When we think of what the physical world is made of, atoms come to mind—but it turns out the story is far more complex. In reality, atomic matter makes up only five per cent of the universe. The rest, however, is made of dark matter and dark energy, which have[Read More…]
Science & Technology
The latest in science and technology.
How a tiny brain region is shaping the future of major depressive disorder research
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…]
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…]
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…]
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…]
Spotlighting Canadian women in science
Women have long driven scientific discoveries in Canada, yet their contributions often remain unrecognized and overlooked. Spotlighting the work of these innovators is crucial, as it ensures they are remembered without misattribution. The Tribune has compiled a list of women whose groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire future generations. Elizabeth Elsie[Read More…]
A look inside POWE: A McGill club empowering women in engineering
Content warning: Mention of femicide New students often find it daunting to find a community that shares their values and aspirations. At McGill, engineering students can join Promoting Opportunities for Women in Engineering (POWE), an organization that creates a sense of belonging through mentorship, professional development, and outreach. POWE was[Read More…]
Meet your prof: Alex Ketchum
Food. Gender. Tech. Queer history. What do these topics have in common? They are all key research areas for Alex Ketchum, a historian and an Associate Professor in McGill’s Institute for Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies, whose research explores how these topics intersect. Ketchum has long been interested in feminist[Read More…]