A new theory from McGill University researchers suggests that protecting remnant habitats and corridors can help preserve biodiversity by allowing species to move in response to environmental change. This approach is crucial for maintaining ecosystem structure and preventing extinctions.
Scientists at McGill University propose a new theory on how Earth's crust was created, suggesting that silica-rich minerals condensed and fell back to earth over about a million years. This process, called aerial metasomatism, could provide clues for the search for life on exoplanets.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered how specific bacterial enzymes, known as kinases, confer resistance to macrolide antibiotics. The study provides a detailed atomic view of the kinases and their interaction with different macrolide antibiotics, paving the way for the design of next-generation antibiotics.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in self-charging battery technology, enabling devices to harness and store energy using light. The technology has the potential to power portable devices such as phones indefinitely, eliminating the need for frequent recharging.
A new study finds that children born of wartime rape in northern Uganda often endure post-war violence, stigma, and social-exclusion. The children, aged 12-19, reported feeling safer during the conflict and experiencing greater family cohesion within the rebel group.
Researchers found that snow absorbs certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from car emissions, increasing toxic pollutant levels in the environment. The study highlights the need for further research to reduce premature deaths caused by mild air pollution in North America.
Scientists at McGill University used magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography to study the relationship between theta waves and auditory memory. They found that applying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at the same frequency as natural theta waves improved memory performance, while arrhythmic TMS had no effect.
More than one third of girls marry before reaching their 18th birthday in half of the 31 countries studied, posing health risks and controlling issues.
Young guillemots make a death-defying leap off towering cliffs before they can fly, guided by their fathers. This seemingly unlikely behavior actually provides a tradeoff between colony safety and fast growth rates at sea.
Researchers have discovered a natural molecule that can repair damaged axons, the thread-like projections carrying electrical signals between cells. The molecule, fusicoccin-A, harnesses 14-3-3 activity to stimulate axon growth, offering a promising strategy for treating brain and spinal cord injuries.
A McGill University and Health Canada study found that air pollution from wood burning increases the risk of heart attacks in seniors by 19% during cold seasons. The researchers suggest that tackling air pollution caused by fireplaces and woodstoves may improve public health.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered that targeting the biological clock in cancer cells can inhibit tumor growth. By 'repairing' the malfunctioning clock, tumors grew nearly half as fast as those without such intervention, suggesting a potential new way to treat cancer in humans.
McGill University has become the world's first Open Science academic institution, aiming to accelerate research and discovery of new treatments for neurological diseases. The MNI is opening its books to international partners, ensuring transparent data sharing on genomic and health data.
A McGill University study shows that the brain's opioid system is involved in experiencing musical pleasure. Researchers found that participants' favorite songs no longer elicited feelings of pleasure when their opioids were temporarily blocked.
Researchers at McGill University suggest that a link between global climate change and dramatic changes in ocean circulation can explain the formation of Antarctica's ice sheets. This new theory highlights the complexity of climate change and the impact of ocean circulation patterns on global temperatures.
Researchers argue that lax standards in human clinical trials lead to ineffective therapies and wasted resources, causing financial burdens on society. The researchers propose measures to strengthen standards, including requiring negative results from animal studies and independent expert vetting.
A large-scale study led by Dr. Laurent Azoulay found no association between androgen deprivation therapy and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in patients with advanced prostate cancer. The study analyzed data from nearly 31,000 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer over a 27-year period.
A study by McGill University researchers found that students from schools starting earlier slept less and were more likely to be tired in the morning. Delaying school start times could help Canadian teenagers sleep better and give them a better chance for success.
Ocrelizumab has been shown to significantly reduce new attacks in patients with relapsing MS, slow symptom progression in primary progressive MS, and decrease brain lesions. The drug also demonstrated lower rates of disability progression and fewer infusion-related reactions compared to placebo.
Researchers found that individuals with specific musical anhedonia showed reduced connectivity between auditory processing and the Nucleus Accumbens, a key reward structure. In contrast, those with high music sensitivity demonstrated enhanced connectivity, highlighting different pathways to reward for music and other stimuli.
Bacteria play a crucial role in determining the health of birds at the top of the food web. Seabirds feeding in areas rich in sulfate-reducing bacteria have high levels of mercury. This study suggests that bacteria provide a buffer to variation in mercury within the environment.
The new database provides a comprehensive overview of the world's lakes, with estimates of over 180,000 cubic kilometres of water stored in more than 1.4 million lakes. The study also reveals that lakes in hilly or mountainous regions tend to be deeper than those in flat landscapes.
Research at McGill University has identified a link between decreased X chromosome gene PPP2R3B expression and tumor progression in melanoma. The findings suggest that genetic specificity of the X chromosome plays a role in gender differences observed in melanoma prognosis.
Dr. Thomas Robinson is recognized for his creative interventions to combat childhood obesity, including dance classes and educational courses that show positive effects on cholesterol and insulin levels.
Research highlights how humans impact the evolution of other species, leading to rapid changes in a few years to decades. Examples include commercial fishing, invasive species, and urbanization, which drive evolutionary adaptations.
A four-week prehabilitation program has shown promising results in preparing cancer patients for surgery by improving their physical fitness and reducing recovery time. The study involved 116 colorectal cancer patients who underwent the program before undergoing surgery.
A debilitating neurological disease in children has been linked to mutations in the DENND5A gene, which regulates neuronal development through control of protein movement within neuronal cells. The study found that recessive loss-of-function mutations in DENND5A cause severe mental and physical disabilities.
ARSACS affects brain movement coordination due to gene alterations, leading to uncoordinated movements and muscle stiffness. Researchers will generate stem cells from skin biopsies to create neurons for new insights into cellular defects underlying the disease.
Researchers at McGill University's Montreal Neurological Institute will study motor neurons and astrocytes created from people with different forms of ALS via stem cell technology. The project aims to develop a potential screening mechanism for therapeutics and create new zebrafish models of the disease.
A recent survey found that men generally lack awareness of risk factors contributing to male infertility, with only about 50% identifying potential dangers. This lack of knowledge can lead to devastating psychological impact and stress on relationships, emphasizing the need for public education to promote reproductive health among men.
A study at McGill University found significant differences in how people from different cultures perceive and react to the same scents. Providing odour names reduced these cultural differences, suggesting that mental representations activated by sensory information are more diverse than those activated by knowledge of what the scent is.
Scientists have identified two sensory channels that transmit information to the brain about movement using fundamentally different approaches. The discovery suggests a legacy of the differences between navigating in water and air, with one channel sending smooth signals resembling sound waves and another rapid signals like drumbeats.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a new hip replacement that tricks the host bone into staying alive by mimicking the varying porosity of real bones. The implant is less solid than current ones but still strong, avoiding common problems such as bone resorption and pain.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics identified a rare genetic variation in the RNF213 gene that is linked to an increased risk of intracranial aneurysm in French-Canadian individuals. The study found that 10% of patients with IA had at least one of these variants, compared to 0% in controls.
A large international collaborative study sheds new light on the genetics behind essential tremor, finding a strong correlation between the disease and the gene STK32B. The study aims to recruit 10,000 additional patients to understand how these genes contribute to the development of the disease.
Researchers at McGill University found that taking beta blockers can increase the success rate of dental implants by up to 89%, while avoiding heartburn medication may also improve results. The study involved over 700 patients and confirmed its findings in rat studies.
A study by McGill University researchers found that the brain's biological clock regulates thirst in the hours leading up to sleep. By stimulating vasopressin release, the clock anticipates dehydration and increases water intake.
A new study by McGill University reveals that economic transitions, social shifts, and climate change are dramatically affecting the safety of Inuit during Arctic activities. The research connects life-endangering events to increasing costs of harvesting and travel, changing technology, and shifts in Indigenous knowledge.
International researchers have identified six main overarching themes in community initiatives that can potentially play a role in creating a future that is both more just and more sustainable. These include agroecology, green urbanism, future knowledge, urban transformation, fair futures, and sustainable futures.
As children get older, their moral evaluations of lies and truths become more nuanced, taking into account the consequences of actions. Younger children tend to view truth and lies as binary, while older kids consider the intentions behind words.
Researchers found that international trade shifts climate impact from consuming to producing regions in East Asia. Aerosols emitted through industrial production or fossil-fuel burning contribute to climate change, with stronger forcing in producing than consuming countries.
A new video game, Colony B, helps scientists analyze how microbes relate to lifestyle habits and health. The game correlates player data with survey information from the American Gut project, revealing potential links between microbial composition and human health.
Researchers found that activating cannabinoid signaling increases activity in retinal ganglion cells, allowing tadpoles to detect dimmer objects in low light. This discovery challenges previous understanding of cannabinoids' role in vision and provides a potential mechanism for their therapeutic use.
A simulated patient study sheds light on antibiotic misuse in Indian pharmacies, revealing that only a minority of urban Indian pharmacies correctly managed patients with presumed tuberculosis. The study found that pharmacies frequently dispensed antibiotics to patients presenting with TB symptoms without prescriptions.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective method using the Microsoft Kinect to evaluate gait abnormalities in multiple sclerosis patients. The device detects movement and computer algorithms quantify walking patterns, reducing human error. The technology shows promise for diagnosing gait pathology and tracking treatment effects.
A study using brain scans of musician Sting found unexpected connections between seemingly disparate songs, including Beatles' "Girl" and Piazzolla's "Libertango". The research employed novel techniques to analyze brain activity patterns, revealing rich representations of desired soundscapes in great musicianship.
Researchers at McGill University found that two rare minerals, stepanovite and zhemchuzhnikovite, have the same structure as man-made MOFs. This discovery opens up new possibilities for using these materials in various applications such as hydrogen storage and carbon sequestration.
Tiny drones are programmed to apply precise dots of ink to create portraits on paper, showcasing the potential for artistic collaboration between humans and machines.
A new study reveals a strong link between environmental conditions and search and rescue incidents in Nunavut, Canada. The risk of accidents peaks around -3 C temperatures, posing significant challenges to Inuit hunting activities and cultural identity.
Researchers found that existing depression screening tools do not accurately identify 6- to 18-year-olds with depression. The study suggests that these tools may incorrectly label non-depressed children as depressed, leading to potential misuse of psychiatric medications and resources.