Past Programs
Diseases and Disorders - 2008
Pill replaces injections for monogenic diabetes
25/10/2008
Frances Ashcroft has found a gene which in a mutated state gives rise to monogenic diabetes, a form of diabetes present from birth. The mutated gene keeps a pore open in the membrane of pancreatic beta cells and insulin is not secreted. Now there is a drug with shuts the pore. This work has transformed the lives of patients who used to require several injections of insulin each day and now just take a pill once or twice a day.
Living with Asperger's
13/09/2008
What do Einstein, Beethoven, Andy Warhol, Bill Gates, Bob Dylan, Peter Sellers, Woody Allen, Van Gogh, Mozart and Thomas Jefferson have in common? They all have suffered from Asperger's syndrome. How is it that so many brilliant people are successful while suffering from this form of autism? Filmmaker Stephen Ramsay applied the test to himself and with a positive result, went in search of others who live their lives with Asperger's syndrome. Today's Science Show presents the soundtrack to Stephen Ramsay's film, Oops, Wrong Planet.
Living with Aspergers
23/08/2008
Berry Billingsley describes the behaviour of her son Harry, who has Asperger's syndrome. And Daniel Lightwing describes living with the condition.
Black rats - brilliant adaptors
16/08/2008
Black rats were responsible for the death of 75 million people in the 13th century during the Black Plague. Today they cost the US grain industry $19 billion a year. But black rats also happen to be brilliant at adaptation and survival. Feeling squirmish? Well the south Vietnamese aren't, with their rat meat industry producing 10,000 tonnes of rat meat every year. They can be traced to Southeast Asia they have spread throughout every continent and if you think they're not in your house.... think again!
Gene Radar
05/04/2008
Gene Radar is a technology, a mobile phone-like device in which you place a small drop of blood or saliva. The machine can then display what disease the person has. It detects signatures of DNA and RNA. It detects a molecular fingerprint. The idea is to introduce and fine-tune the technology in developing countries, then bring it to developed countries with developed infrastructure where resistance to new technologies is often a barrier.
Gut microbes
08/03/2008
The average person has 1.5Kg of gut microbes. They affect biology and health. Abnormalities in gut microbes are linked to the development of disease. Over the coming years, molecular scientists will discover more of the secrets of each individual gut bug and the links between them and potential diseases.
Metal ions in proteins potential cause of disease
08/03/2008
Copper-containing proteins play important roles in organisms ranging from bacteria and yeast to plants and animals. The objective is to understand the properties and biological functions of wild type copper-zinc superoxide dismutases (CuZnSOD) and to understand why mutant human CuZnSOD proteins cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Virtual tools to teach children with autism
01/03/2008
Children with autism had their communication skills improved when they played with virtual tools. Justine Cassell is trying to determine why children with autism can learn better from a machine than they can from people.
Mesothelioma diary - farewell Jim Holmes
01/03/2008
Jim Holmes contracted mesothelioma during 2007. He analysed his experience and reflected on his journey writing a four-part diary for The Science Show. Jim died this last week.
Mesothelioma diary part 4
16/02/2008
Jim Holmes continues the diary he has written since being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma diary part 3
02/02/2008
Jim Holmes continues his diary describing his battle with advancing mesothelioma.
