As the summer months draw near, visions of sandy beaches and cool breezes take over our minds, filling us with warmth—and promises of lots of free time. Whether looking out at the sea or the back of the seat in front of you on a flight, nothing can transport you[Read More…]
Science & Technology
The latest in science and technology.
Little known programs
In a day or two, U0 students will be required to choose their majors and minors for next year. Many other students also have the opportunity to change their program, if their current one is not the right fit. The Faculty of Science has a wide range of programs, many[Read More…]
The health benefits of “taking five”
Three weeks ago when I volunteered to play music for patients at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), I was given a special request to play in the psychiatric care centre. The managers who made this request noted that researchers recently released evidence that music can counter the ‘sundowning effect,’[Read More…]
School in clouds, a new face to education
Albert Einstein once said, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.” TED 2013 Prize Winner Sugata Mitra’s idea of building a school in the clouds epitomizes the way in which the human imagination can push boundaries to solve global issues. Mitra, a professor of educational technology at[Read More…]
Up in arms against mental illness diagnosis
In times of stress, students are accustomed to the familiar feelings of anxiety and mood changes. However, although people encounter stress from exams, work, and life’s challenges, this natural response to the demands placed on the body should not be classified as severe anxiety or depression. One of the most[Read More…]
Why are family meals important?
Recent developments have shown that eating meals with your family could be correlated to overall happiness in teenagers. According to U.S.A. Today, teens who eat meals with their family are less likely to be mentally unstable, and will exhibit fewer behavioural problems. Research shows that teens experience less angst, fewer[Read More…]
Design inspired by nature’s simplest formula
Architects are often taught in specific styles that are reflected in their work. But with most of our structures influenced by pre-existing designs, engineers are now asking what would happen if we could create designs completely independent of any references and preconceptions. Algorithm-based architecture, the use of computer programs to[Read More…]
This Week in Research
Compiled by Caity Hui Artificial Obesity New evidence suggests that diet soft drinks and other artificially sweetened products may induce weight gain, as well as increasing our risk for Type 2 diabetes. According to former McGill researcher Dana Small, sugar substitutes, like aspartame and sucralose, taste more intensely sweet than[Read More…]
Prescription addiction: Canada’s growing drug problem
There’s a drug problem in Canada. Part of it involves the recreational misuse of drugs, but another large aspect stems from drugs that doctors prescribe as treatment. Utilizing drugs for their unintended purposes cause deaths and health consequences throughout the country. Termed “off-label” prescriptions, a study from McGill released last[Read More…]
How does the internet work?
The internet, a network of networks, is often thought to have an ethereal existence—an illusive virtual web that somehow enables a message to travel from your McGill email to an account in London, or a tweet to circulate around the globe. What is surprising, however, is the tangible basis of[Read More…]
