Researchers used digital checkout data from Montreal neighborhoods to monitor food choices and socioeconomic factors. The study found that lower-income neighborhoods consume more soft drinks, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to encourage healthier diets.
A collaborative study by McGill University researchers found that cortical thickness is linked to changes in full-scale IQ, contradicting earlier assumptions. The study discovered significant increases or decreases in IQ were associated with exaggerated or normal cortical thinning, respectively.
A study by McGill University researchers shows that climate change has led to a decrease in ocean salinity, creating a freshwater lid that prevents mixing with warm waters underneath. This has resulted in the suppression of naturally rare events like the Antarctic polynya and contributed to the shrinking of Antarctic Bottom Water.
Researcher Timothy Johns advocates for valuing environmental and health benefits of small-scale local farming to combat malnutrition and chronic diseases. Smallholder farmers can increase productivity and sustainability with access to improved technology.
Dr. Brenda Milner, a cognitive neuroscience pioneer, has received the Dan David Prize for combating memory loss. Her groundbreaking research has had a profound impact on clinical domains, including traumatic injury and degenerative diseases.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a technique to increase the toughness of glass by creating patterns of micro-cracks, mimicking the structure of nacre. This process increases glass's resistance to shattering and can be easily scaled up for larger glass sheets.
Scientists from McGill University and Sandia National Laboratories have successfully tested the 'Luttinger liquid' model, a mathematical prediction for one-dimensional quantum physics. The experiment measures the effect of electrical current on nearby wires, showing increased friction at low temperatures.
A new brain-imaging technique allows people to monitor and control their brain activity in real time, enabling the training of specific targeted brain regions. MEG is being explored as a potential therapeutic tool for various neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions.
A recent study by McGill University researchers discovered a direct link between brain metabolism and signaling, which may explain why seizures in some epilepsy patients can be controlled with a specially formulated diet. The research also found that the mitochondria of brain cells play a crucial role in energy production and signaling.
Researchers at McGill University have identified the cIAP2 enzyme as a key player in resisting flu infections by protecting lung tissue from damage. By enhancing body resistance to the virus, this discovery opens up new possibilities for controlling and treating influenza.
Researchers from McGill University have identified two transcription factors controlling the expression of genes involved in GBM tumourigenesis. Impairing these proteins could significantly reduce the ability of brain tumour-initiating cells to give rise to brain tumors.
A study by McGill University found significant disparities in health spending efficiency between men and women across 27 industrialized nations. The analysis showed that men experienced greater life expectancy gains per dollar spent on healthcare compared to women.
A McGill study suggests that a father's diet before conception plays a crucial role in the health of their offspring. The research found that paternal folate levels may be as important as those of the mother, with potential consequences for birth defects and long-term development.
A team of international scientists has published studies revealing a submarine earthquake caused the devastating 2011 tsunami in Japan's Tohoku region. The findings suggest that other zones in the northwest Pacific may be at risk of similar huge earthquakes due to unusually thin and slippery geological faults.
A brain reward gene variant has been linked to childhood obesity and tasty food choices, especially in girls, according to a new study. The genetic predisposition combines with environmental stress and emotional well-being to drive consumption of foods that promote obesity.
McGill University has made its online game Phylo available globally to connect thousands of scientists with hundreds of thousands of gamer-citizens scientists. Players have already contributed over 4,000 puzzle solutions based on genomic data.
A new study from McGill University has discovered that nerve cells have a special mechanism, known as the 'pre-assembly' technique, which enables rapid protein production at synapses. This allows the brain to quickly form memories and adapt to new experiences, with potential implications for treating neurodevelopmental disorders.
A McGill University team has identified a key gene that regulates how wheat responds to excess rainfall and humidity, potentially preventing the loss of $1 billion annually. This discovery in epigenetic factors may also improve yields and quality of other cereals like barley.
Researchers at McGill University discover that excessive axonal pruning, rather than cell body death, plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases. Protecting axons from degeneration may be key to developing novel therapies for these conditions.
A team of University of Montreal and McGill researchers has developed a new method to link signaling molecules to target regulators of cell division. This method could provide valuable insights into the processes underlying cell division and potentially reveal new targets for cancer treatment.
Researchers at McGill University have created DNA 'cages' that can encapsulate small-molecule drugs and release them in response to a specific stimulus. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize drug delivery methods, offering precise control over drug release and reducing toxicity.
A study by McGill University and Oxford University found that learning a second language after infancy stimulates new neural growth and connections. The research suggests that the difficulty of learning a second language later in life may be due to structural changes in the brain.
A new study has identified a fundamental biological process controlling the body's circadian clock, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating circadian clock-related disorders. The research found that removing a repressor protein improved brain clock function, enabling mice to adapt to time zone changes faster.
Scientists at McGill University have identified a unique 'on/off' switch for a major neurotransmitter receptor in the brain, known as the kainate receptor. This discovery highlights a new target for drug development to treat diseases such as epilepsy and neuropathic pain.
Researchers found that individuals at high risk for alcoholism experience a greater dopamine response when drinking, which may contribute to increased desire for rewards and counteract the sedative effects of alcohol. This study provides insight into the causes of addiction and could mark an important step toward developing treatment o...
McGill researchers have identified a cluster of cells in the brain that react to unexpected motion, enabling us to maintain our balance. This finding has significant implications for understanding the neural basis of motion sickness.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a method to join nanoparticles together using ultrasound, forming strong agglomerates without changing their useful properties. This discovery could lead to the development of new hybrid materials with various everyday applications, such as improving catalytic converters in car exhausts.
Researchers at McGill University have found that cranberry derivatives can inhibit bacteria from sticking to surfaces, potentially preventing infections in medical devices such as catheters. The study's findings also suggest that cranberries may play a role in preventing chronic infections, which are a major public health concern.
A major step forward in understanding plant gene regulation has been made with the creation of a genomic map that localizes regulatory regions in plant genomes. This map will help scientists identify key genomic regions controlling traits important to farmers.
Researchers from McGill University have developed a method to use iron nanoparticles as catalysts in water-ethanol mixtures, overcoming the limitation of rusting in the presence of oxygen or water. This innovation enables the possibility of replacing platinum-series metals for hydrogenation under industrial conditions.
The BigBrain atlas provides nearly cellular resolution, allowing researchers to see details close to the level of individual cells. This high-resolution model can be used for various applications such as computational modeling, simulating brain functions and analyzing data from MRIs and PET scans.
A study by McGill University researchers found that blocking the activity of a specific receptor can reverse memory pathology and improve cerebrovascular function in mice with advanced Alzheimer's disease. The treatment also reduced toxic amyloid-beta peptide levels, which contribute to neuronal and vascular dysfunction.
A global study of ocean nitrogen cycle changes at the end of the last ice age confirms the oceans' ability to balance on a global scale. However, the data suggests it is a slow process that may take centuries or millennia, highlighting concerns about current rapid changes.
A new study by McGill University researchers suggests that the nervous system and nerve-growth factor (NGF) play a major role in arthritis. The findings support the idea that reducing elevated NGF levels may be an important strategy for developing treatment of arthritis pain.
Researchers at McGill University found that Leavenworthia plants regained self-pollen recognition function by taking over two other genes. This study suggests that the loss of complex traits may not always be irreversible in plants.
McGill researchers used computational tools to examine the solutions immune systems may use to detect small concentrations of foreign antigens in a sea of self-antigens. The study found that almost all solutions shared a common core structure or motif, revealing a surprisingly simple solution related to biochemical adaptation.
A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that childhood cognitive ability accounts for more than two-thirds of the association between cognitive ability and cortical thickness in old age. The research used standardized intelligence tests and MRI brain scans to compare the results of 588 people taken at different ages.
Researchers detected a magnetar suddenly rotate slower, dubbed an 'anti-glitch', revealing puzzling behavior in the internal structure of neutron stars. This finding may lead to renewed progress in understanding these exotic objects.
A bacterium discovered in the Canadian High Arctic can survive at –15°C, the coldest temperature ever recorded for bacterial growth. This microbe adapts to extreme conditions by modifying its cell structure and producing molecular antifreeze, providing insights into the possibility of life on Mars.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that taking calcium supplements up to 1,000 mg per day can lower the risk of death in women. The research, conducted on 9,033 Canadians over 12 years, showed no benefit for men and no conclusive evidence that vitamin D has an impact on mortality.
McGill University researchers have discovered the three-dimensional structure of the Parkin protein, which protects neurons from cell death due to damaged mitochondria. The study's findings suggest that designing mutations in Parkin could provide better protection for nerve cells and potentially slow disease progression.
A new study by McGill University confirms that a daily dose of 400 IU vitamin D is sufficient for infants under 1 year of age. The research followed 132 infants and found no additional benefits from higher doses.
Astronomers discovered a rare galaxy that turns gas into stars with near 100% efficiency, outperforming even the most efficient engines. This highly tuned galaxy forms stars at a rate hundreds of times faster than our Milky Way, with the majority of its starlight emitted by a small region.
A recent study at McGill University found that the nucleus accumbens and auditory cortex interact to assign value to music through pattern recognition and prediction. This interaction involves ancient dopaminergic reward circuitry and is essential for our survival and emotional experiences.
McGill researchers demonstrate ability to modulate light using laser-pulse inputs to manipulate quantum mechanical state of semiconductor nanocrystals. This breakthrough could lead to the development of optical transistors, which would enable faster and more efficient data processing in telecommunications networks.
A new study by McGill University researchers finds that bone marrow transplantation treatment reduces MS relapse activity by diminishing Th17 cell function. The treatment has been shown to be effective in patients with aggressive forms of MS, providing new insights into the disease's mechanisms.
A large community sample of adolescents found that regular family suppers were associated with fewer emotional and behavioral problems, greater emotional well-being, and higher life satisfaction. The study suggests that family mealtimes provide opportunities for open interactions and teaching positive health behaviors.
A team of scientists identified a novel mechanism by which CD4 T cells expressing NKG2C can target brain cells in Multiple Sclerosis patients. This discovery could lead to improved treatments aiming to decrease disease progression and symptoms, without the risk of potentially lethal infections.
Astronomers use ALMA to detect 26 distant galaxies, revealing the most distant detection of water in the cosmos. The findings show that star birth bursts occurred much earlier than previously thought, with some galaxies as bright as 40 trillion Suns.
Researchers found that a protein synthesis blocker can significantly reduce fear and stress in rats after they experienced a mildly traumatic event. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that this approach could have clinical implications for treating posttraumatic stress disorder.