The Coolest Science and Tech Discoveries of 2021

Despite societal shifts that have impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, scientists have kept discovering, innovating and ensuring the world keeps moving forward. This relentless ingenuity has led us to impressive achievements in life science research, technology, and the convergence of these disciplines. 

Here are some of the coolest discoveries you may have missed.

1- Graphene: The Most Valuable Nanomaterial 

At one atom thick, Graphene is the thinnest compound known to man. Did we mention it’s also 200 times stronger than steel? Graphene has the ability to change the capacity, and longevity of batteries (by 10 fold!), which will effectively make sustainable technologies such as electric vehicles and solar panels much more viable in the future.

2- Xenobots: Scientists Build the First-Ever Living Robots that can Reproduce

Xenobots, assembled in a petri dish from frog stem c

Why Movember Matters: 5 Things Everyone Needs to Know

Each year in November, men around the world grow a mustache to raise awareness for men’s health issues. Despite this being an extremely important cause, many are still unfamiliar with the movement. 

Here are five things everyone should know about Movember:

What is Movember?

Movember, founded in 2003, is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. Participating in Movember usually involves growing a moustache, to raise funds, and increase awareness for various men’s health issues. The movement’s aims to help men live happier, healthier, and longer lives. This global community tackles some of the most prevalent issues that men face, such as: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. 

If You Are a Man, You Should be Self-examining.

What a lot of people don’t know is that testicular cancer is the #1 cancer among young men. Yet most men at risk don’t kno

4 Reasons Life Science Labs are still Experiencing Supply Shortages

As the COVID pandemic continues to twist and turn, life science labs are still experiencing supply shortages. We break down the main reasons why so many life science labs are still struggling to source consumables 18 months into the pandemic.

1- Increased Demand for COVID Testing

Supplies Microplates, transfer pipettes, filter tips, gloves, and other equipment typically needed for life science labs are also needed for hospitals, testing centers, and vaccine administration sites. The pandemic’s sudden arrival made it difficult for consumable suppliers to grapple with an unprecedented demand for a historically stable product.

2- Decreased Supply of Plastic and Polypropylene

This first point relates to another step back on the supply chain as plastic/polypropylene needed to make a variety of research equipment such as cell culture dishes, pipettes, centrifuge tubes, etc., a

How to Select the Right Nitrile Glove for your Application

With so many varieties of Nitrile Gloves on the market it can be hard to know which one to pick. We spoke with our glove experts and came up with some considerations to help you make the right decision. 

For the purpose of this article, we’re going to focus on single-use, disposable, medical-grade nitrile gloves most commonly found in hospitals, medical facilities, dental facilities and laboratories. 

All medical-grade gloves are Health Canada licensed as Class 2 Medical Devices, ensuring they have undergone rigorous testing to provide the strength and durability needed for your specific application. Health Canada guidelines also state that medical-grade gloves must be clearly identified as such by using specific words, (like “health care”, “examination”, “medical”) symbols or images that signify medical use. While non-medical gloves may be less costly, they are also less protective. 

Glov

6 Tips for Safe Centrifugation

1- Use the right equipment

When it comes to selecting the right centrifuge, the most important factor is the spin rate. The spin requirements of your application (calculated in Relative Centrifugal Force, aka RCF, aka the g-force) must be equal to or lower than the maximum spin rate of the centrifuge. The type of rotor you select (fixed angle vs. swinging bucket) and its size will also impact the RCF of your equipment. Always operate rotors within the stated guidelines for speed and maximum compartment mass and be sure to keep all centrifuge components clean and well lubricated. Finally, make sure your centrifuge is calibrated and in proper working order or risk dangerous spills and sample loss. 

2- Choose the right tubes

While selecting the right centrifuge tube will ultimately depend on your protocol’s specific needs, spin rate is once again a crucial component. You must use a tube which h

From Tissue to Technology: 8 Fun Facts About Cell Culture Research

1- In 2020, stem cell experiments were launched into space.

Two lead research from the University of Zurich sent adult human stem cells to the International Space Station. The experiment started on March 6th 2020 as part of a resupply mission on Space X’s CRS-20. The researchers are testing an innovative method to produce human tissue, and hope to gain a better understand of how human tissue is produced in the weightless atmosphere of space.

2- Frog nerve fibers were the first successfully cultured animal cells grown outside the human body.

In 1907, American zoologist Ross Granville Harrison cultured frog neuroblasts in a lymph medium. This proved that nerve fibers can be developed without a pre-existing bridge or chain and that tissues can be grown outside of the body. This finding helped pave the way for stem cell research, an understanding of the nervous system and surgical tissue

More than Meets the Eye: Cleaning & Disinfection tips for Canadian Labs

We know that frequent cleaning and disinfection is essential to prevent the spread of germs. We also know that If you are working in a lab, with medical devices, or dealing with sensitive equipment, you need to take extra precautions in order to keep the environment safe for everyone who works there.

But did you know that a clean lab has been proven to help with productivity, quality & success of outcome, morale and mental health? We’re going to take a look at some tips to help keep your lab healthy and happy.

A) Practice good housekeeping

Although maintaining a clean and organized environment sounds obvious, a study by Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine found that over 45% of accidents studied violated the fundamental principals of housekeeping.  Housekeeping is everyone’s responsibility, to avoid unnecessary accidents:

Celebrating PCR: 5 Innovative Breakthroughs That Changed the Course of Science

Nearly 40 years after its invention, scientists continue to find ground-breaking applications for PCR. What is even more amazing is that these achievements span vastly across scientific disciplines including forensics, paleontology, and agriculture. 

PCR is shorthand for a simple but very powerful procedure in molecular biology called polymerase chain reaction. Scientists can amplify a segment of DNA or produce millions of copies and compare this DNA to other samples.

Let's take a look at some of the top triumphs that are the result of this incredible technology.

1- The Human Genome Project

The Human Genome Project was the international research effort to determine the DNA sequence of the entire human genome. The first drafts of the human genome, published 20 years ago, opened the doors to a whole new understanding of genetics, DNA and how it affects humans physiologically.

What to Consider when Choosing a Centrifuge Tube

Centrifuge tubes are used in labs worldwide for research and clinical purposes. Although all 15 & 50 mL tubes may look similar, choosing the right tube for your protocol is crucial when handling valuable samples. 

Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right tube for your lab:

Volume 

Generally, a centrifuge tube should be filled to at least 75% of its capacity to be centrifuged. Tubes centrifuged with too much dead space can lead to material stress, resulting in tube failure. The most common tubes sold are 15- & 50-mL conical tubes. Recently, 5-, 10- & 25-mL tubes that fit into traditional 15- & 50-ml tube rotors have come onto the market. Despite the fact that these options might more closely match actual sample volumes of certain labs, they are not as popular as traditional 15- & 50-mL models. In some cases, adaptors can be used to allow certain

8 Tips to Encourage PPE Compliance

Maintaining a safe and healthy work environment is crucial, particularly in industries where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential to mitigate risks. PPE compliance not only safeguards employees from potential hazards but also plays a vital role in preventing the spread of viruses and diseases, (this can be particularly in workplaces that interact with customers).

In this article, we will share eight practical tips to help organizations encourage PPE compliance. By implementing these strategies, employers can enhance safety measures, protect their employees, and contribute to public health by preventing the transmission of infectious illnesses. Together, we can create a workplace culture that prioritizes responsible PPE usage, promoting both employee well-being and customer safety.

1. If you have not already, establish a clear policy requiring the use of PPE. Ensure all employees (and customers if applicable) are