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…]
Science & Technology
The latest in science and technology.
Think you know how your friends feel? Think again
Can you always accurately tell how your friends are feeling? What about the stranger across from you on the metro? Can you differentiate between someone smiling out of happiness, excitement, or contentment? If you think “yes,” recent research may come as a surprise. Alexandrija Zikic, a graduate psychology student working[Read More…]
Fresh produce: The hidden face of food poisoning
Over four million Canadians contract food poisoning every year, making it a relatively common—although intensely unpleasant—ailment. The most commonly identified culprits are undercooked red meat, poultry products, and seafood. However, fresh produce is another source that often gets overlooked. As the general public increasingly recognizes fruits and vegetables as integral[Read More…]
Searching for life beyond Earth
What does it mean to be alive? Could life exist elsewhere in the universe, and if so, how would we recognize it? On Jan. 14, 2025, Dr. Michael L. Wong, Postdoctoral Fellow at Carnegie Science’s Earth & Planets Laboratory, addressed these mysteries during a seminar at the Trottier Space Institute[Read More…]
Five must-see science events this semester
With the add-drop period coming to an end and several more cold months lying ahead, the winter semester at McGill seems as daunting as ever. Luckily, for those who take pleasure in learning new things, there is respite to be found on campus and throughout the city of Montreal. With[Read More…]
Take The Tribune’s Science and Technology quiz
Which McGill campus building has an observatory on its roof? a) McIntyre Medical Buildingb) McCall MacBain Arts Buildingc) Burnside Halld) Ernest Rutherford Physics Building What causes the glowing green light in the sky over Montreal? a) The aurora borealis / northern lightsb) The Desjardins Complexc) Global warmingd) Aliens Barbara Althea[Read More…]
Unveiling the adaptive roles of autistic behaviours
Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, affects approximately one in 100 children worldwide. It constitutes a diverse group of brain development conditions that impact how individuals perceive and socialize with others, often leading to differences in social interaction and communication in comparison to their neurotypical peers. One of the[Read More…]
Healing the barriers: Noa Therapeutics and the future of eczema treatment
A promising new approach to combating eczema could help millions of patients who are left unsatisfied by current treatments. The key may lie in transcription factors—a solution that was previously considered impossible. On Nov. 19, members of the McGill Department of Chemistry gathered in the Otto Maass Chemistry Building where[Read More…]
Towards equity: 2SLGBTQIA+ representation in genetic counselling education
Genetic counselling is a growing field that aims to use family history and DNA testing to help families that may be at high risk for having children with birth defects and genetic disorders, as well as assess risk factors for inherited conditions. While innovations in genetic testing present new horizons[Read More…]
Reaching every doorstep: Equitable care for pregnant women in Nigeria
Nigeria’s Bauchi State has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Home visit programs are making a difference in reducing this rate by bringing vital healthcare knowledge straight to the doorsteps of pregnant women. By meeting women and their families where they are, this initiative helps address[Read More…]
