Have you ever wondered why we laugh or if you can really die of a broken heart? Join Professor Luke O'Neill on ‘Show Me the Science’ as he tackles a different issue each week; from the serious to the silly, all explained through science. This Newstalk production will open the world of science to people of all ages. New episodes every Thursday. Show me the Science is with thanks to B Braun. CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment Listen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
This week on Show Me the Science, Professor Luke O'Neill discusses the Hantavirus.
The Science of Forests
15 min
This week on Show Me the Science, Professor Luke O'Neill discusses the benefits of ‘forest bathing’ and spending time walking in a forest. Studies show it can reduce stress and anxiety, and that it stops rumination. Find out more about all of the benefits on this episode!
The Science of Football Fans
13 min
This week on Show Me the Science, Professor Luke O'Neill takes a look at the science of being a football fan.
The Science of Saliva
13 min
This week on Show Me the Science, Professor Luke O'Neill talks about the science of saliva! This is a listener request from Sarah from Kerry.
The Science of Cancer Cures
12 min
This week on Show Me the Science, Professor Luke O'Neill talks about a recent cancer conference in Chicago, where they announced some remarkable new results...
The Science of Wearables
13 min
This week on Show Me the Science, Professor Luke O'Neill takes a look at the science of wearables, from smart watches to smart rings. Are they useful to people overall?
The Science of Navigation
13 min
This week on Show Me the Science, Professor Luke O'Neill takes a look at the science of how animals navigate and find their way home. In particular, pigeons, and how the immune system helps them to navigate.
The Science of Ozempic
14 min
This week on Show Me the Science, Professor Luke O'Neill takes a look at the science of Ozempic, Mounjaro, GLP 1 and more broadly, the science of Peptides.
The Science of Ebola
15 min
This week on Show Me the Science, Luke O'Neill takes a look at the Ebola virus and the current outbreak happening in Africa. The current outbreak is being caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The last outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus was in 2012. What are the symptoms? Is there a vaccine? And is there a risk of the virus coming to Europe?
The Science of Exercise
14 min
The VHI Women's Mini Marathon is on this week, and on this episode of Show Me The Science, Professor Luke O'Neill takes a look at the science of Exercise. Why is exercise good for us? What are the current guidelines? Is housework as good as a run for your heart? The impact on the brain after exercising. And how exercise can benefit your mental health.
The Science of Gut Health
16 min
This week on Show Me The Science, Professor Luke O'Neill takes a look at the science of the gut microbiome, how the health of your gut is important for your health overall and new findings on bacteria and cancers.
The Science of Saunas
13 min
This week on Show Me The Science, Professor Luke O'Neill takes a look at the science of saunas. How does taking a sauna benefit your health and mood, and exactly how much time should you spend in a sauna?
The Science of Sibling Rivalry
10 min
This week on Show Me The Science, Professor Luke O'Neill takes a look at the science of sibling rivalry. Does the order you come in your family influence your wealth and health prospects for life?
The Science of Osteoporosis
14 min
This week on Show Me The Science, Professor Luke O'Neill takes a look at the science of the human bone and diseases of the bone, including osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
The Science of Psoriasis
15 min
This week on Show Me The Science, Professor Luke O'Neill takes a look at the skin condition psoriasis. Psoriasis causes red patches of skin which are dry and flaky. It's prevalent on areas such as your scalp, elbows or knees. But you can get it anywhere on your body, and it's estimated that 5% of the population have some form of it. Luke has worked on this topic, and also has psoriasis...
The Science of the Artemis Moon Mission
13 min
This week, the Artemis Moon Mission, the first moon mission in over 50 years, landed safely back on Earth. On July 20th, 1969, Luke O’Neill was 5 years of age. He remembers vividly watching Neil Armstrong and Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin Jr landing on the Moon, and that inspired him to become a scientist. He filled up his copy books, after watching the landing, with rocket ships. There is a lot to talk about surrounding this mission: What was the immunology research conducted? How are astronauts affected by space radiation exposure? What are the health risks? Find out on this weeks podcast!
The Science of Music
14 min
We as humans have been listening to music for over forty thousand years, and recent research has shown that music is really beneficial for us. So, on this week's episode, Professor Luke O'Neill looks at four benefits you can get from music!
The Science of Snacks
16 min
On this episode of the podcast, and just in time for Easter, Professor Luke O'Neill is looking at the science of snacking. What are the main reasons why we snack? Why do we like a crunchy snack? And what is 'food noise'?
The Science of Meningitis
13 min
There has been an outbreak of meningitis centred in Kent, in the UK, in recent weeks. On this episode of Show Me The Science, Professor Luke O’Neill explains why this has happened, and what the two types of meningitis are...
The Science of Transplanted Wombs
18 min
This week, Professor Luke O’Neill dives into one of the most remarkable stories in modern medicine: the birth of Hugo, the first child in the UK to be born from a womb transplanted from a deceased donor. His mother, Grace Bell, born without a womb due to MRKH syndrome, calls her baby son “simply a miracle.” Luke explores the incredible medical journey behind this milestone. The 10-hour womb transplant took place at The Churchill Hospital in Oxford in June 2024, followed by IVF treatment at The Lister Fertility Clinic in London. Consultant gynaecologist Professor Richard Smith, who has researched womb transplantation for over 25 years and was present at Hugo’s birth, was even honoured in Hugo’s full name. Beyond the headline-grabbing story, Luke takes listeners through the broader science of organ transplantation. He explains how immunosuppressant drugs revolutionised transplant success, looks at cutting-edge frontiers like 3D-printed organs and the potential use of animal organs, and considers the ongoing challenge of organ shortages. He also touches on Ireland’s organ waiting list, especially for kidneys, and the recent updates to donor rules.
