Technology lends science a helping hand

New techniques leading the way to discovery

Dr. Jon

Science in the news

Winter fix for plant enthusiasts

MUN Botanical Garden Education Coordinator discusses boot camp and student involvement

Marie King

Since 1971, the MUN Botanical Garden has offered programs focussing on basic plant education and Newfoundland ecology. Keeping with this tradition, the garden launched a new pilot program, Botanical Boot Camp, which included two sessions held Jan. 28 to 29 and Feb. 4. Day two of the second camp will be being rescheduled due to weather. The boot camp, part...

This is your brain on love

Neurotransmitters relay Cupid’s instructions

Jonathan Comeau

As the great science fiction writer, Robert A. Heinlein, once said, “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” Well, good ole St. Valentine will soon be pressing his lips together and whispering in our ears that it’s time to show that special someone how you really feel – or at least...

Women and climate change

The gendered repercussions of the environmental crisis

Zaren White

Knowledge of climate change’s irrevocable damage is becoming more common and widely shared. In spite of this many of us are still stuck perceiving climate change as an environmental issue, distancing ourselves from the fact that we are completely dependent on the environment. Just like any other species, our survival is jeopardized by environmental degradation. It’s time to see climate...

Deep sea mapping advances understanding of coral

Ocean Sciences Centre seminar series raises important points on coral research and conservation

Marie King

Researchers are using sound to map the ocean floor, says Craig Brown. Brown, a marine ecosystems researcher, and professor Sue Gass presented a lecture on seafloor mapping technologies that aid in studying cold-water coral (Lophelia) habitats at MUN on Jan. 22. He took the podium first and explained the use of sound rather rather than light as a tool for...

Medical miracles march on

Recent studies show promise for future health

Dr. Jon

“Dr. Jon, I’m afraid we’re going to have to drain you of a considerable quantity of blood,” said the man in the white coat holding a sharp scalpel. “But doctor, I only have a sore throat,” replied Dr. J., “couldn’t I just get some antibiotics?” “Who’s the medical doctor here, you or me? Now, take off your shirt.” From bloodletting...

Sci-Fi dreams come true

Science fiction + reality = fun

Dr. Jon

Col: Maintaining Equilibrium Why in the name of Spock is every man, woman, and child not zipping through the Tim Horton’s drive-thru strapped to a personal jet pack? Of course, children of a certain age would require a booster pack and newly licensed teens a “novice driver” sign clearly posted on their back rockets, but come on scientists and engineers,...

Tree killing spree

Real versus artificial: The Christmas Tree debate

Zaren White

It’s Easy Being Green When I was really young, I loved going to get my real Christmas tree. I would bundle up in a heinous, one-piece snowsuit, sit on a sled, and my dad and I would go to find and cut down our Christmas tree (well, I would mostly point and observe). In the house I lived in for...

Christmas science

Science surrounds us with holiday spirit

Dr. Jon

Maintaining equilibrium Somewhere off in the frigid air I hear the hint of a chuckle and a ho ho ho. Holidays are upon us bringing stress-free snacking and bottomless hot toddies to be sipped around a finely decorated tree. Several pounds of turkey – or possibly Tofurky – will be consumed all in the name of fun and Christmas. Science...

The 12 Days of Copenhagen

Jackson McLean

This December (7-18th to be exact) World leaders are going to act Their reason? Global warming: That threatens us all. Their goal? A treaty to answer the call. So keep your eyes peeled and your ears open, too: Stephen Harper will be there, let’s watch him come through! Our wishes are plenty; we’ll list them right here, so you can...

Green [brain]washing

A breakdown of deceptive claims of environmental friendliness

Zaren White

An inevitable byproduct of the burgeoning environmental movement has been the propensity for advertisers to hop aboard the green bandwagon and sell themselves as environmentally friendly stewards of the Earth. As sustainability (rightly so!) becomes in vogue, companies are doing back flips to present themselves as caring for the environment through their low impact and environmentally responsible practices and merchandise....

Water, water, everywhere, but not a soul to drink

Moon much damper than previously thought

NASA scientists confirmed last week that the moon harbours significant amounts of water in deep crevasses of its surface. Visions of cliff-diving astronauts or low-gravity figure skating (and you thought a quad was impressive) may not materialize, but the conversion of moon water to rocket fuel may in fact be a practical and economical way to propel those astronauts through...

Looking to save money?

Windows 7 available for less than you think

Cruise Slater

Tech Stop Before I get into how you can save money, I’d like to quickly introduce the new column. As the name implies, Tech Stop is going to be a dedicated technology thread for the everyday student. For the most part, I’m going to try and keep it based on technology that can aid everyone in terms of time and...

Ask the experts

The wonderfully weird ways of water

Dr. Jon

Maintaining Equilibrium Sick of all those sleepless nights lying awake contemplating the mysteries of life? Fear not: Experts are standing by to field all of your nagging science questions. Professional ponderers here at MUN, as well as at McGill University, the University of Arkansas, and the Institute of Molecular Pathology in Vienna, await your inquiries. If these experts don’t suffice,...

Waste not, want not

Canada produces 30 million tonnes of waste each year

Zaren White

Saving shazz from the dump – all the cool kids are doin’ it. It’s Easy Being Green Allow me to begin with an anecdote: when I was a teenager, I had a friend who had a whole room of his house, a spare bedroom, devoted to the congregation of junk and things that didn’t belong anywhere else. He called it...