Sarah Boon, Science Borealis co-founder and Board of Directors member Two reviews of Canadian science were released recently: the Naylor Report and the Global Young Academy report. While both champion Canadian science, neither report mentions that increasing funding for Canadian science requires public support and a strong Canadian science culture, which requires effective science communication. […]
Science in Society
Toxoplasmosis and the zombie mouse in my backyard
Ainslie Butler and Lindsay Jolivet, Health, Medicine, and Veterinary Science co-editors This summer, I made friends with a zombie mouse. One recent evening as I was sitting in my suburban Toronto backyard, a tiny mouse that often visits began behaving strangely. Instead of scurrying across the patio like usual, my mouse buddy started running in […]
Fold it right there: The mathematical art of paper folding
Malgosia Ip, Mathematics & Statistics editor “I really don’t think it’s possible,” I say again, unfolding the rumpled sheet of paper. I have been trying to solve one of Erik Demaine’s folding puzzles for a few hours now. Some of the creases have been folded so many times that the paper is starting to tear. […]
A new way to think about an ancient problem: Common weed provides hope for a possible novel cancer therapy
Sunitha Chari, Biology & Life Sciences co-editor Cancer, one of the leading causes of death in modern times, is not a new disease. It has been around since ancient times, with some of the earliest evidence found in Egyptian mummies. In fact, cancer derives its name from the Greek work for tumors, karkinos, and was […]
Satellite technology: Beneficial for all or ill-fated endeavour?
Kathi Unglert and Tanya Samman, Earth and Environmental Science co-editors My radio alarm clock turns itself on at 7 A.M., and I wake to tunes on my favourite station, transmitted straight to my bedroom via satellite. What a great start! Satellite imagery can be used to forecast water availability in reservoirs and to monitor crop […]