Category: public posts
The select public posts from syn·op·sis, written and reviewed by iSci students at McMaster University. Each post is interdisciplinary in nature, and a wide variety of subject matter is covered. So sit back, relax, and start learning.
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Tools and Brains, Then and Now
By imaging the brains of participants learning to make Stone Age tools, researchers are beginning to unravel the neural connections that may have been responsible for, and formed by, the toolmaking industry of our hominin ancestors (Renfrew et al., 2008; Stout and Khreisheh, 2015; Putt et al., 2017). This research sheds light on our evolutionary past, and helps us to…
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Dinner is Served: Vaccines on a Golden Platter
In a world where access to quality medical care is highly dependent upon the wealth of a nation, lack of immunization imperils the health of citizens residing in developing countries. In Africa alone, one in five children do not have access to critical vaccines, and are thus subject to illness at premature ages (Hasan, 2017).…
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Meteor Crater: Unlocking the Past of Earth and Mars
Studying a meteor is akin to solving a mystery. The meteor leaves evidence through a crater, which is then investigated by scientists. Often, this evidence is difficult to analyze due to changes made by external forces, but Meteor Crater is one of the best-preserved impact craters on Earth. It is found in Arizona and was…
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Dinosaurs Ate Rocks!
Today, dinosaurs are alive in the form of birds. This means that similarities in behaviour should not be shocking, even if they pertain to the odd dietary habit of eating rocks! Termed gastroliths, these are rocks that birds eat today and bird-like dinosaurs ate millions of years ago to aid their digestion. As all birds have…
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Not Enough Sleep? Not A Problem.
Although most students understand that sleep is vital to good health and maximum productivity, getting the recommended seven hours is just not possible with our heavy workload and questionable time management (Watson et al., 2015). Luckily, there is a science behind tricking our bodies into not perceiving our need to rest. This is most commonly…
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Santa’s Companions Have UV Vision
You may have heard of infrared (IR) vision, an ability possessed by many snake species, but have you heard of ultraviolet (UV) vision? With minute changes in the visual systems of animals, such abilities are possible. In some cases, these abilities are highly advantageous in the context of the animal’s surroundings. One UV-sensing mammal is…
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Heat-Induced Stress: The Health Benefits of a Sauna
The myriad of benefits associated with exercise is well known; regular physical activity decreases the risk of chronic conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer and can prolong an individual’s life (Warburton, Nicol, and Bredin, 2006). While exercise remains one of the most highly promoted and revered methods of maintaining a healthy lifestyle,…
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Meet the New Meat; Biofabrication of Animal Proteins
Meat biofabrication shakes the very foundations of the modern day food industry. Its far-reaching applications surpassing that of the mere Costco veggie burger. In vitro meat production systems (IMPS) yield a great deal of possibility for the plant-based market (Bhat, 2011). The popularization of this technology will benefit not just those with dietary restrictions but…
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Anxiety from the Neurobiological Perspective
Feeling anxious about your upcoming exam? Stressed about all the assignments you have yet to complete? Chances are that all of us have experienced the feeling of anxiety at some point in our lives. Anxiety is known to be accompanied by excessive fear and extreme worry, both of which interfere with one’s daily life, causing…
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Science for the People
“Science isn’t science until it is communicated!” For anyone in the Integrated Science program, it’s a quote that we’ve heard many times. The importance of communicating science cannot be understated; however, it can sometimes be difficult to engage the public in a way that will interest them. Now, imagine if there was a way to…