McGill Podcasts » Mini-Science

Infectious Music: How microbes have shaped our music

Na'Ama Rock — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:55:52 +0000

In this episode, Professor Joaquin (Quim) Madrenas discusses how certain diseases impacted the way compsers created music, and how these diseases influenced the way societies experienced this music.

Why We Love Music: A Neuroscience perspective

Na'Ama Rock — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:36:41 +0000

Professor Robert L. Zattore discusses the reason why people have continued to love music throughout history and proposes that affinity for music is inherently human (and undoubtedly neurological).

Nature’s Chorus: Frog Calls and Bird Songs

Na'Ama Rock — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:52:59 +0000

Prof. David M. Green enlightens us about various types of frog calls, followed by a lesson on bird songs by Prof. Jon Sakata.

Sexual and Natural Selection – The Fist-fight in Nature

Xiao Huang — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 18:11:17 +0000

Is it true that natural and sexual selection oppose each other? For instance, why should male peacocks have such large tails? Even Darwin noted this evolutionary puzzle: there are some traits of organisms that would seem to decrease their survival. This lecture will explore this situation using examples from Dr. Hendry’s research from a variety of species.

“(S)he’s Being Mean to Me”: How Should Boys and Girls Respond to Aggression by Peers?

Xiao Huang — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 18:09:03 +0000

This lecture discusses ongoing work in Dr. Dirks’ lab that examines how children respond to different types of peer aggression, how those responses are perceived by important people in their social worlds, and how the effectiveness of a given response may vary depending upon who is enacting it and when they do it. Implications for intervention programs targeting children’s social functioning will also be discussed.

A Gene Underlying Sexual Conflict in Insects

Xiao Huang — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 18:07:44 +0000

This lecture will show how sexual conflict or sexually antagonistic behaviour in insects can influence the evolution and elaboration of novel sexually dimorphic traits in distinct and potentially opposing ways.

Chemistry, Love and Gender

Xiao Huang — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 18:03:48 +0000

This presentation features a lighthearted but scientific look at a topic of interest to all. The chemistry of the brain “in love” is examined, as well as the possible existence of aphrodisiacs and love potions. Chemical sex attractants in insects constitute the background to a discussion of possible analogues to these compounds in humans. This talk is of interest to anyone who ever has been, or ever plans to be “in love,” as well as to anyone else.

Petra Schweinhardt: The Pain-Reward Connection

Minya Yang — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:39:33 +0000

Leading McGill scientists cover many major aspects of pain science, from molecular and neural pathways to the psychological modulation of pain. The series bridges our understanding of how factors such as environment, genetics, gender, age and lifestyle are related to pain.

Pain and reward are two motivational processes that oppose each other. This talk will explore how pain and reward processing interact.

Mark Ware: Just say Know – What Marijuana has Taught us about Pain Control

Minya Yang — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:13:23 +0000

This presentation explores the science behind the extraordinary claims that are made around marijuana and pain management, from demon drug to miracle herb, and suggest there are some intriguing avenues of new research opening up that offer some new ways to treat pain.

Michael Sullivan: Helping People with Pain resume Occupational Involvement

Minya Yang — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:56:12 +0000

This presentation will highlight some of the psychosocial factors that have been shown to contribute to occupational disability in individuals with pain conditions.

Catherine Bushnell: How the Mind can alter Pain

Minya Yang — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:19:48 +0000

This lecture will discuss the mechanisms by which psychological state alters pain and how this may be changed in chronic pain conditions.

Joe Schwarcz: The Chemical Conquest of Pain

Minya Yang — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:04:24 +0000

When you are in pain, nothing else matters. ou just want relief. And the right chemicals can provide it. Tracing mankind’s efforts to conquer pain makes for a fascinating romp through chemical history. Fret not, it is painless!

Joe Schwarcz: Chemicals for better and for worse

Cody Rei-Anderson — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:10:35 +0000

Mini-Science 2011, episode 1: In the public mind, “chemicals” equate to “toxins”. The truth is that chemicals are just the building blocks of all matter; they are not good or bad, safe or dangerous. There are safe ways and dangerous ways to use chemicals. The decision is ours.

Amir Raz: From the chemistry of chicken soup to the chemistry of the brain and behaviour

Cody Rei-Anderson — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:10:35 +0000

Mini-Science 2011, episode 2: With its underlying chemistry and physiology, the brain is the organ of behaviour. It is fascinating to explore some highlights from neurochemistry and see how these shape our theoretical and practical understanding of behavioural science.

Scott Bohle: From Jesuit’s bark to synchrotrons – the rise and fall of an antimalarial

Cody Rei-Anderson — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:10:34 +0000

Mini-Science 2011, episode 3: Malaria and its consequences have shaped human history. Science’s attempts to control and understand this disease have also evolved. Tracing how successive generations have grappled with, conquered, and ultimately lost the malaria challenge makes for a fascinating scientific adventure.

Donald Smith: Biofuels — sustainable energy as the oil runs out?

Cody Rei-Anderson — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:07:35 +0000

Mini-Science 2011, episode 4: Three of the great challenges for the 21st century are energy supply, climate change and global food security; these come together in biofuels. Biofuels can play an important role as a source of renewable and sustainable energy over the long term.

Paul Wiseman: The dance of the molecules in cells

Cody Rei-Anderson — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:02:10 +0000

Mini-Science 2011, episode 5: Cells are the basis of life. However, their function is entirely regulated by the interactions and actions of macromolecules inside the cell as well as in their environment. Modern biophysical chemistry explores the complex choreography of the dance of molecules in cells.

Ariel Fenster: Nuclear power — energy for the future?

Cody Rei-Anderson — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:01:45 +0000

Mini-Science 2011, episode 6: Three Mile Island and Chernobyl clouded the future for nuclear power. However now, with concerns about our dependence on foreign sources of energy and the evidence of climate change, the nuclear option is gaining some new respectability.

Ariel Fenster, David Harpp, Joe Schwarcz: The magic of chemistry

Cody Rei-Anderson — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:00:08 +0000

Mini-Science 2011, episode 7: Combining science, humour, music and magic, you’ve never seen a stage show quite like it! Mini-Science 2011 closes with a blend of entertainment and meaningful science.

Are Cell Phones and WiFi Harmful to your Health?

Cody Rei-Anderson — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:18:06 +0000

There is growing public alarm about the possible harmful health effects caused by cell phones, microwaves, WiFi, etc. This concern has been fed by a wide array of misleading information on the Internet as well as various reports in the media. What does the real scientific evidence show?

Homeopathy: Dilution or Delusion?

Cody Rei-Anderson — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:16:12 +0000

The basis of homeopathy is that substances, diluted to such an extent that there is essentially nothing left in solution, can be used to treat a variety of medical problems. This lecture critically examines the principles, the history, and the reasons for the enduring popularity of homeopathy.

Vaccines: Panaceas or Poisons

Cody Rei-Anderson — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:36:23 +0000

Vaccines are among the crowning achievements of medical science yet many are convinced that vaccination can cause autism and autoimmune diseases — even death. The most virulent opponents believe that vaccines are the sharp end of a global conspiracy. How did we get to this polarized state?

What is the Role of Climate Scientists in the Climate Change Debate?

Cody Rei-Anderson — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:32:57 +0000

While the scientific understanding of climate change is firm, public opinion concerning the impact of human activities on the observed changes is much less certain. This lecture focuses on the necessity of curbing the damage of climate change, as opposed to simply exposing the facts and letting people form their own conclusions.

Science of the Paranormal

Cody Rei-Anderson — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:37:09 +0000

History is peppered with accounts of psychics predicting the future, mediums conversing with the dead, and aliens abducting earthlings. Today, “psychic surgeons” claim to remove tumours without making incisions and “paranormalists” bend spoons with the power of their minds. What does science say about these claims?

…in a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Measuring the Size of the Universe

Cody Rei-Anderson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:38:03 +0000

Prof. Rutledge helps you understand our place in the universe, and how the physics of stars, and the evolution of the universe, plays out.

Exploring Mars on Earth: The Arctic as an analogue for Mars

Cody Rei-Anderson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:25:35 +0000

Prof. Pollard describes the enigmatic nature of Martian landscapes and the overriding geological and environmental forces that drive the evolution of Martian landforms.

Island Universes: The Nature and Origin of Galaxies

Cody Rei-Anderson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:14:26 +0000

Professor Tracy Webb describes the basic characteristics of galaxies, outline the methods we use to study them, and highlights some of the main results and open questions in the field of galaxy formation and evolution.

An Astronomer’s Window on the Birth of the Universe

Cody Rei-Anderson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:56:44 +0000

Professor Matt Dobbs outlines the field of cosmology – the quest to understand the birth, evolution, and fate of the universe as a whole.

Neutron Stars: Lighthouses of the Cosmos

Cody Rei-Anderson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:45:45 +0000

Professor Vicky Kaspi describes the astonishing properties of pulsars, as well as how observations of these amazing objects help to constrain several interesting aspects of the physics of extreme environments.

The Future of Biodiversity: Science and Solution

Cody Rei-Anderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:11:00 +0000

Andrew Gonzalez, Professor in the Department of Biology, discusses how our understanding of extinction can be used to make estimates of future rates of extinction under various scenarios of environmental change.

Primates in Peril: What Can be Done?

Cody Rei-Anderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:10:10 +0000

What is the impact of the decline of tropical rainforests on primates and what current and future actions might advance primate conservation? Dr. Colin Chapman, who holds appointments in McGill’s Departments of Anthropology and Biology and School of Environment, is also Honorary Lecturer, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Biodiversity Lost and Found: Lessons of the Lake Victoria Basin

Cody Rei-Anderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:09:35 +0000

McGill Biology professor Lauren J. Chapman looks at key lessons from Lake Victoria in East Africa, the world’s largest tropical lake. Her research reveals both the vulnerability and the resilience of native and introduced species in the face of environmental change.

Ecosystems and Human Well-Being

Cody Rei-Anderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:08:24 +0000

Garry Peterson, a professor in McGill’s Department of Geography and School of Environment, looks at what the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment reveals about the state of the world and what ecological futures are possible.

Adaptation, Extinction and Global Change

Cody Rei-Anderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:07:48 +0000

McGill Biology professor Graham Bell describes examples of rapid evolution as well as situations where adaptation hasn’t happened. He further explains how organisms are likely to evolve in the coming period of rapid environmental change.

The Visible Brain

Cody Rei-Anderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:06:48 +0000

Dr. Alan Evans is a Professor at the Montreal Neurological Institute and the Principal Investigator of the Data Coordinating Centre for the MRI Study of Normal Brain Development.

Fear and Memory

Cody Rei-Anderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:06:06 +0000

Dr. Karim Nader is a professor of Psychology, William Dawson Scholar, Alfred P. Sloan Fellow and CIHR New Investigator. His work on memory manipulation could revolutionize treatment of disorders from post traumatic stress syndrome to drug addiction.

How do Neurons Work?

Cody Rei-Anderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:05:29 +0000

Dr. Paul Wiseman is an Associate Professor in both Physics & Chemistry and holds the Fessenden Professorship in Science Innovation.

Brainy Chemistry

Cody Rei-Anderson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:04:29 +0000

Dr. Joe Schwarcz is a Professor of Chemistry and Director of McGill’s Office for Science and Society.