Show Me the Science with Luke O'Neill
Episodes
162. The Science of Longevity
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can we increase our life expectancy? Do we have any control over it or is it all to do with our genetic makeup? A new study into microscopic worms...
161. The Science of Daylight Savings
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why did we all put our clocks forward by an hour a few weeks ago? And why will we push them back again come autumn? The historic justifications were...
160. The Science of Self Driving Cars
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is 2024 the year we'll finally see self driving cars on our roads? While there are already some 'Robo-cabs' in service in the United States aiming to ...
159. The Science of Tech Neck
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When new machinery was first invented, researchers notices that frequent users such as factory workers or typists were developing repetitive strain in...
158. The Science of Smoking and Immunity
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why does the immune system differ from person to person? Why do some people seem more resistant to infections or viruses than others? New research has...
157. The Science of Long Covid
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
An Irish research team has just had a breakthrough on their research into Long Covid. Luke recaps what we already know about the condition which cause...
156. The Science of Neuralink
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk's latest venture 'Neuralink' which aims to place a chip within the brain of a human has shown 'promising neural spike detection'. This means...
155. The Science of Viagra
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could Viagra an erectile dysfunction drug, have a second function working to prevent Alzheimer's? Luke recalls how the drug was initially created to t...
154. The Science of Morning People
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a night owl looking to become more of a morning person? There are lots of health benefits to waking up earlier but is it even possible to beco...
153. The Science of Showers
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How many times should you shower each week? Or should we shower at all? The average changes depending on location and culture, ranging from 12 per wee...
152. The Science of Multiple Sclerosis
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Multiple sclerosis also known as MS is an auto immune disease that causes symptoms such as muscle weakness, pins and needles, double vision, poor bala...
151. The Science of Covid-19 Anniversary
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Although it might seem like it was just yesterday, it's already been 4 years since the first fatality as a result of Covid-19. Luke takes us back to w...
150. The Science of Itch
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We might understand what causes an itch in theory: an insect bite, a healing wound, a poisonous plant. But, where does the urge come from? And what's...
149. The Science of Near Death Experiences
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A dark tunnel with a light at the end, family and friends who have already passed on, or a religious figure are all common visions following near deat...
148. The Science of 2023
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As we begin a new year bound to bring with it a multitude of exciting scientific discoveries, Luke takes stock of the year just gone and all of the ex...
147. The Science of Protein Supplements
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Proteins are the work horses of life and the building blocks for everything from enzymes and antibodies to hormones and of course muscles. Many gym go...
146. The Science of Myrrh and Frankincense
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Frankincense and myrrh are probably most famous for being two of the three gifts brought by the Wise Men to the newborn baby Jesus, along with gold. B...
145. The Science of Tumours
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our immune system is constantly working hard to protect us from infection and disease, but try as it may it has always struggled to defend our bodies ...
144. The Science of Mental Fatigue
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We all know that our muscles get tired after we use them, but what about our brain? Does it need rest too after strenuous use? Luke delves into the wo...
143. The Science of Heavy Metal
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that being a heavy metal music fan might actually help the climate crisis - Or at the very least that's one of the aims of the musical ge...
142. The Science of Motion Sickness
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone loves a trip away, but when you're afflicted by motion sickness it can make the journey and any necessary travel plans very arduous - Be they...
141. The Science of Nobel Prize Winners
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology have been announced! And the coveted prize has been awarded to two scientists, Katalin ...
140. The Science of Child Psychiatric Illnesses
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Could bacteria and viruses cause psychiatric disorders?This week Luke receives a request from a concerned grandmother and is happy to seek out the ans...
139. The Science of AI
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence is a new frontier for scientists and researchers to explore. Luke talks us through some of the applications of the new technol...
138. The Science of Aquamation
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Aquamation is a new alternative to traditional burial or cremation after a loved one has passed away. The process involves exposing the remains to a m...
137. The Science of Allergies
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pollen, shellfish, nuts, cats, penicillin - The list of allergens is never ending. But, what exactly is an allergy and why do certain people's bodies ...
136. The Science of the Origin of Life
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago and relative to that human life, and even life in general is a considered quite a new phenomenon. But, where ex...
135. The Science of a Mars Trip
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A colony on Mars is the next big step in space exploration. But, with such a long journey ahead of them, in such a confined area, how does the team of...
134. The Science of the Loch Ness Monster
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A mysterious serpent that lives beneath the dark waters? A hoax? An abnormally large eel? There are many theories about the existence, or not, of the ...
133. The Science of the Vagus Nerve
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The vagus nerve is the electrical superhighway of our nervous system - But just what does it do? And could triggering it be one potential solution to ...
132. The Science of Walking
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We've all heard that we should be getting 10,00 steps a day - But is this backed up by science? How many steps do we actually need to see benefits for...
131. The Science of the Genome
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our genome is the recipe that makes us who we are and the day the human genome was finally mapped out was one of great celebration for scientists acro...
130. The Science of Luck
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Does crossing your fingers make you luckier? Does a coin toss landing on heads 100 times in a row make it more likely for tails to come up the next ti...
129. The Science of Heat
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Heatwaves are becoming more and more common across the world and with the mercury frequently reaching 37 degrees and above our bodies can struggle to ...
128. The Science of Board Games
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Board games may be a well known source of rows and cause of tantrums, but there are many benefits to them too! Especially for growing children. This w...
127. The Science of Ear Wax
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you're using headphones to listen to this episode, you might have noticed some earwax built up on the earbuds. It can be flaky or wet, dark or ligh...
126. The Science of Malaria
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As climate change impacts their natural habitat and the range of mosquitoes grows, so too has the chance of them spreading malaria. However, scientist...
125. The Science of Deadly Viruses
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rabies, Flu, HIV and Covid-19 are all some of the worlds most deadly viruses, but which is the worst? And how do you measure 'deadliness'? Luke take...
124. The Science of Blood Clotting
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Blood clotting is an essential part of our body's response to injury. Not only does it prevent blood loss, it also helps to slow the spread of bacteri...
123. The Science of Covid-19
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While we may not hear as much about Covid-19 today as we did a year or two ago, it continues to be an important topic for scientists around the world ...
122. The Science of Cancer Breakthroughs
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is a cure for cancer becoming more likely? New research has found improved treatments for lung, breast and ovarian cancers, and the development of tes...
121. The Science of Slowing Ageing
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
New scientific research has found that taurine, an amino acid often found in energy drinks, could help to slow down aging with successful results from...
120. The Science of Musical Inspiration
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Where do new melodies come from? Why do so many great songwriters report that some of their best songs came to them in a dream? Luke explains the scie...
119. The Science of Happiness
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is happiness and what are the factors that contribute to us living a happy life? A study that first began in 1938 and followed participants throu...
118. The Science of Parkinson's Disease
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Michael J Fox's new film Still about his life with Parkinson's disease has inspired Luke to look at the impacts of the disease, the available treatmen...
117. The Science of Reverse Stress
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stresses on the body such as pregnancy, surgery, Covid-19 and PTSD can all damage your cells and tissues to age your body prematurely. But, a new stud...
116. The Science of the Moonshot
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The last time humans walked on the moon was back in 1972. But now, there are new and exciting plans to head back to the moon, and much further beyond....
115. The Science of Conspiracy Theories
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What makes people believe in a conspiracy? Is it to do with education? Is it just the way certain people think? Or is it all down to stress? Luke goes...
114. The Science of Sleep Paralysis
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sleep is a universal need, yet it can affect us all differently. Some people walk around in their sleep while others suffer with sleep paralysis that ...
113. The Science of IVF
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A baby mouse has been born with two fathers in a major scientific breakthrough. Luke explains how scientists manipulated the X and Y chromosomes from ...
112. The Science of Asteroids
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Where did life on Earth all begin? It's one of science's most pondered questions, and new research shows that asteroids may have played an important r...
111. The Science of the 4 Day Week
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever gone back to work after a bank holiday wishing every week had a three day weekend? Well, if you're thinking of suggesting it to your boss, Luke h...
110. The Science of Bird Flu
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While the worst of the recent pandemic seems to be passed us humans, birds are now facing their own deadly virus. But, could the avian flu that has be...
109. The Science of Lupus
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Despite being one of the most studied autoimmune diseases, the root cause of lupus is still unknown and although treatments are advancing, patients wi...
108. The Science of Breathing
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We all do it without even thinking, but how much control do you have over your breathing and are there benefits to taking deeper, slower breaths? Luke...
107. The Science of Shelter
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How would you stave off hypothermia out in the wild? There are lots of ways to keep warm in the great outdoors including digging trenches, warming up ...
106. The Science of Moon Dust
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Could moon dust be the answer to the climate crisis? Recent studies have proposed that adding lunar dust to the atmosphere could reduce intensity of t...
105. The Science of Chocolate
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Curious about where chocolate comes from and just what makes it so delicious? Luke delves into the science behind one of the world's favourite treats ...
104. The Science of Ageing
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ageing has been reversed in mice in a major scientific breakthrough. But how does it work? And what does this mean for humans? Luke explains the proce...
103. The Science of Non-Alcoholic Beer
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Non-alcoholic beers have never tasted better, or been more popular, but what's caused this change? This week Luke explains the scientific advancements...
102. The Science of Addiction
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Addiction comes in many forms - from drugs to alcohol to gambling - but what is it that drives us to become addicted? Is there something built into us...
101. The Science of Hair
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why does hair grow? What decides hair colour? Why do some go bald? Can baldness be stopped? Science has the answers to everything you want to know abo...
100. The Science of Football
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Just what is it about football that makes the world love it so much? This week Luke explores the deeper reasons behind life as a football supporter, a...
99. The Science of Cats and Dogs
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a cat person or a dog person? It's a question that is often asked as if it might reveal something deeper about someone's personality, and tis ...
98. The Science of Alien Civilisation
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The hunt for worlds and cvilisations beyond our own goes on, and this week Luke delves into the efforts (past and present) to find life in the distant...
97. The Science of Wasps
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Let's face it, the bees get all the love, while the wasps are seen as a pest, a threat and an irritant. But are they the victims of much undeserved ne...
96. The Science of Eggs
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how much cholesterol an egg has or the benefits of eating them for your health. This week Luke O'Neil explains why eggs were one of his ...
95. The Science of Death
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every wondered about the odds of getting stung by a bee and surviving. This week Luke O'Neil dives deep into different causes of death and how to live...
94. The Science of Sepsis
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what Sepsis is? Or how it is caught? Listen this week as Luke analyses the disease and potential artificial intelligence that could be u...
93. The Science of The Ocean
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered about the deep depths of the ocean and what creatures lie beneath the mysterious deep blue?? This week Luke explores the science of the ...
92. The Science of Ghosts
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you believe in ghosts? Are stories of apparitions and hauntings verifiable truths, or fanciful falsehoods? This week Luke explores the science behi...
91. The Science of Asteroids
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week Luke O'Neill tells us all about the beginning of time and updates us on the current asteroid activity in space. Ever wondered how fast they ...
90. The Science of Evolution
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered about the Science behind evolution or how evolution started? Wonder what the fastest evolving gene in humans are? Well Luke O'Neill has ...
89. The Science of Tea
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that the Irish are the biggest tea drinkers in the world? Ever wondered what the benefits of tea are? Green tea, Black tea, Hibiscus Tea,...
88. The Science of Cheerfulness
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling Cheerful or wanting to feel cheerful? Ever wondered why upbeat music makes you smile? In this weeks episode we discover why we are social crea...
87. The Science of Potatoes
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The world's most glamorous, exotic or intriguing food they may not be (particularly if you're Irish) but the humble spud is no less than the world's s...
86. The Science of Proteins
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Luke returns with tales of a potentially life altering breakthrough in the world of proteins - or the hunt for proteins to be more precise. Through an...
85. The Science of Cancer Treatment
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pancreatic and colorectal cancer are two of the most deadly forms of the disease, and science has struggled to ever come t grips with them. However a ...
84. The Science of Clever Animals
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Did you ever meet an optimistic pig? This week Luke looks at the cleverest of animals, from piggy of a sunny outlook, to birds who have taken up tools...
83. The Science of Coffee
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It can feel like a lifeline in the morning, or when you need a boost during a long day, but could our daily coffee be doing far more for us that just ...
82. The Science of Exercise and Mental Health
23 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
IT will come as no revelation that exercise is good for us, and good for our mental health. But the reality is science does not fully understand why i...
81. The Science of Drones
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
While most of us might associate the rise of drones as the world of hobbyists, or tools used for photography, in many parts of the world they are bein...
80. The Science of Curry
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's a culinary favourite for many of us, but could curry hold the secret to health? This week Luke explores the science behind a particular spice at ...
79. The Science of IBS
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, is an affliction that comes in several forms and impacts a lot of us. This week Luke explores what we know about croh...
78. The Science of Dopamine
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's called the "motivation molecule" and it is a central factor why we do what we do every day. This week Luke explores the science of dopamine, expl...
77. The Science of Enceladus
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Enceladus is a moon of Saturn, and it perhaps offers the best chance of finding life beyond Earth Scientists have been exploring and probing Enceladus...
76. The Science of Modified Mosquitos
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can the humble mosquito be genetically altered to become not a spreader of disease, but rather something far more beneficial to the environment? This ...
75. The Science of Cloning Your Pets
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is a heartbreaking moment for anyone, and perhaps more than anything underscores just how deeply we come to care for t...
74. The Science of Dinosaurs
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We may think we know it all about the dinosaurs, and their end, but new discoveries continue to emerge and this week Luke delves into all that is new ...
73. The Science of Rheumatoid Arthritis
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the course of Luke's career he has explored many areas and asked many questions, but one illness and the mysteries around it has taken up more of h...
72. The Science of Musical Health
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Luke returns to one of his very favourite topics of discussion, music. Some exciting new info has emerged on the health benefits of a musical life, an...
71. The Science of Migraines
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For some of us they are an ongoing and excruciating menace in our lives, and for scientists they remain an unsolved mystery in many ways. This week Lu...
70. The Science of Aspirin
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It was the first ever drug ever made by a drug company, but for decades nobody knew exactly how it worked. It is also a drug that has led to many ot...
69. The Science of Human Hibernation
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you tired of winters? Sick of the those long dark months when not a lot happens? Would a bout of hibernation interest you? Well, science and space...
68. The Science of Insomnia
17 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sleep can be a tricky one for all of us - getting enough good quality snoozing time can seem an elusive, sometimes unattainable, goal in a busy life. ...
67. The Science of Whales
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One of earth's most fascinating creatures, and also perhaps the species with the biggest influence on the scientific life of one Professor Luke O'Neil...
66. The Science of Beer
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For better and worse beer has been intertwined with human history for centuries, but what is the science behind one of the world's favourite drinks? T...
65. The Science of Changing Your Blood Group
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are things in life you cannot change - the past, the weather, your family - but there could be one less sure thing in this world, because your b...
64. The Science of Dog Intelligence
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We know dogs are close to the top of the pecking order of animal intelligence, but the breadth of dog intelligence might just surprise you, from empat...
63. The Science of Laughing
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It makes your belly shake, make your eyes water, and binds us to each other - the power of a good laugh can be monumental. But why do we laugh, why ar...