Futureproof with Jonathan McCrea

When it comes to the end of humanity, there are numerous ways it might come to pass - be it a wayward asteroid, the eruption of a super volcano, the ever-growing presence of Artificial Intelligence in our lives, or the unseen spores of a killer fungus.

But which one of these poses the greatest risk? This is the question posed by Jonathan in this very special episode of Futureproof which was recorded in front of a live audience at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.

Joining us to discuss is:

• Dr. Robert Ross, Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at TU Dublin

• Professor Chris Bean, Senior Professor and Head of Geophysics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

• Professor Caitriona Jackman, Senior Professor of Space Physics at Dunsink Observatory

• Jerry Clancy, PhD student at the School of Chemical Sciences in DCU

Dr. Shane Bergin, physicist and an assistant professor in science education at UCD's School of Education & Immunologist, Dr. Lara Dungan, also join Jonathan for this week's Newsround.

With thanks to Science Foundation Ireland.

There are around 400 million global cases of UTIs or urinary tract infections per year, and they can often persist, but why? Researchers in the UK have been using artificial bladders to find out what makes them stick around. Joining Jonathan to discuss is Prof Jennifer Rohn, Professorial Research Fellow in Renal Medicine at University College London and Head of the Centre for Urological Biology.

The Educational Irish Research Satellite 1 (EIRSAT-1) is set for launch in November, which will make it Ireland’s first venture into space. To discuss, Jonathan is joined by Dr. David McKeown, Assistant Professor/Lecturer in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at UCD, and the Engineering Manager for the EIRSAT-1 project.

For this week's episode of Newsround, Jonathan is joined by Dr Oran Kennedy, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, RCSI & Dr. Fergus McAuliffe, Communications and Public Engagement Manager at iCRAG, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Applied Geosciences.

On this episode of Futureproof, Jonathan McCrea interviews Johann Hari, author of ‘Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention'.

Synthetic compounds are found in a multitude of items that we manufacture. They can help us create newfound or superior chemical composites that go into the everyday items we take for granted like non-stick and water-resistant materials. But these synthetic compounds are now being detected in drinking water sources worldwide, being dubbed ‘Forever Chemicals’.

So, what can be done about it?

Dr. Ruairí Brannigan, Assistant Professor in the School of Chemical Sciences at DCU joins Jonathan to discuss.

Prof. Noah Whiteman has been exploring the secrets of nature’s toxins, how they evolved, and how we use them. Noah is Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development and Director of the Essig Museum of Entomology at UC-Berkeley and author of ‘Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature's Toxins - From Spices to Vices’ - he joins Jonathan to discuss.

Also joining Jonathan for Newsround is Dr. Lara Dungan and Dr. Oran Kennedy from RCSI.

Why is your cat ginger or black? Often it comes down to a very small type of pigment that scientists in Cork have been examining to learn more about the colourisation of ancient animals. Joining Jonathan to discuss is Dr Tiffany Slater, Palaeobiologist at UCC who is interested in the preservation of ancient biomolecules.

Also on the programme, did you know you can use light to detect specific cells in the body? Professor Stefan Andersson-Engles is the Head of Biophotonics and Deputy Director of IPIC based at the Tyndall National Institute and is also a Professor of Physics at University College Cork who has just been awarded a €5.3 million grant by Science Foundation Ireland to further investigate the application of light-based technologies. He joins Jonathan to discuss.

When it comes to free will, we think of our ability to independently make decisions based on our own desires or interests. That being said, there are those who say that we are the mere conscious witnesses of decisions that, deep in our brains, have already been made. Our guest argues that we are not mere vessels responding to physical forces, but agents acting with purpose. Kevin J. Mitchell is Associate Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘Free Agents – How Evolution Gave Us Free Will’.

Now when it comes to elite sports, there are many attributes that set the best apart from the rest. Not only do you probably have to have won the genetic lottery in the physical stakes, but also the mentality to persevere and work tirelessly to get to the top of the pile.

So, with all that setting them apart from those of us sitting on the couch, do some athletes perceive the world differently as well? David McGovern, Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology at Dublin City University has been conducting research looking to answer that very question, and joins Jonathan on this week's episode.

Dr Ruth Freeman of Science Foundation Ireland and Phil Smyth, Physicist join Jonathan for the latest science stories in the news this week.

Male pattern hair loss is something that over 80% of men will experience in their lifetime. Yet despite it being so widespread, the fundamentals of what actually causes it to occur, in the manner in which it occurs, still elude researchers to this day. According to a new paper, the secret may lie deep in our genetic past, with our embryonic origins. Dr. Claire Higgins, Reader in Tissue Regeneration from the Faculty of Engineering in the Department of Bioengineering of Imperial College London joins Jonathan to discuss.