The ability to walk is something most people take for granted. But for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and age-related mobility challenges, it can be a daily struggle. Slow, shuffling steps, difficulty maintaining balance, and unstable walking patterns make simple movements feel like obstacles. Nancy Mayo, a professor at McGill’s School[Read More…]
Tag: scitech
SCAnning the genome to uncover the genetics of a neurological disorder
Recent advances in molecular biology techniques are bringing new insights into complex diseases. These insights extend to spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), a group of progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the deterioration of the cerebellum—a brain structure critical for balance and movement coordination. In 2019, between 30 and 48 per cent of[Read More…]
CogSURF connects minds, empowering the next generation of cognitive scientists
The Cognitive Science Undergraduate Research Forum (CogSURF), Montreal’s first undergraduate-led conference of its kind, will host its inaugural event on Feb. 27 at the University Centre. This event aims to showcase undergraduate talent and break down the barriers to open science for undergraduate students across Montreal. With over 340 registrations,[Read More…]
How simulation learning is shaping inclusive healthcare
Simulations are becoming a more and more common training method for medical students. In a typical simulation, students resolve a medical case presented by an actor, and then participate in debriefing sessions led by a supervisor to analyze and critically review their experience and performance. This process commonly follows the[Read More…]
Understanding the role of alcohol in severe allergic reactions
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs when the immune system overreacts to a trigger, such as food, drugs, or insect stings. Symptoms can escalate quickly, leading to difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and swelling of the throat, requiring immediate medical intervention. For people with severe allergies,[Read More…]
Shane Laptiste celebrates history and future of Black architecture
McGill’s official Black History Month programming kicked off this Feb. 6 with their Black History Month Opening Ceremony and Keynote, featuring architect Shane Laptiste as the keynote speaker. Laptiste, who holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architecture from McGill, spoke on the importance of reimagining architecture to centre[Read More…]
How debiasing techniques could help combat discrimination
When making key decisions like who to hire for a job or who to trust in a crisis, we all like to imagine that we are rational actors, making reliable, objective decisions. However, we are known for being quite the opposite, and bias can creep into every aspect of our[Read More…]
Perfectionism: A blessing or a curse?
At first glance, being a perfectionist may seem like an advantage in a world where productivity and achievement are so highly valued. As a student, what could possibly be better than having the drive to ensure everything you do is done perfectly? As it turns out, recent research shows that[Read More…]
Should consent for examinations under anesthesia be obligatory?
In recent years, the practice of obtaining consent from medical patients, particularly when conducting examinations under anesthesia (EUAs) of the sensitive pelvic, rectal, or prostate regions, has gained increased attention. While the United States has seen significant media coverage and regulatory changes on this issue, Canada continues to lag behind.[Read More…]
When a DNA test doesn’t go the way you expected…
Imagine taking what appears to be a harmless DNA ancestry test, expecting to uncover more information about your heritage, only to be met with the discovery that your assumed parent is not biologically related to you. Direct-to-consumer DNA tests—such as those provided by 23AndMe and Ancestry—typically provide three pieces of[Read More…]