Margaret MacMillan discusses the challenges of writing history

By Annie Wang

Hundreds gathered in the MacEwan Ballroom to hear Margaret MacMillan, one of the most respected historians of our time, examine the challenges of writing about history and share insights into her own writing March 23. MacMillan, this year’s Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Visiting Writer, is a Professor of International History at the University of Oxford. Her gift… Continue reading Margaret MacMillan discusses the challenges of writing history

Opium research yields synthetic painkillers

By Daniel Pagan

University of Calgary researchers are one step closer to producing synthetic morphine and codeine, after unlocking the genes that allow the opium poppy to produce these two drugs. In the online edition of Nature Chemical Biology, U of C biochemist Peter Facchini explained the isolation of these genes allows for production of synthetic painkillers in… Continue reading Opium research yields synthetic painkillers

GSA president resigns from office

By Brent Constantin

On March 24, shortly after passing a referendum to leave the Canadian Federation of Students federal lobby group, Graduate Students’ Association president Veronique Dorais-Ram submitted her resignation to the General Representative Council. GSA vice-president academic Dan Bidulock will serve as interim president until May 1, when the incoming president, James Lange, takes office. In a… Continue reading GSA president resigns from office

Second language training helps newcomers

By Richard Lam

According to recent projections from Statistics Canada, within the next 15 years 50 per cent of Canadians will be visible minorities and by 2031, one-third of Calgarians will be foreign born. Many will need more than basic English-as-a-Second-Language training to succeed academically and professionally. For this reason, the University of Calgary’s English for Academic Purposes… Continue reading Second language training helps newcomers

Wildrose Alliance club hosts party leader

By Annalise Klingbeil

Danielle Smith, leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta, spoke to students at the University of Calgary March 29 about her party and Alberta politics. The event was the first and last of the school year for the recently launched Wildrose Alliance Club, which only voted in their executive roughly a month ago. “We… Continue reading Wildrose Alliance club hosts party leader

The never-ending cycle of Flames failure

By Ryan Pike

Each and every spring, fervent hockey fans face a troubling dilemma. On one hand, the weather is getting warmer and loved ones are enticing them to join them on decks, patios and other outdoor areas. On the other hand, the National Hockey League post-season is soon to begin, and the primary way a hockey fan… Continue reading The never-ending cycle of Flames failure

The cure for the common e-reader? Espresso!

By Eric Mathison

Last August, I wrote an article discussing the imminent fall of the book. The e-reader, I suggested, was going to overrun the market just as soon as people realized what a great idea it was for many of the uses that the traditional book fills. Few agreed with me. There is something important about the… Continue reading The cure for the common e-reader? Espresso!

The failure of the federal family plan

By Kim Nursall

The term “family planning” has come under a lot of scrutiny lately, with the Conservative government announcing that maternal health will be Canada’s “signature” initiative at the G8 summit in Huntsville, Ontario this June. What exactly this initiative will entail has yet to be formalized, but controversy has already arisen over the proposal’s intended methods… Continue reading The failure of the federal family plan

Editorial: Bermuda Shorts Day runs dry

By Cam Cotton-O’Brien

After last year’s difficulties finding a location for the vaunted event, it seems like immense effort would have gone into planning this year’s Bermuda Shorts Day. Sadly, that isn’t the case. On Wednesday afternoon, the Gauntlet learned that a significant oversight within the BSD planning committee resulted in a failure to submit a liquor license… Continue reading Editorial: Bermuda Shorts Day runs dry