The AAAS annual meeting, one of the biggest global science conferences, took place in Vancouver, BC, on February 16-20. With an attendance of about 8,000 participants from all over the world, including myself, this science conference mixed presentations of peer-reviewed studies, workshops for scientists and scientific communicators, and public family events, all aimed at encouraging kids and adults alike to explore the world through a scientific lens.
- Microchip implantable drug delivery device (on right) next to an everyday computer memory stick.
Despite the meeting’s theme, “Flattening the World, Building a Global Knowledge Society”, which could come off as rather anachronistic to a science community that has long agreed on a circular world view, the science being discussed was as cutting-edge as you can get.
For example, Dr. Robert Langer, professor at MIT, presented the world’s first microchip that, when implanted under one’s skin, can dispense minute amounts of drugs on a regular basis, thus avoiding the pain of daily injections, or the perils of forgetfulness.
