Why is penetration testing essential for modern businesses?
Modern businesses operate in highly connected digital environments where cyber threats continue to evolve every day. From cloud platforms and business applications to employee devices and wireless networks, organisations now manage large amounts of sensitive information online. This increasing connectivity…
I study climate change. This summer, it got too hot for me to do my field work
This First Person column is written by Kathryn McRuer-Nicol, who lives in Montreal. For more information about First Person stories, see the FAQ. The sun was beating down mercilessly on my back as I bent over my work, making it…
‘Extremely unusual’ discovery of wampum beads in Ferryland believed to be province’s first
Seven tiny wampum beads were found at the Colony of Avalon in Ferryland earlier this summer. They are believed to be the first wampum beads found in the province. (Henrike Wilhelm/CBC) Archaeologists on Newfoundland’s east coast made a rare discovery…
Research finds wide range of wildlife species in Sask. cities, and climate change could bring more
Researchers at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum have documented hundreds of animals in the Regina area as part of an urban wildlife project. Using 28 monitoring stations across the city since the fall of 2021, researchers captured photos and audio recordings of 143 bird species…
This red retardant is crucial in the fight against wildfires. But is it also harming the environment?
Dropping fire retardant solutions from planes is a crucial strategy in wildfire fighting, but some experts are concerned about their impact on the environment, including aquatic ecosystems. Once dropped, these retardants leave a rust-coloured or pinkish liquid coating on roads,…
First of its kind new animal law program at U of T ‘a long time coming’
The University of Toronto’s law school is introducing a new program focused on animal law. “It does, a bit, feel like a long time coming,” said Angela Fernandez, a law school professor and director of the new program. “We’ve kind…
Humpback whale tangled in fishing gear on B.C.’s coast freed after 3-day rescue
A humpback whale is swimming free after some major dedication and perseverance from rescuers on B.C.’s coast. The four-and-a-half-year-old whale was spotted tangled up in fishing gear on Thursday, Sept. 4, by vacationing coast guard employees out on a sailboat,…
Australia approves vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia
A regulator has approved a world-first vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia infections, which are causing infertility and death in the iconic native species that is listed as endangered in parts of Australia. The single-dose vaccine was developed by the…
Here’s what astronomers know so far about the 3rd interstellar visitor ever found
On July 1, the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) detected what was first believed to be an asteroid. As calculations for its orbit progressed, it was found to be from outside our solar system, only the third interstellar object ever detected….
After 10 years of gravitational wave astronomy, what will be the next new eye on the cosmos?
For the past decade, gravitational wave astronomy has opened our eyes to amazing cosmic phenomena like the collisions of black holes and neutron stars thanks to LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, that — despite its massive contribution to astronomy…
Sea lamprey trap in Thunder Bay, Ont., aims to protect Great Lakes from invasive species
The mayor of Thunder Bay, Ont., describes them as frightening, unpleasant creatures. Gale Bravener, who works for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), says they remind him of an eel or snake, with sleek, slimy bodies and suction-cup mouths full of…
Wolf-dog hybrids in Wahnapitae, Ont., won’t be killed, moving to nearby sanctuary
A man in the Greater Sudbury, Ont., community of Wahnapitae says his wolf-dog hybrids have found a new home. Last month, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) told Bryton Bongard he couldn’t keep the pack of 16 wolf-dogs he’d owned…
Despite recent die-off, plenty of support remains for aquaculture on Newfoundland’s south coast
The fish plant in Harbour Breton had a busy week processing the surviving fish from the recent incident with Mowi Canada East, which saw the deaths of about 400,000 salmon. (Troy Turner/CBC) There’s no swaying the support many people in…
NASA rover finds strongest evidence yet of ancient life on Mars
A sample obtained by NASA’s Perseverance rover of rock formed billions of years ago from sediment on the bottom of a lake contains potential signs of ancient microbial life on Mars, according to scientists, though the minerals spotted in the…
Sask. wild rice harvesters desperate for solution to stop ‘devastating’ insect
Phyllis Smith heads out on the clear waters of Agumik Lake to survey her dense wild rice patch, checking the size and quality of the grain by knocking the plant against her boat. While hard rice tumbles out of some…
Island-based hereditary chief calls for cancellation of open-net fish farm ban
A hereditary chief with the Ahousaht Nation is calling on the federal government to cancel its plan to ban open-net fish farms along the B.C. coast. Last June, the federal fisheries minister announced the ban would take effect in June 2029. It…
IN PHOTOS | ‘Blood moon’ total lunar eclipse wows
World The year’s second total lunar eclipse was visible across Asia and swathes of Europe and Africa on Sunday evening into Monday. Stargazers in Asia treated to rare ‘blood moon’ total lunar eclipse Posted: Sep 08, 2025 8:46 AM EDT…
Thousands of ‘robber bees’ invade B.C. apiarist’s shop in attempted honey heist
A Terrace, B.C., beekeeper found herself in a nightmare situation late last month when “thousands and thousands of bees” filled her shop. Call it an attempted robbery — the bees were trying to steal sweet, sweet honey. Christine McDonald, owner of…
A Nova Scotia project is raising an insect army to protect hemlocks
High in the tops of some of Nova Scotia’s largest trees, a black speck no bigger than a sugar crystal is wreaking havoc. The hemlock woolly adelgid, first seen in the province in 2017, is an invasive insect moving rapidly through…
Scuba divers come face to face with great white shark near Hubbards, N.S.
When John Brooks stepped into his wetsuit and strapped on his scuba tank to go diving on Wednesday near Hubbards, N.S., the 75-year-old never expected to find himself within reach of an apex predator. “We gotta get out of here,” Brooks remembers thinking as…
How beavers could help fight wildfires
For Canadians, the beaver is more than a buck-toothed rodent — it’s a national emblem, etched on nickels and central to the country’s origin story. Now, a new study from the U.S. suggests this symbolic animal can make arid Western landscapes more resilient…
Science isn’t just done in labs. Sometimes you need to get your hands dirty to learn
A stereotypical image of a scientist is someone in a white lab coat peering into a microscope in a laboratory full of test tubes and exotic equipment. While lab work is an important element of scientific research, there is a…
Rare bird finds a roost in Gatineau after long, mysterious journey
A rare bird’s mysterious journey seems to have taken it from New Guinea to the taxidermist’s table, then from somebody’s display case to a dumpster in northern Ontario, and finally to the Canadian Museum of Nature. Gregory Rand, the Ottawa museum’s collections manager for…
Storing carbon underground? There’s less room than we thought, new study suggests
Many countries, including Canada, are counting on some kind of underground carbon storage to keep planet-warming greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere and avoid the most catastrophic climate projections. But a study published this week in the journal Nature is raising…
This bright orange shark has shocked and delighted scientists
As It HappensBright orange shark shocks and delights scientist Marine biologist Daniel Arauz Naranjo has spent a lot of time with a lot of sharks. But he’s never seen one the same colour as a Creamsicle before. So when the…
Real or fake? AI, editing tools make severe storm photos more difficult to verify
When severe storms hit, many people reach for their phones and cameras to capture images and videos of what’s happening around them. And in Canada, storm chasers and organizations like Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) rely partly on the…
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Why the Afghanistan earthquake was so deadly
14 hours ago News Duration 1:34 More than 1,000 people have been killed and entire villages wiped out in Afghanistan — all from a 6.0-magnitude earthquake. CBC seismologist Johanna Wagstaffe reports on why this ‘moderate’ quake turned catastrophic, and how…
After a northern lights display on Monday night, there may be another good chance to see them tonight
On Monday night, skywatchers were treated to a moderate display of the northern lights. For those who missed out, there’s still a chance they may be visible again tonight, with a stronger geomagnetic storm forecast. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric…
At least 1,000 dead after landslide in Sudan’s Darfur wipes out village
A landslide wiped out a village in Sudan ‘s western region of Darfur, killing an estimated 1,000 people in one of the deadliest natural disasters in the African country’s recent history, a rebel group controlling the area said late Monday….
Wildfires are reversing Canada’s progress on improving air quality
It’s hard not to forget the 2023 Canadian wildfire season, when more than 16 million hectares of forest were lost, thousands were displaced and smoke suffocated cities across both Canada and the U.S. And it turns out Canada experienced its worst…
Can fish feel pleasure? Scientists say yes, and they might even crave it
As It HappensCan fish feel pleasure? Scientists say yes, and they might even crave it If you’re asked to picture a creature having the time of its life, a fish probably isn’t the first animal that comes to mind. But new…
You might have heard about the flesh-eating screwworm. Here’s why you shouldn’t freak out
Warning: This story contains images of an open wound that some people may find disturbing. Just when you thought there was enough going on in the world to frazzle your nerves, along comes a flesh-eating parasite that has been spreading…
New species of dinosaur-era dragonfly discovered by a research student in Alberta’s Badlands
As a child growing up in Medicine Hat, Andre Mueller was obsessed with dinosaurs — and now the McGill University master’s student has made a discovery that’s leading to new insights on the prehistoric era. Mueller helped find a fossilized dragonfly wing in…
This hiker kicks over people’s picturesque stone stacks. But he’s got a good reason
As It HappensWhy this British hiker keeps kicking over people’s picturesque stone stacks Stuart Cox is waging war against the hundreds of stone stacks that people keep leaving all over his favourite hiking trails. The decorative structures, he says, are…
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Rare albino turtles hatch from eggs found outside rural Ottawa home
7 days ago News Duration 2:58 Blanding’s turtles are usually dark grey in colour with a brown to black shell and a distinctive bright yellow neck. But these pigmentless hatchlings, born at an incubation lab in Kanata, have blood red…
First Nations launch drug trial to combat mange in southeastern B.C.’s declining bighorn sheep population
Residents of the South Okanagan in B.C. have noticed an increase in psoroptic mange, a parasitic skin disease, among the area’s bighorn sheep. A decline in their population is prompting a new study. Research for the study, led by the Okanagan Nation…
Extreme summer weather could further endanger monarch butterflies, researchers fear
This summer’s drought and record-breaking heat could affect the fall migration of the endangered monarch butterfly, according to researchers from the University of Ottawa. They say the extreme weather may be prohibiting plants from producing enough of the nectar that monarchs need to fuel…
Tick-borne Rocky Mountain spotted fever spreading in Canada
Quebec has reported a case of the potentially deadly tick-borne disease Rocky Mountain spotted fever that was likely acquired in Ontario or Quebec. The disease was also reported in dogs in Ontario earlier this year. Here’s what you need to know about…
Walmart recalls frozen shrimp in 13 U.S. states over risk of radioactivity
Walmart has recalled frozen, raw shrimp sold in 13 U.S. states because federal health officials say it could have potential radioactive contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked Walmart to pull three lots of Great Value brand frozen shrimp…
Well-travelled New Brunswick lobster caught off Cape Cod, Mass.
One New Brunswick lobster was headed south for vacation this summer. “They do not pay one bit of attention to any kind of boundary or border,” said Heather Koopman, a senior research scientist at the Grand Manan Whale and Seabird…
Fuzzy caterpillar destroys foliage in parts of western, central Newfoundland
A white tussock moth caterpillar in Corner Brook resident Mark Grady’s garden on Aug. 11. (Submitted by Kenny Grady) Fuzzy caterpillars with orange and white backs flourished in the Humber Valley region of Newfoundland this summer. They chomped away at…
Threatened frog species on the road to recovery in Alberta
One of Alberta’s most at-risk amphibians is making a comeback. Provincial efforts to help northern leopard frog numbers bounce back have been successful in establishing new self-sustaining populations, according to the Government of Alberta. The northern leopard frog, which has…
B.C. ostrich farm loses appeal to save birds from cull in case that attracted White House attention
A B.C. ostrich farm has lost its case to save its birds from a cull order issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in January. But the farm’s owners say they will not be giving up, and have called…
Canadian companies race to launch rockets into orbit from home soil — a first
On September 29, 1962, Canada’s Alouette I satellite launched atop an American rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. On that day, Canada became just the third country — behind the former Soviet Union and the United States…
Rare butterfly spotted for 1st time in over a century at Toronto’s High Park
A rare butterfly species — the zebra swallowtail — has been spotted in Toronto’s High Park for the first time in over a century. The rare butterfly was spotted by Crystal Byrne, a butterfly enthusiast, when she was visiting High…
For the first time in over a century, sockeye salmon are able to return to Okanagan Lake
Sockeye salmon are able to return to historic spawning grounds in B.C.’s Okanagan region for the first time in over a century, thanks to a new fish passageway built by the Syilx Nation in partnership with the City of Penticton, the province and…
Playful, social and cuddly: world’s largest carnivorous bat surprises researchers
With a metre wingspan, a wicked bite and a face straight out of a creature feature, you’d be hard pressed to describe spectral bats as cute. But new research shows the apex predator is much more social — and cuddly…
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Relationships with AI are here, but do they really help with loneliness? It’s complicated.
It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem….
Why northern Ontario radioactive waste ended up in Corunna — starting in July
Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation says some of the radioactive waste from an old mill near Lake Nipissing has already made its way to the Sarnia area. The material sat at the mill for 70 years and was originally supposed to…
Breastfeeding could help prevent early puberty in girls and boys, South Korean study finds
Girls and boys who were exclusively breastfed during their first four to six months showed a reduced risk of early puberty, according to a large new study from South Korea that Canadian doctors say could apply here. The study, published in…
How to see the 'planet parade' on now
Want to spot up to six planets at once in the night sky? Look up before dawn for the second and last “planet parade” of the year.
Fast-spreading fungus deadly to endangered butternut trees attacking 3 areas of P.E.I.
Islanders are being urged to take precautions to prevent the spread of a tree fungus that has now been detected in three areas of P.E.I. Butternut canker is a fast-spreading disease that attacks butternut trees. While the trees are not believed to…
Fraser River salmon returns this year a ‘real chance to celebrate,’ harvesters say
Guy Johnston is out fishing near the B.C. border with southeast Alaska. Over the phone, he tells CBC News that fishermen know to expect challenging seasons. “That’s understood all around the world, and coasts everywhere [with] fishing communities — there are…
Are EVs really greener than gas-powered cars?
Welcome to our weekly newsletter where we highlight environmental trends and solutions that are moving us to a more sustainable world. This week: Are EVs really greener than gas-powered cars? The Big Picture: How Seville beats the heat Cable cars…
Replanting forests after wildfires comes with complex challenges, but there are opportunities in the ashes
Early last September, firefighters were in the final stages of containing a 33,000-hectare wildfire complex in Alberta’s Jasper National Park. Elsewhere, park workers were already replanting the first batch of trees in the recently scorched earth. The Douglas firs were chosen…
Study finds impacts of colonization destroyed nearly 90% of Burrard Inlet food ecosystems
Michelle George’s family has stories of the fish in the Burrard Inlet being so plentiful they stopped ships from sailing further into the water. “You could walk across the backs of [the fish] to get to the other side of…
City data suggests ‘stark decline’ of waterfowl on Toronto beaches during summer, expert says
This story is a collaboration between CBC Toronto and the Investigative Journalism Foundation (IJF). A new analysis of city data suggests a dramatic decline in birds on Toronto beaches over the past two decades. The public dataset shows 73 per cent fewer waterfowl counted on…
Climate change ‘sets the stage for more extreme fire behaviour,’ says researcher
The province has averaged fewer than 100 wildfires per season in the previous five years, but this year the number jumped to 216 so far. (Submitted by St. George’s Fire Department) Grand Falls-Windsor fire Chief Vince MacKenzie says he’s seen the…
Rabbits with strange horn-like growths spotted in Colorado
A group of rabbits in Colorado with grotesque, horn-like growths may seem straight out of a low-budget horror film, but scientists say there’s no reason to be spooked — the furry creatures merely have a relatively common virus. The cottontails…
Scientists fear political meddling after Ontario premier vows to hunt down anyone testing on dogs
Some researchers say they’re concerned about possible political interference in science after Ontario’s premier said he would be “hunting down” scientists who use dogs and cats in medical studies. On Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford said it was unacceptable for beagles to be used…
People often miscalculate the impact of climate choices — like owning a dog — study says
It turns out many people aren’t great at identifying which personal decisions contribute most to climate change — and some of the ones that do may come as a surprise. A study recently published by the National Academy of Sciences…
One of the biggest black holes ever was discovered — with a mass of 35 billion suns
Astronomers have discovered what they say is among the most massive black holes ever detected. The cosmic behemoth is close to the theoretical upper limit of what’s possible in the universe, and is 10,000 times heavier than the black hole…
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How to best view the Perseid meteor shower
Aug. 12, 2025, is the peak night to watch the Perseid meteor shower. Astrophotographer Tim Yaworski (‘The Living Sky Guy’) joined CBC Radio’s Saskatoon Morning to talk about the Perseids and how to best watch them.
This is our second-worst wildfire season on record — and could be the new normal
This year’s wildfire season is already the second-worst on record in Canada, and experts are warning that this might be the new normal. More than 7.3 million hectares have burned this year so far, more than double the 10-year average…
What’s slimy, green and flourishing thanks to climate change?
If you guessed algae, you’re right. New research published in Communications Earth & Environment suggests algae growth is increasing in Canada’s lakes — even remote ones — and climate change is the main culprit. A team led by researchers at McGill…
Voices call for justice, change after release of Titan implosion report
The Titan submersible imploded on a dive to the site of the Titanic wreckage in 2023. (OceanGate Expeditions/The Canadian Press) Family, friends, investigators and explorers say they’re appalled and heartbroken, and are calling for accountability and justice after the United States…
Mer Bleue Bog ‘filled with bombs,’ according to new drone scans
A recent project by Carleton University graduate students used drones to search for magnetic signals linked to unexploded bombs in the Mer Bleue Bog, which was used as a practice bombing range in the Second World War. Graduate students Pablo…
Gardeners, academic at odds on how to best deal with growing Japanese beetle population
Ravaging rose bushes and feasting on backyard crops, Japanese beetles are an ongoing issue for gardeners in the Halifax area, but there’s little consensus on how to best deal with them. Shawn Spurr, who has maintained his home garden in…
U.S. Coast Guard releases damning report on OceanGate, 2 years after fatal Titan implosion
Two years after the fatal implosion of the Titan submersible, the United States Coast Guard has released the results of its investigation. The documentary Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster followed the investigation. Watch it now on CBC Gem. (Galafilm Productions)…
This car has more than 1.2 million km on it — and it’s still going strong
If you were to spot Andy Campbell’s ride on the road, you might not think too much about it. Maybe you’d think it’s a bit dated — a throwback to an earlier time when cassette tapes were all the rage…
Close encounter with great white shark near Halifax sparks awe, disbelief
A Dalhousie University student studying marine biology is sharing a breathtaking photo of a great white shark she took while on a recent research expedition off the coast of Halifax. Geraldine Fernandez snapped the picture Wednesday from a cage atop…
Conservationists are giving rhinos radioactive horns to save them from poachers
As It HappensConservationists are giving rhinos radioactive horns to save them from poachers Injecting radioactive isotopes into the horn of a living rhinoceros is a lot easier than it sounds, says James Larkin. “You basically drill a hole in the…
How climate change in the last Ice Age helped create the Bay of Fundy tides
Climate change feels like a contemporary issue, but the Bay of Fundy tides have roots in changes that happened at the end of the last Ice Age nearly 12,000 years ago, says a New Brunswick geoscience educator. “Climate change is…
Tsunamis: What are they and how do they happen?
On Tuesday, a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the area around Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, resulting in tsunami warnings being issued around the world. From Hawaii to Japan and the B.C. coast to Chile and Australia, people were warned that high water could…
This grizzly followed a Calgary couple along a popular trail until they finally roared at it
Howard Mah and Lori Arnason had never seen a wild grizzly until Saturday. And if they ever see one again, they’ll be sure to be carrying bear spray the next time. The Calgary couple had set out for a short hike to…
Rare leatherback sea turtle spotted off B.C. coast
A B.C. nurse has documented a giant leatherback sea turtle swimming off the coast of Haida Gwaii, a collection of islands off B.C.’s northwest coast — a sighting that’s being celebrated by conservation specialists, as the turtle species is critically endangered in Canada. Victoria…
Astronomers think they’ve captured a planet forming around a host star — something never seen before
Astronomers believe they have caught a planet in the act of forming, something that has never before been witnessed. Planets form out of the leftover gas and dust once a star has ignited, and it’s believed that the forming planet or planets…
Tinp’si’na is still being harvested by Nakota families as a traditional food source and medicine
Heather O’Watch says harvesting tinp’si’na (wild turnip in the Nakoda language) in June is a time to pass along traditions and teachings to family and friends. She said she harvests with her sibling Kenny Sheperd-O’Watch, 14, and she used to harvest with her dad,…
Scientists find the world’s smallest snake, once feared extinct, hanging out under a rock
As It HappensScientists re-discover the world’s smallest snake, hanging out under a rock in Barbados Until this spring, the world’s smallest species of snake was considered lost to science, and quite possibly extinct — until Connor Blades and his colleague…
Chimney swifts’ housing crisis creates hurdle for affordable housing providers
The chimney swift is a disappearing bird that originally nested in hollow old-growth trees. After those forests were logged, it found a creative solution — it moved into chimneys in human cities. But now it faces a new housing crisis. Thanks…
Will we have thinking robots by 2030? Or is this just hype from big tech?
The CurrentWhat is AGI, and will it harm humanity? These days many people use artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for everything from dinner suggestions to battling loneliness, but could humanity be on the cusp of creating machines that can think for…
The natural diamond industry is getting rocked. You can thank the lab-grown variety for that
When Aret Oymakas started selling diamonds years ago, engagement ring shoppers came in looking for one thing for their brides-to-be: a real, mined diamond. “It was just a diamond,” said Oymakas, owner of Livia Diamonds in Toronto. “And you got what…
Mountain roads and coal mines cut grizzly bears off from habitat, study finds
A new study found that grizzly bears have had to change their movements across the Canadian Rockies, becoming more constrained over time as they avoid human development like coal mines, highways, large reservoirs and towns. Analyzing 20 years worth of…
Trump’s NASA cuts will ‘compromise human safety,’ hundreds of employees say in letter
As It HappensTrump’s NASA cuts will ‘compromise human safety,’ say hundreds of employees NASA scientists say pending cuts to the space agency could compromise mission safety and pave the way for another tragedy like the 1986 Challenger disaster. “When you’re talking…
Goldfish, traps and electric currents: Inside Canada’s quiet war against invasive carp
With long wires trailing from its bow like steel whiskers, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans research vessel Nobilis resembles a strange metallic catfish. Below, electric pulses ripple through the Grand River, marked only by a steady beep and the…
Wildlife rescue hopes blind baby moose can find forever home at Toronto Zoo
A wildlife rescue in Ottawa is hoping the province will allow it to transfer a blind baby moose to the Toronto Zoo to live out its days in captivity, or it may be forced to euthanize it. The two-month old moose…
More research needed on wildfire smoke toxicity, scientists say as they warn of pollution ‘time bomb’
Wildfire smoke in Manitoba could be even more toxic than usual and more research needs to be done on the pollutants being released into the air, according to scientists. The fires may be releasing pollution stored in the province’s soil for…
South Australia algal bloom a ‘natural disaster,’ state’s premier says, as species wiped out
A massive outbreak of toxic algae off South Australia, which has devastated hundreds of species of marine life and disrupted local tourism and fishing, is a “natural disaster,” state Premier Peter Malinauskas said on Tuesday. “I want to be really…
Researchers chase storms, study fist-sized stones in Alberta’s ‘Hailstorm Alley’
Julian Brimelow holds up a replica of the mother of all hailstones — a lumpy white blob as big as your fist carrying the weight of two baseballs with the power to pulverize fields of corn into green-yellow mush. Brimelow…
A Chinese research vessel returns to Arctic waters — and Canada is watching
The Canadian military and possibly the coast guard are keeping tabs on a Chinese research vessel as it returns to Arctic waters off Alaska for the second year in a row. Data compiled by an independent researcher and ship tracker,…
Invasive Japanese beetles found outside downtown core in Kamloops, B.C.
A Kamloops, B.C., resident has reported invasive Japanese beetles outside the city’s downtown core — an area which is considered a containment zone for the foliage-eating species. Also known as Popillia japonica, the invasive pest feeds on the roots of grass…
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What makes the St. Lawrence River so dangerous for swimmers?
It’s an important waterway in North America, but conditions in the St. Lawrence River can change rapidly and its size and force makes rescues complicated and dangerous for emergency responders.
Spotting rare right whale off Newfoundland had this tour guide ‘Out of my skin excited’
There are about 370 North Atlantic right whales left in the world — and a Newfoundland man spotted one off the southern Avalon Peninsula earlier this month. Tour guide Jared Clarke was taking a group bird watching off St. Shott’s when…
Move over, Jurassic Park. Manitoba was home to newly discovered 390-million-year-old extinct fish
On a warm, sunny July day, paleontologist Melina Jobbins and her team search an old rock quarry near Lundar, Man., for 390-million-year-old fossils of an extinct fish that swam in what was once a vast inland sea. Jobbins, a postdoctoral fellow at the…
GPS ear tags help track bison at Sask.’s Buffalo Pound Provincial Park
More than a dozen bison are now being electronically tracked across 100 hectares of rolling hillside at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park in southern Saskatchewan. Park staff have attached ear tags with GPS capabilities to 14 of the animals at the park, just over 50 kilometres west…
Manitoba researchers part of team working to unravel mystery of largest black hole merger ever detected
A group of Manitoba researchers were involved behind the scenes of an international effort that this week revealed how two massive black holes careened into one — happily, billions of light years from Earth. University of Manitoba astrophysicist Samar Safi-Harb, the Canada Research Chair in…
Slow and steady progress in decade-long project to save B.C.’s only native turtle
Menita Prasad knows that turtles don’t get the same kind of attention from the public as a “cute, fluffy mammal.” The director of animal care at the Greater Vancouver Zoo says that’s one reason why British Columbia’s endangered western painted…
For these dolphins, using sponges to dig up fish is a family tradition
As It HappensStudy examines why some dolphins put sea sponges on their noses In a marine-protected area off the coast of Australia, there are bottleneck dolphins swimming around with sponges on their noses. But unlike orcas wearing salmon on their heads or…
How researchers are mapping genetics in N.B. to detect inherited diseases sooner
Researchers at Vitalité Health Network imagine a health-care system where patients are screened early for a disorder or disease they inherited from their parents, and mothers know exactly what health problems they could pass down to their children before ever getting pregnant. But…
How does wildfire smoke affect birds? This researcher is looking to find out
A researcher at the University of Saskatchewan wants to know how birds, particularly songbirds, are being impacted by wildfires and smoke. Catherine Ivy, a bird lover and assistant professor at the University of Saskatchewan college of arts and science, is leading the…
Canada needs agency to manage public UFO sightings, says new federal report
Canada needs a transparent, public-facing agency in charge of managing reports of mystifying things seen darting, blinking or hovering through our skies, according to a new report commissioned by Canada’s top scientist. The Sky Canada Project report published this week calls for a…
Want a big piece of Mars? It could be yours — for $4M US
For sale: a 25-kilogram rock. Estimated auction price: $2 million to $4 million US. Why so expensive? It’s the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth. Sotheby’s in New York will be auctioning what’s known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday as…
Alberta wastewater unlocked key information about COVID-19. Could it help with measles too?
As Alberta’s measles outbreaks grow, researchers are now watching the province’s wastewater for the highly contagious virus and hoping to determine if the technology could eventually serve as an early detection tool. The magnitude of Alberta’s outbreaks and the speed at…
UNB researchers help filmmakers get closeup view of endangered whales
Two University of New Brunswick researchers are preparing for another cruise into the Gulf of St. Lawrence this week to study endangered North Atlantic right whales. And the timing just happens to correspond with the release of an Apple TV+…
B.C. ostrich farm set to fight cull order in Federal Court of Appeal today
The Federal Court of Appeal will hear arguments from a B.C. ostrich farm Tuesday as it seeks to protect its herd from a cull ordered due to the avian flu, in a case that has sparked accusations of government overreach from…
Research project at Churchill facility raises alarm about potential impact of oil spill in Arctic waters
A natural remedy that has previously helped counter oil spills will be too slow to “do any useful work” if there’s a spill in the Canadian Arctic, increasing chances of “catastrophic” harm, researchers say. Preliminary findings from the GenIce II…
This tree-killing beetle revealed its presence in B.C. when it flew into the wrong person
The tiny beetle could scarcely have picked a worse human to fly into. Amateur entomologist Andrew Short was sitting on a bench in downtown Vancouver in June 2023 when the unfamiliar metallic green beetle hit him and fell to the…
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Fireflies on the rise? Montrealers spotting more lightning bugs in their backyards
The sightings have some asking if the insects are returning or if they just went unnoticed. Experts say the rain and humidity are contributing to the increase in firefly population in Eastern Canada.
Wildfire fighter attacked by grizzly bear while on the job in northern B.C.
A B.C. wildfire fighter was scratched and bitten by a grizzly bear while on the job Friday, the B.C. Wildfire Service says. It happened Friday morning at the Summit Lake fire, about 110 kilometres west of Fort Nelson, in the…
Chimps are sticking grass and sticks in their butts, seemingly as a fashion trend
As It Happens6:31Why chimpanzees are sticking grass and sticks in their butts A group of chimpanzees in Zambia have resurrected an old fashion trend with a surprising new twist. Fifteen years after a female chimpanzee named Julie first stuck a…
10-metre member of ‘mysterious’ shark species spotted off P.E.I.’s North Shore
One of the world’s second-largest species of fish was spotted off the North Shore of P.E.I. by a group of people returning from a deep-sea fishing trip this past week. Don Gauthier and his family spotted the basking shark just…
Solar was the leading source of electricity in the EU last month, says report
Solar power was the European Union’s largest source of electricity for the first time in June, overtaking nuclear and wind while coal’s contribution fell to an all-time low, data from energy think tank Ember showed on Thursday. Solar generated 22.1…
No, David Suzuki hasn’t given up on the climate fight — but his battle plan is changing
Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki made headlines last week when he said in an interview with iPolitics that humanity has lost its fight against climate change. “We’re in deep trouble,” Suzuki told the outlet. “I’ve never said this before to the media,…
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Why Earth will spin slightly faster on 3 days this summer
On July 9, July 22, and Aug. 5, Earth will rotate a tiny bit quicker making those days ever so slightly shorter than 24 hours.
Serval owner says regulation and permitting for exotic cats is needed, not a full-on ban
A serval owner and Bengal and Savannah cat breeder in B.C.’s Central Okanagan is raising concerns about the province’s proposal to ban the breeding, sale and future ownership of all exotic and non-domestic cats, including servals, ocelots and European wildcats. …
Orcas off B.C. coast face ‘high probability of extinction’ if conditions don’t change: report
A new report from a group of more than 30 experts says a population of endangered killer whales off the coast of British Columbia and Washington state is showing no sign of recovery under current conditions. There is an “urgent need…
Toronto’s proposed rat attack plan faces 1st hurdle
A Toronto municipal committee is set to look over a newly-proposed rat control plan on Wednesday. Last month, city manager Paul Johnson unveiled his response to the city’s growing rat problem — laying out a plan that pushes disparate city departments…
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Sask. researchers discover how T. Rex might have healed from injuries
Researchers from the University of Regina have been studying a fracture in a rib fossil from the province’s famous Scotty the Tyrannosaurus rex to explore how dinosaurs healed after an injury.
These bird moms lay their eggs in other species’ nest, and never come back for them
As It Happens6:19These birds mom lay their eggs in other species’ nest, and never come back for them When a female cowbird is ready to have a baby, she’ll stake out another bird’s nest, wait until the coast is clear,…
Rats, beware: Toronto outlines new plan to attack its growing rodent problem
Toronto could soon see a plan to address the growing number of rats in the city as major construction projects and climate change contribute to its pest problem. Late last month, Toronto’s city manager Paul Johnson outlined a rat response plan that would focus on…
Ancient Saskatchewan archaeological site falls victim to illegal scavenging
A crucial archaeological site in Saskatchewan has become a target for illegal scavenging. Âsowanânihk, which means “a place to cross” in Cree, is located near Prince Albert and is estimated to be around 11,000 years old. It holds a wealth of evidence of Indigenous settlements…
These sea spiders use the bacteria on their bodies to turn methane into food
As It Happens6:30Newly discovered sea spiders use bacteria on their bodies to turn methane into food Most people probably don’t think of sea spiders as cute, but biologist Shana Goffredi says they’re “extremely adorable.” Goffredi and her students have discovered…
What is the essence of cool? A global study narrows it down to 6 key traits
As It Happens5:44What is the essence of cool? Study narrows it down to 6 key traits Cool is cool, no matter where you are in the world. That’s the conclusion of a new study that surveyed nearly 6,000 people in…
Bezos-backed methane tracking satellite lost in space
An $88 million satellite backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos that detected oil and gas industry’s emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas methane has been lost in space, the group that operates it told Reuters on Tuesday. Methane is a potent…
Campaign launches to protect endangered badgers being killed on roads in B.C.’s Interior
B.C. residents are being asked to report badger sightings as part of a new campaign aimed at protecting the elusive American badger. The summer months can be some of the most deadly for American badgers, which are endangered in B.C.,…
Astronomers may have discovered 3rd-known interstellar visitor
It appears our solar system is getting more popular with out-of-towners. Astronomers may have found a third interstellar object, something that has origins beyond our own solar system. The first interstellar object was ‘Oumuamua, discovered in 2017. The second was…
Decision to refill Lake Pisiquid coming with side-effects, say some Windsor residents
Some Windsor, N.S., residents say a two-year-old decision to close the gates of an aboiteau and keep Lake Pisiquid filled with water is unnecessary and causing other problems. Prior to the closure, the open gates caused the lake to drain….
Western Canadian glaciers melting twice as fast as they did a decade ago, research shows
Researchers say some glaciers in Western Canada and the United States lost 12 per cent of their mass from 2021 to 2024, doubling melt rates compared to the previous decade. The research led by University of Northern British Columbia professor Brian Menounos…
Orcas might be trying to learn ‘who we are’ when they share prey with humans, study suggests
Jared Towers was in his research vessel on two separate occasions watching killer whales off the coast of Vancouver Island when the orcas dropped their prey directly in front of him and his colleagues. The encounters he describes as “rare”…
Curious great white shark circles lobster boat off Cape Breton, chomps briefly on hull
A Cape Breton lobster fisherman and his crew had the encounter of a lifetime this week when a 4.5-metre great white shark circled his boat just off Sight Point, N.S., coming close enough to briefly bite the hull. Jimmy MacArthur, who…
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These massive waves used to be the stuff of legend
4 days ago News Duration 3:33 Once dismissed as a maritime myth, rogue waves are now being recorded in Canadian waters more than ever. A network of AI-powered buoys off the coast of B.C. is capturing these giants in real…
‘Like a clear-cut forestry operation’: Cleanup begins at downburst-hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
When Cameron Hockey is asked to describe the devastation from a downburst that hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park in northeastern Ontario the night of June 21, he’s almost at a loss for words. “The closest thing that I could…
Origins of COVID-19 still unclear, according to final report from WHO expert group
An expert group charged by the World Health Organization to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic started released its final report on Friday, reaching an unsatisfying conclusion: Scientists still aren’t sure how the worst health emergency in a century began. At…
Islanders are being asked to help track the rare smooth greensnake this summer
If you spot a smooth greensnake in the wild on Prince Edward Island this summer, the province’s Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division wants to hear from you. Officials are hoping to gather data on the elusive reptile, which is considered…
N.B. Museum set to add 1st rare owl specimen found in the province in over 100 years
This great grey owl was found near Saint John on April 15, with injuries from being struck by a car. She was in the care of the Atlantic Wildlife Institute until earlier this month when she had to be euthanized….
U.S. government cuts key hurricane forecasting data from satellites
Weather experts are warning that hurricane forecasts will be severely hampered by the upcoming cut-off of key data from U.S. Department of Defence satellites, the latest Trump administration move with potential consequences for the quality of forecasting. The National Oceanic…
Aggressive cougars shut down biking trails in Whistler, B.C., area
More cougar sightings in B.C.’s Sea-to-Sky region have led to trail closures in the resort municipality of Whistler and in the Garibaldi Lake area. After a cougar sighting went viral a little under two weeks ago, leading the popular Rubble…
Scientists say they’ve proven these Canadian rocks are the oldest on Earth
In 2008, Canadian researchers led by McGill PhD student Jonathan O’Neil said they’d found the world’s oldest rocks, formed 4.3 billion years ago in what is now northwestern Quebec. Such rocks would give scientists an unprecedented glimpse into Earth’s early…
Scientists studying suspected Lake Superior meteotsunami that left residents ‘in awe’
Alan Auld of Shuniah, Ont., said he stepped out to look at Lake Superior on Saturday and was among people who saw the waters receding — something he compared to the draining of a bathtub. “At first we joked to everyone saying, ‘Who pulled the…
How to help your body cope in hot weather
As people across Ontario, Quebec and major cities in the U.S. swelter under a June heat wave, medical experts are urging them to take precautions in the potentially deadly weather. Much of Eastern Canada is dealing with extreme heat and humidity….
Heart monitors for horses, shaded pens for bulls part of rodeo safety at Calgary Stampede
Tents are being set up to provide shade for bulls and broncs and some chuckwagon horses are to be fitted with tiny electrocardiograms at the upcoming Calgary Stampede. After scorching heat at the rodeo last summer, Ed Pajor, a professor…
How Jaws made us believe great white sharks are villains in real life
Ideas53:59Beware of Sharks: Jaws and an Ocean Full of Monsters It was 50 years ago this month when Jaws premiered and instantly became a blockbuster hit. The film broke box office records and tapped into an underlying fear of sharks and the…
‘Very emotional’: Brain-computer tech gives kids with disabilities new powers
It sounds like something from a futuristic film: Technology that allows users to control their environment with mere thoughts. But for kids with disabilities in Ontario, it’s an emerging reality that’s helping them connect with the world around them in…
Researchers discover ancient predatory, fanged fish that swam in Nova Scotia waters
Researchers have discovered a new species of ancient fish with hooked front fangs that made them a fearsome and effective predator. A paper published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology this week says the long, curved jaw of the animal…
U.S. science funding uncertainty reshapes grad school choices for Canadians
After graduating with a bachelor degree in mathematics from the University of Waterloo, Kareem Alfarra had hopes of continuing his studies in the United States. The American schools he looked at were better funded and had more opportunities than those…
Phytoplankton, key to ocean life, falling 2% per year in North Atlantic
Two main types of phytoplankton have been decreasing in biomass in the North Atlantic by two per cent each year for the past 60 years, a new study has found. Dalhousie University researchers analyzed data collected over more than half a century…
Jaws attacked 50 years ago, changing how we look at movies — and sharks
Summers have never been quite the same since June 20, 1975, and it’s all thanks to a “mindless eating machine” that terrorized moviegoers and beachgoers alike. That was the day Jaws hit theatres, ushering in the era of the summer blockbuster and becoming a…
The U.S. is cutting billions from science. Canadian researchers say it’s time to step up
Scientists in Canada are scrambling. Over the past few months, the U.S. government has cut billions of dollars in funding from scientific research as part of sweeping cost-cutting measures. “It’s really shocking. It’s really like this big cloud over science,” Kate Moran,…
Old, inactive oil and gas wells emitting almost 7 times more methane than official estimates
Inactive and abandoned oil and gas wells in Canada are a much bigger climate problem than previously thought, emitting almost seven times more methane than the official estimates, according to a new study from researchers at McGill University. The potent…
Mercury poisoning in Peru’s Amazon found in nearly 80 per cent of villagers in recent study
Indigenous and riverine communities in the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon have “chronic exposure” to mercury, according to a new study — and experts say the biggest culprit is gold mining in the region. The test results released this…
Tire particles, perfumes, metals? Extensive study of Toronto air looks at what we’re breathing in
Walking down Fort York Boulevard on a fresh, breezy afternoon, scientist Elisabeth Galarneau has no issue pointing out possible sources of air pollution. The manicured lawns and flower beds? A potential source of airborne pesticides. The nearby high-rise apartment buildings?…
Your brain on hockey: Waterloo study aims to capture ‘real-time experience’ of spectators
Jacob Howard likes watching sports, but hockey is the one he gets most excited about. “It’s fast-paced,” he said in uptown Waterloo during an outdoor viewing of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals where the Edmonton Oilers are taking on…
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How the Toronto Zoo puts animals 'in the mood' to mate
Ever wonder how the Toronto Zoo makes sure those cute baby animals are born? CBC’s Dwight Drummond went behind the scenes at the Toronto Zoo to find out.
Flourish or flounder: How wildfires affect boreal forest wildlife
There’s an entire cycle of life that helps some wildlife thrive when the boreal forest burns, but experts say climate change and human activity have led to larger, more intense wildfires, exacerbating the negative effects on some species. While it’s…
Funding to protect oceans falls far short of what UN says is needed
A UN push for investment to protect the world’s oceans yielded around $10 billion US ($13.6 billion Cdn) in deals at a conference last week, way below the estimated annual need as many investors sought clearer regulations on ocean management before committing…
23andMe ‘failed to take basic steps’ to protect private information, investigation finds
DNA testing company 23andMe didn’t have adequate data protections and ignored warning signs ahead of a massive data breach almost two years ago, an investigation by Canada’s privacy commissioner found. Commissioner Philippe Dufresne told reporters that proper protections were not…
Flourish or flounder: How wildfires affect Boreal forest wildlife
There’s an entire cycle of life that helps some wildlife thrive when the boreal forest burns, but experts say climate change and human activity have led to larger, more intense wildfires, exacerbating the negative effects on some species. While it’s…
Like real-life Dr. Dolittles, scientists are using AI to decode animal communication
The Current23:59What are animals saying? AI is helping to decode Bottlenose dolphins are known for their intelligence, and now researchers are trying to find out whether we could one day communicate with them in their own language. Researchers from Woods…
Rare spirit bear cub living near B.C. highway stirs excitement, concern, as word of its existence spreads
Shelley Lindaas has long dreamed of seeing a Kermode bear cub in person. An amateur wildlife photographer based in Terrace, near B.C.’s north coast, she spends much of her free time hiking the backwoods and camped out with camera equipment in one…
Tips for making your garden a pollinator haven
Hello, Earthlings! This is our weekly newsletter on all things environmental, where we highlight trends and solutions that are moving us to a more sustainable world. Keep up with the latest news on our Climate and Environment page. Sign up here to get…
Indigenous people fleeing wildfires face immense mental health burdens. Experts say they shouldn’t have to
Jeewa Liske was four months pregnant in August 2023 when she had to flee wildfire smoke in Yellowknife and make a difficult 20-hour drive to safety. “I was wanting to leave just ’cause it was so smoky and it was…
One of Toronto’s oldest elm trees is on its last legs. Researchers are racing to re-grow copies
One of the largest old elm trees in Toronto — possibly in all of southern Ontario — is on its last legs. But as the city finalizes plans to take down the Barton Avenue landmark next week, a University of Toronto tree expert…
Nuclear Waste Management Organization begins site selection process for 2nd deep geological repository
The Canadian government has yet to decide whether it would allow recycling spent nuclear fuel in the country, as the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) announces it will be engaging with the public to choose a site for the nation’s second deep…
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Ticks are showing up in places where they didn’t use to
Ticks are showing up in more places, earlier in the season and bringing disease risks with them. CBC’s Johanna Wagstaffe breaks down how climate change is helping ticks thrive — and why public-health experts say it’s time to pay attention.
One of Toronto’s oldest elm trees is on its last legs. Researchers are racing to re-grow copies
One of the largest old elm trees in Toronto — possibly in all of southern Ontario — is on its last legs. But as the city finalizes plans to take down the Barton Street landmark next week, a University of Toronto tree…
Antarctic treaty under stress as member countries gather in Italy
For 65 years, an international treaty forged at the height of the Cold War has governed Antarctica. But with rising geopolitical tensions, consensus is increasingly hard to find. “Up until just a few years ago, we talked about the Antarctic…
Potholes are costing Canadians billions. But there are some solutions
Cost of Living9:37Why potholes are money pits Dylan Langille is very familiar with the swerves it takes to dodge the potholes of Halifax. “I could probably close my eyes on my commute back to my house, and I could avoid…
‘The missing link’: New early tyrannosaur species discovered by Calgary researchers
Scientists from the University of Calgary have discovered a new dinosaur specimen that they say appears to be the “missing link” in the evolution of tyrannosaurs. The specimen was originally discovered in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert over 50 years ago in…
How close are we to getting a vaccine for Lyme disease?
Diana Moser has, to the best of her knowledge, not contracted Lyme disease, a welcome status quo that might be credited to the tick-repellant clothing she wears in the yard of her East LaHave, N.S., home, or to the insect spray she…
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See an injured turtle? This centre is looking for volunteers to bring them to rehab
4 days ago News Duration 3:15 As turtles come out of hibernation, they risk getting hit by cars or boats. A Nature Conservancy of Canada program is trying to increase their chance of survival by asking volunteers to transport the…
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Seeking independence from U.S., Canadian Space Agency renews ties with European counterpart
It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem….
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#TheMoment an orca 'moonwalked' off the coast of West Vancouver
Allison MacGillivary recounts the moment she and her family spotted a killer whale swimming backwards off the shoreline in West Vancouver.
Millions of seahorses worth $29M smuggled illegally, study finds
Nearly five million smuggled seahorses were seized globally by authorities over a 10-year period, Canadian researchers found, warning it’s only the “tip of the iceberg” in an illegal trade that is likely far larger in scale. To track how widespread…
What does space smell like? This perfume-making astrobiologist is trying to find out
As It Happens6:34What does space smell like? We asked an astrobiologist/fragrance designer After a long career of creating designer perfumes, Marina Barcenilla decided to turn her nose to the cosmos. The fragrance designer enrolled in university in 2015 to study…
Here’s how wildfire smoke exposure can impact your health
As communities battle out-of-control fires in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, thousands of residents — including those in surrounding regions — are being exposed to wildfire smoke, increasing their risk for short- and long-term health effects. To date, more than 25,000 people…
2 new species of crayfish identified in Pacific Northwest — and they’re already at risk
Two new species of crayfish have been identified in the Pacific Northwest region of North America, and researchers say both species are vulnerable to extinction. One of those crayfish is called the “misfortunate crayfish,” found primarily in central Oregon, according to…
Two Canadian UNESCO Geoparks cautioned to make improvements or risk losing status
Two unique areas of Atlantic Canada recognized for their geological significance five years ago have been cautioned to make changes or risk losing their rare status as UNESCO Global Geoparks — a designation that puts them on bucket lists of people…
Raccoons invaded her walls amid a neighbour’s reno weeks ago. Now this Toronto woman says she’s fed up
For the past few weeks, Ariel Lukaniuk says she and her partner have been sleeping in their second bedroom. That’s because her row house in Toronto’s east end is connected to a building going under renovations two doors down, where…
Canadian technology could be used to mine the deep seas, but there’s growing alarm over the risks
In dark waters near Collingwood, Ont., a giant yellow machine with metallic claws precisely snatches tiny rock balls from the lakebed, kicking up sediment with each grab. While it looks like a claw game at an arcade, for Impossible Metals,…
Marc Garneau, 1st Canadian astronaut in space, dead at 76
Former astronaut and cabinet minister Marc Garneau has died. He was 76. A statement from his wife, Pam Garneau, says he passed away peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by his family. “Marc faced his final days with the same strength,…
Rare black iceberg spotted off Labrador coast could be 100,000 years old, prof says
A rare black iceberg spotted off the coast of Labrador is making a splash on social media after a fish harvester living in Carbonear, N.L., took a photo of it while fishing for shrimp last month. Originally from the Faroe…
Life is ‘better after solar’: Harnessing sunlight gives India’s salt farmers freedom and profit
Under a punishing midday sun, Devabhai Sawadiya slowly rakes the salt pan that has been in his family for generations. It’s quiet around him, except for the sweeping motions of his salt broom and the soft, clinking sound of dishes…
Reports on the homosexual behaviour of penguins in Antarctica were hidden for over 100 years
By Carolyn Whittaker, producer of Animal Pride For generations, scientists have been documenting same-sex pairings, non-reproductive copulation and complex gender dynamics in everything from bonobos to butterflies. But due to the longstanding tendency to interpret animal behaviour through a heteronormative…
Here’s where wildfire smoke is spreading in Canada and the U.S.
As wildfires continue to rage in Western Canada, communities in affected areas and surrounding provinces have been blanketed by thick plumes of smoke, prompting air quality alerts extending into parts of the United States this week. Smoke conditions in some…
Food delivery robots in Markham test appetite for high-tech takeout
The next time you order takeout in Markham, Ont., it could get dropped off by a robot and its human companion. A fleet of orange food delivery machines is being tested as part of a pilot project led by Skip,…
Following a weekend northern lights display, there’s still a chance to see them tonight
There was a powerful geomagnetic storm over the weekend, resulting in beautiful displays of the northern lights from Canada down to the U.S. And there’s a possibility that the colourful curtains in the sky could be visible once again on Monday…
An AI bot might be asking the questions at your next job interview
When Wafa Shafiq realized her upcoming job interview would be conducted by an artificial intelligence bot, she thought: Why not? “I thought it’d be really cool. I wanted to try it,” said Shafiq. Alex, an AI bot powered by software…
You don’t have to almost die to be happy at work, but it helps
The Current22:28How near death experiences change your look at work and life Singer-songwriter Aysanabee was snowshoeing across a frozen lake in remote northern Ontario over a decade ago, when the ice gave way beneath him, plunging him into frigid waters….
Dinos, meet drones: How new technology could reshape the fossil record
A new study is challenging a long-standing method of dating dinosaur fossils in Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park — using drone technology. Previously, one of the methods paleontologists have used to date fossils in the UNESCO World Heritage Site is by…
‘Bear birdie’: Golfers tee off with wildlife in Kananaskis
Bears don’t need a tee time to get on the green. When she went to the Kananaskis Country Golf Course to hit the links earlier this month, Calgary golfer Jess Lawson didn’t imagine she would be sharing the back nine…
Room for 2,400? Chimney swifts check into a Fredericton chimney
You might not want to live in a chimney, but for a chimney swift, it’s the ideal place to rest — and a Fredericton chimney was a recent pit stop for more than 2,400 of the tiny birds. “They’re stopping at…
Unions oppose B.C. port’s plans to test self-driving trucks
Canada’s third-largest port plans to test self-driving trucks as it explores ways to increase its capacity, according to a port authority presentation first obtained by The Tyee and viewed by CBC News. The Port of Prince Rupert could face a driver shortage…
Sightings of invasive goldfish in P.E.I. pond spark worries they’re breeding there
A central P.E.I. watershed group and the provincial Department of Forests, Fish and Wildlife are raising concerns about sightings of more goldfish in Hardy’s Pond. In 2021, teams removed hundreds of goldfish from the 9.2-hectare pond in the Union Road…
Researchers hope tracking zooplankton from space will help endangered whales
Researchers are hoping a technique that identifies zooplankton from space will eventually help them track the movement of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of Maine. Scientists at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine are using…
Forecast for the next 5 years? Record-breakingly hot, UN weather agency says
There’s a very high chance that one of the next five years will set a new heat record. It’s also very likely that the next five years will see average temperatures above the lower limit in the Paris Agreement on climate…
The carbon removal Olympics are set to kick off in this Alberta industrial park
Just off the highway near Innisfail, Alta., a town about 120 kilometres north of Calgary, is a construction site immediately identified by a large tent boasting the words “Deep Sky” in a groovy, arcade-style font. The roughly two-hectare facility, still…
Why MIT researcher is calling for ‘algorithmic justice’ against AI biases
Ideas53:59A rallying cry for ‘algorithmic justice’ in the face of AI bias Joy Buolamwini is at the forefront of artificial intelligence research, noting the several ways AI systems have caused harm, through racial bias, gender bias and ableism. She is…
Vancouver park owls a big hoot for wildlife lovers
They’ve been flocking to Vancouver’s Westside by the hundreds, armed with binoculars, cellphones, cameras and giant telephoto lenses, all in the hope of capturing a glimpse or photo of the city’s newest celebrities — a family of barred owls that…
Snowy owl labelled threatened by expert group — and humans are primarily to blame
The snowy owl, Quebec’s majestic avian emblem and Harry Potter’s iconic companion, is at risk of becoming endangered if action isn’t taken to reverse the threats to its survival, an independent advisory panel has concluded. This week, the Committee on the Status…
Vancouver Island fossil hunters honoured in naming of prehistoric sea monster
A fossil-hunting father-daughter team from Vancouver Island has been recognized in the naming of a new genus of giant prehistoric sea lizard found near Courtenay almost 40 years ago. Michael and Heather Trask were the first to find remains of an…