/oss/taxonomy/term/400/all en /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-environment/there-are-safe-sunscreens-no-safe-tans <p>When it comes to health matters, scientists rarely make statements that do not begin with “may.” But here is one. Excessive exposure to sunlight causes skin cancer! There’s no “may” about it. And here is another one. Chemical protection can effectively reduce exposure. Uncertainties do, however, emerge when it comes to deciding on which specific chemicals to use. Activists claim that some sunscreens are unsafe and blame regulatory agencies for not looking after the welfare of the public, while manufacturers profess that their products have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy.</p> Wed, 03 Jul 2024 02:33:48 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9993 at /oss /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/protect-yourself-against-sunscreen-myths <hr /> <p><em>This article was first published in <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-shining-light-on-online-myths-about-sun-safety">The Montreal Gazette.</a></em></p> Fri, 14 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 9977 at /oss /oss/article/critical-thinking-general-science/olives-body-are-only-skin-deep <p>Does a mole on the nose testify to an insatiable lust in the bedroom? Strange as it may sound, some people in ancient Greece used to believe that. Moles were referred to in one early book as the olives of the body. By looking at the shape of a mole and its position, some claimed they could divine the future. It even had a name: moleomancy.</p> Wed, 10 Mar 2021 16:56:03 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 8652 at /oss /oss/article/general-science/seen-and-unseen-consequences-albinism <p>Today I learned two things. First, that we apparently have an albino squirrel on our campus. Second, that seeing an albino squirrel before a test is good luck.</p> <p>While I have seen photographic evidence of the former, I remain skeptical of the latter. I think it might just be a great marketing gimmick for the<a href="http://albinosquirrel.com/about.html"> Albino Squirrel Preservation Society</a> founded on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. (I am not making this part up!)</p> Fri, 13 Dec 2019 15:00:00 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 8046 at /oss /oss/article/health/sunscreen-shouldnt-be-diy-project <hr /> <p>This article was first published in <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-sunscreen-shouldnt-be-a-diy-project">The Montreal Gazette.</a></p> Wed, 07 Aug 2019 19:59:45 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 7847 at /oss /oss/article/cancer-controversial-science-cosmetics-environment-health-news/safe-sunscreens-no-safe-tans <p>When it comes to health matters, scientists rarely make statements that do not begin with “may.”  But here is one.  Excessive exposure to sunlight causes skin cancer!  There’s no “may” about it.  And here is another one.  Chemical protection can effectively reduce exposure.  Uncertainties do, however, emerge when it comes to deciding on which specific chemicals to use.  Activists claim that some sunscreens are unsafe and blame regulatory agencies for not looking after the welfare of the public while manufacturers profess that their products have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficac</p> Sat, 12 Jul 2014 15:25:34 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2166 at /oss /oss/article/science-science-everywhere/moisturizing-creams-and-skin-cancer <p>Most skin cancers when caught early are totally curable which is very comforting given that there are over a million cases a year in North America. And the numbers are increasing! Why? People are living longer and as a consequence have greater sun exposure. Skin damage due to ultraviolet light is cumulative, so it isn’t surprising that as people age they have a greater risk of developing skin cancers, especially if they do not use adequate sun protection products.</p> Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:09:02 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1605 at /oss