Community, Commemoration, and the Collective Archive Matthew Molinaro, Managing Editor Last semester, I started working in the Black Students’ Network (BSN) archive as part of my elected responsibilities in our political portfolio. In our small office nestled in the University Centre, I sat in front of hundreds of books, an[Read More…]
Articles by Madison Mclauchlan
Farewell to the Tribune
Sarah Farnand: To the place I have called home for the past four years, the place that has helped me grow from a shy, insecure writer to someone who is proud of her work and confident in her abilities, The Tribune will have my heart forever. And to all of[Read More…]
MISC panel tackles anti-Black racism in academia and beyond
Content Warning: Mention of racist violence The McGill Institute for the Study of Canada (MISC) brought three McGill academics together for the “Anti-Black Racism in Canada and Beyond” panel at Centre Mont-Royal on the evening of Feb. 2. The event delved into entrenched systems of power and oppression that limit[Read More…]
Paint me a pixel
Imagine intelligence is artificial It begins as an idea. A flicker of colour, of motion, a feeling that you want to convey. There are so many mediums to choose from—charcoal, clay, oil, acrylic? Pencil, paintbrush, camera, hands? In a frenzy, you make the decision and set to work. It’s torturous,[Read More…]
It’s time to scrap the body mass index
Imagine a medical assessment tool that tells you about a patient’s body composition—a tool that is used to determine levels of disease risk, dosages for vital medications, and individualized treatment plans. Now imagine this tool was based on the body measurements of white European adult men, but is applied the[Read More…]
Don’t publish—and flourish
When I looked down the barrel of the microscope, I could see everything. I saw exploding galaxies of green fluorescence, and a network of nebulas dotting a dark, surrounding infinity. I saw the edge of a coastline studded with city lights, and islands surrounded by swirling oceans, like I was[Read More…]
Varsity highlights of the 2021-2022 season
Stephanie Desjardins (Martlets hockey, fifth-year) “The season was challenging with the pandemic coming back at full swing right after the Christmas break. We fought adversity throughout the entire season with restrictions, practicing, and playing with masks. The girls fought hard physically and mentally for the last eight months and showed[Read More…]
Know Your Athlete: Varsity ghosts of McGill
After the Athletics department brutally murdered a slew of varsity sports last fall, many athletes on these fallen teams lost their minds, some of them literally. The scores of ghostly figures haunting the entrance of Love Competition Hall, the corridors of McConnell Arena, and the bleachers at Percival Molson Stadium[Read More…]
Women’s volleyball defeats Sherbrooke to secure first-ever RSEQ championship title
Love Competition Hall was packed shoulder-to-shoulder. It was March 12—the day Quebec ditched vaccine passports and a slew of other COVID-19 restrictions, two years after the pandemic began. While many across the city were celebrating the move, at McGill, the Martlets volleyball team (14-5) were rejoicing as they defeated the[Read More…]
Two wins in best-of-three weekend propel Martlets hockey to RSEQ finals
Amid a tumultuous season of COVID-19 stops and starts, the McGill women’s hockey team has proven their resilience, boasting a stellar RSEQ season record of 12–3 and briefly reaching the top of the Canadian rankings. In a best-of-three matchup against the fourth-place Ottawa Gee-Gees over the weekend, the top-ranked Martlets[Read More…]
‘When We Lost Our Heads’ explores feminine obsession in 19th-century Montreal
“For there is no friend like a sister In calm or stormy weather; To cheer one on the tedious way, To fetch one if one goes astray, To lift one if one totters down, To strengthen whilst one stands.” Two little girls are tempted by sinister goblins in Christina Rossetti’s[Read More…]
Top five podcasts to grab science on the go
For university students, podcasts can provide a much-needed respite from the monotony of studying and attending online classes. Their portable format makes them a great tool to learn science on the go while commuting, running errands, or doing chores. The McGill Tribune has compiled some of our favourite science podcasts[Read More…]
Tribune Tries: Watching the Super Bowl LVI
The 2022 Super Bowl was a memorable affair, especially for The McGill Tribune sports section. The evening was hectic right from the start; accessing the biggest game in American football as Canadian university students and finding a good stream proved to be a challenge. As students without cable, armed with[Read More…]
Faculty of Science presents the 33rd edition of Soup and Science
The 33rd edition of Soup and Science, a popular Faculty of Science event showcasing the diversity of research being conducted at McGill, aims to provide students with an opportunity to interact directly with professors from different disciplines. Held remotely this semester, the mini-lecture series took place from Jan. 10 to[Read More…]
Next up: Top sports events to catch in 2022
2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in February will boast a range of exciting events, from popular sports like hockey, skiing, and figure skating, to more unique sports, like the skeleton, the luge, and bobsled. These Games will feature 45 per cent female athletes,[Read More…]
Fall 2021 McGill varsity report cards
MEN’S RUGBY: A, until the final Men’s rugby had a strong season all around, boasting a 5-1 regular season record and leading the RSEQ rankings with bonus points, awarded when a team scores more than four tries in a game. Unfortunately, the impressive season culminated in a soul-crushing finale, with[Read More…]
Redbirds basketball bests Bishop’s in thrilling affair
The energy in Love Competition Hall was brimming with anticipation ahead of the opening tip-off between the McGill Redbirds (3–0) and Bishop’s Gaiters (1–2) on Nov. 20. The hotly contested match ended in a narrow 76-74 win for the Redbirds, who furthered their three-game win streak to sit atop the[Read More…]
SSMU Board of Directors tackles questions on SSMU’s transparency, toxic environment
The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Board of Directors (BoD) convened on Nov. 18 to ratify several motions and hear two presentations: A pitch to purchase a membership to “Lobby”—an online sharing platform that can host social events—and another presentation by the Office of Investments about McGill’s investment portfolio.[Read More…]
Going nuclear: The future of sustainable energy
As the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) drew to a close on Nov. 13, questions about the future of climate initiatives saturated international discourse. One thing is certain: To mitigate the worst effects of climate change, the world must halt its use of fossil fuels as soon as[Read More…]
From the gym to the studio: Athletes who gave music a go
Whether it be a washed-up child actor or a TikTok star on the come-up, many celebrities try to break into the music industry at some point in their career. Given the historical connection between music and the world of sports, it is unsurprising that several star athletes are also taking[Read More…]
Tracing the evidence behind forensic science
Most viewers are aware that the crime-solving shown on TV is often a sensationalized representation of real-life forensic science, especially when it comes to the analysis of physical evidence. Trace evidence collection, bloodstain pattern analysis, ballistics, and other forensic techniques are supposed to give investigators the power to pin a[Read More…]
Concordia overwhelms McGill to capture RSEQ men’s rugby title
The beautiful autumn afternoon seemed a good omen as any to the sold-out crowd of McGill (6–2) and Concordia (7–1) fans who gathered at Percival Molson Stadium on Nov. 6 for what they hoped would be a competitive bout of RSEQ rugby. But despite the turnout, the Redbirds fell 33-0[Read More…]
Redbirds rugby advance to finals, beating Bishop’s in nail-biter game
On Oct. 31, McGill Redbirds rugby hosted Bishop’s Gaiters for the RSEQ semifinals, winning 30-27 in a brutally competitive double overtime contest that totalled over 110 minutes of play. Both teams braved the rainy weather and cold winds to vie for the coveted spot in the finals, but McGill brought[Read More…]
Trottier Symposium talks dead bodies, COVID-19 myths
Death has an equalizing, inevitable force. But the pandemic, like all public health crises, has cast the sword of Damocles in sharper relief than ever, and indiscriminately so. Yet while the blade will always fall, few reflect on the science of it—what really happens to our bodies after we die? [Read More…]
Men’s rugby stuns Sherbrooke to win season title
Headed into their Oct. 23 match against Sherbrooke, McGill men’s rugby needed a win and four tries to secure their spot on top of the RSEQ rankings. The Redbirds (5–1) succeeded, scoring six tries in total and defeating the Sherbrooke Vert et Or (0–6) by a score of 36-3 to[Read More…]
Redbirds Hockey leaves RMC reeling with 10-2 victory
A total of nine different McGill hockey players scored in the span of 60 minutes on Oct. 16, when the Redbirds (1–1) hosted Royal Military College (RMC) (0–1) for the second of six pre-season games. The Redbirds scored early and often, demolishing the visitors with a fatal 10-2 final score. [Read More…]
Grappling with my love for misogynistic rap
On the train home a few weeks ago, I was about to pop on my headphones and listen to Kendrick Lamar when I overheard a conversation between two young white girls discussing their music taste. “I don’t understand how you can listen to rap,” one of the girls said. “All[Read More…]
Redbirds homecoming football game a soggy nightmare
Rainy weather and grey skies set the mood for the Oct. 2 homecoming game as the Laval Rouge et Or (3–2) dominated the McGill Redbirds (1–4), coming away with a 55-2 win in their second encounter of the season. Despite the 2,000 game tickets sold, the crowd was meagre, huddling[Read More…]
Science Rewind: Innovators from the last 67 years of Beatty Lectures
As McGill prepares for the 2021 edition of the annual Beatty Lecture with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to U.S. President Joe Biden, The McGill Tribune takes a look back at the most memorable scientists and innovators who have been invited to speak since the lecture’s inception 67[Read More…]
Quebec University All-Stars face off against Habs rookies, losing 5-3
Closing out the 2021 Montreal Canadiens rookie camp, the top Habs prospects played an exhibition game against the Quebec University All-Stars (QUAS)—a team made up of players from McGill, Concordia, and Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR). Despite a strong showing from the all-stars, eight of whom play for the[Read More…]
Leveraging gene editing technology to treat brain cancer
In 2020, the Jahani-Asl Lab in the Division of Experimental Medicine at McGill discovered that gene therapy techniques could make certain brain tumours more receptive to radiation treatment. Since then, the team has made yet another groundbreaking advancement—identifying a protein pathway that, when suppressed, could lead to reduced tumour growth.[Read More…]
Shaughnessy Cup showdown ends in overtime loss for McGill
On Sept. 17, the McGill Redbirds (1–2) were defeated in heartbreaking fashion by their long-time rivals, the Concordia Stingers (2–1) at the 52nd annual Shaughnessy Cup. The event sold out quickly, with 3,500 McGill and Concordia students clamouring to get a seat for what turned out to be a high-scoring,[Read More…]
Nature-based solutions are the future of climate change mitigation
Global biodiversity has been increasingly imperilled since the beginning of the Holocene, or the human age, but many scientists agree that biodiversity decline in the 21st century is akin to a sixth mass extinction. Without the transformation of many facets of society, species abundance will continue to decline, causing a[Read More…]
Redbirds clinch win in home opener against Sherbrooke Vert et Or
On Sept. 4, the McGill Redbirds (1–1) defeated the Sherbrooke University Vert et Or (1–1) in their first home game of the season. For the first time in 693 days, over one thousand spectators—1,628, to be exact—filled Percival Molson Memorial Stadium to witness an exciting return to varsity football. Both[Read More…]
Using AI to save lives
Content warning: Mention of suicide and suicidal ideation. Young people aged 18-29 reported some of the highest rates of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even before the social isolation wrought by the pandemic, rates of suicidal ideation among college-aged individuals were troubling: In a 2019 sample survey of[Read More…]
Nine best Olympic logos
Every two years, like clockwork, millions of people collectively spend two weeks with their eyes glued to a screen, rooting for their countries’ athletes and watching thrilling sports until our hearts, and our eyes, bleed. The Olympics have been a celebration of athletic excellence since their founding on a global[Read More…]
Japanese urban dance film ‘Dreams on Fire’ sets Fantasia Festival ablaze
On Aug. 8, Dreams on Fire made its North American debut at the 25th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival. Written, directed, and produced by Montreal-born filmmaker Philippe McKie, the film follows Yume’s (Bambi Naka) pursuit of fame as she moves to Tokyo to become a dancer. There, she[Read More…]
Montreal Canadiens face offseason uncertainty after Stanley Cup loss
After a drought of nearly 30 years, it looked like this might be the year that the Montreal Canadiens bring home the Stanley Cup. In Game 5 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, however, the Canadiens’ dreams were shattered by a single goal. The Tampa Bay Lightning, a powerhouse team[Read More…]
Rat community ravaged by Oreo epidemic
This article was originally published in The Razette but The McGill Tribune was able to translate and report on this very important issue. To many rodents, Oreo cookies filled with processed sugar and a satisfying ratio of cookie to creme have long been a sweet treat to nibble on. The Aristorat Academy[Read More…]
For the love of indie bookstores
Entering a small bookstore is like dropping a pebble into a calm pond. The ripples start immediately: The door bells chime a sound of greeting, prompting the lone cashier to look up and drawing disinterested glances from other customers. Outside air whooshes in, momentarily ruffling the pages of books on[Read More…]
Spotlight on Black scientists at McGill and beyond
Despite the important equity work done by various organizations, Black people continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields and academia. In honour of Black History Month, The McGill Tribune spoke to five up-and-coming Black researchers in a variety of scientific disciplines. Dr. Myrna Lashley Dr. Myrna Lashley is an associate professor[Read More…]
Science education cannot exist in a vacuum
Picture this: In the middle of an auditorium filled with students, a professor describes the process of chromosomal segregation. This professor teaches the students about the stages of cell division, the proteins involved, and what happens when chromosomes do not separate properly; a person can have either XX or XY[Read More…]
Tracking devices are revolutionizing the study of remote wildlife
The movement patterns of migratory birds, especially those that travel vast distances, are often hard to track. This makes these species difficult to locate in the wild and even harder to study. Biologging, which involves attaching tiny tracking instruments onto animals to observe their location and behaviour, has emerged at[Read More…]
New study highlights differences in vaccination policies worldwide
Vaccination is arguably the most successful public health tool ever developed, virtually eliminating diseases like smallpox and polio from the viral landscape. The current COVID-19 public health crisis has pushed vaccine research efforts into overdrive, as scientists race to find multiple different formulas to grant the world immunity. However, the[Read More…]
Exploring the linguistic mosaics of Montreal bilingual speakers
Montreal is a one-of-a-kind city for several reasons: It has a vibrant nightlife, an incredibly rich history, and an amalgamation of diverse cultures. Yet, nothing in Montreal is as iconic as the role of language in shaping the city’s unique culture. As most Montrealers speak both French and English, casual[Read More…]
Revealing the burning truth about droughts and heatwaves
Throughout the 1930s, horrific dust storms swept through Western North American, eviscerating agricultural fields and leaving the livelihoods of millions of underprepared farmers in peril. This period, known as the Dust Bowl, was characterized by severe drought and wind erosion. Since then, scientific advances have helped farmers develop more resilient[Read More…]
Living on the edge: Protecting endangered plant species in the Canadian North
From the boreal forests of Newfoundland to the majestic Douglas firs of British Columbia, Canada boasts some of the most astounding plant life the world has to offer. Yet, Canada’s flora are becoming increasingly threatened by climate and land-use change. Conservation biology is an important area of scientific research that[Read More…]
Gene therapy provides a potential breakthrough in brain cancer treatment
In the fight against cancer, scientists have long grappled with the ambiguous nature of stem cells. Glioblastoma tumours, the most aggressive form of brain cancer in adults, consist of these cells, which have the notable ability to self-renew. This makes these tumours notoriously hard to treat with targeted radiation therapy[Read More…]
Global study exposes the disproportionate impact of pollution on Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous communities all over the world, from the Cree of Waskaganish to the Sámi of Sápmi, differ greatly in language, history, and culture. However different they are from each other, a common belief that informs the traditional practices of many Indigenous Peoples is the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the[Read More…]
Patching holes in broken hearts
In the complex circulatory system of the human body, no artery is as vital as the aorta. This large vessel takes oxygen-rich blood from the chambers of the heart and delivers it to the brain, muscles, digestive system, and other sites of metabolism in the body. Aortic aneurysms, one of[Read More…]
The Australian wildfire anomaly
Every year, patches of Australian forests are consumed by fire, an ecologically necessary process that releases soil nutrients and stimulates plant growth. When the fire season is exacerbated by drought and high temperature, however, the devastation is so great that some citizens are forced to flee their homes. In the[Read More…]
29th edition of Soup and Science
McGill professors presented their scientific research to crowds of students in the Redpath Museum at the 29th iteration of Soup and Science from Jan. 13–17. After snacking on complementary soup and sandwiches, writers from The McGill Tribune compiled highlights from the week. Nutrient cycling and ecosystem science Fiona Soper, assistant professor in[Read More…]
Drug testing sewage systems
Substance use is a global issue, affecting more than 235 million people annually. As public awareness of the opioid epidemic grows, up-to-date information on drug use remains critical in addressing these health concerns. The importance of such data led to a study that was published in the journal Addiction in October,[Read More…]
Uncovering past climates through paleobotany
Paleontology has long offered scientists insight into the mysteries of prehistory. Through excavations of colossal skeletons, petrified insects, and fossilized plants, researchers can uncover what life looked like long ago. Despite the extensive study of animals from the Cretaceous period, which stretched from 145.5 million years ago to the dinosaur[Read More…]