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10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT…

10 Things to Know About... Pic Paul Sharp/SHARPPIX Image Name: 10 Things to Know About... Pic Paul Sharp/SHARPPIX Description: 10 Things to Know About... Jonathan McCrea, Kathriona Devereux, Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin and Fergus McAuliffe. Copyright: Pic Paul Sharp/SHARPPIX
10 Things to Know About... Water - Jonathan McCrea and Daire Ó hUallacháin Image Name: 10 Things to Know About... Water - Jonathan McCrea and Daire Ó hUallacháin Description: 10 Things to Know About... Water - Jonathan McCrea and Teagasc’s Daire Ó hUallacháin
10 Things To Know About... Pic Paul Sharp/SHARPPIX Image Name: 10 Things To Know About... Pic Paul Sharp/SHARPPIX Description: 10 Things To Know About... Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin Copyright: Pic Paul Sharp/SHARPPIX

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT… WATER, RTÉ ONE, NOVEMBER 30TH AT 8.30PM

Episode Five of Six

In this episode of 10 Things to Know About… we look at:

The impact of our increasing use of plastic and how it is creating microplastics, tiny particles, which, when flushed down our plugholes, ultimately contribute to the plastic soup swirling around the world’s oceans.

How CSI-style forensic science technology is being applied to source dangers for aquatic flora and species including the Atlantic salmon.

How ‘Boil Water’ notices could become a thing of the past thanks to Irish researchers.

And in Weird Science we hear about the 70s when scientists had everything they believed turned on its head by a discover on the ocean floor.

Interesting Facts:

In the Middle Ages, beer was consumed more than water as the alcohol made it safer.

99 per cent of the world’s water cannot be used because it is either saline (i.e. salt water) or is locked up in glaciers and ice sheets.
3.4 million people die each year from water-related causes.

In 2007, a US woman died from “water intoxication” after participating in a “Hold Your Wee for a Wii” promotion. Overdrinking dilutes the sodium in the bloodstream, causing the brain to swell and push against the skull. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, seizures, coma and death.

Series Overview

Did you know that the hydrochloric acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades?

Or that the brain releases so much dopamine during an orgasm that a brain scan resembles that of someone on heroin?

There’s a whole world of fascinating subjects to explore and in this six-part series Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Kathriona Devereux and Jonathan McCrea face up to their fears, undergo a series of stress tests, challenge themselves to push through the pain barrier, and examine the finer workings of the brain – all in the name of science!

In a brave attempt to investigate the underlying reasons behind our phobias, Aoibhinn gets up close and personal with some (rather large!) spiders to better understand and perhaps even overcome her arachnophobia. Jonathan wilfully submits himself for some ‘water-boarding’ and uncovers some disturbing truths about the neuroscience of torture.

While world-leading researchers in Cork take on the seemingly unflappable Kathriona to reveal some fascinating connections between our mood… and our food! And in a battle of the sexes, will it be Jonathan or Aoibhinn who comes out on top of a pain threshold test?