Canadian Science News

Nobel Prizes for smallest of things.
Nobel Prizes were awarded to three scientists for the development of the “world’s smallest machines” that might have applications in revolutionizing computers and batteries.

The winners, according to Canadian Manufacturing, were three men. “Frenchman Jean-Pierre Sauvage, British-born Fraser Stoddart, and Dutch scientist Bernard ’Ben’ Feringa” earned the Nobel Prizes for machines “1,000th the width of a human hair.”

The winners were provided a monetary award as well totalling eight million kronor, or $930,000. These will “will most likely be used in the development of things such as new materials, sensors and energy storage systems.”

Translation of competence into consistent interest
The Varsity reports that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are very important for the everyday concerns and revolutionary discoveries. These can assist in the development of new knowledge and the advancement of fields.

Fortunately, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) found “Canada scoring well above international averages for mathematics, reading, and science literacy.”

In turn, these competencies that facilitate discoveries “lead to improvements in our standards of living and quality of life.” However, an Ipsos Reid found an “inverse relationship between STEM interest and age.” That is, people lose interest in STEM with age.

Overfishing threatens stocks, again
And from The Tyee, an article about how the Canadian fishing industry is “at risk of major stock collapse.” Canada’s fishing is a $6 billion industry. Environment and Sustainable development commissioner, Julie Gelfand, warned of the possible collapse of the industry.

Gelfand warning came in her Fall report. In it, she stated 15 of the major Canadian fish stocks are “critically at risk.” Even so, they continued to fished. 12 of the 15 have no plans for reconstruction by the government. Gelfand was not aware of this number until the audit for the Fall report.

“We’re at potential risk for another stock to potentially collapse. It’s disconcerting that the department wasn’t aware of this, couldn’t wrap it up,” Gelfand said.

A native British Columbian, Scott Douglas Jacobsen is an AU undergrad and AUSU Councillor. He researches and runs In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal, and In-Sight Publishing.