CHEMICAL WHALES
Paradoxically, the polar regions are not as pristine as we like to think. What should be the cleanest places on earth are accumulating a nasty residue of toxic pollution from the rest of the world. Dr Susan Bengtson-Nash started looking for more than a hundred long-lived chemicals in Antarctica, like DDT, dioxins, and PCBs (persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to establish what impact they are having on the environment. Tiny shrimp-like krill swarming in their billions are the basis of the Antarctic food chain, and every other animal depends directly or indirectly on the krill, which makes them an obvious choice to analyse for their chemical content. Krill is the exclusive diet of humpback whales, and they swallow them by the tonne before they set off on a ten-thousand kilometre journey north to their Australian breeding grounds. This year, Susan is waiting for them, ready to take a sample of their blubber to discover how much chemical contamination they're getting with their diet. In the middle of the humpback highway off North Stradbroke Island, Catalyst's Mark Horstman joins the whale hunters in a scientific adventure, following the trail of the very toxic, from the quite small to the incredibly huge.
DR. NORMAN AND THE MEDITTERANEAN DIET
The Mediterranean diet has been hailed as the new super diet. It's rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, olive oil, cheese and yogurt. Current research suggests it maybe the answer to a healthier heart, reduced risk of cancer, chronic diseases and perhaps even the key to a longer life. Although its origins are in the Mediterranean, the key components of the diet may also be found in other cuisines, such as in Asian food. Dr Norman Swan indulges himself and finds out that it's not only the ingredients that give you the health benefits but also the way the food is prepared and enjoyed.
NEUROLOGICAL GAIT KEEPERS
Well established studies into the distinctive unsteady walk associated with Parkinson's disease, may have some unexpected consequences. Researchers are now employing new techniques to provide 3D analysis of the gait to unravel differences in underlying brain function between children with autism and Asperger's syndrome.
Catalyst will be repeated on ABC2 - Friday, October 17 at 5:35pm