How to Build a Snowman

Hanrong

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November 6, 2024

Did you know that there are actually many benefits to making a snowman? Even though I have never personally done it, I would like to utilize this winter to learn this wonderful skill! Making snowmen is probably considered by many Canadians to be a “classic” skill, but it really keeps our holiday spirits alive. I have researched on Wikihow the specific steps to making snowmen, so let’s take a look through them together!

Step 1: Find a Location

When considering the location of your snowman, you might want to build it right next to a taller building or tree that can provide valuable shade. Even though winter is very cold here in Calgary, it still exceeds zero degrees quite frequently! You do not want your snowman to melt too quickly.

Step 2: Identify Good Packing Snow

After you have selected the location, find a patch of snow that is moist and moldable into a spherical shape. It is important to note that snow that is either too fluffy or too powdery is generally not suitable for making the best snowman. Try out small samples of the snow first, then proceed to take larger quantities to build your snowman.

Step 3: Build the Spheres

For the classic snowman, you want to try to form a total of three spheres, with all three of them stacked on top of one another. However, the spheres should decrease in size from the bottom up; in other words, the sphere touching the ground should be the largest. For each one of the spheres, you can decide how large exactly it needs to be. However, a good tip for each sphere is to start by packing the snowball that is approximately 30 centimeters in diameter, then rolling it on the ground to gain size.

Step 4: Rolling the Snowballs

Make sure to change the direction constantly when rolling the snowball! This would keep the snowball in a nice spherical shape. Try to stop rolling the snowball exactly where you want to place the snowman. Repeat for the other two spheres. The top sphere will form the head, and the middle sphere will be where we put the arms, as well as some of the buttons.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

After stacking the spheres on top of one another, make sure to fill in the gaps between the spheres with some more snow. Then, we can proceed to decorate it. A carrot is one of the most widely known options for the snowman’s nose, but feel free to also use icicles (since it is so abundant). For the eyes, the recommended objects are buttons or ping-pong/rubber bouncy balls. As for the mouth, you can even just use a row of pebbles! Press the decoration objects firmly to make sure that they are properly affixed to the head.

Step 6: Final Steps

After selecting two branches to serve as the arms, feel free to add a tie, hat, scarf, or even sunglasses to personalize your own snowman!

Additionally, you can use food coloring in a spray bottle that contains water. By spraying the combined mixture onto the snowman, you can also add colors as well. Regardless, simply have fun building your unique snowman! Lastly, spending time to enjoy building a snowman with other family members is a great idea as well.

What does it mean to be “effective” to stop bullying?

Amy Xia

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October 31, 2024

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What does it mean to be “effective” to stop bullying?

Bullying is a serious social issue especially among children and teenagers, often involving verbal, social, and physical abuse, causing severe damage to both the mental and physical wellbeing of victims. There have been numerous studies targeting the root causes behind bullying; government and school authorities have too implemented measures and policies to deter such phenomena from happening. However, the question now is, how effective are these policies to stop the bullies? Or, shall we dig deeper to ask, what truly makes an intervention effective in deterring bullying in general?

This article will review the experimental findings of a case study research done by scholars and researchers from Georgia State University in Atlanta. The literature itself is titled “A Case Study with an Identified Bully: Policy and Practice Implications,” authored by Huddleston et al. In their study, the researchers conducted detailed and in-depth interviews and data collection about a middle school bully from Grade 7. After implementing an intervention specifically designed for this student based on his background, the researchers again investigated the acceptability, integrity, and efficacy of their intervention.

To understand the situation of the bully (hereby referred to as the target student), the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with both the target students and the people around him. Gathering a variety of perspectives on the target student’s behaviour from his counsellors, teachers, and parents, the researchers formally began their intervention. Rather than the traditional method implemented by most schools, such as straightforward detention or suspension from school, the intervention for this target student is specifically tailored to his unique cultural background. From clinical interviews that explored the student’s personal traits and characteristics, to empathy, anger-management, and problem-solving sessions for the student, these innovative intervention methods encouraged this target student to better recognize his source of negative emotions and to find a prosocial and acceptable way to release such negativity.

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

At the end of the research and treatment period, David, the target student, has improved significantly, as reported by those around him. For example, the teachers told the researchers that rather than engaging in disruptive activities, David now chooses to read after finishing his schoolwork. David’s parents now receive a decreased number of phone calls informing them of the disciplinary violations by their child. Reports from these third-party perspectives are significantly different from the results of interviews before the experiment; all evidence suggests that David is starting to improve.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

What can be taken away from understanding this research? That bullying behaviours are reversible through proper intervention; that specific treatments and an in-depth understanding of the personal circumstances of bullies are vital. More importantly, this research seems to suggest potential directions for future policymakers who wish to reduce the problem of bullying. Perhaps such treatments require notable public commitment and extensive public health resources to conduct such interviews and design specific treatment plans. Despite the high potential cost of implementing the treatments used in this research, this article argues for the responsibility of public health facilities from the government to pay more serious attention to issues of bullying. Current solutions such as bullying helplines seem to offer minimal help. Because of this, authorities’ reformations and innovations in methods to treat bullying are now vitally essential for the well-being of our future generations.

Source:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3117608/

The Substance (Movie Review): A Violent, Romantic, and Artistic Tale of Beauty

Amy Xia

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October 31, 2024

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The Substance (Movie Review): A Violent, Romantic, and Artistic Tale of Beauty

The Substance is a horror and science fiction movie brought up on screen just recently in September-October of 2024. As said in the official trailer, the entire movie can be summarized in a few sentences:

“Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? You. Only better in every way. You’ve got to try this new product. It changed my life.”

Without further ado, we’ll get into the movie review… (Spoiler Alert! If you haven’t seen the movie and wish to reserve the first-time experience for yourself, please come back to this article after you’ve seen the movie. This review contains some spoilers that may affect your movie-watching experience…)

Elizabeth Sparkle, a once-famous world celebrity, is now officially 50 years old. When one gets older, as we all know, it is quite inevitable that time leaves its permanent marks on their body. Yet unfortunately for Elizabeth, these marks left by her age—wrinkles on her face and her fleeting youth—are absolutely unacceptable. She loses her job on daytime show TV right on her 50th birthday because, as her boss blatantly revealed to her, “people are always searching for something new.”

Elizabeth is to be replaced by someone younger, hotter, and prettier.

Desperate to hear the news, Elizabeth uncontrollably activated her “other self” with the help of an unknown product, simply and mysteriously named, “The Substance.” Consequently, Sue is born. Sue is basically the manifestation of all Elizabeth’s imagination of a “better self”: she received the opportunity to replace her despite fierce competition in the audition, and Elizabeth’s old boss even decided to let her host the annual New Year event. Yet as both Sue and Elizabeth indulged in feelings of contentment because of fame, popularity, and public attention, what they are not yet taking notice of… is the unspoken and pricey cost behind the rejuvenating youth.

The Substance is, to say at least, a violent, bloody, Frankenstein-y, yet irresistibly aesthetic piece of art. The process through which Sue grows and divides out of Elizabeth and eventually tears her host open from the spine is truly a gruelling scene. Yet it is exactly through such visual shocks that the violent consequences behind regaining youth and beauty are delivered. At the end of the movie, we see Elizabeth, transformed into a total Frankenstein monster because of her obsession with fame and attractiveness, lying down on the star that was carved with her name, “Elizabeth Sparkle,” on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The movie starts there, at the exact same spot—from building this star solely belonged to Elizabeth. Both the beginning and the end of the journey is this Walk of Fame, which is what seems to be the stamp that proves the rising success of Elizabeth’s celebrity career. Yet who knows? Such success may bring the blessing of popularity—and the curse of lifelong mania of fame.

Source:

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-substance-movie-review

Old and Alone: A Poem

Diya K

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October 31, 2024

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There is a house, it is considered quite nice

The house is quite huge, causing passersby to contemplate its price

Rows of intricate roses decorate the front lawn

But if one looks through the window, it is empty, all through the night and day to the crack of dawn

In reality, it is not actually vacant

Rather inside, lies an old woman who many might consider ancient

She repeats her life day after to day

From when her hair was pitch black, to when it started to turn light grey

She lives by herself

Talking with and providing basic necessities to oneself

But as time passes by

She developed feelings of loneliness which makes her want to cry

Her children and grandchildren live far far away

They are very happy, going about their everyday lives each and every day

The old woman meets with them once in a while

Drawing on her face not just a little grin, but a great wide smile

She is an old woman though and she feels as if she causes trouble to the family

She has specific needs in which they all make sure to satisfy rapidly

The family loves her with their whole heart

But the old woman feels as if she is using them as a crutch

So she goes back to her home although she was never shunned

Where she lives with the happiness of not being a burden to her loved ones

With rows of intricate roses, that decorate the front lawn

But with loneliness which encapsulates her all through the night and day to the crack of dawn

Exam Cramming 101: Tips for a Last-Minute Cram

Jeanne Y

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October 30, 2024

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Exam Cramming 101: Tips for a Last-Minute Cram

Whoops. It’s the night before, or the period before, your big unit test or final. You find that you haven’t even learned any material that’s going to be on the test tomorrow. So then you Google “how to cram last minute”.

It’s okay. It happens to the best of us.

Shockingly, although everyone has advice on how to study efficiently and effectively, the internet is almost devoid on tips on how to cram for an exam. So here’s the lifesaving blog post you’re looking for, from someone with too much experience in last-minute studying.

1. It Won’t Be Pretty.

The first thing to do is to accept that you won’t be getting 100% on this exam (probably). Unless you get a wild stroke of luck or you’re lying about having never studied the material, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll do perfectly on the test. The sooner you realize and accept this, the better.

Cramming is an ugly process where you finally understand how much you have to learn and how much you don’t know. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and panicked if you aim to know everything perfectly, and this will only hinder efficiency. So accept that it won’t be perfect, and that’s okay.

Accepting that your grade will be imperfect also helps reduce perfectionist procrastination (procrastination that results from over planning in order to get a perfect result). So brace yourself and get ready to flinch a little bit.

2. Test Yourself

In order to the best you can, you should only study the material that you’re weakest on. The best way to find these weaknesses is to do a practice test before you study. Even if all the material is new and you don’t pick a correct answer for the entire practice test, it will be highly beneficial. If you don’t know the answer, put something down or pick one of the answer options. Making these mistakes and correcting them at the end will induce the concept of hypercorrection.

When you take an exam it’s highly unlikely that you’ll remember everything you got right; rather, you’ll remember all the questions you got wrong.

Hypercorrection is the idea that the more you make mistakes, the more likely you are to remember what you got wrong and not make the mistake again. By correcting yourself before you even begin, you are priming your brain to accept material with more ease.

3. Time Yourself

When it comes to actually learning the material and filling in the gaps that you’re missing, learn in spurts of no more than 15 minutes. During these fifteen minutes, jot down questions that you could ask yourself as review afterward.

After 15 minutes, take 5 minutes to answer all of your review questions. Try to understand the concepts instead of blandly memorizing them. This will help you not only apply the information on the exam, but also help you retain the information after the test, in case you’ll need it later.

However, if you can’t understand and you’re on a time crunch, only then should you memorize. This is where the review sessions become crucial; building your short-term memory requires a lot of recall and repetition.

4. Feynman’s Technique

Feynman’s Technique, which is also known as the Rubber Duck Technique, is a wonderful way to review material quickly. Simply have a family member, pet, or even a rubber duck, listen to you as you explain whatever it is that you’re learning.

Be sure to do this while your notebooks are closed and when you have nothing but your memory to go off of. You should also try to explain in the simplest terms imaginable. This helps us synthesize our knowledge into more manageable chunks, and further highlights everything we need to review further.

Oftentimes, we learn the most about our own understanding if we explain it to someone else. This is a great technique to use during study groups, because everyone’s attention span is short. You’ll have to condense all the material into simple terms and explain it to everyone in a few minutes.

5. Stay Healthy

A crucial part of cramming that’s completely unrelated to the academic work is to stay healthy. Try your best to get at least an hour of sleep before the exam, and definitely eat breakfast before your test.

Keeping on top of your physical health is incredibly important to cramming and performing well. I find from personal experience that even if you know the material front-to-back, if I don’t get enough sleep or skip breakfast, I do worse on the test.

Now, I know a lot of people who do really well even if they don’t eat in the morning or if they don’t sleep at all. But they’re also the people who make little mistakes that cost them a lot of half marks. Unnecessary mistakes, like forgetting units at the end of a physics answer or making repeated grammatical errors on an essay.

You probably won’t cover all the material since you’re already cramming, so get some sleep because we want to MINIMIZE the number of small mistakes you make.

That being said, if you know me at all, you’ll know that my sleep schedule is a little questionable. I juggle a lot, and I’m assuming if you’re still reading this article I’m not the only one. So if you have to sacrifice your health, do it sustainably and try not to do it too often.

TL;DR – The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that cramming is stressful, overwhelming, and unhealthy. If you can, just avoid it. But if you can’t avoid cramming, you should follow the 5 steps on how to cram:

Accept imperfection
Test yourself
Time yourself
Explain yourself
Stay healthy (as much as is realistic)

Good luck on your tests!

The Man Who Began A Revolution: Vincent Oge & The Haitian Revolution

Learn Something New

Areej C

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October 29, 2024

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The Man Who Began A Revolution: Vincent Oge & The Haitian Revolution

Before 1798, Saint. Domingue, the colonial name given to present day Haiti, was at a point France’s most successful colony overseas. With slaves brought from West and Central Africa specifically countries, now known as Congo and the Republic of Senegal. The French colony profited off the production of items such as indigo, sugar, and coffee. Succeeding and profiting off the enslavement of Africans, and their inhumane and brutal working conditions.

Responsible for beginning the Haitian revolution, Vincent Oge inspired enslaved Africans throughout the colony of Saint Domingue. Born in 1755, Oge was part of the minority group of the ‘gens de couleur’, as his father was a white Frenchman, and his mother a free black woman. As a military officer and business owner, Oge felt the harm and discrimination, even as a free person of color. As mentioned prior, in 1789, Oge traveled to France during the French Revolution, to propose ideas for amending laws against the free people of color on the island of Saint Domingue and all French colonies, as well as to show the book he compiled with American colonists; a group of free colored individuals, addressing the right for free blacks to vote and participate in society as whites did. These ideas were rejected, pushing Oge to join the Society of the Friends of the Blacks or the Société des amis des Noirs. Founded by Jacques Pierre Brissot, the group aimed to eradicate slavery within France and its overseas colonies.

Later in 1790, he returned to the colony and immediately began assembling other free people of color and even enslaved people in an attempt to band them together and revolt. He sent mail to the colony governance, called Le Cap, stating that he and his group would use force if his demands of equality were not met. With constant rejection and urges to stop their protests, Oge began the first revolt within the Haitian revolution. He stood his ground with a small group of supporters until his group was defeated by the colonial army and captured. On February 6th, 1791, Vincent Oge was executed by the colonial assembly. His attempt to secure rights for the free people of color and fight for equality within the colony was inspired by the similar movement in the French Revolution for all people of France. Although called a failed revolt, Oge inspired the next years of revolutionaries to fight for equality from their oppressors and allowed the colony of Saint Domingue to begin to develop their sense of national unity in order to continue and fight until independence.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

Guess The Music Artist By The Emojis!

Entertainment

Bowen Zheng

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October 29, 2024

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Introduction:

From rappers, to pop singers, this blog will be about guessing which music artist is associated with the given emojis! Ready to test your musical artist knowledge, along with your emoji interpretations? The levels will progressively get harder with 15 levels in total! Good luck and I hope you have fun! (Answers will be at the end of the blog!)

Very Easy:

🥫+ye+⬅️
Ed + 👧+🏃
👎+🐰

Easy:

4. Just+📥+🐝+🥶

5. 😠 + 🔛 + na

6. M + 📥+ M

Medium:

7. ✌️ + 👄 + a

8. 💇‍♂️ + 😎

9. B + 🏃 + O + MARS

Hard:

10. 🍃 + 🐕

11. ✌️ + ⛓

12. Ri + 🐔 A

Extremely Hard:

13. 😺 + Y + 🍐 Y

14. 🧞‍♂️ + ifer + 😍 + pez

Impossible:

15. 🤫 + 🥱 + 👨 + des

Conclusion + Answers:

I hope you had as much fun playing this game as I had making it! How well did you do? Did you get stumped by the emojis or breeze through it easily? Maybe send some of these to your friends to challenge them as well!

Answers:

Kanye West
Ed Sheeran
Bad Bunny
Justin Beiber
Maddona
Eminem
Dua Lipa
Harry Styles
Bruno Mars
Snoop Dogg
2 Chainz
Rihanna
Katy Perry
Jennifer Lopez
Shawn Mendes

Networking Strategies: Connecting with Confidence

Advice

Daniella

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October 28, 2024

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Networking Strategies: Connecting with Confidence

Networking is an essential skill that benefits everyone, whether you’re a student, young intern, or just someone looking to expand your horizons. From finding internships and joining clubs to exploring career opportunities, making connections is key to personal and professional growth. However, many individuals –especially introverts– find this to be an intimidating task even when they have the skills to do so. So, let’s dive into some strategies for making strong connections in a confident way:

Prepare for Various Networking Events

When you know you’ll be attending a school event or community gathering, a little preparation can go a long way. Look into who will be there (like guest speakers or any local organizations). Think of a few conversation starters or questions related to the event or the people you hope/expect to meet. This preparation can help ease any nerves and make conversations flow more smoothly.

2. Set Achievable Goals

Networking doesn’t mean meeting everyone in the room. Set realistic, manageable goals like talking to two or three new people at an event. Focus on building meaningful connections and relationships that are far more valuable than collecting simple business cards.

3. Choose Comfortable Environments

If large gatherings feel too overwhelming, seek out smaller events or workshops where you can connect more personally. Consider joining clubs or interest groups that align with your own passions. These settings often foster deeper connections and make networking feel less daunting than it may appear.

4. Use Social Media

Platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn can be great tools for connecting with peers and professionals. Join groups that reflect your own interests or follow local organizations that you find fascinating. Engage with their content by liking, sharing, or commenting, and this can also serve as an icebreaker for any possible future conversations.

5. Follow Up with Personal Touches

After meeting people, take a moment to send a friendly message or email to say hello. Mention specific points from your conversation; and this personal touch will show you value the connection and helps keep the relationship going.

6. Practice Self-Care

Networking is all about connection, but it is still important to take some time to recharge, especially after big social events. Take breaks and celebrate your efforts, no matter how small. Each step you take builds your confidence and strengthens your networking skills.

Networking is a valuable skill that everyone can develop, and your qualities can make the experience even richer. Embrace your abilities to listen and engage thoughtfully, and remember that building genuine relationships is what truly matters at the end of the day.

Sources:

https://pixabay.com/photos/play-stone-network-networked-1237457/

7 Wonders Of The World: The Hanging Gardens Of Babylon

Learn Something New

Bowen Zheng

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October 27, 2024

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7 Wonders Of The World: The Hanging Gardens Of Babylon

First of all, what are the Seven Wonders Of The World?

The original Seven Wonders Of The World were defined to the Greeks as amazing feats of architecture and engineering. These include the Great Pyramid Of Giza, Statue Of Zeus, Temple Of Artemis, the tomb for Mausoleum, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the Hanging Gardens Of Babylon, which I will be exploring in this article. The Seven Wonders Of The World typically introduced new types of artistic concepts and were staggering in their size. For example, The Lighthouse Of Alexandria was one of the tallest buildings during the time of the Greeks. As well as this, it was the first lighthouse to introduce lighthouse technology, which consisted of light reflecting mirrors and a massive fire-based beacon.

What are the Hanging Gardens Of Babylon?

The Hanging Gardens Of Babylon were believed to be built in Babylon, which is now known as Iraq. They were constructed around 6 BCE while their king: “King Nebuchadnezzar II” was in reign. According to ancient sources, King Nebuchadnezzar II built this garden to please his wife, who missed the beautiful landscape of her old hometown, Media, which is now modern day Iran. It was said in old texts that the Gardens Of Babylon was built as a series of terraces along with lots of plants and waterfalls, which provided a gorgeous green landscape. The word “Hanging” derives from the fact that the hanging plants from the elevated terraces gave the illusion of being hung in mid-air.

Did the Hanging Gardens Of Babylon really exist?

Many Greek historians such as Berosus and Strabo mention the Gardens Of Babylon in their works. However, a historian named Herodotus, who is known for writing extensively on Babylon, does not mention the Gardens at all. This raises some suspicion on whether or not the Gardens existed in the first place. Some people even theorize that the Gardens may have been mistaken for the garden in the city of Nineveh.

Overall:

Although the existence of this garden may continue as one of the world’s biggest mysteries, they are engraved in history and will continue to be known as one of the most beautiful and creative structures to ever exist. It has inspired numerous Roman and Greek artists during the time and has allowed us to paint a picture of what paradise is considered to look like.

CRISPR in Modern Medicine: Transforming Genetic Engineering

Daniella

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October 25, 2024

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CRISPR in Modern Medicine: Transforming Genetic Engineering

In recent years, CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short palindromic Repeats) has emerged as one of the most exciting advancements in genetic engineering. This revolutionary technology allows scientists to edit genes with unprecedented precision, opening new doors in the field of medicine.

What is CRISPR?

CRISPR is a natural defence mechanism found in bacteria which is used to protect themselves from viruses. Researchers have harnessed this system to develop a powerful tool for genetic modification. By using a guide RNA to direct the Cas9 enzyme to a specific location within the DNA, scientists can now add, delete, or modify genetic material with remarkable accuracy.

Applications in Medicine:

Gene Therapy for Genetic Disorders
- CRISPR holds great promise for treating genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and muscular dystrophy. By correcting the fault genes responsible for these conditions, CRISPR has the potential to provide permanent solutions rather than temporary treatments.

Cancer Treatment
- Researchers are exploring CRISPR as a method to target and edit the genes that drive cancer progression. For example, studies are being conducted to engineer immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.

Infectious Diseases
- CRISPR has also shown potential in combating viral infections, including HIV and even more recent viruses like COVID-19. Researchers are investigating how CRISPR can be used to edit the genomes of cells to prevent viruses from replicating.

Ethical Considerations

As with any groundbreaking technology, the use of CRISPR raises significant ethical questions. The ability to edit human embryos or create ‘designer babies’ has sparked a heated debate among scientists, ethicists, and policymakers. Concerns include the long-term effects on the gene pool and the potential for misuse in creating genetic inequality.

Current Research

Numerous studies are also underway to explore the full potential of CRISPR. For instance, researchers at Stanford University are conducting clinical trials using CRISPR to treat sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. The outcomes of these trials could pave the way for wider applications in genetic medicine.

Future Prospects

As CRISPR technology continues to evolve, its impact on personalized medicine and public health could be profound. Imagine a future where genetic disorders can be corrected before birth or where tailored treatments can be developed based on an individual’s genetic makeup. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and it is crucial for the scientific community to navigate the ethical landscape carefully.

CRISPR is transforming the landscape of modern medicine, offering hope for treating conditions that were once deemed incurable. As we advance, it is essential to balance innovation with ethical considerations to ensure that the benefits of this technology are realized responsibly and equitably.

Sources:

3 Lessons Learned from the Youth Volunteer Corps Summit 2024: Virginia Beach

Jeanne Y

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October 21, 2024

1

3 Lessons Learned from the Youth Volunteer Corps Summit 2024: Virginia Beach

As I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, volunteering provides a plethora of opportunities. An opportunity I was recently offered was to travel to Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States for the YVC Summit Conference. This blog will discuss the most important lessons and my personal favorite experiences that I’ve gained while attending the youth conference.

1. People Might Not Eat You Alive

Because I am a part of the Calgary YVC affiliate, we had to travel internationally to attend the conference. Although we had two youth in our group who were a part of the International Youth Advisory Board and we received a scholarship to attend, we still had to find different ways to raise money to attend.

Fundraising at Movie Night In the Park in Acadia, Calgary.

The Walk of Compassion in Downtown Calgary

As a fairly introverted person, this was the hardest part of the trip for me. I had to *shudder* approach people and explain why they should donate to our cause. At first, I shied away from the general public and let the rest of the group guide the public relations. As I gradually gained more comfort around my group, I realized that I could approach fundraising as a challenge. I learned to brace myself and form connections. This would prove to be an invaluable asset during the trip.

2. Most People Don’t Hate You Already

I learned quite a few new things right off the bat when we landed in Virginia. The most important thing was that people are typically willing to form new connections if you are willing to initiate.

A common fear, one that is a part of the human condition, is the fear of rejection and exclusion. Because I’m human, I am no exception. Before the trip, I wasn’t too keen on beginning conversation or forming connections because I feared that others wouldn’t be interested in what I had to contribute. Although Summit involved a lot of networking, I was still surprised to see that people were willing to approach me and make conversation. I found that most people reciprocated my enthusiasm.

Shocking, I’m sure.

Understanding that socializing was less like jumping a chasm and more like shaking a hand helped me build a network quite quickly. You’d be shocked at how nice people will be if you’re willing to reach out your hand first. I met, and was able to connect with, a lot of insanely cool people.

One of these people was Bonnie Johnson, the first pick of the very first women’s pro softball draft in all of America (stay tuned for a possible interview!). Somehow, I had a wild stroke of luck to sit next to her on a flight of mine. If I hadn’t introduced myself to Bonnie at first, I would never have known how sweet, friendly, and accomplished she was. I never would have missed the opportunity to know one of the coolest women in the history of womens’ sports.

This lesson was so valuable. I was able to make lots of new friends and gain a lot more connections for it!

Going out for dinner with the Calgary affiliates

The Statue of Neptune at Virginia Beach, Virginia

3. Always Try To Understand

We got to attend a variety of workshops during the conference. Personally, I found the poverty simulation workshop to be the most impactful.

We were given a family situation, a minimal sum of money, and the task to support basic living needs (utility, rent, food expenses) for a “month” (a 3 hour period). I was a child whose parents had been imprisoned and unemployed, with an unemployed 21 year old brother and two younger siblings to support. We started off the simulation with a very small amount of money and a camera to pawn.

In order to survive the month, the older brother had to drop out of college to find a job. I had to resort to thievery when I was dismissed from school. I stole two cars, three social security numbers, an EBT (a card for welfare services to wire money to those in need), jewelry, and money for a gun. Even after pawning and selling all of our possessions, we still would not have made it through the month.

Despite the obvious fact that the entire workshop was a simulation and not real, I found that I was willing to cheat and steal in order to protect my loved ones. And I wasn’t the only one willing to do this. School became a terrible waste of time that I could have spent stealing and plotting. The social security numbers allowed me to pretend I was an adult and purchase a gun, which I robbed houses with. I no longer had any pity for others who were struggling. Instead, I saw them as competition for the limited rich houses.

The smallest things aggravated us. Bank lines and supermarket lines were too long. The school wanted too much money that we didn’t have. There weren’t enough transportation passes. My family was so desperate to make it through the month without being evicted or starved, we were willing to be incarcerated for it.

I learned that it is important to always maintain gratitude and grace toward others – after all, if I was willing to do some shady things in a simulation, then who knows what someone really desperate would do – and I gained more empathy for others.

TL;DR

Attending the Youth Volunteer Corps Summit was such an amazing experience. I learned to overcome my fear of the general public. I also learned how to network and build deep connections, and I gained a deeper understanding of what gratitude really looks like.

Team Calgary at the Awards Ceremony Volunteer of the Year. 100 in 1 recipient, and 500 Hour Milestone Volunteer Lucy Morcom (far right). 500 Hour Milestone Volunteer and 100 in 1 recipient, Joshua Jacobson (right). 100 in 1 recipient and moral supporter, Jeanne Ye (left). Keynote Speaker and 100 in 1 recipient, Kingston Chee (far left).

Special thanks to Peony Wong, our designated YVC Coordinator, for being so patient with everyone and really making this trip possible for all of us!

The Benefits of Space Exploration

Hanrong

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October 20, 2024

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Featured Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Exploring places far, far away to benefit the world close by

You’ve probably heard of many cool stories about space exploration, whether it is astronauts taking off into space, or unmanned spacecrafts flying by planets at extremely fast speeds. Well, as it turns out, space exploration not only has the purpose of being cool, or simply discovering data for the sake of science. You might not realize it, but space exploration has extremely practical purposes, even in improving our day-to-day lives!

Some examples of benefits

According to the Canadian Space Agency, space exploration can help improve health care, combat climate change, create jobs, and improve our day-to-day lives from the most basic forms.

Talking about our health, did you know that space exploration helps us broaden our understanding of our very own physiology? This is especially true, as astronauts have already conducted research on board the ISS that is conducive to trying to figure out solutions to various health diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. In fact, many astronauts opted themselves to participate in experiments, using their own bodies in order to gain knowledge previously unknown to humanity.

Additionally, the technology that is used to power the Canadarm is also being utilized to create surgical robots, such as the sophisticated neuroArm, to perform brain surgeries through high degrees of decision.

Image by WikiImages from Pixabay

Combating Climate Change

It is only through space technology that humanity can discover and photograph some of the rapid changes that are happening to our natural world. For example, the Aral Sea is shrinking significantly, and there is a sharp decline in the ice extent of the Arctic Sea. Satellites also help monitor air, and even soil, pollution. The ozone layer depletion was discovered in part due to the satellites, sparking international attention to address this serious problem. Satellites are also used to monitor the extent to which natural habitats are preserved, helping to protect fragile (yet indispensable) ecosystems on our planet.

Improving our day-to-day lives

It may be difficult to imagine, but one commonality among air purifiers, enriched baby formula, memory foam, and cordless vacuum cleaners is that they are all “spin-offs” from space technology! For example, memory foam was actually originally developed to help the astronauts stay cushioned during the flights. Even cell phone cameras were initially developed for the purpose of minimizing the size of cameras for various spacecraft.

Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay

Other important impacts space exploration has on our day-to-day life include weather forecasting, providing important information for farmers to grow crops, and more. Truly, space exploration impacts all of our lives greatly and deeply, whether we realize it or not. You can find more information on this topic on the Canadian Space Agency website. So, let’s appreciate the last century of innovation, which enables us to have access to such important services that are provided by satellites and other spacecraft!

The Tragic Death Of Liam Payne

Current Issues

Areej C

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October 19, 2024

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Singer-songwriter Liam Payne was found dead on October 16th, 2024, at around 17:07, after falling down three floors from his hotel room, approximately 45 ft down. The incident occurred in Buenos Aires, Argentina, while on vacation with his girlfriend, influencer Kate Cassidy. They came in order to see his former bandmate Niall Horan perform on tour. The two stars had met days prior, taking the internet by storm on the possibility of a rekindling of their former boy-band, One Direction. On the day of his death, police had initially reported to the hotel after complaints of “an aggressive man, who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol”. After inquiring with other guests, officers heard a thud near the courtyard. Later, police discovered Payne’s body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Who Was Liam Payne?

Liam Payne, 31, is best known for being a member of the boy-band ‘One Direction’ from 2010-2016, before its dismantling. The band also consisted of other pop icons such as Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan. They have been credited for being one of the most famous, and best-selling boy bands, with hit singles such as ‘Drag Me Down’ and ‘Night Changes’. Over the years, Liam continued his journey in the music industry, even after One Direction, with his recent release being ‘Teardrops’ on March 1st of this year.

One Direction’s Response

On the ‘One Direction’ Instagram account, a joint statement was released expressing their devastation towards the death of their former band mate:

“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”

– Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry

This tragedy has struck a chord with many fans of One Direction, many of which have already left flowers by his hotel room in Argentina, and played their music videos. Liam Payne, only 31, was a musical sensation and was described by many of his friends as a “positive, funny, and kind soul”. Liam leaves behind his 7 year old son, Bear.

May he rest in peace.

Sources:

One Direction’s joint statement: https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/former-one-direction-bandmates-release-statement-following-liam-paynes-death-we-re-completely-devastated/article_8d58b7ce-8c20-11ef-871f-974c8ad84dfa.html

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/18/entertainment/liam-payne-death-investigation/index.html

Featured Image Photo by Eli Solitas on Unsplash

I Collect Words: Here Are 15 of Them!

Learn Something New

Natalie

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October 11, 2024

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For as long as I can remember, I have found words fascinating. I’m sure we can all agree that English can be tricky to grasp, whether it be your first, second, third or other language. It can be annoying at the best of times even to native speakers (and we don’t talk about the worst of times). However, despite my frustration with the language I have to admit that my love for words themselves has never faded. For all I struggled with English as a child, individual words were never troublesome; I loved spelling things out even if English is not a phonetic language like my mother tongue (*ahem*bologna*ahem*) and whenever I encountered a new word in one of my books, I would run to grab a dictionary.

Currently, one of my more peculiar passtimes has become collecting words. I add them to an ever-growing list on my notes app, scribble them in margins whenever I need to attend to another task but don’t want to forget a particular word, and even go so far as printing words and their definitions to stick onto my wall so that I may remember to incorporate them into my writing. So today, I would like to share 15 of these words with you!

You will of course know or even regularly use some of these, while others are so specific that you may not ever have heard them before. Either way, here are 15 words I have collected.

aplomb (noun)
complete and confident composure or self-assurance

My first impression of this word was that its meaning does not fit the way it sounds. If I had taken a blind guess, I would have likened it to “clumsy” or perhaps a careless or haphazard action. However the longer I sit with “aplomb” the more it seems to fit its definition. It feels like nonchalance and confidence fused into one word, strangely enough.

balter (verb)
to dance or tread clumsily

In complete contrast to the first word, when I first read the definition of “balter” I laughed out loud because of just fitting it is. This is considered an archaic word nowadays, but I have half a mind to petition its return just because of how happy it makes me. I can easily imagine someone baltering in my head and do so with glee.

banal (adjective)
so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring

The thing about this word is that, depending on the context, it has the potential to create the most dry, unimpressed sentence imaginable. I find it funny how disappointed a speaker can sound when they use “banal” instead of a word like “boring” or “unoriginal.”

cantankerous (adjective)
difficult or irritating to deal with

Doesn’t this word do such a good job at painting a picture without even being used in a sentence? It feels like a mix of cranky, pigheaded and maddening all in one. It’s one of those very specific words that you can almost feel in your bones.

defenestrate (verb)
to throw someone out of a window

This is a perplexingly specific word. Why does it exist? How did it develop? How many people have had experiences where this word applies literally? It’s fascinating. I love it.

enigmatic (adjective)
difficult to understand; mysterious

“Enigmatic” as a word has a feeling that its more widely used synonym, “mysterious,” doesn’t. It is such that I couldn’t explain it even if I tried.

maudlin (adjective)
weakly and effusively sentimental; often through drunkness

There is something almost piteous about this word, in the sense that I dread a day where it might describe my emotional state. It seems like it would describe a hopelessly lovestruck character drinking their woes away, or something of the sort.

nautical (adjective)
of or concerning sailors, navigation or ships

This to me is yet another specific word that paints a picture even on its own. It feels like a story, lifestyle and aesthetic all in one, depending on how you use it. I feel like I could build a whole story around this word alone.

nonagenarian (noun)
a person who is from 90 to 99 years old

In all honesty I came across this word back when I was into the MCU Captain America content and fandom, Steve Rogers (and Bucky Barnes) technically being nonagenarian(s) for parts of the MCU franchise. To learn this word in the context of a fandom has to be a unique experience to Captain America’s fandom.

paracosm (noun)
a detailed imaginary world thought generally to originate in childhood

To me, this word is simply a testament to the extent of the human mind. The seemingly infinite inwards expansion of the human imagination is something that feels distinct to human beings.

quotidian (adjective)
of occuring every day; ordinary or everyday

“Quotidian” is a word that feels universal and routine; something relatable despite being unremarkable. It sticks because despite all of the extraordinary moments in life, the mundane is where we generally live.

remiss (adjective)
lacking care or attention to detail

To me, this word itself feels like some sort of dismissal or disregard. Like the frustration you feel in a group project when you’re the only doing doing actual work or when someone finds unimportant something you value.

rend (verb)
to tear or rip something apart

This one almost feels violent in an of itself. “Rend.” To rend. To rend something to shreds. You could use this word in various different ways while writing to convey a specific type of action.

revere (verb)
to show devoted deferential honour to (someone)

Despite words like “admire” and “respect” being its synonyms, the closest word I can think of to relate my perception of this word is “venerate.” There is something to be stressed about the underlying devotion and commitment that this word implies. An idolisation, perhaps.

threadbare (adjective)
(of clothing, cloth or soft furnishings) to become thin and tattered; (of a person, building or room) poor or shabby in appereance

This is a word that can go many ways. It could describe some cozy and well-loved, worn by years of use. It would describe something unwanted and useless, perhaps a desolate location or forgotten person. Something domestic, something foreboding; something washed out; something left behind.

With that, I have shared all 15 words! I do hope you found it interesting, and of course, keep in mind that language evolves and words shift with time. People are constantly inventing and redefining words, and as a writer there is a point where you can mold the words under your fingers into something new and unique. So have fun with it!

Feature image

Sources: 1, 2, 3

Mosquito Magnets – What makes you one?

Sukrutha

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September 2, 2024

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Summer is the time to go out into the wild, inhale some fresh air, touch some grass, soak up the warm sun rays, and have a perfect day. Except for mosquitoes. We all know that sometimes it can feel as though there is nothing more annoying than having to deal with an itch caused by a mosquito. Just as the itching of one of the bites is starting to fade, you’ve got another bite to deal. Instead of enjoying nature, you find yourself flailing your arms in all directions trying to swat out the mosquitoes. Meanwhile, you turn to your friend and see that they are perfectly alright. The mosquitoes that won’t leave you alone, do not seem to have any sort of effect on others. Why is that?

As a person who has always been susceptible to mosquito bites, I find it intriguing how while some people can’t step outside in the summer without bug spray, others can sit outside for hours and remain unscathed.

Initially, I used to believe that blood type was the main reason for this discrepancy between the susceptibility of various people to mosquitos. However, there are other factors that come into play.

Why do mosquitos love to feast on human blood?

Surprisingly, only the female mosquitos actually bite humans. Sucking our blood gives the mosquitos proteins to help produce their eggs. To help locate the prey, mosquitos use their antennae and palps (organs between the antennae) to detect the carbon dioxide and odour that is emitted from the breath of humans. This means that usually people who have a high metabolic rate and emit more carbon dioxide such as those who have worked out, are pregnant, or are drinking alcohol have a higher chance of getting bit by mosquitos.

Is blood type important in determining if you’re a mosquito magnet?

This question is controversial in the scientific world. One theory suggests that blood type does play a key role in determining mosquito preference. In 2019, a study found that the mosquito vector of the dengue virus strain has a preference for the type O blood. However, separate research notes that laboratory data regarding the importance of blood type has increased a lot of speculation. A recent experiment now has revealed that genetics instead play an important role.

The Twins Study:

A 2015 study found that your genetic makeup accounts for about 67% of your mosquito attraction. That means that if you are unlucky enough to be suffering from mosquito bites, there is a 67% chance that it might just be your genes.

The study involved two groups of female twins – one group of fraternal twins and another group of identical twins. These two groups of twins were required to stick their hands in Y-shaped acrylic containers that allowed mosquitoes to detect their odour. The group of identical twins, who had the same genes, had more similar levels of mosquito attraction compared to the fraternal twins. Using data from an earlier study that had concluded identical twins shared the same body odour, the study decided that genetics do play an important role in determining the level of attraction an individual has towards mosquitos.

Conclusion:

Although mosquito bites can sometimes just feel annoying, they can be pretty dangerous. Some mosquito vectors can carry diseases like the dengue virus, Zika, chikungunya and West Nile fever. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates these mosquito-borne diseases can lead to 700,000 deaths annually.

Even though you cannot change your genes to make you less susceptible to mosquitos, you can take some common sense precautions. This includes using bug spray when staying outside for long hours, and wearing long sleeved shirts and pants to avoid mosquito bites.

YOUTH ARE AWESOMEA PROGRAM OF YOUTH CENTRAL

Step 1: Find a Location

Step 2: Identify Good Packing Snow

Step 3: Build the Spheres

Step 4: Rolling the Snowballs

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Step 6: Final Steps

1. It Won’t Be Pretty.

2. Test Yourself

3. Time Yourself

4. Feynman’s Technique

5. Stay Healthy

TL;DR – The Bottom Line

1. People Might Not Eat You Alive

2. Most People Don’t Hate You Already

3. Always Try To Understand

TL;DR

Exploring places far, far away to benefit the world close by

Some examples of benefits

Combating Climate Change

Improving our day-to-day lives

Who Was Liam Payne?

One Direction’s Response

STAY IN TOUCH

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