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...

#530 Why Aren’t We Dead Yet?

July 19, 2019 Rachelle Saunders General Science, Multimedia

We only notice our immune systems when they aren't working properly, or when they're under attack. How does our immune system understand what bits of us are us, and what bits are invading germs and viruses? How different are human immune systems from the immune systems of other creatures? And is the immune system so often the target of sketchy medical advice? Those questions and more, this week in our conversation with author Idan Ben-Barak…

051 – Diet Pills and Hot Yoga

July 7, 2019 The Body of Evidence Biology and Life Sciences, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science, Multimedia

A discussion around ice cream reveals that Jonathan may have fallen into the Twilight Zone. Comedian Jacob Meza goes to ComicCon to talk diet pills and accidentally meets "a good swallower" he knows. Back in the studio, the boys discuss the green coffee bean marketing apocalypse; how to spot fake diet pills; and genuine pharmaceuticals that may kill you, give you hallucinations, or make you leak. The biggest question is: will losing 10 pounds…

Why we vaccinate babies against Hepatitis B

July 6, 2019 The Body of Evidence Biology and Life Sciences, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science, Multimedia

Given the rising number of measles cases, being up to date with your immunizations (it takes two doses for measles) is very important. But there are always questions from concerned parents, including a few raised in a recent letter to my editors at the Gazette, and this seems like a good opportunity to provide some answers. First off, why do we vaccinate babies against hepatitis B? See the answer here: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-why-we-...

#529 Do You Really Want to Find Out Who’s Your Daddy?

July 5, 2019 Rachelle Saunders General Science, Multimedia

At least some of you by now have probably spit into a tube and mailed it off to find out who your closest relatives are, where you might be from, and what terrible diseases might await you. But what exactly did you find out? And what did you give away? In this live panel at Awesome Con we bring in science writer Tina Saey to talk about all her DNA testing, and bioethicist Debra Mathews,…

Episode 101: Organic Preservation of Dinosaur Bone

July 1, 2019 Liz Martin-Silverstone Multimedia

Fossilisation of organic material was long thought to result in the complete loss of original content. However in the last 20 years, several high-profile publications reported the discovery of proteins, blood vessels, blood cells and even DNA. But for as long as these arguments have existed, so too has a counterargument as to the validity of the discoveries. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Evan Saitta of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago,…

#528 A Shock Machine and The Lost Boys

June 28, 2019 Rachelle Saunders General Science, Multimedia

This week, we take a look at 2 notable post world war 2 social psychology experiments and their creators: Stanley Milgram and his "shock machine", and Muzafer Sherif's boys camp study on group conflict. How did these scientists approach their work? How did the experiments run? How do the experiments hold up? How did people feel then about the ethics of them, and how do we feel now? We are joined by registered psychologist and…

Special – Talking Science in the Age of Fake News

June 26, 2019 The Body of Evidence Biology and Life Sciences, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science, Multimedia

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the McGill Office for Science and Society, a university-backed office dedicated to separating sense from nonsense, Jonathan moderated a panel discussion entitled "Talking Science in the Age of Fake News". The panelists were Prof. Joe Schwarcz, the director of the Office; Timothy Caulfield, host of a User's Guide to Cheating Death on Netflix; Carly Weeks, health reporter for The Globe & Mail newspaper; and Ryan Armstrong, director of…

Should we worry about metals in vaccines?

June 25, 2019 The Body of Evidence Biology and Life Sciences, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science, Multimedia

Here's what you should know about aluminum and mercury when it comes to getting your shots. Read the full story here: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-should-...

Cheapskate Tuesday 31: Cheapskate Diffuser Mark III

June 24, 2019 Sean McCann Biology and Life Sciences, Multimedia

Look how battered and sad these diffusers are. This is why I made new ones, and they are definitely more durable Ok, just a short post on mods to make basically the same diffuser as the Cheapskate Diffuser MK II, but a bit easier, and ending up with a stiffer and more durable product. These are sized for YongNuo 560 flashes, might be differently sized for a different light. If so, you wanna follow the…

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