Calgary is moving past peak mosquito activity, but a new species is still buzzing around

Calgary is moving past peak mosquito activity, but a new species is still buzzing around

Although cooler fall temperatures are coming, which local experts say usually drives down mosquito populations, one researcher says Calgary isn’t totally in the clear yet A relatively new species is likely hitting its peak population now, according to John Soghigian, an assistant professor of parasitology at the University of Calgary. The Culex pipiens, also referred to … Read more

From Phil Wizard to Raygun, breaking is bigger than ever. Is that a good thing?

From Phil Wizard to Raygun, breaking is bigger than ever. Is that a good thing?

At the Paris Olympics, breaking entered as arguably the most exciting new event in decades: an art form sprung from the hip-hop culture of the Bronx, set to take the biggest international sports stage in the world.  One Canadian gold medal, more than a few headspins and seemingly millions of memes later, the hype has … Read more

Rare fossil specimen offers evidence of social behaviour among ancient snakes

Rare fossil specimen offers evidence of social behaviour among ancient snakes

A perfectly preserved burrow of fossilized snakes shows that the reptiles have been social creatures for almost 40 million years, says a new research paper co-authored by a University of Alberta paleontologist.  It’s well known that snakes today gather in burrows for all kinds of reasons, including breeding and surviving cold temperatures by piling together … Read more

Komodo dragons have iron-coated teeth — just like the mighty beaver

Komodo dragons have iron-coated teeth — just like the mighty beaver

As It Happens7:10Not only are Komodo dragon teeth razor sharp; they’re also iron coated Not only do Komodo dragons have serrated, razor-sharp teeth that constantly replenish themselves — they’re also iron-coated, according to a new study. It’s the same protective coating found in the mouths of beavers. But while the industrious dam builders use their … Read more

‘Large proportion’ of military disliked relaxed rules on personal grooming, survey finds

‘Large proportion’ of military disliked relaxed rules on personal grooming, survey finds

The Canadian military has tightened up regulations on personal grooming after getting an earful from members who were not happy with the relaxed standards introduced almost two years ago. The revised rules on hair and beard length come into effect today. One expert says the newest set of regulations, announced last month, may not entirely … Read more

Pharmaceuticals in our waterways affect wildlife. This researcher says it’s a big problem

Pharmaceuticals in our waterways affect wildlife. This researcher says it’s a big problem

The Current11:38How our discarded drugs are sparking sex changes in fish What do fish act like on anti-anxiety medication? According to Karen Kidd, “they get bolder” and don’t rely on their usual survival skills — and that’s part of a big problem. “Fish are swimming around in the soup of drugs … and a drug … Read more

For its next trick, Ottawa must unload the $34B Trans Mountain pipeline. It won’t be easy

For its next trick, Ottawa must unload the B Trans Mountain pipeline. It won’t be easy

In her budget speech to the House of Commons on Tuesday, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland took a moment to celebrate the finishing touch on expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline. The controversial project has been plagued by delays and massive cost overruns, but Freeland instead focused on its completion, highlighting the: “talented tradespeople and the brilliant … Read more

Mysterious writer behind ISIS-K propaganda calls himself ‘the Canadian’

Mysterious writer behind ISIS-K propaganda calls himself ‘the Canadian’

A mysterious writer making propaganda for an Afghan branch of ISIS claimed to be based somewhere in Canada which, experts say, could be cause for concern for authorities.  Voice of Khurasan, an online publication used by the Islamic State of Khorasan (ISIS-K), which is suspected of being behind the Moscow attack that killed at least 140 … Read more

Scientists try to unravel the case of 1,300 mysteriously preserved human brains

Scientists try to unravel the case of 1,300 mysteriously preserved human brains

6:39Scientists try to unravel the case of 1,300 mysteriously preserved human brains Oxford University’s Alexandra Morton-Hayward spends her days surrounded by brains — literally.  The undertaker-turned-scientist is trying to unravel why some human brains remain remarkably well-preserved after death, sometimes for thousands of years, even when all other soft tissue has long decayed. And anyone … Read more

Wildfires made Canada’s air quality worse than the U.S. for the first time

Wildfires made Canada’s air quality worse than the U.S. for the first time

Canada’s record-setting wildfire season hiked the country up global pollution rankings — and for the first time made its air quality worse than the U.S., according to a new report by air quality technology company IQAir. “In previous years, Canada had the cleanest air quality in all of North America,” said Glory Dolphin Hammes, CEO of … Read more