb nutrients. Despite several mass extinction events, fungi are the one form of life that always survive, and in this episode, Jonathan investigates what ancient fungi can tell us about historical climate events and how studying them might help us predict what will happen in our planet's future due to climate change.

In this episode, we investigate the Atlantic Ocean conveyor belt that moves warm water north and maintains Ireland's mild climate, check out the latest Irish research monitoring changes in the Gulfstream and Jonathan meet the scientists at Met Éireann who are using supercomputers to produce climate models that are essential to understanding the ongoing impacts of the climate emergency.

The human immune system is amazing, consisting of a variety of cells all working together to identify and destroy invading cells and protect our bodies from infection. Unfortunately, in some cases, the immune system is unable to distinguish one from the other and begins to attack healthy cells.

It may be a surprise to know that Ireland is home to 71 species of sharks, skates, and rays, 58 of which are on Ireland's Red List of Threatened Species.

In this episode we delve into how digital technology and AI is shaping our world.

This episode explores the challenges of growing food in Ireland amidst extreme weather and global instability.

In this episode we explore the future of sustainable food production.

Rising global temperatures bring higher sea levels and extreme weather, making flood management crucial in Ireland's river-based cities.

In this episode we consider the double-edged sword of plastic.

We journey into the heart of Ireland's conservation efforts as we explore the frontline fight to protect some of the country's most endangered species.