Science North Science Cafés

The beginning of a new year brings with it a flood of new diet and exercise programs promising a new you in the new year. We all want to look better and be healthier, but with this information overload where does one start?

The beginning of a new year brings with it a flood of new diet and exercise programs promising a new you in the new year. We all want to look better and be healthier, but with this information overload where does one start? Your everyday diet can have major effects on your health and resistance to rampant diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Advice on what constitutes a healthy diet is more prevalent and more inconsistent than ever. High fat? Low fat? High carb? Low carb? How can your diet act as a preventer of disease? What other factors can affect your health? Is there one perfect diet for all?

The uncertain future of Canada's Arctic is a matter of pressing public concern, but most Canadians will never experience this changing landscape firsthand. Most of us must rely instead on information sent back to us by researchers,

The uncertain future of Canada's Arctic is a matter of pressing public concern, but most Canadians will never experience this changing landscape firsthand. Most of us must rely instead on information sent back to us by researchers, traditional knowledge holders, and documentarians. But whose stories are being told, and what kinds of images, data, and stories have the greatest impact on motivating public concern? How are scientific and traditional knowledge about Canada's North being integrated? Who speaks for Canada's Arctic: researchers, traditional inhabitants, polar bears, or politicians?

This event was part of the Science in Canada's North Café Scientifique Series. Science North gratefully acknowledges the support of the W. Garfield Weston Foundation and the Canadian Association of Science Centres for their support of this event.

Panelists included:

Jeremy BrammerPh.D. Candidate, Department of Wildlife Biology, McGill University

Brandon LaforestPh.D. Candidate, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University

David F. LickleyFilmmaker, Wonders of the Arctic, Lickley Productions

Moderator: Dana MurchisonStaff Scientist, Science North

Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection was so revolutionary that it changed the whole field of natural history and the way we see ourselves. Will we ever see another discovery that shifts our paradigms so dramatically?

Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection was so revolutionary that it changed the whole field of natural history and the way we see ourselves. Will we ever see another discovery that shifts our paradigms so dramatically? How does evolutionary thought influence current research in molecular genetics? What historical conditions allowed Darwin to arrive at his discovery? In today's research environment, could a self-taught naturalist ever change the way we see our world?

Panelists included:

Thomas MerrittPhD, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Canada Research Chair in Genomics and Bioinformatics, Laurentian University

Peter NoskoPhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Nipissing University

Anne ClendinningPhD, Associate Professor, Department of History, Nipissing University

David LegrosM.Sc., Natural Heritage Education Specialist, Algonquin Park

Moderator: Franco MariottiStaff Scientist, Science North

Artificial intelligence (AI) is creeping into our homes and lives and has the potential to change how we live more than any other technology. While artificially intelligent software is able to understand what movies or music you will like or autonomously drive you to work, there are still questions, myths and safety issues with AI that need to be addressed. How is AI improving the safety and efficiency of our every day jobs? How can AI be used in health, politics, and the environment? Will computers take over jobs in the future? How do we ensure that the goals of AI are aligned with our own?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is creeping into our homes and lives and has the potential to change how we live more than any other technology. While artificially intelligent software is able to understand what movies or music you will like or autonomous...

Cities are relatively recent recent and novel habitats for many animals. Living in an urban environment is not only changing the behaviour of animals but even their core genetic makeup. Habitat fragmentation by roads and highways, the availability of both natural and human foods, the light conditions, and the architecture are all contributing to changes in a range of species.availability of natural foods and human foods, light conditions and architecture are all contributing to changes in different species. What are the risks to biodiversity in urban environments? Are we at risk of increased pests or disease as species evolve? What are the evolutionary consequences for humans living in an urban environment?

In partnership with: Laurentian University and the Centre for Evolutionary Ecology and Ethical Conservation.

Cities are relatively recent recent and novel habitats for many animals. Living in an urban environment is not only changing the behaviour of animals but even their core genetic makeup. Habitat fragmentation by roads and highways,