Mole to malady: What is cancer?

Science Writers Calgary November 12, 2017

Author: Nancy Shie, B.Sc.

A staggering half of the Canadian population will develop cancer at some point in their lives. This year, in 2017, over 200 000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Canada, and about 80 000 people died from cancer-related illness. Cancer is a word heard more and more frequently with our growing lifespan, thanks to 21st-century healthcare, but cancer itself isn’t a disease that we can wholly cure with our technology just yet.

RABIES - The Hows, Whos and Whats

Science Writers Calgary September 27, 2017

Author: Vienna M Doenni, M. Sc.

Before the rabies vaccine was invented people were so scared of the horrible disease progression that they would end their own lives upon getting bit by a rabies-infected animal. Here we will discuss how can one get infected with the virus, who is at risk and what the rabies virus will do to an infected person or pet.

Featured Posts

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April 15, 2026

How Meditation Gives You a Big Puffy Brain and Why You Want That

April 15, 2026

Have you ever heard that meditation can “rewire” your brain? It turns out, this isn’t just a catchy phrase, it’s backed by neuroscience. Studies using brain imaging techniques reveal that regular meditation can change the structure and connectivity of your brain. But what does this mean for you, and why would you want a “bigger, puffier” brain? Let’s break it down.

April 15, 2026

December 1, 2025

The Price of Progress: How NIH Funding Cuts Threaten the Future of mRNA Research

December 1, 2025

I want you to take a moment and think back to the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you remember the uncertainty, and the sense that the future itself was on pause? As a species, we collectively yearned for reprieve from the virus that was keeping us apart. At times, it was hard to imagine when, or if, life would return back to normal. Then, we got a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. Through unprecedented global collaboration and billions of dollars in federal funding from multiple countries, scientists around the world worked tirelessly to find a solution. The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is the largest public funder of biomedical research globally, played a central role in advancing these efforts and supporting the science that would change the course of the pandemic.

December 1, 2025

November 8, 2024

The Road to Immunity: Exploring Vaccine Development

November 8, 2024

When we think of vaccines, we often picture a quick shot at the doctor’s office, a slight pinch that protects us from harmful pathogens and viruses. But behind every vaccine is a complex and fascinating journey- one that includes innovation, rigorous testing and countless hours of research. Think of your immune system as a marathon runner, always preparing for the next race. In that case, how much does training play a role?

November 8, 2024

March 12, 2024

Is art good for my brain?

March 12, 2024

I had always enjoyed making art and being creative, but I never thought it was my “thing” so to speak. When I went to university and graduate school, I got busy and art got pushed to the side. That is, until I signed up for a zoom paint night in 2021; after that, I was hooked. I couldn’t believe how much fun I had and how during the whole experience, I wasn’t really thinking or anxious about my research and my project.

March 12, 2024