The commercial cannabis industry is facing a looming problem: it doesn’t have the ability to cultivate cannabis efficiently. Sure, growers have tried to co-opt basement grow-op techniques for large scale production, but fundamental plant science is still missing. Not enough is known about Cannabis sativa biology. In my work as a graduate student in the […]
Cannabis’ Hermaphrodite Conundrum Read More »
Spring is in the air—birds are chirping, the weather is warming, and as the proverb goes, ‘April showers bring May flowers.’ Although it can sometimes be dreary, rain in the spring is really important for plants as they start to grow, and without water, they wouldn’t survive! Seeds of annual plants, like Helianthus annuus—also known
April Showers Bring May (Sun)Flowers Read More »
Every year, Science names one discovery or advancement as the “Breakthrough of the Year.” Sometimes the discovery or advancement contributes to biology or medicine, while other times it tackles questions about physics or outer space. Back in 1997, Science named Dolly the sheep as the Breakthrough of the Year after scientists successfully cloned her, the
Dolly’s Legacy: In Support of Fundamental Research Read More »
The immune system is one of the most complicated but important systems in the human body. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to stay healthy! The immune system is made up of many different organs and specialized cells all working together to fight off infections from things like bacteria, viruses, parasites and other germs (or
How Our Immune System Keeps Us Healthy Read More »
Oh no! The Grinch and his South Pole Elves (pathogens) have decided they want to ruin the holidays for the world by stealing the holiday spirit! But worry not, everyone at the North Pole (bone marrow/immune system) is not going to let that happen! Nutcrackers (neutrophils) and Santa Claus (monocyte) arrive right away and flash
Attack of the Holiday Pathogens Read More »
If only there had been effective science communication, the Canadian government could have issued an early warning about the COVID-19 pandemic to the global community. Part of Canada’s Public Health Agency, the Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN), is an early detection system designed to catch possible pandemics and issue warnings to help stop the spread of
For the People in the Back: We Need SciComm and We Need it Now! Read More »
“Art is very important for communicating, because it evokes empathy and feelings of relatability in its audience,” says illustrator and the president of U of T’s Science Communication Club (SCC), Amy Zhang. “Art elicits this sense of awe that science is amazing, and science can be explored and understood by everyone.” So, on #NationalSTEAMDay, let’s
The Intersection of Art & Science: Past, Present, Future Read More »
Pull out your cauldrons and put on your witch hats, it’s time for some science-based sorcery! Just in time for Halloween, you can pick up some delicious Magic Potion tea from David’s Tea. This whimsical tea blend contains a special ingredient which makes it change from deep blue to purple with a couple drops of
How to Brew Your Own Magic Potion (and Learn Some Chemistry on the Side) Read More »
When you decide you want to take a step, or lift your arm, how does this thought get converted into a movement? Once the thought enters your mind, your brain sends a signal to your muscles to contract which causes your bones to move, since they are connected to your muscles by tendons. Movements like
Movement & Reflexes Read More »
Did you know you have more than 650 muscles in your body? These muscles help you move, but they also keep you alive – a lot of the time, you don’t even have to think about them! But what is a muscle, other than some fleshy stuff here and there around your body? Muscles are
Muscles in the Human Body Read More »