In the past, a person’s death was determined by the absence of breathing and a heartbeat. However, the introduction of the mechanical ventilator has complicated death determination. In patients with severe damage to the brain, breathing stops, which causes the heart to stop beating. Through life support, doctors can now[Read More…]
Science & Technology
The latest in science and technology.
Spotlight on Black scientists at McGill and beyond
Despite the important equity work done by various organizations, Black people continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields and academia. In honour of Black History Month, The McGill Tribune spoke to five up-and-coming Black researchers in a variety of scientific disciplines. Dr. Myrna Lashley Dr. Myrna Lashley is an associate professor[Read More…]
Housing crisis in Inuit Nunangat undermines healthy ageing in Inuit elders
Healthy ageing is unique to each individual and culture. In Western cultures, for example, healthy ageing is measured by physical, emotional, and social well-being. In Inuit culture, ageing is also linked to spirituality, strong familial connections, and community ties. Social determinants of health (SDH) in non-Indigenous ageing, such as a[Read More…]
Teaching spinach to send emails
Although plants are living things, they are usually inanimate and incapable of communicating anything but their need for water. However, through the use of nanotechnology, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found a way to initiate communication between plants and humans. With this emerging technology, spinach, known for[Read More…]
Science Rewind: Notable Black scientists and inventors throughout history
Content warning: Anti-Black racism and discrimination Black people have long been barred from academia and entrepreneurship opportunities due to institutionalized racism and prejudice. In honour of Black History Month, The McGill Tribune highlights notable scientists and inventors who succeeded in making important scientific progress in spite of systemic anti-Black racism. Madam[Read More…]
Puffy exoplanet challenges traditional notions of planet formation
Since the first exoplanet was discovered in 1992, scientists have identified more than 4,000 of these astronomical bodies. Exoplanets—planets found outside our solar system—have been shown to challenge traditional theories of planet formation, which were based on Earth’s own system. A recent study has revealed that gas giants can form[Read More…]
A walk a day keeps the doctor away
Every year, McGill students curse the campus terrain as they trudge up the hill towards the Life Sciences Complex. However, the health benefits of climbing up the hill are abundant. Research has shown that for those able, walking reduces the rates of cardiometabolic diseases like diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. [Read More…]
A future with 100 per cent green energy
In 2015, all United Nations (UN) member states adopted the Agenda for Sustainable Development, which comprises 17 goals that address the social, political, and economic aspects of sustainability to be achieved by 2030. On Feb. 9, a panel discussion titled “Can We Ever Achieve 100% Green Energy?” was held as[Read More…]
McGill partners with Ecosia, the search engine that plants trees
Think about how often you hit “search” on your computer. From course work to finding the best restaurants in Montreal, students surf the net for almost anything. Ecosia, a free search engine, takes advantage of our internet usage by planting one tree per approximately 45 searches. Recently, McGill’s Office of[Read More…]
2021 could be the shortest year in decades
While most assume that a day lasts 24 hours, this is not entirely true. Scientists believe that the Earth is spinning faster than it has in 50 years, and as a result, each day in 2021 may be infinitesimally shorter. To understand why this is, it is important to know[Read More…]
