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Research Briefs, Science & Technology

The surprising link between muscle mass and cognition

by Athina Sitou on

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Most people are aware of the crucial role muscles play in keeping us alive and moving us around.What might be surprising to some, however, is that muscles also secrete hormones that affect the brain. The connection between these seemingly distinct organs led a team of researchers at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) to investigate the relationship between low muscle mass and cognitive decline in adults aged 65 years and older. 

While previous studies have shown a correlation between lower muscle strength and increased dementia risk, Stéphanie Chevalier, an associate professor at McGill’s School of Human Nutrition, and her team decided to focus on muscle mass independently from strength. They recently published a study analyzing data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) which had recorded comprehensive body composition and cognition data in 30,000 people between 2011 and 2013—and will continue to record this information every three years, for a total period of 20 years.

Using the data, the researchers examined whether low muscle mass was related to rapid cognitive decline. To assess cognition, they used three factors collected in the CLSA: Memory, executive functions—such as the ability to learn and adapt—and psychomotor speed, like reaction times. When testing for animal naming abilities, a commonly used activity to measure executive function, individuals with low muscle mass performed worse than their counterparts. There was, however, no significant relationship between decreased muscle mass and decreased memory function or psychomotor speed.

In an interview with The McGill Tribune, Chevalier discussed the importance of using special equipment to measure muscle mass in a clinical setting. 

“Muscle mass is […] another indicator of evaluating the risk for cognitive decline. So, I think it should be measured much more,” Chevalier told the Tribune. “We need to have access to the tools to be able to do that, [but] it’s difficult.”

In a clinical setting, a Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is used to measure bone density, as well as appendicular lean mass (ALM)—a measure of the total lean tissue in the arms and legs. ALM allows researchers to calculate the approximate muscle mass of a person, but although many hospitals have DEXA machines, the high cost of usage makes them less accessible. 

In this study, the researchers used a DEXA scan as it is the most appropriate measurement for ALM. But there are more affordable options available to clinics and hospitals. For instance, certain gyms offer an alternative called bioelectrical impedance analysis, which estimates body composition. Another technique involves measuring the circumference of the lower leg. This method is less accurate than a DEXA scan, but as long as there is no water retention, it provides a reasonable estimate of muscle mass. By using these less precise but more accessible options, doctors could assess older individuals’ risks of developing dementia more easily. 

According to Chevalier’s findings, the measurable characteristics of muscle mass make it a promising biomarker that should be used during tests for cognitive decline. Though Chevalier’s study does not demonstrate a causal effect between decreased muscle mass and decreased cognitive functions, it shows there is a correlation. 

“I would want to repeat that same study in the CLSA that’s continuing now for 20 years altogether,” Chevalier said. “What we want to know now is those people who are able to maintain their muscle mass versus those who lose muscle mass with time, how does that impact cognitive decline?”

In addition to doing research, Chevalier is a nutritionist and emphasizes the importance of exercise and nutrition to maintain muscle while aging. 

Ask Ainsley, Student Life

Ask Ainsley: I forgot how to study for in-person classes!

by the elusive Ainsley on

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Dear Ainsley,

I’m a second-year ArtSci student returning to campus after a full year of online classes. I feel like I’ve lost touch with the rhythms of in-person studies and I’m overwhelmed with these first couple of weeks on campus. When I began studying for my courses, I was hit with the realization that I have forgotten how to study without the help of online resources and 72-hour timeframes for exams. I’m worried that the strategies I used last year are not going to cut it anymore. With midterm season fast approaching, I feel like I’m going to start falling behind and pulling all-nighters very soon, without having much to show for it. I don’t want to be further overwhelmed and panic closer to an evaluation. What habits can I adopt right now to help me study productively and prepare myself for in-person exams?

Sincerely, 

Returning In-Person. (RIP)

Dear RIP, 

Thank you for reaching out and expressing what I’m sure many of your peers are feeling this year. It’s completely normal to be overwhelmed by the complete return of in-person learning as it brings back many experiences we had moved away from during the pandemic—waking up early, interacting with classmates, socializing on campus, writing exams, and more. With extra tasks added to your schedule, it’s more important than ever to employ effective time-management skills and build a routine for yourself. 

The first thing you should do is plan ahead by creating a general schedule for the year. The Google Calendar and Notion templates are both useful resources for this. Block out the times when you have lectures and any other meetings or in-person activities, then go through each of your syllabi and add in any assignments, exams, quizzes, or readings to the calendar on the date they are due. 

Now that you have a rough idea of what your semester is going to look like in terms of academic commitment, you can start by allocating daily blocks to studying. At the same time, remember that you also need to shower, cook, clean, run errands and take time for yourself, so don’t overschedule! I recommend dedicating no more than 4-5 hours to coursework each day to avoid burning out. 

The next step is to adopt practices that help you use your study time effectively. When studying,  it is crucial that you avoid distractions. Turn your phone off and put it in a drawer or locker until you have completed the work that you sat down to do. Set yourself a realistic number of tasks and create a to-do list to get through. For this, Notion’s agenda template and Microsoft Tasks are both useful, on top of physical agendas. I like to add smaller tasks I do throughout the day, such as cleaning my room, to the list as well because I find that seeing little tick boxes on my agenda motivates me further. 

Once you have set some targets for yourself, it is time to start working on completing those goals. The Pomodoro method is a scientifically-proven strategy for that. This technique encourages you to work in time bursts, where you commit to a task for 25 minutes, known as one Pomodoro, then take a five-minute break. After four Pomodoros, you take a longer 15 to 20-minute break. This helps with increasing your focus and pushing you to achieve the maximum amount of work you can in a shorter time. You can find a Pomodoro timer online to help you practice this technique. 

Although these are recommendations to help you get back into rhythm with the demands of in-person learning, each person is unique and has different needs. What is most important is that you understand your abilities and limits, do the best you can, and try to remain content with your efforts, no matter the result. It is not worth losing your sleep and mental peace over academic responsibilities.

Take care and stay healthy, 

Ainsley 

Along Party Lines, News

Along Party Lines: Quebec’s major parties on Indigenous issues and separatism

by Ghazal Azizi on

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Content Warning: mentions of residential schools, racism, and abuse

Ahead of Quebec provincial elections on Oct. 3, The McGill Tribune looked into each major political party’s stance on the issues of Quebec nationalism and Indigenous relations. 

Pressing Indigenous issues in Quebec today

In June 2021, the National Assembly of Quebec passed Bill 79, which allows Indigenous families to access information held by public institutions and religious congregations regarding the circumstances of a child’s disappearance or death. Indigenous leaders from the Cree Nation, among others, are asking the Quebec government to revise the Bill’s scope to include disappearances and deaths from residential schools and to investigate unmarked graves across the province. 

Joyce’s Principle—a list of proposals devised by the Atikamekw Nation to improve medical care for Indigenous people—was developed after footage of a Quebec hospital’s mistreatment of Joyce Echaquan went viral following the Atikamekw woman’s death. In 2020, the Liberal Party of Quebec introduced a motion to adopt Joyce’s Principle, but the Coalition Avenir Québec majority government rejected the motion due to its use of the term “systemic racism.”

Quebec’s separatism movement and battle for sovereignty, explained

Many Quebecers believe their national identity entitles them to self-determination from the rest of Canada. There have been many sovereignty referendums in Quebec—the last one having been called in 1995—but none were successful. According to experts, separatism is no longer at the forefront of the province’s politics, even though Quebec’s major parties still have widely publicized views on the matter. 

Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ)

The CAQ denies the existence of systemic racism in Quebec and claims that Indigenous communities’ experiences of racism are isolated occurrences. During the last provincial election campaign, Legault promised to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), a proclamation affirming the collective and individual rights of Indigenous nations around the world. The CAQ has yet to deliver on this promise. 

The CAQ is a nationalist party. While Legault is opposed to a sovereignty referendum, the party wants Quebec’s provincial office to have more powers compared to its federal counterpart, and has pledged to advocate for Quebec as a nation. 

Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ)

The PLQ, led by Dominique Anglade, brought the 2021 motion to adopt Joyce’s Principle to the National Assembly. If elected with a majority, the PLQ would adopt the Principle and the UNDRIP. The PLQ has also promised to launch a public inquiry into residential schools in Quebec. 

The PLQ is a federalist party, meaning it supports the Canadian confederation and the division of power between the provincial and federal levels of government.

Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ)

The PCQ has not issued any policy proposals for tackling Indigenous issues.  

The PCQ, led by Éric Duhaime, is a federalist party. Duhaime has promised that he will not hold a referendum on sovereignty if elected as Premier.  

Québec solidaire (QS)

QS supports implementing Joyce’s Principle and the UNDRIP. The party plans to provide Indigenous communities with more public services, and to reform the justice system to better serve Indigenous people. QS also pledged to excavate all former residential school sites and to launch coroner inquiries with support from Indigenous leaders. Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, QS’s spokesperson, has been vocal in condemning the CAQ’s refusal to acknowledge systemic racism—but has faced backlash for saying the N-word during a Sept. 15 debate. 

QS is a separatist party and has promised to hold a sovereignty referendum as its first order in office, if elected majority. 

Parti Québécois (PQ)

PQ’s platform does not include any policies for addressing Indigenous issues. 

PQ is a separatist party and would hold a referendum for independence if the party wins a majority government.

Those in need of support can reach out to the Montreal Indigenous Community Network by email at [email protected] or by phone at 438-992-4589. A 24-hour helpline for residential school survivors and their families is available at 1-866-925-4419.

McGill, News

Reports of academic advisors misleading students surface online

by Dima Kiwan on

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On Sept. 7, a Reddit user posted a discussion thread to “rant” about receiving misleading information from an academic advisor at McGill. Several comments under the discussion thread and other posts under the McGill subreddit recount similar experiences. Some students allege that inaccurate information derailed their academic plans and delayed their graduation.  

Mateo*, BEng ‘21, had initially planned to graduate in May 2021. However, after receiving what they believe was flawed guidance from advisors in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECSE), Mateo had to enroll for another semester to satisfy all their degree requirements, ultimately finishing their degree five months later than anticipated. 

According to Mateo, Academic Advising had confirmed that they were eligible to exceed the Engineering Faculty’s 18-credit limit per semester as long as they did not fail any classes—which would have allowed them to graduate in May 2021. But when Mateo followed up in January 2021, they were told that they could not exceed the credit limit.  

“[They] accused me of cheating, or at least hinted at it, which is unbelievably discouraging,” Mateo wrote to The McGill Tribune. “Between me trying to explain, [them] repeating that [they] can’t allow me to go over the limit over and over again, and the bad connection, it was a horrible meeting. [They] threatened to leave the conversation a couple of times.” 

When Mateo contacted the Dean of Engineering to demand an investigation into their experience, Mateo received a short email in which the Dean agreed with the advisor.

“I have been given false information and lied to […] and not a single apology,” Mateo said.

Kaila Folinsbee, associate director of the McGill Engineering Student Centre, and Anthony Mittermaier, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science, expressed their willingness to hear students’ advising concerns in statements to the Tribune. They encouraged students who have been affected by misinformation to report their experiences to them directly.

“I welcome any opportunity to improve our advising services and address perceived concerns about the information our advisors provide,” Folinsbee wrote. “I will investigate those situations to ensure students are getting appropriate, effective, and timely guidance.”

In an interview with the Tribune, Manuel Balán, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts, stressed that students and advisors share the effort and responsibility of degree planning. He also asserted that advisors don’t have universal decision-making power—a student’s path remains their decision, but they may consult with academic advisors who may recommend changes to a degree plan.

“Students are adults, the policies are public, and, therefore, even when they seek guidance from advisors in a collaborative way, ultimately decisions are made by students,” Balán said. “I do not think there is a process of misinformation. Far from it, all advisors mean well and try to help students.”

Article 13 of McGill’s Charter of Students’ Rights protects students from “vexatious” conduct by a university representative acting in an official capacity—such as an advisor, Dean, or professor. Vexatious conduct may be interpreted to include negligence, intentional harm, or other offensive acts. 

Students alleging rights violations can report their experiences through a formal grievance procedure, which would entail submitting evidence and attending a hearing before the grievance committee. While the grievance committee does not have the power to issue financial compensation, as per Article 8, Section 3 of the Charter, it can order a review of certain decisions if deemed appropriate. 

*Mateo’s name has been changed to preserve their anonymity.

News, PGSS

PGSS Council votes to endorse climate strike on Sept. 23

by Abby McCormick on

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The Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) convened for its first council meeting of the Fall 2022 semester on Sept. 14. Led by speaker Adrienne Tessier, the meeting’s agenda covered issues such as McGill’s fossil fuel investments and teaching assistants’ (TA) rights.

The meeting began with an overview of the various PGSS committees, such as faculty councils, the Appointments Board, and the Health and Wellness Committee, all of which are looking for new members this fall. Tessier encouraged graduate students to consider applying as a means of becoming more acquainted with systems of student governance. 

“These [committees] are a fantastic opportunity to get to know how PGSS and McGill work,” Tessier said. “They are also fantastic résumé builders, especially for those of us who want to continue on in academia.”

PGSS’s secretary general Kristi Kouchakji updated the Council on the search for McGill’s new Principal and Vice-Chancellor. While Kouchakji—who sits on the Advisory Committee as PGSS’s representative—is bound by a confidentiality agreement, she relayed what she could, noting that community consultation sessions were being held, and that the committee had received a large number of applications.  

Subsequently, Kiersten van Vliet, a representative from the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM), presented her report on TA and invigilator rights—a topic pertinent to many PGSS members who are beginning their first TA positions this month. Van Vliet encouraged them to reach out for help if they felt that professors were violating their worker rights. She also acknowledged the difficult position TAs may find themselves in with classes returning to full in-person delivery.

“Refusing unsafe work is difficult because the province has deemed [COVID-19] to essentially be over,” van Vliet said. “But if you have reason to believe that you are being asked to go into a situation that is unsafe, you are within your rights to refuse to go into that situation.”

Following van Vliet’s presentation, Tessier presented the council with a motion to endorse the general strike for the climate set to occur worldwide on Friday, Sept. 23. Given the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports warning that the effects of 1.5 degrees of warming are more catastrophic than previously anticipated, Tessier emphasized the importance of larger-scale demonstrations as a means of effecting change in the university and beyond.

“McGill University continues to be actively complicit in climate change through its investments in fossil fuels, nuclear weapons, and arms manufacturers,” Tessier said. “The continuous and conscious inaction of these institutions in spite of the overwhelming and alarming evidence has proven the need to utilize collective action as a means of change.”

After some discussion from committee members, the motion was approved in a unanimous vote of 34-0, signifying that PGSS will be publicly stating their support for the general strike for the climate.

Moment of the Meeting:

The meeting was subject to some slight technical challenges as a result of its hybrid format. Some council members attended in person at Thomson House, while others attended via Zoom, making it difficult to communicate with those who attended in the other medium. Speaker Adrienne Tessier, who attended virtually, poked some fun at the situation, saying “So, unfortunately, I will be the disembodied voice running these meetings. I hope that’s okay with everyone.”

Soundbite: 

“I don’t see how we get around climate change being the most important issue that we are collectively facing pretty much anywhere [….] There is no more room to deny that climate change is happening or to continue kicking this can down the road for the next generations to deal with. We are, unfortunately, the generation who has had the can kicked at them quite hard.”

— Kristi Kouchakji, PGSS Secretary-General, on the PGSS Motion to endorse the general strike for climate on Sept. 23.

McGill Recommendations, Out on the Town, Student Life

Café Q&A: Your guide to Montreal’s cafés

by Harry North on

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Two things have come up time and time again this week. First, I’ve received quite a few: “Oh, by the way, I’m so sorry for your loss”’s lately. It’s because, well, I’m not sure if you’ve heard, it has kind of been on the down low recently, but Queen Elizabeth passed away. And, as I’m British, it’s become quite the trendy conversation filler for people. Bizarrely, someone I don’t even know messaged me about it on Instagram and asked “what culture does Britain have besides colonization?” A very apt message—sausage rolls, to answer your question. 

The other thing that has come up is café recommendations. “I need somewhere cute” is the line. Well, of course you do, you’re going to Redpath Café. I’m not downloading Mapstr, but I can answer some of your questions.   

Where should I take my date/partner for coffee? 

Is coffee even romantic? Yellow teeth, bad breath, and bitter coffee remnants on lips don’t exactly scream “let’s go back to mine.” But still, I think grabbing coffee is a great idea for dates—it’s cheaper than going out to bars and you can actually get to know each other better, sober. Going out during the day also lets you see if they’re what they’ve said on the packet as well.  

First things first, don’t bring your date to the same café you bring your partner! If it’s a date you’re going on, try Café Parvis, a café-brunch restaurant on Mayor Street. Inside, there are polished vintage chairs that make you look cooler just by sitting in them, and vines dropping from the ceilings, which creates a backdrop that makes you sound more interesting––plants always melt the heart. I’d avoid going midday on a Saturday though, it can get very busy. 

Best café to study in? 

Let’s face it: Add-drop is over, the temperatures are falling, evenings are darkening, and assignments are mounting. We’re approaching the precipice of the stress abyss. We need solutions. And no, Anticafé is not the answer. It’s about time we dispel that myth and see Anticafé for what it is: A dusty loft with a poor selection of biscuits. Crew Café is also a big no no—far too overpriced and busy.

Instead, try Café Osmo, a minimalist Japanese café on the corner of Rue Clark and Sherbrooke. There’s space for working, functioning Wi-Fi, charging ports, as well as bites to eat and coffee to keep you going. There’s also a designated table for no laptops, if you fancy a read. 

Another suggestion––tree huggers, this one’s for you––is Leaves House. A plant-based coffee house with two locations. But the one on Ave. McGill College has a seating area behind the serving counter, which is a decent alternative to the library. The coffee is also pretty good. 

Where can I find a café that serves great sandwiches? 

Try Café Aunja, an Iranian tea and sandwich café on Sherbrooke. It’s only about a seven-minute walk from  McGill campus and is a real gem—I don’t say this lightly.  My favourite is probably the chicken koukou. The chicken is mashed with the potato, which can get a tad messy, but worth it—it’s delicious. 

Find me a locally run Italian café!

Look no further than Caffettiera. The café boasts a trendy, colourful interior and is run by an Italian man  named Andreas Vecchio who will gladly serve you an espresso and a glass of sparkling water—and chat to you about your favourite football (soccer) team!

Which café is the most overrated?

Café Olimpico. There’s a surprising number of people who recommend Café Olimpico. I never want to dine with them. Olimpico’s coffee is too often stale, and too often regrettable. For a local chain with solid brew, try Myriade instead. 

Where can I find the best cookies?

The crème de la crème is La Finca, a bakery-café on Rue de Bleury. They serve thick, brown sugar, buttery cookies. It’s as good as it gets around here. 

And lastly, where’s the best coffee?

Pikolo Espresso Bar. It recently moved from Parc down to Clark, about a 15-20 minute walk from campus. The coffee, without question, is consistently the best. I go to Pikolo every day. It’s my second living room—it’s just too big to be kept at home. 

Features

Levelling the playing field

by Anoushka Oke on

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The Euro 2022 final in July was still in a deadlock in the 90th minute, with England and Germany clinging on by a goal each. It remained as such until the second half of extra time, when Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly managed to slot the ball into the net in the 110th minute. Kelly’s goal proved to be the game-winner, handing England the title; it was the first trophy that either English soccer team had won in decades, allowing football to come home at last.

Though the win generated a fair amount of publicity and praise from other athletes and public figures, many fans cannot recognize Kelly’s name or face just a few months after. Why is the game-winner for the final of a major continental tournament being viewed with such little importance?

I was in fourth grade when I fell in love with watching professional soccer. As an avid soccer player and fan in a family that didn’t share the same obsession, I obsessed over the schedules of sports channels—back when cable was still a thing—in search of both men’s and women’s games. Later on, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil only got me more hooked. But as I interacted more and more with other soccer fans both in-person and on social media, I started to notice intense prejudice and a lack of respect towards the beautiful game’s women fans and stars.

In search of a soccer community at my elementary school, I tried to befriend a group of boys in my grade who frequently wore club jerseys and always scrimmaged at recess. Though I followed many of the same teams they did, I felt out of place in their male-dominated circle and sensed that my love for the sport wasn’t taken seriously––at least, not as seriously as theirs. They asked me to list players from different teams to prove that I was a real fan of the game; ironically, I doubt whether they could have named a single player from any of the women’s teams I watched. Their conversations assumed the sport is essentially male. Eventually, hanging around them became tiring, and I withdrew. As I then lacked any sort of like-minded fan community, I watched professional soccer less and less frequently.
I noticed this kind of misogynistic sentiment—that nobody cares about women’s soccer, or that it’s not worth watching––persist throughout my years as a fan. This mindset reveals itself in the comment sections of popular soccer news sites and social media. When Bleacher Report Football tweeted about Alexia Putellas winning the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Award, many of the comments dismissed the athletic skill of female soccer players, sexualized them, or discussed male soccer players instead. “Who?”, “I don’t care,” and “They celebrate women’s trophies now?”, various netizens wrote. Similar comments can be found under any post about female players, reinforcing the same message: People don’t and shouldn’t care about women’s soccer.

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

‘Bee and Puppycat: Lazy in Space’ is a heart-warming, intergalactic delight

by Eliza Lee on

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Think of the adorable character design of Kiki’s Delivery Service, the magical hero transformations of Sailor Moon, off-beat comedic dialogue, and intergalactic space fighting. At first glance, these features may appear to be an unlikely combination. Unifying these features into one season of television might seem ill-advised, if not impossible. But, Bee and Puppycat: Lazy in Space proves both of these assumptions wrong. The Netflix show, released on Sept. 6, is a reboot of a 2013 Cartoon Hangover web series with the same name from creator Natasha Allegri. Like its predecessor, the show tells a complex story of fantasy, friendship, and community, with a heartfelt touch.

Bee and Puppycat follows Bee, a seemingly average woman who lives a peaceful life on The Island. Her world is turned upside down when a strange cat-like animal falls from the sky and into her arms, communicating with her in only robotic gibberish. At the insistence of her newfound friend, ‘Puppycat,’ the pair accept jobs at an intergalactic temporary work agency. In each episode, they are assigned an odd job on a remote planet, from baking magic, crystal-encrusted donuts to cleaning a giant celestial toilet. But as they settle into a life together, mysterious forces from Puppycat’s past begin appearing on their missions and threaten to uproot everything he and Bee have created. 

One of the most compelling aspects of the show is the easygoing atmosphere of Bee and Puppycat’s world. Because of their flexible employment situation, the pair spend their days on The Island pursuing pleasure over productivity. The two friends go to the beach, binge-watch TV, and rack up in-app purchases in a mobile phone game. As a result, the show dwells on—and often finds humour in—the mundane aspects of everyday life. A good example can be found in the fourth episode ‘Gentle Touch’: 30 seconds of the 25-minute episode exclusively feature Puppycat trying to pick broccoli out of his teeth. Even the unhurried manner Bee speaks in and the lo-fi soundtrack that underscores much of the show reflect its calming overall mood. These creative choices cast the world in a wholesome light and make for a relaxing watch. 

A key element in creating this heart-warming tone is Bee and Puppycat’s friendship. The protagonists are opposites in many ways: Bee is caring and affectionate but procrastinates on important tasks, while Puppycat is selfish but has a no-nonsense attitude toward his work. This contrast sparks many humorous, petty arguments between the pair throughout the season, but it also encourages each character to step out of their comfort zone. Guided by Bee’s loyalty and compassion, they offer to weed a community garden for their landlord. After a practical pep talk from Puppycat, Bee faces her fear of water and goes for a swim in the ocean. Because of the endearing dynamic of their friendship, every moment they are on-screen together is both fun and heartfelt.

Not only is Bee and Puppycat entertaining, but it’s also visually impressive. While the smooth line art style remains essentially unchanged from the original series, the colour art of the Netflix iteration is noticeably more detailed. The show’s animation is most radiant when capturing landscapes. Whether it’s a crystalline, torus-shaped, turquoise planet in ‘What Do You Want To Be?’, a sleepy forest on an autumn morning in ‘Snow and Violets,’ or glimmering arcade lights in ‘Did You Remember,’ each scene is portrayed in a vibrant, captivating shine. 

Though at first glance the series may seem disjointed because of its genre-blurring qualities, the show balances elements of comedy, slice-of-life, and magical girl anime handily. With a soothing ambience, lovable protagonists, and stunning animation, watching Bee and Puppycat is like gazing into the night sky: Peaceful, contemplative, and uplifting.

The first season of Bee and Puppycat: Lazy in Space is streaming now on Netflix.

McGill, News, The Tribune Explains

Tribune Explains: The Golden Key Honour Society

by Sofia Sida on

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Every year, a select few top-performing students are contacted by the Dean of Students to join McGill’s chapter of The Golden Key Honour Society. With this year’s invitations having just been sent out, The McGill Tribune explains what joining the society entails. 

What is the Golden Key Honour Society? 

The Golden Key Honour Society is a nonprofit international society that aims to offer its members scholarship and networking opportunities. It claims to be the world’s largest honour society for post-secondary students, with over 400 chapters in 180 countries around the globe. The McGill chapter was founded in 1997 and was the first to be established in Canada.

How popular is it at McGill? 

According to Ian Sankey, the Canadian director of the Golden Key Honour Society, there are around 500 McGill undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in the Society. While the process of becoming a member differs for undergraduate and graduate students, the Golden Key website claims that both groups can benefit from the connections, networking opportunities, and other resources they provide. Post-graduation, alumni members still have access to some promotions and career fairs, and the Society pledges to keep in contact.

How does one qualify? 

Membership in the Golden Key Society is for undergraduate and graduate students at McGill whose cumulative GPA is in the top 15 per cent of their program. Undergraduates who qualify will receive an email in the Fall semester inviting them to join. Graduate students, however, must apply online. 

A lifetime membership to the society costs $95 CAD, but the fee may be waived for those who receive need-based financial aid to cover tuition. 

How has the McGill chapter been involved in the Society and how can students benefit from it? 

The Society has three pillars: Academics, leadership, and service. It claims to provide members with exclusive scholarships and awards programs, and encourages members to get involved in their communities. 

In an email to the Tribune, Sankey explained that offering in-person gatherings, such as conferences and summits, was a large part of the Golden Key’s mandate before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“In 2018, the McGill University chapter co-hosted the CANCON summit in Montreal and welcomed students and alumni from across Canada, the U.S., and we even had a member from Australia join in,” Sankey wrote. “Our last in-person summit in Canada was held at Niagara Falls in 2019. We hope to start up the in-person summits again, but no timeline for a future in-person summit has yet been set.”

While in-person gatherings have stalled, membership to the Society now includes access to the Golden Key Academy (GKA), a new online resource giving students access to webinars, training videos, and other exclusive online content for no additional fees. The type of content and training offered, however, is not specified on the Society’s website. According to Sankey, the emphasis on online resources was borne out of the COVID-19 pandemic and around 60,000 members have used the Academy’s resources since its inception.

“The GKA is an online resource that was launched soon after the pandemic hit to offer members a virtual platform to continue to connect and learn,” Sankey wrote. “There are live webinars on a wide variety of topics that the members can attend, and they are all recorded and added to the online library for viewing at a later date if someone cannot attend the webinar live.”

Many of the latest events offered by the McGill chapter have been online raffles to win small prizes such as gift cards to coffee shops, massages, or tutoring sessions for final exams. The group’s most recent event was a “Battle of the Brains” with Concordia’s chapter of the Society in March 2022. The most recent scholarship awarded to a McGill student through the Society was the $1,000 Golden Key Undergraduate Achievement Award, presented in April 2022. 

Hockey, Sports

Martlets hockey loses 4-3 to Queen’s in suspenseful overtime

by Sophia Gorbounov on

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On Sept. 17, the McGill women’s hockey team (0–2) played their first game of the semester. Matched up against the Queen’s University Golden Gaels (2–0), the game was marked with aggressive plays on both sides that left viewers wishing they could watch them on replay. After a long fight, the Martlets were defeated in overtime, losing 4-3. 

The team saw a lot of turnover from the previous year, with many fresh faces and a new team captain, master’s student and forward Christiana Colizza. Despite the ultimate loss, third-year forward Quynn Campbell was proud of all the players, new and returning. 

“It was so awesome to watch four of our first-years play their first games as Martlets today,” Campbell told The McGill Tribune. “They all played great. Heads were held high after today’s game.”

The Martlets opened the first with strong defensive tactics. The Gaels made immediate attempts on goal, but were blocked left and right by second-year goalie Sophie Lajeunesse.

On the offensive side, the first minutes of the period were slower, the puck often being passed to open ice. The slow start did nothing to prevent the Martlets from opening the scoring a mere four minutes into the game. Easily missed if one wasn’t paying attention, Campbell, assisted by third-year defender Suraiya Suleman, made a lightning-fast shot from just beside the goal, whipping the puck into the back of the net.

The start of the second period saw penalties on both sides, leaving the Gaels and the Martlets down one player each. Still, McGill pushed through the four-on-four matchup, and the next goal of the game went to the Martlets, scored by defender Lydia MacLellan and assisted by fellow defender Jaime Kastelic.

The 2-0 lead is the most dangerous one in hockey. For the Gaels, it served as a wake-up call and they scored two back-to-back goals with eight minutes remaining, bringing the score up to a tie. A frantic energy permeated the end of the period, with both teams spreading themselves thin as they sped around the ice chasing the puck back and forth.

“There were a couple of minutes [when] we let the other team take the pace over us,” centre and assistant captain Marika Labrecque told the Tribune. “We have to work on that.”

The final period brought more strife for the Martlets when the Gaels scored on an excellent rebound shot, edging them above their opponents 3-2.

But this didn’t hinder the spirit of the players as the game was far from over. With only five minutes remaining, Labrecque scored.

Hope was injected back into the veins of every McGillian in the crowd as the game moved into overtime. Hit with a penalty right off the bat, Queen’s managed to survive with a shorthanded team, letting no goals in. Alas, in the last minutes of overtime, the Gaels scored, ending the game with a 4-3 score for the away team.

Despite the loss, Campbell knows her team fought tooth and nail, and that they have the whole season ahead to grow together. 

“We fought hard for all 60 minutes,” Campbell said. “[We] have shaken off all our first-game-of-the-season nerves.”

The Martlets played their second game against the Gaels on Sept. 18 in Kingston. McGill fell once again to their opponents, ending the game with a 4-2 loss.

Moment of the game: Team centre Marika Labrecque scored an unbelievable third goal, ending the Martlets’ short dry spell, tying the scores, and ensuring the team had one more go at a win in overtime. 

Quotable: “We’re taking away a lot of positives from it, but also have a lot to learn moving forward. We’re excited for the upcoming season and can’t wait to hit the ground running at our season opener!” – Second-year forward Mika Chang

Stat corner: The game saw Queen’s receive twice as many penalties as McGill (six to three).

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