As Ireland basks in an unusual spell of hot weather, many are dealing with another less-welcome side effect of summer: hayfever. In this week’s episode of Show Me the Science, Professor Luke O’Neill unpacks the biology behind this common allergic reaction and explains the science that’s literally in the air.

Luke explores what hayfever actually is – and clears up a common misconception: despite the name, hay itself isn’t the cause. He looks back at when hayfever was first diagnosed, how our immune system responds to pollen, and why different types of pollen (from trees, grass, or weeds) affect people in different ways.

You’ll also learn about leukotrienes, powerful immune system chemicals that play a big role in allergic reactions (and which sound suspiciously like Luke O’Neill’s name). He discusses why some people are more prone to hayfever than others, and introduces the hygiene hypothesis, a theory suggesting that being exposed to a bit of dirt — or even your in-laws, as he jokes — might actually help your immune system in the long run.

Finally, Luke explains how antihistamines work, why they help relieve symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes, and why they don’t always provide complete relief.

Whether you're suffering from seasonal allergies, curious about how the immune system overreacts to harmless particles, or just looking to understand why hayfever seems to hit harder some years, this episode is packed with useful, science-based insights.

💡 Got a science topic you'd love Professor Luke to cover?
Email your suggestions to laoneill@tcd.ie – your idea might feature in a future episode!

In this week’s episode of Show Me The Science, Professor Luke tackles a topic that has been requested: the shingles vaccine. Recent studies suggest that getting vaccinated not only decreases your risk of shingles but might also reduce the chances of developing dementia by 20% for those over 50.

Luke dives into how the shingles vaccine works, explaining the underlying science behind the varicella zoster virus and the two main vaccines available, Shingrix and Zostavax. He discusses the remarkable efficacy of Shingrix, the implications of recent research, and why understanding these vaccines is crucial for health, particularly as dementia rates continue to rise.

Join Luke as he unravels the fascinating connection between shingles vaccination and cognitive health!

In this week's episode of Show Me The Science, Professor Luke dives into the intriguing topic of "manopause."

Is there really a parallel transition for men similar to women's menopause? Luke explores the scientific evidence behind the fatigue, depression, and libido changes reported by many men in their middle years.

He juxtaposes this with the well-studied menopause in women, uncovering fascinating insights about the role of grandmothers in the survival of offspring in certain whale species.

Luke also unpacks how testosterone levels change with age in men and examines the controversial realm of testosterone replacement therapy.