Eumelanin, a form of melanin typical of mammals, is a brown-black coloured pigment found in skin, hair, and eyes. It absorbs sunlight energy and transforms it into heat, acting as a natural sunscreen. For a pigment that plays this crucial role—and many more—surprisingly little is known about its composition and[Read More…]
Author: Ali Baghirov
McGill’s most sci-fi courses of the 2023-24 academic year
PHYS 534 Nanoscience and Nanotechnology This course, taught by professor Peter Grutter, aims to provide an overview of nanotechnology, a field that studies and manipulates incredibly tiny materials, ranging from one to 100 nanometres in length. To put this in perspective, a DNA double helix is typically 10 nanometres wide,[Read More…]
The journey of a microplastic: An unfolding story
From the packaging of an online order to the takeaway cup holding a morning coffee, plastic is everywhere. In 2019, humans produced 460 million tonnes of plastic, an enormous increase from the mid-twentieth century when roughly two million tonnes were produced annually. A key aspect of plastic pollution is that[Read More…]
Major League Baseball has a “nutting” problem
Professional sports leagues across North America all face the familiar practice of tanking: When teams underperform on purpose. They trade away their best players, neglect fan experience, refuse to sign franchise players to extensions, and intentionally make the team worse. The motivations behind tanking can vary. Oftentimes, the reason to[Read More…]
The sky’s the limit—or is it?
McGill hosted the eighth Interstellar Symposium from July 10 to 13 and assembled a stellar panel of experts, ranging from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) engineers to space lawyers, to discuss how to expand civilization into space. The public panel featured: Alan Stern, the engineer in charge of the[Read More…]
Martlets shine in rugby season opener against Bishop’s Gaiters
On Aug. 31 at Percival Molson Stadium, the Martlets rugby team (1–0) put an end to a three-season-long winless drought in a thrilling defeat of the Bishop’s University Gaiters (0–1). The Martlets established an early lead with a try seven minutes into the game by backrow Lauren Minns, but failed[Read More…]
Super Sandwich closes after thirty five years of business
McGill student-favourite Super Sandwich shut its doors on June 23, citing increasing rent. The small dépanneur, which opened in 1988 and operated out of the basement of the Cartier Building, was popular among McGill students for its affordable sandwiches. Consequently, Super Sandwich reached out to SSMU, considering the possibility of[Read More…]
Making Montreal your home away from home
McGill is home to many international students, with nearly 30 per cent of the student population hailing from outside of Canada. This is one of the university’s greatest strengths, and a key reason that I and many others chose to attend. I visited Canada for the first time in January[Read More…]
The Pop of Life! captures the bold spirit of the Pop Art movement
Bright reds, yellows, and blues frame the stunning new Pop Art exhibit at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA), which features works from iconic international artists like Andy Warhol and Eduardo Paolozzi as well as Québécois trailblazers like Pierre Ayot. Iris Amizlev, curator for the MMFA since 2020, curated[Read More…]
The beloved OAP: McGill’s essential kickoff event
McGill’s Open Air Pub (OAP), run entirely by student volunteers, is a quintessential Montreal amalgam of fashion, nonchalance, music, beer, and social hubbub. Held at the beginning and end of each school year—this semester from Aug. 28 until Sept. 8—OAP showcases more than 25 small bands and DJs. OAP is[Read More…]
