Let’s talk friction. In physics, friction is the force that inhibits the sliding of one object over or against another. It doesn’t necessarily prevent movement, but it slows things down. In mobility studies, the term gets used to denote pretty much the same thing: it refers to the practical limitation of mobility through possibly minor […]
“Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency.” One of my university professors included that quote, from Gandhi, in her email signature. Five years ago, it resonated deeply with me. More recently, I started reflecting on why. The self-sufficiency myth We live in an independent world. As children, we’re […]
Riparian areas are truly special places Last time you went for an outdoor adventure – did you experience a riparian area? You probably did. Lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, ponds, canals, and reservoirs are all surrounded by a riparian zone, a transition between land and water. The term “riparian” is derived from the Latin word riparious, […]
The rise of teleworking, accelerated by advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and further propelled by the global pandemic, has fundamentally altered how we work. As more employees embrace remote work, its implications extend far beyond the immediate benefits of reduced commuting and increased flexibility. Teleworking is reshaping numerous aspects of the economy and […]
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been what I would call a visual learner when it comes to language. I enjoyed my few opportunities to participate in spelling bees when I was in grade school, though my one chance to go to the board-wide contest was dashed by “paramecium” (though on the bright […]
Figure: Generative AI can positively impact agricultural sustainability. Agriculture faces numerous challenges, including climate change, resource limitations, and the need for increased food production. Generative AI, a subset of artificial intelligence that can create content, offers innovative solutions to these issues, enhancing agricultural sustainability. 1) Optimizing Crop Yields: Generative AI can analyze vast amounts of […]
We hear a lot about inclusion these days. It’s a word that rolls off the tongue easily, promising a society where everyone belongs. But for people with disabilities, the reality is often far removed from this ideal. It’s like we’re living in a world that pretends to be inclusive, but when you scratch the surface, you find a system still deeply rooted […]
Imagine you’re reading a study claiming that eating chocolate improves memory. Exciting, right? But before you stock up on candy bars, let’s take a closer look. Research, like life, is full of hidden traps. One of the biggest traps? Bias. There are many types of biases, but we’ll focus on the most important ones. Selection […]
Hate towards 2SLGBTQIA+ people is on the rise in Canada. Rising hate has been seen in country wide anti-2SLGBTQIA+ demonstrations in the fall of 2023, related to education policies, and the rapidly increasing number of hate crimes. Since 2016, hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation have increased 388%. In this past year alone, there was […]
Epilepsy is a devastating disorder affecting an estimated 50-150 individuals per 100,000 people globally, with most incidence hypothesized to burden the low-income countries. While progress has been made in recent years to develop novel drug based therapeutics, roughly one third of cases is considered drug resistant, with no significant improvement rendered to the patients after […]