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Concordia University


Algae could be a new green power source

Concordia University researchers have created a technology to harness the electrical energy from plants using blue-green algae. The invention utilizes electron transfer chains in photosynthesis and respiration to produce electricity. This scalable technology could lead to cheaper ways of generating carbon-free energy.

SourceConcordia University·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateNov 24, 2015

Cheaters sometimes prosper -- on Facebook

Concordia researchers investigate how social media gamers cheat in games like FarmVille, with some defining cheating as breaking social norms. The study found that most respondents admitted to cheating, including purchasing currency or creating multiple accounts.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNew Media & Society·DateSep 29, 2015

Should countries honor their climate debts?

A new study reveals countries with higher per-capita CO2 emissions, like the US and Russia, have accumulated large carbon debts. India is the largest creditor, while Brazil and Indonesia switch from being creditors to debtors due to deforestation and agriculture.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 8, 2015

Can habitat protection save our disappearing bats?

Researchers from Concordia University and the University of Tennessee found that preserving natural habitats is crucial for maintaining bat populations. The study analyzed data from 9,552 hours of bat call recordings and found that bats need natural habitats to survive, even in highly modified agricultural landscapes.

SourceConcordia University·JournalBiological Conservation·DateAug 4, 2015

Water: The province of provinces

A recent study published in the International Journal of Water found that decentralized water regulation presents a theoretical benefit, allowing different populations to tailor spending to their particular circumstances. The research suggests that local decision-making can promote good governance and improve outcomes for Canadians.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInternational Journal of Water·DateJun 30, 2015

The true cost of fueling conflict

A recent study by Concordia University researchers found that the US Department of Defense overspends on fuel costs by $1-9 billion annually, with a volatile crude oil market exacerbating the issue. Improving planning and budgeting practices could help mitigate these risks, according to the study.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPublic Budgeting &amp Finance·DateJun 23, 2015

Can personal devices interfere with hospital care?

A Concordia University study found that designated minimum separation distances (MSDs) can effectively reduce the risk of electromagnetic interference caused by wireless transmitters in hospitals. By complying with MSD policies, hospital staff can minimize the risk of device malfunctions and ensure patient safety.

SourceConcordia University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility·DateJun 16, 2015

A stiff upper lip makes sense to baby

Researchers at Concordia University found that 18-month-old toddlers can distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate emotional responses, demonstrating an understanding of stoicism and the importance of emotional expressions in building trust. Toddlers showed greater empathy towards individuals who expressed sadness after a negat...

SourceConcordia University·JournalInfant Behavior and Development·DateJun 10, 2015

Beyond the poppy: A new method of opium production

Researchers from Concordia University and UC Berkeley have developed a new method to produce alkaloids, including codeine and morphine, using engineered yeast. This breakthrough enables the synthesis of valuable pharmaceuticals, paving the way for the creation of new complex compounds with therapeutic effects.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMay 18, 2015

Does your password pass muster?

Researchers from Concordia University found that password strength meters are inconsistent and may confuse users. They recommend using robust meters like Dropbox's, which analyze passwords for common dictionary words and highlight weak phrases.

SourceConcordia University·JournalACM Transactions on Information and System Security·DateMar 25, 2015

Can watching porn make you better in bed?

A new study published in Sexual Medicine found that men who watch more pornography are more aroused when viewing erotic stimuli. The researchers analyzed data from 280 male volunteers and concluded that there is no relationship between porn consumption and erectile dysfunction.

SourceConcordia University·JournalSexual Medicine·DateMar 16, 2015

Brain waves predict our risk for insomnia

Researchers found that students with lower amounts of a particular pattern of brain waves called sleep spindles were more at risk for developing insomnia after stressful events. The study suggests that measuring spindle activity may help identify people at risk before the condition materializes.

Bans don't help smokers quit

A Concordia University study found no significant change in home smoking habits after a Quebec ban. The presence of non-smokers and social networks were key factors in influencing quitting behavior, rather than the law itself.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateMar 3, 2015

A new weapon in the fight against cancer

A study published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences shows that lithocholic acid, a bile acid produced in the liver, is effective in killing cancer cells and delaying aging. The findings have implications for slowing down breast and prostate cancer development.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2015

Does illness make people lonely?

A Concordia University study found that chronic illness is often accompanied by feelings of loneliness, even in people with long-term partners. The research suggests that self-protective strategies can reduce stress and prevent feelings of loneliness.

SourceConcordia University·JournalHealth Psychology·DateFeb 11, 2015

How creative are you? Depends where you're from

A Concordia University study found that individuals from collectivist societies generate fewer ideas but with higher quality, while those from individualistic countries produce more ideas but with lower quality. The study suggests that understanding cultural differences is crucial for maximizing productivity in international teams.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Business Research·DateJan 27, 2015

Poor social integration = poor health

A recent study by Concordia University researchers found that individuals who experienced prolonged social isolation had decreased heart rate variability, a marker of poor physical health. In contrast, those who formed strong social connections showed increased heart rate variability and improved overall health.

SourceConcordia University·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateJan 20, 2015

Bilingualism changes children's beliefs

A Concordia University study found that bilingual children are more likely to believe that traits arise from experience, while monolinguals tend to think they're innate. This discovery has important social implications, as it suggests early second language education could promote acceptance of human diversity.

SourceConcordia University·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateJan 13, 2015

How to sell the drugs of the future

A study by Concordia University marketing professor Lea Prevel Katsanis and her co-author found that knowledge of the benefits and risks of personalized medicine (PM) is crucial for patient acceptance. The research also highlights the importance of doctor-patient communication in PM adoption.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing·DateJan 6, 2015

Nature adores a hybrid

A Concordia University study reveals that hybrid fish become genetically robust like their purely wild counterparts within a few generations, providing hope for conservation efforts. This finding has implications beyond fish, with similar conclusions drawn about wolf species previously exposed to hybridization.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateNov 4, 2014

Seniors run for the suburbs in their golden years

A Concordia University study found that seniors over 65 are more likely to move to suburbs than urban cores. This trend is driven by factors such as access to medical services and public transit infrastructure. As a result, researchers warn that this shift may have negative implications for seniors' quality of life.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Transport Geography·DateOct 14, 2014

Moving to the 'burbs is bad for business

A Concordia University study found that businesses located furthest from market expansion have higher profits than those chasing customers. Retailers should analyze the market and secure good locations early on to maximize profits.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCanadian Journal of Administrative Sciences / Revue Canadienne des Sciences de l Administration·DateSep 23, 2014

Job stress not the only cause of burnouts at work

A new study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that factors outside the workplace contribute to mental health problems. Employees living with a partner, with young children or higher household income, experienced fewer burnout symptoms. The research emphasizes the importance of considering home life along...

SourceConcordia University·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·DateSep 16, 2014

Infants absorb more than we might think

A new study from Concordia University reveals that infants can categorize objects as animate or inanimate even at 10 months old. The study used a visual habituation paradigm to measure how long babies look at different objects, finding that they can distinguish between natural paths of animals and moving cars.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInfant Behavior and Development·DateAug 12, 2014

My brother's keeper

A study by Concordia University found that siblings naturally teach each other skills like counting, building towers, and recognizing shapes. The researchers observed spontaneous interactions between two children aged four and six, revealing that both older and younger siblings initiate learning activities.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Cognition and Development·DateJul 9, 2014

Distracted minds still see blurred lines

A new study by Concordia University researchers shows that even with mental overload, the brain can automatically detect changes in blur across the visual environment. This finding challenges previous theories on the detection of blurred sight and has implications for daily tasks like driving.

SourceConcordia University·JournalVisual Cognition·DateJun 17, 2014

The real risks of growing up with bipolar parents

Children of parents with bipolar disorder are more susceptible to psychosocial problems, including risky sexual behavior, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. A new study reveals that family-based interventions can help mitigate these risks by teaching effective coping strategies and stress management techniques.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateJun 10, 2014

Is there really cash in your company's trash?

A new Concordia University research reveals that companies can reduce disposal costs and boost revenues by reprocessing and selling waste to other firms. The practice of industrial symbiosis has been found to create significant economic, environmental and societal value, according to researcher Raymond Paquin.

SourceConcordia University·JournalLong Range Planning·DateMay 20, 2014

Ask yourself: Will you help the environment?

A Concordia University study found that consumers are more likely to buy eco-friendly products if they predict their own sustainable shopping behavior and feel observed. The study also discovered that this effect is stronger for individuals who define themselves based on social ties and peer opinions.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·DateApr 22, 2014

How mothers help children explore right and wrong

A new study published in Developmental Psychology found that mothers' conversations with their children help them understand moral missteps and develop empathy. The study showed that these conversations have a significant impact on children's understanding of themselves as moral people, capable of both good and harm.

SourceConcordia University·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateApr 15, 2014