Two years ago, roughly half of high school-aged Canadians did not believe that climate change could be stopped. Some of this hopelessness stems from climate education, which still revolves around causes and effects, rather than solutions. But, can climate change be stopped without spurring the next generation to action? That[Read More…]
Science & Technology
The latest in science and technology.
The infinite potential of untangling quantum numbers
Over the last decade, thanks to developments in hardware and software technologies, computers can now tackle problems previously thought impossible. Computer chips are faster (in accordance with Moore’s Law) and developing fields like deep learning—a class of algorithms that use brain-inspired neural networks to process data—allow computers to more efficiently[Read More…]
Walking the academic tightrope
Canadians have been calling for reform in higher education for years because many feel that such institutions fail to effectively prepare students for the workforce. This isn’t the only issue on students’ minds though—the university’s priorities are, too. From recycled class lectures, rotating professors, and the struggles with contacting lecturers,[Read More…]
Health misinformation: A hidden obstacle to better patient outcomes
The internet has become a widely used source of health information by the public, including cancer patients. However, the quality and reliability of online information vary greatly, leading to misunderstandings of treatments and, ultimately, reduced quality of care for those living with cancer. In a recent paper, Marrah Nicolas-Joseph, U3[Read More…]
Combatting pseudoscience with reason and rationality
Albert Einstein once said that “two things are infinite: The Universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the Universe.” Although a quick fact-check shows that the acclaimed physicist might not have actually said this, the essence of the statement remains clear—there are no limits to human folly. Pseudoscientific[Read More…]
Some stones are better left unturned
In recent decades, the many negative effects of tillage, the practice of turning over soil after harvesting crops, have become increasingly evident: It disrupts soil structure, accelerates soil erosion, and causes runoff of pesticides and fertilizer, damaging adjacent ecosystems. No-till farming, a practice that involves leaving the soil largely undisturbed,[Read More…]
Glycans: The key to better gut health
The gut microbiome has attracted a slew of research interest, leading to the discovery that a poor gut microbiome can cause various diseases, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. More recent research has delved further into the negative health outcomes associated with a poor gut microbiome while proposing strategies to[Read More…]
Asbestos, the best therapy animal
Look no further, fellow McGillians, our struggles have come to an end. We at The McGill Tribune are pleased to announce the recruitment of a new therapy animal, commonly known by its endearing name asbestos, who is easily accessible to students and faculty alike. No need to schedule a visit[Read More…]
SEDTalks showcases the wonders of McGill graduate student research
The Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design hosted the fifth annual edition of SEDTalks, a program where three graduate students work throughout the winter semester to present their research to the public in an accessible, engaging way. This year’s students presented a wide array of research in public[Read More…]
Where nature meets technology: Machine learning as a tool for climate action
With the dangers of continued fossil fuel use and environmental mismanagement unfolding before our eyes in the form of intense heat waves, droughts, and wildfires, it’s obvious that dramatic, transformative action must be taken. Throughout the pessimistic debate about the effectiveness of climate change policy and methods of pollution mitigation,[Read More…]
