Music and the human body: the effects of live performances

By Amanda Scanga, Science in Society co-editor Music is a form of art enjoyed by many, including myself. Throughout my life, I have used music as a form of entertainment, as a stress reliever, and as a mood booster. And whenever my favourite artists announced a concert in my hometown, I would buy tickets the […]

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What we know and don’t know about Alzheimer’s disease

By Michael Ralph Limmena, Health, Medicine & Veterinary Science co-editor Canadians are living longer than ever — 2015 marked the first year that the number of Canadians older than 65 surpassed the number of children younger than 15. Unfortunately, the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s latest projections paint a grim picture for the future for many […]

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The sunshine vitamin sheds light on gut health

By Qiaochu Liang, guest contributor With winter just around the corner, some animals start building food caches, while others eat plenty of food to prepare for hibernation. This is also the perfect time for us humans to be proactive about getting enough essential nutrients, particularly vitamin D. What is vitamin D? Vitamins are a class […]

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A frontline perspective on opioids: shifting user demographics and drug sources

A small child empties a prescription bill bottle on to a counter.

By Jenna Finley, Biology and Life Sciences editor Editor’s note: this post is the second in a two-part series by Jenna Finley on Canada’s opioid crisis. Check out Part 1 here. The characteristics of the opioid epidemic have evolved over time. The people who take these drugs, the sources of the drugs, and even their […]

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Why does getting enough sleep matter?

By Dorottya Harangi, Health, Medicine & Veterinary Science co-editor When I was at university, I had friends who pulled all-nighters before every exam. As someone who loves her sleep and would never dream of skipping a night of rest, it was such a foreign concept to me. What are the consequences of being sleep-deprived and […]

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