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Listed under:  Science  >  Life  >  Plant structure and function  >  Plant metabolism
Audio

Diabetes type 2 cured by surgery ABC Radio national

Download the audio or view the transcript of this ABC radio program. It is an excellent example of how approaching a problem from a different perspective and with an open mind may result in an amazing solution. Richard Stubbs, and New Zealand scientist, claims type 2 diabetes is a disease of the gut. If his hypothesis is ...

Audio

Choleric waters still run deep with disease

With 884 million people globally not having access to clean drinking water, it comes as no surprise that cholera keeps on killing. Dr Karl explains arguably the most important medical discovery of the 20th century. An excellent resource for the understanding of why cleanliness of water is fundamental to the control of infectious ...

Audio

Killer cholera begins where other diseases end

This ABC article by Dr Karl continues his examination of the causes, effects and treatments for cholera. A good explanation of how the body responds to the disease cholera and when healthy, maintains a balance in its absorption of water through the digestive system. The historical background to developing treatment for ...

Audio

Cholera's prevention preferable to its cure

This ABC article by Dr Karl describes in detail aspects of how water balance occurs with some interesting examples of when things go wrong. He then outlines the disease, cholera and how it is associated with bacteria carried by water and the disruption to our water balance. Dr Karl looks at the causes and effects of cholera ...

Video

BTN: Colour blindness - seeing the world differently

The ability to see colours is an important human trait, but did you know some people's colour vision is impaired. View this clip to discover what it means to be colourblind and how it happens. Find out also about the extraordinary colour vision of the dunnart, and why it is important for this nocturnal marsupial.

Video

Allergies: A big overreaction

An allergic reaction occurs when the human immune system makes a mistake and responds to harmless things such as pollen. Watch this clip to learn about the role that antibodies, immune cells, receptors and chemicals such as histamine play in triggering an allergic reaction. See an animated diagram showing the immune system's ...

Video

BTN: Cancer - when the baddies take over

Cancer is a major disease in Australia and there are many different types, including leukaemia, and breast and skin cancers. View this clip to discover more about how cancer forms, why it occurs, and what cancer research is being done.

Video

Unlocking the key to why chillies are hot

Have you ever eaten hot chilli and wondered why your mouth feels like it's on fire? Watch this clip to find out all about the science of chillies, including what makes them hot, why they are hot and why they cause so much pain when we eat them.

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Why do people get itchy?

Ever wondered what's happening when you get an itch? Watch as Dr Karl Kruszelnicki explains. What are the nerves under your skin reacting to, when they get triggered into action? What is the itch sensation telling your body?

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BTN: Wasted by alcohol abuse

Consuming alcohol affects our bodies. Find out what alcohol actually does inside the human body and the organ that 'fights' to reduce its harmful effects. Discover why alcohol is literally a 'waste' product.

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Awake the mind with caffeine chemistry

Caffeine is the world's most popular drug, but what is it and how does our body respond to its presence? Watch this clip to see the chemical structure of caffeine and the three compounds it metabolises into. Find out which receptor in the brain caffeine binds to, and the overall impacts it has on brain function and activity.

Video

BTN: Do you suffer from asthma?

Asthma is one of the most common chronic health problems in Australia. Fortunately, a lot is known about the causes of asthma attacks, and how to treat them. View this clip to find out what happens to the airways of an asthma sufferer and how this disease can be managed.

Online

Vitamania: vitamin profiles

Most people know that vitamins are an essential daily requirement for a healthy life, but few people really know how or why. Vitamins need to be examined individually to understand and appreciate their differences and specific importance to our bodily functions. This lesson plan with supporting video clips, introduces students ...

Video

Rat Nav

This 5 minute video segment from Catalyst shows how University of Queensland scientists have created a computer program which mimics the way a rat navigates, in the hope of one day giving future robotic vehicles the ability to explore and map their environments by themselves.

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Hendra Virus

This 11 minute video segment from Catalyst describes research into the Hendra virus with its high mortality rate and animal vectors.

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Brainy bees

This six and a half minute video segment from Catalyst shows how understanding bees process information from their compound eyes may help in designing better surveillance systems. This program is useful for discussion of the methods of scientific research into behaviour and perception.

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Unforgettable memories

This 10 minute video from Catalyst describes some unusual cases of people with incredible memories and brain functioning and gives a useful introduction to learning about the human nervous system and brain. Information about how memory works provides some useful strategies for revising for exams.

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Body identity

This eleven and a half minute video segment from Catalyst is an excellent example of how science research can change our understanding. Some rare people who actually want their limb removed and will go to extraordinary lengths to do so are now regarded as experiencing a neurological phenomenon rather than a psychological disorder.

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CMT disease

This seven and a half minute video segment from Catalyst describes CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease) is Australia's most common genetic neurological disorder. Vitamin C, particularly when taken at a young age appears to reverse this effect. A good example of the scientific method.

Video

Stem Cells Repair

This 11 minute video segment from Catalyst is a case study of research in the use of stem cells. It demonstrates the structure of the knee joint and the role of bones and cartilage. Stem cells from bone marrow are collected and used in attempt to prevent the onset of arthritis. This program distinguishes embryonic from ...