The diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) remain the top two leading public health challenges of the 21st century. First identified in 1882, mycobacterium tuberculosis is by far the world’s most successful pathogen: One-third of the world's population is infected, with 10.4 million new infections and 1.8 million deaths in 2015. In recognition[Read More…]
Science & Technology
The latest in science and technology.
Indigenous communities continue to face disproportionate barriers to health
Dr. Ojistoh Horn, from the nearby Mohawk Kahnawake Nation, spoke at the Women’s Health Conference hosted by McGill’s Comparative Healthcare Systems on March 11. The conference aimed to spark conversations on the structural and social determinants of health within Canada. After attending medical school at the University of British Columbia,[Read More…]
Coffee-naps: A scientifically based life hack
University life is known for many things, but an overabundance of sleep is not one of them. The endless onslaught of lectures, papers, labs, and midterms that McGill throws at its students is not conducive to getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep every night. For many students,[Read More…]
Will artificial intelligence be able to replace human vision?
In 2014, theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking warned us of the dangers artificial intelligence (AI) poses to mankind. He told BBC News, “Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn’t compete, and would be superseded.” Hawking is best known for his predictive theorem—called Hawking radiation—which predicts that black holes release blackbody[Read More…]
OpenMedia McGill equips students with encryption tools
In a rapidly evolving world where people’s information is becoming more accessible and privacy is quickly eroding, anti-surveillance tools are increasing in popularity. To overcome a lack of privacy, OpenMedia McGill, in partnership with HackMcGill, acquainted students with anti-surveillance tools, like Tor and Signal, in a workshop on March 16.[Read More…]
Fresh off the Petri dish: The emerging industry of cellular agriculture
Which came first: The chicken or the egg? In the not too distant future, the popular dilemma may become less universal. On March 13, Effective Altruists at McGill, with the support of Greenpeace McGill, hosted an informative presentation delivered by co-President Yarrow Eady entitled, “Saving the World through Biotechnology.” Eady[Read More…]
Nanosatellites: The future of space exploration?
NASA has always been an institute of great scientific accomplishment and innovation, but this comes with a hefty price tag. As the agency moves forward in its three-stage plan to put humans on Mars, the public agency’s budget is under heavy scrutiny. Increased pressure has been put on NASA to[Read More…]
The impact of music on identity
Music affects the human brain in endless ways. From experiencing pleasure and joy to sound, to remembering autobiographical events, to communicating through movement, music impacts humans constantly and significantly. In a recent study published in February in Scientific Reports—led by Cognitive Psychologist and Professor Dr. Daniel Levitin—sex, drugs, and music[Read More…]
McGill Defi Ecotech Challenge hosts Women in Cleantech panel
The hosts of the McGill Defi Ecotech Challenge commemorated International Women’s Day on March 8 with a Women in Cleantech panel. Clean technology, coined “cleantech,” reduces environmental impact via innovation in any product, process, or service through increased efficiency and sustainability. The panelists, Myriam Bélisle, Solenne Brouard, Diane Leboeuf, and[Read More…]
McGill researchers develop new model for Zika virus experiments
The spread of new and emerging viruses poses a constant threat to public health and presents a concern to developing and developed countries alike. Population growth, climate change, and the increasing ease and speed of travel have exacerbated the transmission of these viruses. Overpopulation results in the construction of homes[Read More…]
