Warning: This piece mentions suicide. The habenula is a tiny structure buried deep within the brain, composed of two distinct subregions—the medial (MHb) and lateral habenula (LHb). Although small, it is a critical hub for regulating mood, motivation, and reward processing. Because of this, researchers have begun to link abnormalities[Read More…]
Tag: mcgill
Think you know plants? These six fun facts might surprise you
From the giant sequoias of the Sierra Nevada to the stinking corpse lilies of tropical forests in Southeast Asia, plants take astonishing forms. Despite all relying on the same basic ingredients to thrive—sunlight, water, air, and nutrients—the plant world is endlessly diverse. But what do plants mean to people at[Read More…]
We can’t all be superheroes
One year ago, I wrote an article titled ‘Disruption is the essence of effective protest,’ arguing that radical activism is more effective than catering to the politically neutral, and that fence-sitters aren’t worth engaging with. But after another year spent watching and reporting on student activism, I can see that[Read More…]
Student artistry: Made at McGill, yet advanced by artists
Watching a show in Tuesday Night Café Theatre’s (TNC) space, the first thing you will notice is that the separation between crew and audience—or cast and audience, if the director so decides—is almost non-existent. The small theatre at Morrice Hall, whose seating can be configured as the director wishes, creates[Read More…]
Not just ice caps: Shorter frozen seasons causing concern for climate scientists
The climate crisis, painfully familiar and distressing, continues to demand our attention. Some researchers are devoting this attention to analyzing the number of frozen land surface days—days when the ground surface is in a frozen state. A recent paper led by Shadi Hatami, a hydrologist and climate scientist at the[Read More…]
Summer courses: Bask in the sun while living and learning in Montreal
With just over a month left of the Winter semester and warm weather (hopefully) on the way, many McGill students are getting ready to bid adieu to Montreal and head home for the summer. However, for those who are unsure of their summer plans, or want to stay in Montreal[Read More…]
AGSEM rally encourages progress in ongoing workers’ rights negotiations with McGill
On March 18, approximately 40 McGill students, workers, and faculty members gathered outside the Leacock Building for the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM)’s rally. The rally, which advocated for a budget increase for the wages of graduate student workers, was timed to coincide with a McGill Senate[Read More…]
Burnout and mentorship gaps for marginalized clinician-scientist trainees
MD-PhD and MD-MSc programs—where students pursue a Doctor of Medicine (MD) alongside either a Master of Science (MSc) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)—are becoming increasingly recognized for their academic and career-centric benefits. These programs train physicians with strong scientific research backgrounds, equipping graduates with a unique skillset. However, these courses[Read More…]
At the water’s edge: Stories of climate adaptation
One wave at a time, coastal communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels, intensifying storms, and shifting fisheries threaten ecosystems, infrastructure, and commerce. These challenges were at the heart of this year’s Annual Grand Challenge on Sustainability, organized by Desautel’s Faculty of Management’s[Read More…]
Beating the fake-spring blues with science events at McGill
Now that we have returned to daylight savings, our days should feel longer, brighter, warmer—in theory, that is. Somehow, both the ground and the sky remain the same colour of lifeless grey. And not only are our skies dark, but our homes are as well, after recent winds of 120[Read More…]