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10 Episodes 2011 - 2011
Episode 1
Ever Wondered...? How much do we really know about the human brain and what's new when it comes to treatments for brain disease? Scientist, TV host and our own guide to the human brain, Dr John Watt introduces us to some key players in the world of brain research who are adopting some new innovative ways of looking at the human brain and developing treatments for Alzheimer's Disease and Strokes.
Episode 2
Ever Wondered...? How much do we really know about the human brain and what's new when it comes to treatments for brain disease? Scientist, TV host and our own guide to the human brain, Dr John Watt introduces us to some key players in the world of brain research who are adopting some new innovative ways of looking at the human brain and developing treatments for Alzheimer's Disease and Strokes. A half hour of television you'd be wiser not to miss.
Episode 3
Ever Wondered...? How virtual worlds being created by our kiwi scientists are helping in our real world by revolutionising entertainment, medical research and sports? John catches up with how virtual technology has developed since the 80's and the days of clunky NASA headsets and cardboard 3D movie glasses. A half hour of television you'd be wiser not to miss.
Episode 4
Ever Wondered...? How you make a more effective, less toxic anti cancer drug? PR509 is just such a new drug which has been designed to treat certain types of solid tumors by a team of scientists at The Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre. In effect the researchers have found cancer's Achilles heel by targeting the very characteristics that define a cancer cell. A half hour of television you'd be wiser not to miss.
Episode 5
What lurks beneath our vast oceans that is yet to be discovered? How many sea creatures are out there and what secrets and potential benefits they may have? John tries to get to the bottom of New Zealand's very own mysteries of the deep and meets some newly discovered, alien-like sea life.
Episode 6
What role do genetics play in developing heart disease, Gout or even obesity? And is there a connection between depression and our DNA? When it comes to genetics many scientists and lay people alike have long discussed and debated the concept of nature versus nurture. So what is the answer, how much of us is our environment and how much lies deep in our cells, in our genes?
Episode 7
How prepared is New Zealand for a drought or flood? Or how is climate change going to affect how much water we'll have in the future? In New Zealand, Agriculture accounts for about 81% of the water usage and is the life blood of the economy. So it's vital to stay one step ahead of the game and figure out what the water map looks like and how we can use our water more efficiently. Thanks to some clever, innovative kiwis and their cutting edge technology and gadgets we are doing just this. It's debateable whether or not we are living in the age of Aquarius but one thing's for sure water has never been so vital to the lives we lead.
Episode 8
What we can learn from the humble honey bee? Well it appears a lot more than you'd expect, bees may help us get closer to understanding genetic links to obesity and diabetes and even unlock some of the mysteries of the human mind. So what role do we play in ensuring that our friends the bees will continue to be around to help pollinate the planet and propel us into new areas of scientific discovery?
Episode 9
What science lies beneath the existence of a species, evolution itself or finding the best way to do something - Mathematics. Maths is a language, in it's purest form it can provide endless riddles and puzzles to solve but it can also provide solutions and answers to some of life's biggest questions. And in practical ways it can help us make the best possible choices. No flashy experiments or gadgets to see, math writes the blue prints that create our planet and many would say is the unsung hero of the science world.
Episode 10
What's happening in the world of NZ forensic science? Who are the scientists pioneering new areas of research, developing new forensic processes and making a name for themselves on the world stage? John meets some Kiwi women who are helping to piece together forensic puzzles relating to cranial gunshot wounds, bacteria and marine decomposition, post mortem interval and bloody fingerprints. For these young scientists it's all in a days work.