Closing the gap between quantum and deterministic query complexity for easy to certify total functions

July 20, 2019 Theory, Evolution, and Games Group bloggers Biology and Life Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Technology and Engineering

Recently, trying to keep with my weekly post schedule, I’ve been a bit strapped for inspiration. As such, I’ve posted a few times on a major topic from my past life: quantum query complexity. I’ve mostly tried to describe some techniques for (lower) bounding query complexity like the negative adversary method and span programs. But I’ve never really showed how to use these methods to actually set up interesting bounds. Since I am again short…

The Link Between Alcohol and Breast Cancer

July 20, 2019 The Body of Evidence Biology and Life Sciences, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science, Multimedia

Alcohol, even small amounts, is tied to an increased risk of breast cancer. But amazingly most women aren't are of the link. Read my latest for the Montreal Gazette: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-the-lin...

I’m fascinated by the power of stem cells: Q&A with Dr. Nicolas Pineault

July 19, 2019 Jenny Ryan Biology and Life Sciences, General Science, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

I’m fascinated by the power of stem cells: Q&A with Dr. Nicolas Pineault Transplantation Stem Cells Friday, July 19, 2019 Obinna Okwelume For more than two decades, Dr. Nicolas Pineault has worked in stem cell biology. Since joining Canadian Blood Services in 2012 as a development scientist at the Centre for Innovation, he has conducted research in stem cells from cord blood, bone marrow cells and platelets. Dr. Pineault is an adjunct professor at the University…

Keeping track of projects and prioritising work

July 19, 2019 Alex Bond Biology and Life Sciences

One of the perennial discussions that crops up in science circles (both academic and non-academic) is how to keep track of projects and prioritise what to work on in away that doesn’t feel like using a parasol to combat a fire hose at close range. I know there are bits of project management software, but I have enough Gantt charts in my life, and nearly everyone in science has a spreadsheet program. Plus, it’s the…

Personal Safety at Scientific Conferences

July 18, 2019 Allison McDonald Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach

Considerations about my personal safety always influence my conference travel, accommodation, and eating plans. This statement probably is not surprising to other women or female-identifying/presenting people. Why is this the case? I am always worried about getting harassed, attacked, or murdered. It sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? Right up until we hear about cases such as the murder of Dr. Suzanne Eaton. She was attending a conference on the Greek island of Crete, took a break…

Highlights from the Canadian transfusion community’s annual conference

July 18, 2019 Jenny Ryan Biology and Life Sciences, General Science, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

Highlights from the Canadian transfusion community’s annual conference Plasma Stem Cells Transfusion Blood Thursday, July 18, 2019 Dr. Geraldine Walsh Calgary, Alberta, in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, played host to this year’s Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine (CSTM)/Canadian Blood Services/Héma-Québec annual conference. Canadian Blood Services is proud to be a key partner in this conference, which represents the major gathering of Canada’s transfusion medicine and science community each year. Many Centre for Innovation…

Alternative ways to celebrate: Popping the traditional balloon

July 18, 2019 Nature Conservancy of Canada staff Biology and Life Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences

Balloon releases have been used as a celebratory activity for decades, portrayed in films and even used as a tactic to show kids just how big the world is. Well, I hate to burst your balloon, but balloons can end up on nature reserves.

Owls, Part 2: Giant Fossil Owls and Stolas

July 17, 2019 Lisavipes Biology and Life Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences

It’s time for the next installment of my OWLS! series of blog posts! This one is going to be a little bit different from my other posts…although, if you’ve read any of my Bigfoot or ghost posts you may not be surprised at the theme of this post. My research takes me down a few interesting rabbit holes. One of these holes introduced me to J. A. S. Collin de Plancy’s Dictionnaire Infernal when I searched…

Interview with Dr. Mark Goldstein

July 17, 2019July 18, 2019 Zazie Todd Biology and Life Sciences, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

"I wanted to pull back the curtain a little bit on some of these questions... It was all centred around two things: life lessons learned as a veterinarian and the human-animal bond."Dr. Mark Goldstein, author of Lions and Tigers and Hamsters. Photo: Janie DeCellesAn interview with Dr. Mark Goldstein about his book Lions and Tigers and Hamsters: What Animals Large and Small Taught Me About Life, Love, and Humanity. We talked about the human-animal bond, challenges…

Walk This Way

July 17, 2019 Sarah Boon Biology and Life Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences

Training for a marathon walk takes a lot more time and energy than this spoonie realized.

Biology and Life Sciences