Office for Science and Society - Separating Sense from Nonsense

Antsy About Getting Old? How about Some Ant-Yogurt?

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:58:26 +0000

I do get some interesting questions. How about this one? “Why in Central Europe did we as kids put a straw on an anthill, wait for the ants to crawl over it and then suck it for its sour taste? My mother did it and lived to 93!”

Traffic Has Increased at My Office. It's Because of the Ducks

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:15:56 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

The Bonk Stops Here

Sophie Tseng Pellar BSc — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Walk any marathon finish line and you’ll see them: hundreds of sad, sticky rectangles decorating the asphalt like fallen soldiers of fructose. Energy gels, those gooey, neon-packet shots of “rocket fuel”, are both the saviour and the punchline of endurance sport. They’re a large part of the reason half the field finishes upright, while the other half spends mile 22 negotiating with their intestines.

Does Creationism Have a Place in Classrooms?

Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

A new

Salmon Sperm and Penis Facials

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 04:35:16 +0000

Influencers really do influence. When Kim Kardashian, who is famous for being famous, revealed that she had tried a “salmon sperm facial,” dermatologists and wellness clinics offering the procedure saw an increase in business. The same thing happened when actresses Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchet sang the praises of the “penis facial” they received at a high-end skincare clinic in New York City run by celebrity facialist Georgia Louise.

Shedding Accurate Light on Light Therapies: What Photobiomodulation Does—and Doesn’t—Do

Daniel Barolet MD, FRCPC — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:34:29 +0000

Light is often described as the source of life—and in many ways, that’s true. It drives photosynthesis, regulates our sleep–wake rhythm, and influences mood. In recent years, though, light has also been promoted as a medical treatment. Some claims make biological sense; others, like so-called intravenous light detox, do not.

As someone who has spent more than two decades studying and applying photobiomodulation (PBM), I’ve seen both credible science and creative marketing. PBM can help, but only when the right wavelengths, doses, and treatment schedules are used.

Milk History Does a Body Good

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 21:15:23 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

The history of humans drinking cow’s milk is fascinating and not devoid of controversy.

The 'Nappuccino': Myth or Midday Miracle?

Eva Kellner B.A.Sc. — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I never quite outgrew the afternoon nap phase we all went through as kids. Among my friends, napping was (and still is) considered to be my “thing." From my friends creating a photo album of me dozing in the library to getting me a pajama set for my birthday, it’s been a hard reputation to shake. As someone who consistently gets slammed with the strong yearn to catch some post-lunch Zzz’s, the caffeine nap strategy is one I find fascinating.

How a Montreal-Made AI Device Is Helping Surgeons See the Invisible

Abhay Parmar BSc — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

When removing a brain tumour, the distinction between healthy tissue and cancer isn’t visible to the naked eye. Even advanced imaging can miss what hides between those boundaries. For years, this limitation meant surgeons could never be fully sure whether every cancer cell was gone. But a new Montreal-made device called SENTRY is changing that. Co-developed by the Montreal-based company Reveal Surgical, Dr.

Hydrogen-Rich Gary Brecka Is Floating on Air

Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 16:22:16 +0000

The penthouse at the top of the glass tower is vast, airy, and very angular.