Hypoxylon Canker (Hypoxylon mummatum) is seen on many kinds of poplar, but it is most common on trembling aspen. It is very common in the Sudbury area. In certain localities of the region, it affects the majority of trembling aspen, effectively eliminating that species from those areas. The disease affects the trunk of trees, and appears as a wound ranging up to 1 metre in length, and up to 15 centimetres in width.The bark of the tree appears relatively normal, except that it is yellowish to orange for a few centimetres outwards from the wound. From the edges of the wound inward, the whitish, thin layer of the outer bark is raised and broken into rectangular pieces. The underlying bark is dark and rough with elevated sections.Between the bark and the wood there are strands of lightly coloured mycelium or root like fungal structures. In the centre of the canker, the surface has thick, crusty patches of fungal tissue, which have powdery white, spore-producing structures. Brown ooze may streak the bark around the wound.Infections may last for several years, depending on the size of the tree. When the trunk is girdled, or circled, by the canker, the parts of the tree growing above the canker die.Trembling aspens with dead tops are very common in our region, and their death is almost always attributable to hypoxylon canker. Often the tops of these trees will still have brown leaves attached. This disease is most common in areas where the soil or environmental conditions are not favourable.Control Measures:It is important to maintain a healthy environment for trees to grow in in order to reduce the risk of infection. Trees that show signs of infection should be immediately removed, and if possible the affected material should be burned to prevent the spread of the fungus. Smaller infections can be cut out, but larger infections are incurable. Avoid making holes in the bark of the tree, as this opens up new sites for infection.Knowing more about tree diseases and pests can help people recognize and know the difference between exotic and native pests and diseases. Follow our posts here on Cool Science to learn more over the next few weeks.Do you have a question about your tree? Leave a comment below, come see us, or ask us on twitter! @dan_chaput

Mark June 5th 2012 on your calendar! This is the date of the second only, and last, transit of Venus in our lifetime.  It is one of the rarest regular astronomical events. A transit of Venus happens only twice within 8 years every 105.5 or 121.5 years. Another one won’t happen again until 2117!What is a Transit of Venus? A transit of Venus happens when our closest planetary neighbour, Venus, is aligned with the Earth and Sun so closely that we see it pass in front of the Sun. Over the course of several hours observers on Earth can see the dark disk of Venus cross the Sun from one edge to the other. It is similar to a solar eclipse by the Moon, but of course because Venus appears much smaller it doesn’t cover the entire Sun. We won’t even notice a dimming of the Sunlight. Being prepared so you don’t miss this event is therefore crucial!A transit of Venus was first predicted by the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler and observed by the English astronomer Jeremiah Horrocks in 1639. Observing the next transits in 1761 and 1769 became extremely important when it scientists realized that it could be used to determine the size of the solar system. Back then nobody knew how large the distances between planets are. From different places on Earth the transit begins and ends at slightly different times. By accurately timing this difference we can triangulate the distance to Venus. This then gives us a scale for the solar system. Captain James Cook, for example, sailed halfway around the world from England to Tahiti to observe the event in 1769. His data combined with other observations led to the first estimates of the size of our solar system.For your only chance to see this event you need to prepare so you can do it safely. You should never look at the Sun without a proper filter. You will need special dark glasses, welding goggles, a pinhole camera, or a telescope equipped with a special solar filter. You can obtain dark glasses at http://www.canadiantelescopes.com/Astronomers-Without-Borders-Safe-Solar-Glasses_2. If you can come to Science North on June 5th we will set up several telescopes, and provide dark glasses free of charge. Our event will start at 5 PM with a presentation, followed by observing once the transit starts at about 6 PM. From Sudbury, we will unfortunately miss the end of the transit as the Sun sets.Don’t miss this event!

What if you had a way to learn about your past, while predicting your future? Would you be interested in accessing information that may have clues to explain who you are today? On March 6th, Science North held it’s 9th Science Café downtown at the Laughing Buddha. The topic was genetics, and more specifically how our genetic profile links us to our past, explains our present, and could give us insight to the future.Along with moderator Dana Murchison, panelists included Dr. Amadeo Parissenti, an Affiliate Scientist with the Tumour Biology Research Group at Health Sciences North, Dr. Ryan Parr, the Chief Scientific Officer of Mitomics Inc. and Heather Dorman, a Genetic Counsellor at Health Sciences North. The audience enjoyed mulling over several topics, and there was no shortage of questions. Here’s one for you to think about: would you want to know your entire genetic profile, even if it showed something that would drastically alter your future? To hear discussion on this question and many others, click on the link below for the full audio podcast of the evening. Click here to listen to the podcast >For more information on our Science Cafe series, you can contact Dana Murchison at:(705) 522-3701 ex. 208, or murchison@sciencenorth.ca.

Many people come into Science North with questions regarding the health of their trees. In this new blog series, my colleague Jaqueline Bertrand and I will be addressing some of the more common tree pests and diseases found in the Sudbury region and throughout Ontario.Tree pests and diseases native to Ontario are part of a natural cycle of life and death in our forests. There is however, a growing list of pests and diseases that have been introduced into our forests. These pests and diseases have no natural method of control. In some cases, the elimination of a tree species from its entire range is a looming possibility. Several examples come to mind such as Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight, and butternut canker. The most recent newsworthy pest, is the emerald ash borer. Knowing more about tree diseases and pests can help people recognize and monitor the spread of these exotic pests and diseases. Follow our posts here on Cool Science to learn more over the next few weeks.Do you have a question about your tree? Leave a comment below, come see us, or ask me on twitter! @dan_chaput

Did you know that right outside of Sudbury, at Vale’s Creighton Mine, we have one of the worlds most famous physics research facilities? That’s right – two kilometres underground you will find SNOLAB. There, scientists build experiments to detect tiny particles called neutrinos and dark matter.   Visiting SNOLAB is an amazing experience. After walking through dirty dark mining drifts deep underground you suddenly come into one of the cleanest places on Earth. Everyone has to shower and change into clean clothes before entering the lab. The lab is a network of tunnels and huge caverns where giant experiments are taking shape.   The first experiment built there was called SNO, or the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory.  It consisted of a huge acrylic sphere, 12 metres in diameter, filled with heavy water. The whole sphere was suspended in an even larger cavern filled with water. It was surrounded by thousands of light detectors, looking for the faint glow a neutrino would make from time to time.   Even though over a billion neutrinos pass through your thumbnail every second, you would never know. They go right through you and even through the Earth. That is why a huge tank of water is needed to detect just a few of them. The lab is so deep under the Earth to get away from the radiation at the surface that would interfere with these extremely sensitive experiments. Many neutrinos come from the Sun; they are emitted in the nuclear burning of hydrogen into helium. SNO was one of the first experiments to confirm that we receive the expected amount of neutrinos from the Sun, that we understand the physics of the Sun!Today SNOLAB is gearing up to look for even more elusive particles – dark matter. Nobody has every captured a dark matter particle even though we know that it makes up over 80% of the matter in the universe. Sudbury could be the place where we prove what makes up most of our universe!On May 8th we are hosting a Science Café in collaboration with SNOLAB at the Laughing Buddha Cafe. We will explore the science of SNOLAB, why it’s important, question if it’s worth spending time and money on it, and exchange our views on how this science affects our view of the world.  You will be able to listen to and question Dr. Nigel Smith, the director of SNOLAB, as well as Corina Nantais and Dr. Christine Kraus, scientists who work on experiments there.  Come join us for the discussion!

Ever walk outside into the bright sunlight and suddenly start sneezing?  It might not be an attack of seasonal allergies!  About one-third of the world’s population gets sneeze attacks triggered by looking at bright lights.  This phenomenon is known as the photic light reflex, or “ACHOO” (Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst) syndrome.   Scientists as far back as Aristotle have been trying to explain this reflex, but even today, the science behind these “sun sneezes” is still yet to be fully understood.  Sneezes are normally triggered when our noses are irritated in some way, and that irritation is sensed by the trigeminal nerve – a cranial nerve that is responsible for facial sensation and motor control.  The trigeminal nerve passes close by the optic nerve (responsible for vision).  Some theories believe that the photic light reflex is the result of a “crossed signal” between these two nerves: a flood of bright light triggers the optic nerve to send a signal to the brain, and the trigeminal nerve happens to pick up some of that signal and also forwards it to the brain.  The brain then interprets the bright light as a nose irritant, and triggers a sneeze.But could this sort of sneezing ever have been helpful to humans?  Some scientists think so.  It is believed that this reflex might have evolved way back when humans were largely cave-dwellers.  Upon leaving their caves, bright sunlight might have triggered sneezes to clear the nose and throat of cave dust and mustiness.The photic light reflex may not be especially useful today, but at least it is not as strange as some other sneezing reflexes that exist.  Some people sneeze in response to periocular injections - just as a needle is being inserted into the eye – which could pose risks with certain eye-related surgeries.  Other people might experience something called “snatiation” and get a sneeze attack after eating a large meal. Now that’s something to think about next time you feel a sneeze coming on!

Most people are familiar with how they look on the outside, but rarely do we get the chance to learn about the inside. Even with the help of anatomy textbooks and anatomical models, it can be hard to understand our inner workings.  This summer, Science North will be hosting an exhibit entirely devoted to health education. BODY WORLDS showcases real human bodies, preserved, using a revolutionary technique called plastination. This specific exhibition, BODY WORLDS Vital shows us how our bodies look in disease and distress, and helps us see why living a healthy lifestyle is more important than we may think. Dana Murchison, Staff Scientist from the Body Zone here at Science North has been a key player in making this exhibition a success. Here, she tells us more about the exhibit, and gives a sneak peak of what visitors can experience, beginning April 28th. 

On April 22nd, we celebrate the 42nd annual Earth Day. Since its origin in the United States, Earth Day has increased the awareness of environmental issues worldwide. Unknown to most is the fact that Earth Day actually started as a grass-roots movement. One senator, concerned with the state of the environment, began spreading his thoughts and ideas across his country. People reflected on the world around them, and one by one began taking a stand for the planet. As our tribute to Earth Day, we asked Science North Staff members what Earth Day means to them, and how they would be celebrating this year. 

 This is one weather phenomenon that has many people interested.  The media often speaks of tornadoes occurring in the United States, however they are quite common in Canada.  We actually have the most tornadoes recorded after the United States.  Many scientists have dedicated their lives to studying tornadoes, to better understand their formation and their impacts.  Thishas allowed them to develop an early warning system that has saved countless lives. Tornadoes form in giant super cells (storm cells) when cold arctic air meets with warm tropical air, causing great instability.   Though tornadoes can be unpredictable, there are usually some warning signs: severe thunderstorms, an extremely dark sky that can sometimes be highlighted by green or yellow clouds, a rumbling or whistling sound, and a funnel cloud will form at the base of a thundercloud.  There can also be very heavy rain and hail.   Not all tornadoes are the same strength.  The Fujita Scale is used to measure the severity of a tornado by measuring the damages that is caused.  An F0 class tornado can have wind speed between 64 – 116 km/hr and cause damage to roof shingles, trees, signs and windows.  This would be classified as a light tornado and would account for approximately 28% of all tornadoes.  On the other end of the scale we have the F5 class, where wind speeds can be recorded between 418 – 509 km/hr.  This is an incredible tornado that can lift houses off their foundations, lift vehicles, steel, and trees carrying them quite a distance away from there original point.  The good news is that an F5 tornado has never been recorded in Canada up to this point, however the risk is always present.  Here are some great resources available to learn more about Tornadoes.http://www.ec.gc.ca (Canada)http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/knw/ris/trn-eng.aspx (Canada)http://www.spc.noaa.gov (United States)This month, you can learn more about Tornadoes at Science North with the IMAX film Tornado Alley 3D!  

This month’s Science Café will feature the topic of sustainable energy through use of a PlayDecide. A PlayDecide is a unique activity where you get the chance to explore and decide on policies within a small group. Dr. Dave Pearson, a climate change specialist from Laurentian University will be joining us to bring information, and encourage you to share your own stories and experiences while investigating renewable energy and its place in our society.  Human activity generates six gigatonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The plants and oceans of the Earth are capable of taking up only half of that amount. The rest accumulates, year after year. The greenhouse effect is increasing at a very dramatic rate, and our climate is changing. Most of the carbon dioxide emissions in the air are the result of our need for energy. Producing energy is necessary in North American, given our current infrastructure. As the population of the world increases and economies develop, the need for energy will only increase. Renewable energy -where energy is created from renewable sources without the impact of carbon dioxide emissions- seems to be the answer. How would our infrastructure have to be changed to accommodate renewable energy sources? Does the technology exist to make this type of production viable? Are government policies like Ontario’s Green Energy Act the right way to invest in renewable energy production?Join us on April 17th at 7:30pm at the Laughing Buddha Café to discuss the possibility of renewable energy in Ontario, and whether or not sustainable, is really attainable. 

The month of March came in like a lion, but has been a bizarre barrel of monkeys ever since. From snowstorms to shorts and sandals, we’ve been from one weather extreme to another. Things have felt a bit more seasonal these past few days, but even our concept of what seasonal is may be a bit off.  As part of their course work, the Science Communication Students from Laurentian University held a symposium for the citizens of Greater Sudbury in the Vale Cavern at Science North on March 28th, 2012.  The topic was Our Community, Our Climate, and nearly every seat in the house was taken. Dr. Dave Pearson and Alan Nursall spoke to the topic, and answered questions from the audience. Nursall, who has background in meteorology, presented the audience with a compelling review of the history of climate in Greater Sudbury since the 1950s. He pointed out just how different this year has been, how trends have been progressing, and some of the things we can expect in the future. All could agree that climate change is no longer the debate that it once was. Science has explained that our climate is changing, and the symposium was not about arguing over what’s causing it. Instead, the audience was invited to share their own “changing climate” stories. Through his work with First Nation communities in the Far North, Dr. Pearson has recognized the importance of storytelling, and sharing within the community. By listening to elders in the Far North, he’s learned how drastically these areas are being impacted by the changing climate. Although our communities are hundreds of kilometres away from the Far North, Dr. Pearson emphasized the importance of recording the changes that we’re seeing, and preparing to adapt to a different future. Many audience members were eager to share their stories. Some were subtle, like the sighting of robins a few days earlier than last year. Some were alarming, like the records of ice break up on local lakes 50 days sooner than the average. Some explained how much of a cultural shift adapting to climate change will be, as outdoor ice hockey and skating will someday be a tradition of the past generation. Of course, not all stories could be shared and recorded last night. There are thousands out there, and Dr. Pearson encourages anyone that has a story about climate change to email him at dpearson@laurentian.ca. If you would like to participate in Sudbury’s climate story, you can attend our next Science Café, on April 17th, 7:30pm at the Laughing Buddha Café. The topic; “Is Sustainable Attainable? PlayDecide: Energy in the North.”  A PlayDecide is a unique activity where you get the chance to explore and decide on policies within a small group. Dr. Pearson will be joining us to bring his insights and encouragement to share stories and experiences. 

The world of science is changing all the time. If you follow the news, read the paper or even browse Twitter, you're probably aware of at least a few new discoveries in science and technology. To keep our visitors current (and keep some guessing!) we've put together a Current Science Quiz that focuses on some very recent events. Test your Current Science Knowledge with our very own Science North bluecoats! 

The 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic is quickly approaching and this tragic event remains unforgettable. Titanic was the most luxurious, the largest, most costly ship of her time. As we all know, she currently sits in the mud at the bottom of the North Atlantic, approximately 4000 metres below sea level.Titanic was constructed using over 25,000 tons of steel. Some scientists believe that the steel may hold clues to the ship’s sinking. Upon being rescued, Titanic survivors recounted their stories and mentioned the horrible sounds coming from the hull as the ship was sinking into the black ocean. When the ship broke apart, the noises sounded like shattering glass… But why?  Metallurgists have taken a tiny portion of the steel from the ship and have examined different pieces of it. They found large manganese sulfide inclusions throughout the steel. These inclusions are chemical imperfections which have caused the steel to be weak and brittle, explaining the loud noises and shattering. It is said that the steel Harland and Wolff used to build the ship would have been top quality in 1912, but inferior to any type of steel we have today.After much research, scientists studying the wreck were able to conclude that the steel does hold clues to what happened that night. However, these scientists are now in a race against time with tiny bacteria called Halomonas titanicae, discovered by Canadian researchers Henrietta Mann and Bhavleen Kaur.These bacteria are slowly consuming the steel of the ship. The bacteria are removing the iron from the steel and the ship is actually disintegrating into dust and iron ore. As the iron is being removed, elaborate icicle-like rust formations, known as rusticles, are created. Most of Titanic is covered in rusticles, which are home to many iron-consuming microorganisms. Since the sinking, approximately 20% of Titanic’s bow has already been destroyed by rusticles. Canadian microbiologist Roy Cullimore has done extensive research on Titanic and has predicted that the ship will collapse due to deterioration caused by these rusticles.Researchers continue to explore and learn from what is left of the Titanic on the ocean floor. If they don’t hurry, research will disintegrate into the ocean along with the luxurious vessel that once was Titanic. 

Picture this: you spit in a tube, drop it in the mail, and six to eight weeks later you can scan through your very own genetic information online in the comfort of your home. It might seem like science fiction, but a number of companies are currently offering this service at bargain-basement prices. In the ten years since the Human Genome Project published a complete sequence of the DNA that makes us who we are, the amount of information available about our personal genetics has exploded. So what are we supposed to do with it? Many people turn to genetics to look for answers about the past. Personal ancestry and paternity are fundamentally important to us, and genetics can be applied relatively easily to these questions. We’re also making great advances in personalized medicine; someday in the not-too-distant future, we may be able to run a test to get a whole-genome snapshot of our current state of health. We can already use genetics to analyze different types of cancer to make decisions about how to treat them.But when it comes to predicting the future, the potential of genetic information is still unclear. You may be able to determine what genes you have in your DNA, but obscure interactions between genes and the effects of the environment complicate the picture. Simply possessing one gene associated with multiple sclerosis isn’t very useful for predicting your likelihood of developing the disease. Even if you could know, what would you do with that information? For diseases like MS where there is no prevention and no cure, many people would rather not know how likely they are to be affected. For health problems that can be prevented, would genetic information make us healthier? Would you change your lifestyle choices if you knew that you were at an increased risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes or heart disease? We’ll discuss all these questions and more at a Science Café on Tuesday March 6th 2012 at 7:30pm at the Laughing Buddha Café. Admission and snacks are free. Three panelists will prompt audience discussion in a casual atmosphere. Dr. Amadeo Parissenti is an Affiliate Scientist with the Tumour Biology Research Group at Health Sciences North. Dr. Ryan Parr is the Chief Scientific Officer of Mitomics Inc. and part of a team that used genetics to identify the youngest victim of the Titianic disaster. Heather Dorman is a Genetic Counsellor at Health Sciences North. Join us to explore what genetics can tell us about where we’ve come from, how our bodies function right now, and what the genetic future might hold. For more information, contact Dana Murchison at 705-522-3701 x208 or murchison@sciencenorth.ca. Want to join the discussion virtually? Tweet your questions @danamurchison.  

What would make a rat seek out the company of cats? You’d probably say that the rat isn’t in its right mind, and you would be exactly right. What has flipped the rat’s fear-switch off is the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.           Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite that can only sexually reproduce in the digestive tract of cats. Though it can only reproduce in one host, it can infect other hosts including humans, pigs, pigeons and rats. In most cases, the host does not feel the physical effects of the infection because the immune system does a good job of keeping the parasite in check.            In the case of rats, they might feel another effect: a certain fearlessness when entering cat territory. To researchers at Oxford University, it appears that rats who have been infected with Toxoplasma gondii are more likely to venture out and explore areas inhabited by cats. This means that they are ignoring the urge to run normally brought on by the presence of cats. The advantage for Toxoplasma gondii is that these rats are more likely to be eaten by cats. This gets the parasite back into the gut of a cat where it can reproduce.Another experiment at London’s Imperial College attempted to figure out just how the Toxoplasma gondii is changing the rats’ behaviour. The experiment involved putting rats in an enclosure where the four corners were treated with different scents. One corner had the scent of the rat, one was treated with cat urine and one with rabbit urine and the final corner was treated only with water. Uninfected rats avoided the cat urine, but infected rats spent more time in the cat corner than anywhere else.This fatal attraction to felines is a result of the parasite mixing messages from two different parts of the rats’ brain. In its dormant form, the parasite hangs out in the pleasure centre of the brain as well as the area associated with fear. To infected rats, the smell of cats is more sexy than terrifying.This raises many questions about how Toxoplasma gondii affects other hosts including humans. Some scientists argue that it’s not Fluffy’s feline charm that makes her a great pet but rather this parasite that makes us crazy for cats. 

If you’re a fair weather Sudburian, this winter has been nothing short of enjoyable. Mild afternoons, combined with weekly dustings of snow have resulted in a season ideal for outdoor activities. As pleasant as a warmer than average winter can seem, there are some residents of Northern Ontario that aren’t pleased. In fact, they may be down right confused. To animals, a cold winter is an anticipated part of a healthy, annual cycle.Many animals in Northern Ontario have developed adaptations to survive periods of food shortage (winter). Some store cashes of food, some change their diet dramatically, some leave the country, and some sleep it off. Regardless of the adaptation that has been developed, a warm winter can throw off natural instinct, resulting in a rocky start for the next season.Take, for example, the black bear. During the summer and fall, a black bear has one objective: to eat as much as it can. Contrary to what some people believe, black bears are not carnivores. They’re omnivores, with over 80% of their diet coming from plant matter. During the spring, black bears graze on grasses and new plant growth. At this stage, they barely maintain their weight. As soon as the wild berries emerge, bears spend hours a day feeding on this important carbohydrate source. Into the fall, the bears start to consume apples and nuts, which provide them with the fat needed to carry them through the winter.As surprising as it may be to learn, black bears are not hibernating during the winter. Only some animals are true hibernators, including bats and turtles.  Black bears do retreat to dens for the winter, but wake up periodically. If temperatures prematurely warm up, bears can emerge from their dens early, expecting spring to be in full bloom. Instead, they are confronted with prolonged periods of food shortage (until those spring grasses appear). More often than not, bears wander into urban areas looking for food. This can result in over turned barbecues, broken bird feeders, and a mess of garbage on your front lawn. A cold winter is also important for smaller creatures. “Small mammals, like mice, don’t hibernate in the winter either,” explains Cortney Lee-Comeau, Science Communicator from the Forest Lab at Science North. “Instead, they use the snow for shelter. The snow acts as an insulator, and protects them from the cold. Small animals can burry to the bottom layer of the snow, known as the pukak. Here, they use the open space between the ground and the snow to move through and find food. If winters are warmer than usual, the pukak doesn’t form, and the animals are more susceptible to predation, starvation and drastic fluctuations in temperatures.”As our climate continues to change, more species may be impacted by warm winters. Some animals will be forced to adapt, or face a very grim future. Although it can be hard to resist, feeding wild animals is not a good alternative. You may think you’re helping, but you are likely creating more of a problem as animals begin to expect a food source at your doorstep. It’s also illegal, and punishable under fish and wildlife regulations. To learn more about some northern Ontario animals and their adaptations to winter, join Franco Mariotti and I on a hike through the Sudbury landscape. Science in Nature- Episode 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zEOC-ejqsMScience in Nature- Episode 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ6Y-b9DqTs&feature=relmfuScience in Nature- Episode 3http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdxBha-hUR8&feature=relmfu

This Cool Science post discusses plants in motion and helps us to understand the importance of plants in our lives.  Did you know that we depend on plants for life?  Yes, humans depend on plants for almost everything from the oxygen we breathe, to the food we eat, lumber, natural dyes, fuel, fibers and medicine, to name a few.  Even though they provide us with life, plant life remains a mystery to most of us who haven’t stopped to take the time to see how amazing these living organisms really are.The time-lapse video below demonstrates that plants are in constant motion and show just how extraordinary they are.  Their ongoing search for light, nutrients, water and their constant endeavor to protect themselves is generally not evident to the naked eye. Time-lapse however allows us to easily see these movements.  Watch as they effortlessly grow, stretch and dance in almost synchronous motion.  Also, note the change in light.  The plants continue this motion even as available light is modified.  The video was recorded in the FedNor CyberZone lab here at Science North Some plants take only a few weeks to grow to maturity, while others can take hundreds, even thousands of years.  Here in Ontario, some Northern Whitecedar (Thuja occidentalis) have been estimated to be well over a 1,000 years old.  In fact, the oldest current living tree is the Great Basin bristlecone tree (Pinus longaeva), found in Inyo County, California, United States.  Its verified age is 4, 843 years old.  Now that is old!Through tree ring cross-referencing, scientists can accurately determine the age of a tree.  Estimating the age of a tree is another way scientists determine their age.  Looking at the trees size and presumed growth rate can give an idea of how old a tree might be.  Remember that plants are living and require nutrients, energy, water and a bit of luck to grow to their full potential.  So, next time you look at a tree, remember that it too is alive and is vital to our own lives.  Stopping to smell the roses or just to stop and learn about them teaches us some very cool stuff.  Using time-lapse to teach us about science is even cooler.  Stay tuned for more time-lapse videos in the near future!

I am very excited about the newest permanent exhibit to come to Space Place at Science North: the Human Gyro. The gyroscope allows a person to spin themselves in all three dimensions and experience the forces created by the rotation with their whole body. Any object that is spinning wants to keep spinning in that direction unless acted upon by a force. Try to push over a spinning top and you will see that it resists your push and stays upright. For this reason when you are in the gyroscope you can feel a strong resistance whenever you try to change the direction of spin. You can use this fact to exercise using a gyroscope. Of course it is also just plain fun to spin yourself in every which direction!NASA used a version of the human gyroscope called the “Multi Axis Spin Space-Test Inertia Facility” or MASTIF to train astronauts for the Mercury missions in 1960. The goal was for the astronaut pilots to learn how to stop a spacecraft from tumbling by controlling air jets mounted on the spinning rings. MASTIF was also used to evaluate instrument control systems for space flight and to test the physiological effects of spinning, such as eye oscillation and motion sickness.You can take a spin on the Human Gyro at 11 AM and 2 PM on weekends and holidays by obtaining a free ticket ahead of time from the staff in Space Place. Only a limited number of tickets are available each day. On quiet weekdays we run the gyro by request unless a school program is booked in Space Place. Check out what you’re in for by watching our video!

On February 7th, Science North hosted a Science Café on “Sex, Love and Attraction” at the Laughing Buddha Café. Panelists Dr. Frank Mallory, Dr. Michael White and Dr. Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde discussed each topic, and how they relate to biology, physiology and sociology. If you weren’t able to make it, please click on the link to listen to our podcast: http://www.sciencenorth.ca/coolscience/podcasts/cafe-02-07-12.wavWant to be the first to know about our upcoming Science Cafés? Send your email address to benford@sciencenorth.ca or murchison@sciencenorth.ca and we will add you to our Café Espresso newsletter mailing list.

As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, the stores are a sea of red, white and pink. Some people reach for a heart-shaped trinket, while others may opt for the standard teddy bear.  Some people, on the other hand, may be headed to the local grocery store. For thousands of years, certain foods have been named as having aphrodisiac properties. An aphrodisiac is loosely defined as any substance that promotes, enhances, or even creates romantic desire. Named for Aphrodite, the goddess of love, each culture around the world is sure to have a list of foods that help set the mood. But do these ancient remedies have any merit in the world of science? After decades of research on the topic, three general theories have emerged to help explain how aphrodisiacs might work.Sexual desire is based on hormones. Hormones are naturally occurring chemicals that are produced by our brains. Hormones tell our bodies what to do.  The first theory suggests that many foods contain chemicals that are similar to natural hormones, and influence our bodies accordingly. One of the most popular aphrodisiacs thought to be chemically based is chocolate. Used to promote romance since the early days of the Aztecs, chocolate contains chemicals called serotonin and phenylethylamine. Both are “feel good” chemicals that are naturally produced in our bodies. By increasing these hormones, individuals may feel happier, excited, and attracted to their partners. The second theory explains that certain foods have high doses of specific nutrients. These nutrients directly influence the production of sex hormones.  The very popular aphrodisiac oysters, for example, are very high in zinc. Zinc is linked to testosterone levels (which impacts libido in males and females) and also influences healthy sperm production. Although this theory seems sound, it was probably more prevalent when aphrodisiacs were being “discovered” centuries ago. People of the past were commonly nutrient deficient, and therefore a healthy dose of any nutrient-rich food would have contributed to their overall well-being and activity level. Finally, the third theory hints at the fact that many aphrodisiacs resemble male or female anatomy. By consuming the food, your brain makes the association, and your body reacts accordingly. Most scientists are quick to point out that the brain plays a large role in all aphrodisiac use. If you think something is going to work, it probably will to some degree. To explore more about Sex, Love and Attraction, Science North will be hosting a Science Café on February 7th, 2012 at the Laughing Buddha Café. Panelists Dr. Frank Mallory, Dr. Michael White and Dr. Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde will reflect on the concepts from a biological, physiological and social perspective, while inviting comments and questions from the audience.  Start time is 7:30 p.m., and admission is free.