Despite being named after the Norse god of thunder, thorium does not come from the sky; rather, it is naturally occurring in the Earth’s crust. Discovered in 1828, thorium is a slightly radioactive metal that is a promising nuclear fuel alternative to uranium. However, the use of thorium as a[Read More…]
Science & Technology
The latest in science and technology.
Student-led Face-Shield Initiative seeks support and materials
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for health care workers on the front line in the fight against COVID-19. As the number of global cases continues to increase, hospitals are experiencing shortages of basic medical equipment, most notably protective face shields, plastic guards that protect doctors and nurses from infectious[Read More…]
Smoothing the road of glucose highs and lows
Though diabetes was officially discovered in 1899, records of diabetes-like symptoms, such as excessive thirst and urination, go back 3,000 years to ancient Egypt. Diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high blood sugar for a prolonged period of time as a result of[Read More…]
The levitating power of quantum materials
The Redpath Museum hosted Tami Pereg-Barnea, an associate professor in McGill’s Department of Physics, on March 12 as part of the Cutting Edge Lecture in Science series. An expert in nano-scale materials, Pereg-Barnea discussed her current research, in which she applies quantum mechanical properties to understand the behaviour of superconductors.[Read More…]
Learning about the brain through science podcasts and fantasy worlds
The term ‘science education’ often brings to mind stressful chemistry labs, memorizing biology facts from a textbook, or struggling to read dry, confusing research papers. Such learning methods may work for those specializing in a particular field, but do little to convey the ideas to a broader audience. Morgan Sweeney,[Read More…]
Montreal researchers propose a treatment for COVID-19
The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11. As of press time, the coronavirus had rapidly spread to more than 175,000 people in 162 countries and caused nearly 7,000 deaths. Doctors Michel Chrétien and Majambu Mbikay, senior researchers at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), have[Read More…]
Bacteriophages in the battle against malnourishment
‘You are what you eat’: It is an idiom many have heard in trendy food advertisements or in their grandparents’ kitchen. But, for scientists, this common phrase has been proven in the now extensive body of research known as gut microbiomics. Aiding in digestion, producing certain vitamins, and even assisting[Read More…]
How inattention-hyperactivity affects the brain
A new study published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry sheds light on the relationship between brain development and behavioural disorders such as inattention-hyperactivity disorder, a condition similar to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). “The term inattention-hyperactivity, as defined in this study, refers to a set of behaviours such as fidgeting and[Read More…]
Space rocks offer insights into the history of the universe
Our solar system has existed for roughly 4.5 billion years—a long time, especially given that humans have only walked the Earth for the last 300,000 years. To gain an understanding of the solar system as a whole, scientists often follow clues that offer insights into the history of the universe.[Read More…]
Geoengineering is a band-aid solution to the climate crisis
The conversation around geoengineering, otherwise known as climate intervention or climate engineering, is gaining traction as climate projections remain dire. Offering many salient yet controversial ways to mitigate Earth’s rising temperatures, geoengineering methods include spraying sulphate particulates into the atmosphere to block out solar radiation, fertilizing the ocean with iron[Read More…]