Alcohol related amnesia, or blacking out, is a phenomenon that occurs after the consumption of high amounts of alcohol. The following recent incident illustrates this phenomenon nicely: The scene: St. Patrick’s Day 2010 Tim: Ugh, sooooo much pain. Joe (Laughing): I know, we drank a lot. Tim: The Maddy was absolutely packed, eh? Joe: Yeah,…

In monastic culture, historic information refers to Trappist communities that drank beer for sustenance during the ritual period of fasting. Dubbed "liquid bread," beer provided the order with a nutrient-rich supplement. Continuing on this historic tradition, new scientific evidence points to the health benefits of consuming beer in moderation. According to an article published by…

When you hear ‘Easter Island’ one thing usually comes to mind: Moai.  Moai are those massive (some reaching as high as 33 feet!) ancient monolithic statues, anatomically disproportionate, with short torsos supporting exaggerated heads.  Easter Island (aka Rapa Nui), however, is also the source for the discovery of Rapamycin.   In 1964, a group of…

A U of T research group has shown that the majority of those recovering from thyroid cancer surgery don't require additional radiation therapy.   Of the many cancer treatments at the disposal of oncologists today, some are less painful and more cost-effective than others. Radiation therapy is one cancer treatment that is expensive and results in a plethora…

Most people don’t realize it, but diabetes is the fourth major killer worldwide. In Canada alone, there are more than three million individuals battling this metabolic disorder. Sadly though, with the current obesity epidemic, diabetes will only grow more popular.

A number of issues ago, I described the primal effects of the colour red, on men. To reiterate, seeing a rouge-clad female makes men more amorous towards them. Considering the impending lovers' holiday, I thought I would revisit the topic of physical attraction - from a scientific perspective, of course. Attraction has frequently been characterized…

As our civilization progresses, the breadth of our scientific knowledge continues to expand. And while there will always be those who study tangible subjects such as medicine, economics, and language, there exists a minority who push the limits of our understanding of more abstract and theoretical concepts, like parallel universes, special relativity, and quantum mechanics.…

Introducing Elysia chlorotica, a pilfering sea slug identified as the first animal to make chlorophyll. That’s right, the green pigment found in plants and algae and vital for photosynthesis (the process by which carbon dioxide is converted to oxygen and glucose, using energy from sunlight). Ironically shaped like a leaf itself, this particular slug slits…

Over the past number of years, U of T has increased progress towards the long-term goal of institutional sustainability. With the introduction of the Sustainability Board in 2007, and Sustainability Offices at the St. George and UTSC campuses overseeing sustainability initiatives at all campuses, the foundation has been laid for the improved co-ordination and execution…

Refrigerators and freezers are not at all that exciting. How about 732 of them? That’s how many units are housed in the Medical Sciences Building (MSB) at U of T, according to Tim Lang and Adebukola Olatunde. As a prominent research facility, MSB is home to eight scientific departments, with 241 labs/offices, and a medical…

As we have come to realize that fossil fuels are both a finite resource, as well as one that is contributing to the almighty challenge represented by climate change, new sustainable energy alternatives are being sought out. The conversion of biomass into heat and power is gaining momentum as a viable industry that can help…

Walking along the stretch of College St., from University Ave. to St. George St., you will find that it’s like walking through a scene from Twister. Especially during these frigid months, the opposing buildings generate a wind tunnel that routinely has me doing my best George Costanza impression. But while simpletons, like me, simply curse…