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McGill University


The media love men... bad news for women

A study published in the American Sociological Review found that media coverage is dominated by men, with 82% of names being men's. Despite significant social and economic advances, women continue to be underrepresented in media coverage.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateOct 1, 2015

Wrangling proteins gone wild

Researchers at McGill University have developed a suite of computer programs to speed up the process of drug discovery for diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's. The Fibrilizer program analyzes billions of possible genetic mutations to find weak spots in toxic protein strands, potentially leading to new treatments.

SourceMcGill University·JournalBioinformatics·DateSep 29, 2015

Predicting arrhythmias so as to prevent them

Scientists have discovered a method to predict certain types of cardiac arrhythmias, allowing for potential prevention and improved heart health. The researchers used mathematical modeling to analyze the transition from normal to abnormal heartbeat patterns in embryonic chicken cells.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 28, 2015

Choosing to end it all

Research by Dr. Fabrice Jollant found that high-risk decision-making among parents of individuals who committed suicide may contribute to their vulnerability. The study suggests that cognitive training and neurostimulation techniques can help improve decision-making skills, reducing the risk of suicide.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·DateAug 27, 2015

Harnessing the butterfly effect

A new method developed by McGill University professor Shaun Lovejoy could significantly improve atmospheric forecasting accuracy, particularly over long periods. By leveraging the atmosphere's long-term memory, Lovejoy's approach shows promise in explaining the 'pause' in global warming since 1998.

SourceMcGill University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 18, 2015

Breakthrough in 'marriage-broker' protein

Scientists at McGill University have made a breakthrough in understanding the role of Netrin1, a protein that brings cells together and maintains their healthy relationships. The study used genetic technology to remove all Netrin1 from mouse embryos, revealing a greater disruption of the nervous system than previously thought.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 12, 2015

Pesticides: More toxic than previously thought?

A McGill University study found that insecticides can alter the behavior of individual spiders, including their ability to capture prey and explore new territories. The effects on male and female spiders were also distinct, with females being more affected in their ability to capture prey.

SourceMcGill University·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateAug 6, 2015

Waiting for pleasure

A study published in European Journal of Neuroscience found that the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens work together to make decisions about time and reward. Effective 'disconnection' of these structures can lead to impulsive behavior, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·DateAug 4, 2015

Our elegant brain: Motor learning in the fast lane

Researchers at McGill University discovered that a small cluster of brain cells in the cerebellum engage in elegant computations to quickly compare expected and actual sensory feedback. This allows neurons to rapidly readjust and form new patterns in the brain to accomplish tasks.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 3, 2015

Taking the pain out of office work

Researchers at McGill University found that treadmill workstations lower neck and shoulder muscle activity, leading to less discomfort. The study suggests that minor movements and adjustments can help prevent muscle pain in office workers.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology·DateJul 7, 2015

Could black phosphorus be the next silicon?

Researchers at McGill University and Université de Montréal report that black phosphorus can help overcome the challenge of designing energy-efficient transistors. The material's two-dimensional properties allow electrons to move in only two dimensions, making it a promising candidate for future electronics.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2015

His and her pain circuitry in the spinal cord

Researchers found that male and female mice process pain using different cells, with female mice relying on T cells to sound the pain alarm. This discovery has far-reaching implications for developing targeted pain medications and highlights the need for more inclusive preclinical research.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 29, 2015

Proximity to bike-sharing stations augments property values

A study by McGill University researchers found that homes near BIXI bike-sharing stations in central Montreal saw an average increase of 2.7% in sales price, with each station valued at $700 more in property value. The study suggests that other cities with similar systems may also experience similar effects on housing prices.

SourceMcGill University·JournalTransport Policy·DateJun 23, 2015

Quantum physics on tap

Researchers at McGill University successfully tested the Tomonaga-Luttinger theory by creating a mini-faucet that slowed down superfluid helium flow as predicted. The experiment pushed the limits of nanoscale understanding, shedding light on cooperation among atoms in superfluid states.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 15, 2015

A better way to build DNA scaffolds

The McGill team has devised a method to create longer DNA strands, including custom-designed sequence patterns, using an enzyme called ligase and polymerase. This approach produces large amounts of these longer strands in just a few hours, making the process potentially more economical and commercially viable than existing techniques.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2015

Finding the body clock's molecular reset button

Researchers at McGill and Concordia universities have discovered a mechanism that explains how light regulates protein synthesis in the brain, affecting the function of the circadian clock. The study found that phosphorylation of key proteins plays a pivotal role in resetting the body's internal clock.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 27, 2015

Flameproof falcons and hawks

A Cooper's hawk in Greater Vancouver has been found with the highest levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) ever recorded, significantly higher than levels in California or China.

SourceMcGill University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateApr 22, 2015

Could maple syrup help cut use of antibiotics?

Researchers found that a concentrated maple syrup extract makes disease-causing bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics, leading to lower antibiotic usage. The extract also reduces biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria, making it a potentially simple and effective approach for reducing antibiotic resistance.

SourceMcGill University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 16, 2015

Tango dancing benefits Parkinson's patients

A new study by McGill University researchers found that a 12-week tango course improved balance and functional mobility in 40 Parkinson's patients, while also showing modest benefits in cognitive functions. The dance style's social interaction and physical activity may have therapeutic value for PD patients.

SourceMcGill University·JournalComplementary Therapies in Medicine·DateApr 13, 2015

Domestic violence deters contraception

A global study published in PLOS One found that women who experience domestic violence are less likely to use contraception, exposing them to sexually transmitted diseases. The research suggests that partner violence has a causal effect on women's use of contraception.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 31, 2015

Genetics: No evidence of role in racial mortality gap

A new study by McGill University researchers found that genetic data from African and European populations did not explain the racial mortality gap in cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle, education, and socio-economic factors are now considered more promising avenues for understanding racial health disparities. The study suggests that fu...

SourceMcGill University·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateMar 16, 2015

Honey, I shrunk the ants: How environment controls size

A McGill University team has identified a mechanism by which environmental factors influence the expression of genes controlling complex traits. By manipulating DNA methylation levels, researchers were able to create variation in worker ant sizes, shedding light on the interplay between genetics and environment in shaping these traits.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 11, 2015

Brain development controlled by epigenetic factor

McGill researchers have discovered a key epigenetic regulator controlling hippocampus development, which has implications for intellectual disability, Alzheimer's disease, and human brain development. The study sheds new light on the interaction between epigenetic control and neural stem cells.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 10, 2015

Most information in drug development is lost

A McGill University study reveals that only 37% of registered drug trials in cancer, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases were published between 2005 and 2009. The findings highlight the importance of sharing information from stalled drug trials to improve care, protect patients, and discover better drugs.

Popular antioxidant likely ineffective, study finds

A recent study by McGill University researchers has found that ubiquinone, a widely believed antioxidant, is unlikely to provide benefits for cell protection. The study used mice with controlled ubiquinone biosynthesis levels and discovered no signs of oxidative damage despite the loss of the substance.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 6, 2015

'Blue-green algae' proliferating in lakes

A global study reveals a rapid increase in cyanobacteria levels in lakes over the past two centuries, with alarming acceleration since the mid-20th century. The research highlights the potential for toxic algal blooms to contaminate drinking water and pose serious health risks.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEcology Letters·DateFeb 26, 2015

Communicating emotions

Researchers at McGill University found that visual cues are crucial in recognizing emotions conveyed by music, whereas speech relies on acoustic cues. In their study, participants identified emotions better with video and audio combined compared to just audio or speech alone.

SourceMcGill University·JournalQuarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology·DateFeb 24, 2015

Can you judge a man by his fingers?

Researchers at McGill University found that men with short index fingers and long ring fingers are more agreeable and less quarrelsome with women. This unexpected phenomenon may be linked to fetal exposure to hormones during pregnancy.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateFeb 18, 2015

Revolutionary new probe zooms in on cancer cells

Researchers at McGill University developed a powerful new intraoperative probe for detecting cancer cells in real time during surgery. The Raman spectroscopy probe has a greater than 92% accuracy in identifying invasive brain cancers, and its use may improve patient outcomes by reducing cancer recurrence and extending survival times.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 11, 2015

Smoking thins vital part of brain

A major study by McGill University and the University of Edinburgh found that long-term smoking causes thinning of the brain's cortex, accelerating cognitive decline. Stopping smoking helps restore part of the cortex's thickness, but recovery is slow and incomplete.

SourceMcGill University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateFeb 10, 2015

Pick a card, any card

A study by McGill University researchers found that people tend to choose options that are more salient or attention-grabbing, but may not be aware of why they chose them. In a card trick experiment, participants chose the target card in over 90% of trials, despite feeling they had a free choice.

SourceMcGill University·JournalConsciousness and Cognition·DateFeb 9, 2015

Invasive species in the Great Lakes by 2063

The Great Lakes are vulnerable to future invasions due to the lack of effective regulations. Scientists predict new waves of invaders and identify key species that could arrive in the next 50 years, posing threats to native biodiversity and the multibillion-dollar fishery.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Great Lakes Research·DateJan 29, 2015

Blame it on your brain: Salt and hypertension

A study by McGill University scientists found that high salt intake affects brain circuits, preventing the inhibition of neurons that release vasopressin and leading to increased blood pressure. The research suggests that limiting dietary salt may help mitigate hypertension.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuron·DateJan 22, 2015

Current nutrition labeling is hard to digest

A study by McGill University researchers found that the Nutrition Facts label is ineffective in improving nutrition and highlights conflicts between healthy options. In contrast, a new labeling system called NuVal resolves these conflicts and enables quick nutritious choices, potentially helping stem the global obesity epidemic.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2015

The secret of empathy

A new study published in Current Biology found that stress caused by being around strangers limits empathy, but playing games together can increase it. Researchers discovered that spending just 15 minutes playing Rock Band with a stranger can move them from an 'stranger zone' to an 'empathy zone'.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 15, 2015

New strains of parasites identified

A recent study by Ria Ghai has identified three genetically distinct groups of whipworms, with only one being transmissible between humans and non-human primates. This discovery has significant public health implications and highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect endangered species.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 12, 2015

Better dam planning strategies

Researchers created a new method to estimate global dam impacts on river flow and fragmentation using precise world map data. The study found that 48% of the world's river volume is moderately or severely affected by dams, with this number doubling if all planned dams are completed.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 7, 2015

Social equity in urban transportation planning

A recent study published in Transport Policy found that many North American cities prioritize environmental and congestion-reduction goals over social-equity objectives. Researchers analyzed 18 metropolitan areas and identified clear indicators for promoting social equity, such as changes in accessibility to desired destinations and di...

SourceMcGill University·JournalTransport Policy·DateJan 7, 2015

Having a hard time focusing?

A research team at McGill University has identified a complex of neurons in the lateral prefrontal cortex that interact to filter visual information while ignoring distractions. The discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding diseases such as autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuron·DateJan 7, 2015