Re: Microbiome Research Needs A Gut Check (Opinion, Oct. 12): I wholeheartedly agree that misinformation and misuse of science is a big problem in today’s society. However, I think it is unwise to suggest scientists “take extra care not to hype their work.” If scientists are not willing or able to share their work with …
Ten billion people by 2050. It’s a statistic nearly everyone has heard. Coupled with the impending climate crisis, it seems nearly impossible humanity will be able to produce enough food to nourish such a massive global population. But there is one emerging ‘superfood’ that embodies every sense of the term: microalgae. As a photosynthetic microorganism …
If you’ve been following the news recently, you’ve probably heard that a second patient has been ‘cured’ of HIV. Not even a week ago, an unedited manuscript describing HIV remission in a patient after a stem cell transplant was published in the journal Nature, replicating the outcomes of a study produced a decade ago. Sounds …
When we think about man-made materials polluting the aquatic environment, microplastics are often overlooked, while plastic bags, bottles and straws receive the most attention. In reality, microplastics wreak havoc on both municipal water treatment facilities and aquatic environments. In recent years, microbeads, often used in cosmetics and detergents have been banned, but they are not …
Washing Machines: The Overlooked Culprit for Microplastic Emissions Read More »
“Extreme opponents of genetically modified (GM) foods know the least but think they know the most.” Not #fakenews. Published in January 2019 in the journal Nature, researchers have gathered tangible evidence that shines light on an issue that not only affects GM foods, but many other areas of science too. GM foods are deemed safe …
With the rise of easy methods for creating and administering transgenes, there has been an exponential increase in genetically modified organisms. From crops which resist disease and tolerate drought, to viruses designed to deliver gene therapies to treat genetic disorders, scientists continue to push the boundaries of genetic manipulation. Recently published in Nature, Chin et …
The Future is Bright: Creating Fluorescent Petunias with Marine-Derived Genes Read More »
Dr. Matt Ratto, a professor in the Faculty of Information at U of T, defines critical making as “a mode of materially productive engagement that is intended to bridge the gap between creative and physical and conceptual exploration.” Okay… but what does that actually mean? Instead of regurgitating a complicated, wordy paper, we are going …