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Concordia University


Keeping the faith through souvenirs

A Concordia University study explores how Christian pilgrims give souvenirs to spark interest in religion and perpetuate their faith. Pilgrims believe gifts can open a conversation with God, fulfilling their desire to pass down their faith.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Material Culture·DateAug 7, 2012

Concordia welcomes 4 new Vanier scholars

Four Concordia PhD candidates have secured Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships to conduct groundbreaking research in various fields. Brigitte Desharnais will investigate metabolizing enzymes in the liver to determine drug-related deaths, while Matthew Keough will study stress and alcohol use in young adults.

$1.6 million for sustainability

Concordia University has been awarded $1.6 million by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to support research and training in sustainable development. The funding will be used to train approximately 20 students per year in renewable energy production and water optimization.

New apps redefine poetry

Jason Lewis's P.o.E.M.M. project develops ten new digital poetry apps that combine poet-created content with interactive elements, including user-generated and Twitter-based poetry. The project has received recognition from the Electronic Literature Organization, and its apps are available for download through iTunes.

Business students better equipped to evaluate peers

A study by Concordia University found that business students who evaluate their peers regularly improve in evaluating others. This leads to more effective management skills. The research developed a standardized online peer evaluation system, which can be incorporated into university-wide programs.

SourceConcordia University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateMay 24, 2012

Maintaining bridges on a budget

Concordia engineers develop a decision-making approach that considers factors like traffic, drainage system efficiency and seismic risk to prioritize bridge maintenance. The new method has the potential to reduce costs by avoiding costly repairs later on and promoting sustainability.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCanadian Journal of Civil Engineering·DateApr 30, 2012

Feel-good music

The conference, Gender, Health & Creative Arts Therapies, will explore themes such as feminism/womanism and social justice, offering a platform for practitioners to share their experiences. Participants can expect rich artistic and music opportunities, including traditional Mohawk blessing ceremonies and performances.

SourceConcordia University·JournalThe Arts in Psychotherapy·DateApr 25, 2012

Letting go can boost quality of life

A study by Concordia University found that breast cancer survivors who can redefined their goals show an overall improvement in well-being. The researchers measured the capacity to adjust goals and found a positive association with more physical activity, emotional well-being, and fewer physical symptoms.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPsycho-Oncology·DateApr 23, 2012

Overcoming obsessive-compulsive disorder

Researchers at Concordia University have developed a novel approach to treating compulsive checking in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) sufferers. By targeting individuals' faulty beliefs about responsibility, memory, and danger, the treatment aims to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCognitive and Behavioral Practice·DateApr 10, 2012

Love it or leave it?

A recent study from Concordia University found that employees who feel obligated to stay with their employer are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion. This type of commitment can lead to feelings of indebtedness and loss of autonomy, ultimately contributing to turnover.

SourceConcordia University·JournalHuman Relations·DateApr 3, 2012

Substance use linked to Internet gambling

A study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking found that online gamblers reported more frequent and problematic drinking and cannabis use compared to offline-only gamblers. The research suggests that online gambling may be associated with increased risks of substance-related behaviors.

'Look at me' toddlers eager to collaborate and learn

A Concordia University study reveals that toddlers' high-quality attention-seeking behaviors are associated with increased motivation to collaborate and learn. Parents who respond favourably to their child's needs can encourage positive expectations, leading to improved conscience development in children.

SourceConcordia University·JournalChild Development·DateMar 19, 2012

Pond hockey heats up

Canada's outdoor skating season has decreased significantly due to global warming, with the Prairies and Southwest regions experiencing the largest decreases. The research predicts a complete end to outdoor skating in British Columbia and Southern Alberta within a few decades.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 5, 2012

Heavy lifting for cancer research

A study by Concordia University and McGill University Health Centre found a strong link between muscle mass and strength in cancer patients with severe fatigue. The researchers suggest that specialized strength training programs could improve muscle mass and reduce fatigue, enhancing the quality of life for these patients.

Survivors of violence benefit from mentoring

Concordia University research reveals mentoring has a healing impact on female students who survive childhood abuse or domestic violence. The study identifies four themes of mentorship: fantasy mentors, mirrors, nurturers and supporters, and profession embodiments.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of College Student Development·DateFeb 1, 2012

What are friends for? Negating negativity

A Concordia University study found that friends can immediately reduce cortisol levels and improve feelings of self-worth in children undergoing negative experiences. The presence of a best friend has far-reaching implications, potentially impacting adult identity formation and overall development.

SourceConcordia University·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateJan 26, 2012

An apple a day isn't enough

A Concordia University study found that adults in Canada, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, do not consume enough fruits and vegetables. Quebecers, on the other hand, tend to eat more of nature's produce, making them a model for healthy eating habits.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNutrition Journal·DateJan 10, 2012

Breastfeeding saved babies in 19th century Montreal

Research from Concordia and McGill universities found that breastfeeding protected infants from contaminated food and water, while also postponing the arrival of siblings, leading to improved maternal and child health. French-Canadian children who were weaned earlier faced a disproportionate number of deaths.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPopulation Studies·DateDec 20, 2011

Oxytocin helps people feel more extroverted

Researchers from Concordia University discovered that oxytocin increases a person's perception of themselves as more extroverted and open to new experiences. The study involved administering nasal sprays containing oxytocin to 100 young adults, who reported higher ratings of extraversion and openness.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPsychopharmacology·DateDec 9, 2011

Baby see, baby do?

Researchers from Concordia University found that infants can differentiate between trustworthy and untrustworthy sources. In a series of experiments, infants were shown to imitate actions from reliable adults more frequently than those from unreliable adults. This study contributes to the understanding of infant cognition and social le...

SourceConcordia University·JournalInfant Behavior and Development·DateDec 6, 2011

Depression can lead to heart disease

A recent study conducted by Concordia University found that depressed individuals are twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to non-depressed individuals. The study also showed that depressed individuals take longer to recover their normal heart rate after exercise, indicating a dysfunctional stress response.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPsychophysiology·DateNov 28, 2011

Hefty impact of poor eating habits

A Concordia University study found that 25% of Canadians aged 31 to 50 exceed the safe limit of total calories derived from fats. Individuals who eat well are 20% less likely to be obese, according to the researchers.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Primary Care & Community Health·DateNov 22, 2011

Presenteeism: A new word for working when sick

A study by Concordia University found that employees with acute, chronic or episodic illness report higher rates of presenteeism, with caregivers in early education reporting the highest rates. Presenteeism can be influenced by job insecurity and social obligation, but research suggests it may not always be a productive option.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Occupational Health Psychology·DateNov 17, 2011

What drives IT performance?

A study by Concordia University explores how IT impacts manufacturing SMEs, finding that strategic planning positively affects performance. The research highlights the importance of autonomous IT management and aligned applications to maximize technological benefits.

Meet Concordia's first Trudeau Fellow

Ronald Rudin, a history professor at Concordia University, has been awarded a Trudeau Fellowship to propel his research on Quebec and Acadian identity. He will use the funding to continue making the past relevant to future generations through innovative storytelling methods.

Mile End chic under study

The study found that Mile End's unique blend of industrial architecture, cultural diversity, and public spaces draws designers to the area. However, gentrification concerns arise as heritage preservation efforts and rising rents threaten the neighbourhood's character.

Boys and their bodies

A study by Concordia University and the University of Manitoba found that most boys aspire to have an average physique rather than an idealized, lean, or muscular body. The research suggests that boys are critical of unrealistic beauty standards and view sculpted bodies as unnatural.

SourceConcordia University·JournalMen and Masculinities·DateSep 26, 2011

Structured homeschooling gets an A+

A new study from Concordia University and Mount Allison University found that homeschooled children who followed a structured curriculum performed significantly better on standardized tests than their public school peers. On average, they scored two to four grade levels higher in certain tests, with some scoring as much as half a grade...

SourceConcordia University·JournalCanadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement·DateSep 8, 2011

Hands-on dads give kids an edge

A Concordia University study found that fathers who actively engage with their children can positively influence their development, leading to fewer behavior problems and higher intellectual abilities. The study also highlighted the importance of mothers and other caregivers in child-rearing.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCanadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement·DateAug 30, 2011

Workplace stress a growing health hazard

A study by Concordia University economists found that workers in high-stress jobs visit doctors more often, with a 26% increase in healthcare utilization. The study also estimated that workplace stress costs US companies $68 billion annually and reduces productivity by 10%.

SourceConcordia University·JournalBMC Public Health·DateAug 25, 2011

Can blaming others make people sick?

Concordia researchers Carsten Wrosch and Jesse Renaud find that persistent bitterness can lead to global feelings of anger and hostility affecting physical health. They propose recognizing bitterness as post-traumatic embitterment disorder (PTED), requiring therapeutic intervention for affected individuals.

Higher cigarette taxes don't deter all smokers

A Concordia University study found that higher cigarette taxes prompt low-and middle-income earners to quit smoking, but not wealthier smokers or those in their 20s to 40s. The research team analyzed data from Statistics Canada's National Population Health Survey and found that the middle-aged group is largely unresponsive to taxes.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 13, 2011

Concordia research accelerated

Nadia Bhuiyan and Yves Gélinas, two Concordia professors, have received NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplement awards to advance their research in lean manufacturing and coastal aquatic ecosystems. The awards will support Bhuiyan's study on product development and Gélinas' research on estuaries and microbial composition.

Do kids prefer playmates of same ethnicity?

A study by Concordia University researchers found that Asian-Canadian and French-Canadian preschoolers tend to interact more with children of their own ethnic group. The children were observed to be more competitive when playing with peers of the same ethnicity.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEuropean Journal of Developmental Psychology·DateJun 21, 2011

Preteens surrounded by smokers get hooked on nicotine

A new study from Concordia University and the University of Montreal found that preteens surrounded by smokers are more likely to develop symptoms of nicotine dependence. The study, which surveyed 327 sixth or seventh graders, also found that tweens who observe smoking in others are more likely to start smoking themselves.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJun 13, 2011