A Montreal-led international team identified the mutated gene POLR3A as responsible for three forms of leukodystrophies, a group of childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorders. The findings provide crucial insights into diagnostic tests and genetic counseling, as well as potential therapeutic strategies to replace defective genes.
A recent study by McGill University researchers found that biodiversity is essential for maintaining multiple ecosystem services across different years, places, and environmental conditions. The study suggests that many species are needed to maintain ecosystem services, rather than just a few, and highlights the importance of conservin...
A new study by McGill University researchers suggests that people tend to eat healthier at home due to emotional associations with the meal. The study, based on data from 160 women, found that positive emotions triggered at home lead to better food choices.
Dr. Ed Ruthazer's study shows that environmental stimulation enhances visual acuity and refines nerve cell connections in developing brains. The research identifies molecular mechanisms underlying the changes, including the activation of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which plays a key role in plasticity.
Researchers used a long-armed robot to track the fate of over 2000 baker's yeast populations for many generations, observing evolutionary rescue and adaptation to environmental stress. The study found that slow environmental deterioration and previous contact with other populations can increase the likelihood of survival.
A study by McGill University found that socio-economic status affects Canadians' health-related quality of life from a young age. The research analyzed data from 17,000 Canadians and found that poorer individuals start out less healthy than their wealthier counterparts and remain so over their lifetimes.
A new study reveals that bacteria living in mosses on tree branches contribute to nutrient dynamics, sustaining the long-term productivity of coastal temperate rainforests. Large, ancient trees provide habitat for mosses and cyanobacteria, which fix nitrogen and fertilize the forest.
Developing better modeling techniques for protein folding is vital to creating effective pharmaceutical treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The new algorithm can predict protein folding in 10 minutes on a laptop, improving upon classical methods that required hundreds of thousands of CPU hours.
Researchers are working closely with indigenous communities to develop interventions to address the health impacts of climate change. Pilot projects include medicinal herb gardens, online traditional health knowledge banks, and agricultural training programs.
A new, global database of large dams and reservoirs has been created to inform sustainable river-flow management. The Global Reservoir and Dam database (GRanD) contains information on 6,862 dams and their associated reservoirs, providing a holistic view of entire river basins.
A new study developed by McGill Professor Roussos Dimitrakopoulos has created more accurate mine planning models that take into account uncertainty in the supply of minerals. This results in higher return on investment for mining companies while increasing metal production from the same asset.
A recent study by McGill biologist Jonathan Davies and colleagues suggests that the criteria for assessing risk of extinction in plants should be revised. The researchers found that species with small population sizes, even if not limited to a specific geographical range, can also be at high risk of extinction due to their youth.
A recent survey led by McGill Psychiatry Professor Amir Raz found that one in five respondents, mostly psychiatrists, have administered or prescribed placebos. The majority of responding psychiatrists (more than 60%) believe that placebos can have therapeutic effects.
A McGill research team identified two distinct disease-causing mutations in the IRF8 gene, which causes severe immunodeficiency and disseminated BCG infection. These findings led to a successful stem cell transplant that saved the life of a three-month-old baby girl.
A McGill biologist's findings raise doubts about the Differential Adhesion Hypothesis, proposing that repulsive cues may drive tissue formation instead of adhesion. The study reveals a cycle of adhesion followed by repulsion at embryonic cell boundaries.
Research reveals a strong correlation between unemployment and higher mortality rates, particularly among men. A causal relationship is suggested due to stress and socioeconomic status effects.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered high concentrations of CO2 in deep-sea volcanic ash deposits, confirming explosive eruptions can occur. This finding has significant implications for the global carbon cycle, particularly at mid-ocean ridges.
Researchers from McGill University found that cancer coverage has increased in Canadian newspapers over the past 20 years, with a greater emphasis on positivity and hope. However, the study also identified a gap in coverage of palliative care and psychological aspects of cancer.
The BCG World Atlas is a first-of-its-kind resource providing detailed information on current and past TB vaccination policies and practices across 180+ countries. Clinicians can use this atlas to inform diagnosis and treatment decisions, particularly for foreign-born adults with unclear vaccination histories.
A study published in Neurology has found that children with a specific gene variation are at higher risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis. The research identifies the HLA-DRB1 allele as a key factor in pediatric-onset MS, which can provide insights into disease causes and potentially lead to earlier diagnoses and new therapies.
Experts Jonathan Kimmelman and Alex John London argue that researchers predict success of interventions too optimistically in early stages of drug development. They suggest looking at past experiences and minimizing biases to improve estimates.
Researchers have created a global map suggesting climate change will disproportionately affect the world's poorest regions. The study forecasts potential changes in local populations for 2050, predicting that those living in hot, low-latitude areas such as Africa and South America will be most vulnerable to climate-related challenges.
A study published in Psychology and Health found that making a concrete plan and visualizing its execution leads to better food habits. Students who combined planning with visualization increased their fruit consumption twice as much as those who only planned.
Researchers discover that bacteria associated with mosses on tree branches are essential for nutrient dynamics, enabling the long-term productivity of coastal temperate rainforests. The study highlights the importance of preserving large old-growth trees to maintain these forests' health.
McGill researchers develop a cheap, portable paper-based filter to produce clean drinking water in emergency situations. The filter, coated with silver nanoparticles, is able to kill nearly all bacteria and produce water that meets EPA standards.
A detailed global map of critical phosphorus use and misuse has been produced, highlighting large imbalances in phosphorus application worldwide. The study reveals that both overuse and deficits occur in various regions, including sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
Researchers identified a gene signature that can accurately assess which breast cancer patients are at risk of relapse. The test has the potential to identify low-risk patients who may not require aggressive treatments, balancing risks against benefits.
A McGill University study reveals that listening to pleasurable music releases dopamine, a key player in emotional responses. The anticipation of enjoyable music also induces dopamine release, supporting the idea that music serves as an abstract reward.
A new study reveals that aggressive tumor cells lack the strong molecular 'glue' responsible for binding normal cells together. This allows tumor cells to break away, detach from their neighbors, and spread to other regions of the body.
Dr. Michael Wagner's research explores the use of identical rhymes in poetry to understand how languages use emphasis and prosody. The study reveals a systematic difference between French and English speakers' evaluation of poetry, which can help improve computer programmers' production of realistic speech.
McGill researchers develop method to evaluate pork quality using light waves, enabling more accurate sorting of meat according to export markets. The technique has potential to improve industry workers' jobs and production quality.
Scientists at McGill University's Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital have discovered that the brain can determine the shape of an object by processing specially-coded sounds, even without visual or tactile input. This new research provides important possibilities for aiding those who are blind or with impaired vision.
Researchers recreated a miniature event at the universe's origins using Einstein's E=mc2 equation and the Large Hadron Collider. Dr. Andreas Warburton and his team are searching for exotic new particles, which could help complete or contradict the Standard Model of Particle Physics.
Researchers from McGill University have discovered that mutations in the SCARF2 gene are responsible for Van Den Ende-Gupta syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder characterized by unique head and facial features. The study utilized a high-tech genome analyzing machine to quickly sequence coding portions of the human genome and id...
A team of McGill University researchers has developed a method to study energy transport along individual conductive polymer molecules, enabling the development of new technologies. By visualizing energy transport in various conformations, they aim to improve sensors and hybrid organic-inorganic light harvesting materials for solar cells.
McGill researchers discovered how cells identify and recycle proteins by capturing an image of the UBR box component. This finding holds promise for understanding and treating Johanson-Blizzard syndrome, a rare disease causing deformations and mental retardation.
A team of McGill chemists has discovered a technique that can identify the composition of pigments used in art work that is decades or even centuries old. The technique, known as photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy, analyzes the infrared spectra emitted by pigments when exposed to light, allowing researchers to classify 12 historically...
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a way to control the piezoelectric effect in nanoscale semiconductors called quantum dots. This enables the development of incredibly tiny new products with potential applications in solar power and nanoelectronic devices.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered that the facultative enzyme Mnk plays a key role in developing prostate cancer. By blocking Mnk's activity, mice became resistant to prostate cancer growth, offering hope for targeted treatments.
Researchers found that TB bacteria tip the balance between cell death types, affecting immune response. Drugs targeting eicosanoid production may offer new treatment options for TB.
A study by researchers at INRS–Institut Armand-Frappier and McGill University found that men with a history of asthma or eczema had a lower risk of developing lung and stomach cancers. The study analyzed data from 3,300 men diagnosed with cancer between 1979 and 1986.
An international team of researchers has effectively discovered a way to order molecules in conducting polymers, opening up possibilities for miniaturized electronics. The technique involves using an inorganic material as a template to create a conducting polymer, with the potential to produce continuous sheets and electronic circuits.
A team of researchers has discovered methane-eating bacteria that can thrive in extremely salty and cold environments, similar to those found on Mars. The microbes, which survive by eating methane and breathing sulfate instead of oxygen, have implications for the possibility of life existing on the Red Planet.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a way to control the normal expression of genes, including those active in cancer, through RNA interference. This breakthrough has important applications for laboratory research and could lead to the development of individually tailored cancer therapies.
Physicists at McGill University have developed a cantilever force sensor to measure the energy involved in adding electrons to semi-conductor nanocrystals. This innovation could lead to the development of components replacing silicon chips in computers, increasing speed and reducing size.
A new understanding of marine ecology has emerged, revealing that mussel populations are connected across vast distances through communication. This discovery has significant implications for the design of marine reserves and fisheries management.
Dr. William Muller's research reveals how a particular gene regulates epithelial cells, leading to the loss of polarity and contributing to breast tumor formation. Reintroducing the gene into tumors shows promise in restoring polarity, suggesting new avenues for cancer treatment.
The McGill University researchers will be working on various projects, including cancer research and bone degeneration, using the new funding. The Canada Foundation for Innovation's investment will help develop Canada's global reputation as a place where outstanding research and training is being conducted.
A new study combines two analytical techniques to provide a more accurate picture of the autistic brain, revealing regional differences in grey matter and potential markers for early therapy. The research provides critical insight into autism, shedding light on structural brain differences that may be related to enhanced perception abi...
McGill University researcher Prof. Claudio Cuello has genetically manipulated rats to emulate Alzheimer's disease in humans, allowing for the study of a suspected 'latent phase' previously impossible to predict. This breakthrough enables researchers to develop new treatments for the devastating brain condition.