Astronomers have discovered a Moon-sized white dwarf more massive than the Sun

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Chenoa van den Boogaard, Physics & Astronomy editor Astronomers have discovered the smallest white dwarf yet, and it is helping them to understand the lifecycle of these celestial objects. White dwarfs are what remain when low-mass stars reach the end of their life. After around 10 billion years of turning hydrogen into helium through nuclear […]

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Defining ‘novel’: Health Canada modernizes its regulations for plant breeding

Katie Compton, Policy & Politics editor When it comes to the plants and plant-derived foods that we eat, what does novel mean? When is something so different from the existing items on grocery shelves that regulators need to assess its safety before it goes to market? In the world of plant breeding, the line between […]

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Better disposal for disposable masks

Esme Symons, Technology & Engineering editor   They are appearing everywhere like dandelions in spring: disposable masks. But while dandelions are a natural phenomenon that heralds warmer weather, disposable masks on the sidewalk or in the street are just garbage. Uptick in disposable mask usage Disposable mask usage has increased dramatically due to the COVID-19 […]

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Between the Sand: Owen Fernley’s adventure under ground

Image courtesy of Owen Fernley.

Katrina Vera Wong In a Japanese ikebana flower arrangement, three stems are fixed at specific angles to represent heaven, earth, and man. Not only is it important to pay attention to the lines that those, or any additional stems, form, it’s also important to respect the spaces between those lines. We can recognize and value […]

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Time travel is possible, but it’s a one-way ticket

by Alex Lehner CC BY 2.0

Chenoa van den Boogaard, Physics and Astronomy editor The ability to travel through time, whether it is to fix a mistake in the past or gain insight into the future, has long been embraced by science fiction and debated by theoretical physicists. While the debate continues over whether travelling into the past is possible, physicists […]

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