Weather, which changes day-to-day due to constant fluctuations in the atmosphere, and climate, which varies over decades, are familiar. More recently, a third regime, called “macroweather,” has been used to describe the relatively stable regime between weather and climate.


Bobbing your head, tapping your heel, or clapping along with the music is a natural response for most people, but what about those who can’t keep a beat?

Two renowned McGill University researchers are among the 14 winners of the 2014 Prix du Québec. Professor Michael Meaney, acclaimed for his achievements in the biology of child development, will be awarded the Wilder-Penfield prize. Professor Paul Lasko, a celebrated developmental biologist, will receive the Armand-Frappier award. The Prix du Québec is considered the most prestigious award attributed by the Government of Québec in cultural and scientific fields.

Researchers at McGill University have succeeded in simultaneously observing the reorganizations of atomic positions and electron distribution during the transformation of the “smart material” vanadium dioxide (VO2) from a semiconductor into a metal – in a time frame a trillion times faster than the blink of an eye.
<p>It’s a scene that plays out every day in Montreal. On the bus, in schools, in the office and at home, conversations weave seamlessly back and forth between French and English, or one of the many other languages represented on this multicultural island. It’s increasingly common to hear not two, but three different languages spoken in one short conversation.</p>

Spanning two days, the Annual Trottier Public Science Symposium “Are We Alone?” took the audience to the moon, Mars, and beyond. Focusing on the origin of life in our solar system, the series explored the where and how of alien life.
The Faculty of Science extends congratulations to alumnus John O'Keefe who was named co-winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, for his contribution to the discovery of cells that constitute the brain’s ‘inner GPS,’ which makes it possible to orient ourselves in space. Dr. O’Keefe worked under the supervision of Professor Ron Melzack (Department of Psychology) and received his PhD from McGill in 1967. Read more:
- McGill grad John O’Keefe wins Nobel Prize in medicine (McGill news release)
- Nobel winner has very fond memories of McGill (McGill Reporter article)

Dr. Robin Rogers, one of the world’s most renowned green chemists, will become Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Green Chemistry and Green Chemicals at McGill University. Rogers comes to Canada from The University of Alabama, where he was Robert Ramsay Chair of Chemistry and director of the Center for Green Manufacturing.

Starting today, August 19, McGill students have free access to the latest version of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Office apps. You may download and install it on up to five compatible personal devices, including PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Android smartphones and tablets.
As long as you’re a student at McGill University, you’ll be able to continue to use Office 365 ProPlus at no charge, and will receive automatic software updates.

Don't forget to join us October 6 and 7 for the 2014 Lorne Trottier Public Science Symposium "ARE WE ALONE?"

I spent quite some time talking with the reporter who wrote this story about the Food Babe. She did quote me correctly but as far as having lots of fans and "some" critics goes...well those "some" consist of members of the scientific community who know a lot more about food science than the "fans."
Read More: Charlotte’s Food Babe has lots of fans – and some critics
All of McGill’s central IT systems have been evaluated for vulnerability to Heartbleed and updates were applied where needed. If you are a McGill staff member, you are required to change your password. For others, we strongly encourage you to change your McGill Password without delay.
To reset your McGill Password:
- Faculty, staff, & students: log into Minerva, and go to the Personal Menu > Password for McGill Username.
- Affiliates: go to Reggie and click on Change Account Information, then select McGill Password.
Notes:
Dr. Joe Writes About Quackery
Posted by Harriet Hall on April 29, 2014 (49 Comments)

My guest next Sunday on my radio show is Dr. David Gorski, surgical oncologist and champion of science-based medicine. The topic? What else? Quack cancer remedies. But we will also discuss legitimate treatments. You can catch the action at 3 PM Eastern time on CJAD 800 in Montreal or on the web. Just go to the CJAD website and click on" listen live."