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As the number of women biologists increases, so does the amount of research being conducted into human and non-human animals. Their findings reveal previously unknown or little understood mechanisms of reproduction and evolution, such as how female hyenas are socially dominant with males of their species. Or how, in the tropical jacana, there’s a sex role reversal that sees the male birds of the species providing parental care.
The inclusion of female perspectives — in combination with technological advances such as genetic testing — has widened our understanding of biological sciences, and also challenged the accuracy of historical approaches that consider females as occupying a passive role.
Today in The Conversation Canada — just in time for International Women's Day — Hannah Thomasy, a Global Journalism Fellow in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, presents the work of some women biologists as demonstrating the importance of these perspectives.
Also today:
Regards,
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More women are becoming biologists, and this inclusion means that we are learning more about female species and reproduction.
(Shutterstock)
Hannah Thomasy, University of Toronto
The rise in female researchers has expanded our knowledge of female biology in human and nonhuman animals.
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A trans Pride flag crosswalk in Calgary was defaced in August 2019 with a violent message, which was later covered with fresh paint and positive messages were left written with chalk. Anti-trans activism from feminists remains a challenge for the transgender people.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley
Jennifer Saul, University of Waterloo
TERF is not a slur. Instead, we should use words that accurately describe how some feminists are actually anti-trans activists.
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Yona Friedman in his apartment at Boulevard Garibaldi in Paris, March 2012.
(Theodora Vardouli)
Theodora Vardouli, McGill University
Around 1964, at the peak of his fame with the "Spatial City," Friedman moved away from the drawing board — and instead began using math to prove his structures were products of careful reasoning.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen with Québec Premier Francois Legault in December 2018 at the opening of a first ministers’ meeting. Legault has accused Trudeau of insulting Québecers because of the federal Court Challenges Program.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Anne Levesque, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms doesn't mean much if it can't be enforced. That's why the Court Challenges Program is so important — no matter what the Québec premier says.
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L’essor de la fracturation hydraulique frappe le nord-est de la Colombie Britannique.
La Presse Canadienne/Jonathan Hayward
Romain Chesnaux, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC)
La fracturation dans le nord-est de la Colombie-Britannique a laissé des dizaines de milliers de puits. Certains d'entre eux fuient - et pourraient menacer l'environnement et la santé publique.
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Science + Technology
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Rafael Euba, King's College London
There are many ways to be happy, but we can also find comfort in the knowledge that our constant dissatisfaction is what makes us human.
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Culture + Society
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Lynn M. Thomas, University of Washington
The long history of racist beauty standards alone cannot explain the ongoing global use of harmful skin lighteners.
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Health + Medicine
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Julian Hunt, Swansea University; John Gammon, Swansea University
Our findings also highlight that hot air hand dryers and cloth roller towels can be a problematic way of drying your hands.
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