Office for Science and Society - Separating Sense from Nonsense

Beauty, Blackmail and ‘Truth in Advertising’

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 16:56:22 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

Before Helena Rubinstein, before Elizabeth Arden and before Estee Lauder, there was “Madame Rachel.” What a fascinating story of rags to riches to … prison.

Smells

Prithu Mukhopadhyay PhD — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

A lot, in fact. Whether it is cheese, wine, truffles, or durian, smells define them all. When we lose our sense of smell (olfaction), we could be in trouble. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the underrated sense of smell to the forefront. But there is more to the smell. Let’s dig into the science of it.

Faster, Higher, Stronger… Enhanced?

Sophie Tseng Pellar BSc — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

For most people, track and field exists as a fleeting summer spectacle: ten days every four years when the fastest, strongest, and most gravity-defying humans wage war on a 400-metre oval. For me, this sport is much more. During my time as a varsity athlete, I was consumed by the oval: on it, I trained and competed; beyond it, I devoured every development in the professional track world.

Everyone Else Is Lying to You: A Damning Archive of Science Denial

Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

“Future generations will know that at least some of us tried to resist the intrusion of quackery into medicine, and they’ll gain some semblance of insight into a confounding reality.”

Claims About Blue Spirulina Raise a Red Flag

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:24:31 +0000

In the science communication business, we call them “weasel words.” Why? Because weasels have a reputation for being sneaky and tricky. We are talking about words like “may,” “suggest,” “possible” and “potential” that can trick the reader into forming a positive impression without making a specific commitment. What prompts this discussion about dodgy words? I just finished reading a short article, 850 or so words, about the health benefits of “blue spirulina” on “Healthline,” a reasonably reputable newsletter. I counted the number of times the word “may” appears. An astounding 21 times!

The Deadly Differences Between Poisons, Toxins and Venoms

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:18:21 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

The puffer fish is poisonous, but not venomous, while a rattlesnake is venomous but not poisonous. Both can kill you with their toxins. Sound confusing? Let’s try to clear it up.

Extracting Drugs from Nature Is Hard

Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

A video on Facebook with

Can Nature Design Technology Better Than Us?

Eva Kellner B.A.Sc. — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Biomimicry, a scientific field dedicated to using nature as a model to guide the development of more efficient and better technology, recenters the anthropocentric narrative that often takes the reigns in science.

Apple Cider Vinegar…Again

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 21:14:24 +0000

Apple cider vinegar has been on my radar since the 1970s when I was first asked about its purported miraculous properties on my radio show. The queries were triggered by the publication of a booklet with the enticing title “Apple Cider Vinegar, Miracle Healthy System,” by Drs. Paul C. Bragg and Patricia Bragg,” both with degrees from unaccredited naturopathic institutions. These food faddists promised weight loss, improved digestion, and enhanced energy levels by consuming apple cider vinegar.

The Sour Side of Our Love of Sweets

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:36:46 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.