News ✧ Quantum security, opioid overdose deaths, sloppy AI slop, and more
Science Canada News · Aug 3-7
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Navigating the north: Autonomous planes take flight
A Waterloo spin-out is scaling pilotless aircraft to improve access to remote locations with limited infrastructure. The startup’s fixed-wing planes are designed for dual-use purposes, spanning defence, commercial, and civilian applications.
“Northern Canada is an area of significant strategic interest for sovereignty, but also an area that has significant supply chain needs and challenges. Designing for that operating environment shares commonality between those worlds.” — Dr. Jeremy Wang
MCGILL UNIVERSITY
Better sit up: Posture influences mood and behaviour
McGill researchers have found that slouching could be bad for your mood, affecting both emotions and decision-making. Study participants who sat upright performed better at a given task and reported more positive feelings than slouchers.
“…changing the height of the tablet that participants used to complete the task, leading them to sit more upright or more slumped — leads to robust and reliable effects of posture on mood and risk-taking behaviour.”
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Defending the future: Canada kicks off Quantum Defence Innovation Secure Hub
The University of Calgary has been chosen by the Government of Canada to drive the country’s first Quantum Defence Innovation Secure Hub. The nation will invest $20.3M to ramp up Canada’s building security capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces
“By connecting defence stakeholders with researchers, innovators and industry leaders, the Quantum Defence Innovation Secure Hub will accelerate the development and deployment of quantum solutions to strengthen Canada's defence and national security capabilities.” — Dr. Megan Lee, Quantum City
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Berry fresh: New seaweed coating keeps strawberries edible
An edible, seaweed-based coating has been found to keep strawberries fresh for 4+ days at room temperature. The UBC researchers found that the coating could outperform berries that were stored in the fridge.
“It was exciting to watch the particles self-assemble in real time, from a cloudy, milky liquid into this incredibly uniform, protective layer. To our knowledge, no one had made an agar-based microparticle coating like this before.” — Ivy Chiu
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Toxic trends: Construction and trade workers show highest rates of opioid toxicity deaths
Researchers at U of T found that Ontario construction and trades workers made up approximately one-third of people who die from opioid toxicity. Those deaths increased during the pandemic and have remained elevated since.
“The reasons for this are likely multifaceted, including these occupations being male-dominated fields where people are at risk of injuries, undertreated pain, difficulty accessing treatment and barriers to discussing substance use.” — Dr. Tara Gomes
MCGILL UNIVERSITY
Algorithmic questions: AI sparks physiognomy pseudoscience resurgence
McGill’s Jonathan Jarry examines how AI is ushering in the use of superficial, feature-based presumptions as the industry implements algorithms that can perform tasks, like surveilling people and identifying terrorists.
“It was artificial intelligence that awakened physiognomy from its slumber. The people training neural networks — computers that mimic the way our brain cells work and that are promoted under the umbrella of ‘artificial intelligence’ — admitted that, sure, the human eye can’t tell if a person is good or bad by glancing at their face. It simply lacks the precision.”
DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY
The power of small: Stopping to smell the flowers really does work
Researchers at Dalhousie have found evidence that taking small, enjoyable breaks throughout the day really does make a positive impact, and they encourage people to seek out more of these little experiences.
“It’s easy to discount the little moments of fun or rest or peace… These kind of short moments of leisure really matter and it’s worth paying attention to them and for people to be receptive to these kinds of moments in their own lives.” — Karen Gallant