A study by McGill University found that those who experienced more pandemic-related worry had reduced information processing speed and ability to retain information needed for tasks. Pandemic worry also predicted individuals' tendency to distort described risk levels, which may influence decisions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Researchers at McGill University create injectable hydrogel that forms stable structure allowing cells to grow and repair injured organs. The material's toughness and porosity make it suitable for heart, muscle, and vocal cord repair.
A new marine reptile fossil from 130-million-year-old rocks in Colombia has revealed a unique dentition allowing it to eat large prey. The discovery clarifies the evolutionary tree of ichthyosaurs and tests new ideas on their evolution.
Researchers found that dopamine stimulates female songbirds' preference for certain songs, affecting mating choice and memory. By manipulating dopamine levels, the team demonstrated lasting changes in song preferences, advancing our understanding of auditory perception.
A new article from McGill University researchers advocates for bolstering planetary biosecurity to address potential biological contamination risks from space missions. Early detection and rapid response protocols, informed by knowledge gained from invasion science, are crucial for preventing the spread of alien biological contaminants.
A global study reveals that industrial fishing has drastically altered the size spectrum theory in oceans, leading to a drastic loss of large fish and whales. Researchers estimate that losses caused by industrial fishing and whaling over the past century are greater than potential biomass losses due to climate change scenarios.
A new study by McGill University researchers found that COVID-19 lockdowns disproportionately affected graduate students' mental health, particularly among women. Women reported more stress related to remote teaching and caregiving responsibilities, leading to increased depressive symptoms.
Researchers at McGill University developed a new technique to manipulate DNA methylation levels at specific genes using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This approach enables targeted demethylation of genes associated with diseases, such as insulin gene dysregulation in diabetes.
A recent study by McGill University researchers found that hunter-gatherer societies were limited by the seasonal availability of food, with groups in short-growing seasons requiring a high percentage of meat in their diets. This finding is supported by ethnographic observations and simulations using a mathematical model.
A team of computer scientists has developed a secure identity verification method based on zero-knowledge proof, ensuring that information cannot be replicated by hackers. The new method uses two physically separated prover-verifier pairs to confirm identities, eliminating the possibility of collusion and increasing security.
The Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro has partnered with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute to promote collaboration and information sharing in brain research. This partnership aims to accelerate the pace of discovery and bring novel treatments to patients with neurological disorders.
A new study reveals that deforestation in the Gran Chaco has led to the disappearance of over 20% of homesteads inhabited by forest-dependent people. The research highlights the significant social impacts of agricultural expansion on these communities, who rely on the forests for their livelihoods.
A study of cross-cultural differences in COVID-19 knowledge and attitudes found that people in Europe and the US had the lowest knowledge and adherence to safety measures. In contrast, people in the Middle East and Asia were more aware of COVID-19 and took greater precautions.
McGill researchers have discovered how bacteria create cyanophycin granules, a reserve of nitrogen and energy. The study uses cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography to visualize the active enzyme in action, opening up possibilities for biotech applications.
Researchers warn that global warming could make the Amazon barren, the Midwest tropical, and India too hot to live in by 2500. Climate models project a future where vegetation and crop-growing areas shift towards the poles, leading to drastic changes and potential human fatalities.
A study found that older adults were more willing to donate to charities within their own country compared to international charities. They also showed greater compliance with public health guidelines, particularly for physical distancing.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered how blue mussels fabricate underwater adhesives in just 2-3 minutes. The adhesive is created by mixing metal ions with fluid proteins, and its unique properties make it ideal for use in wet environments such as surgical or dental treatments.
An international team led by McGill University is developing biomarkers to identify people with REM sleep behavior disorder at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and dementia. The team will study over 430 participants, including those with the disorder and healthy controls, to develop targeted therapies.
Researchers from McGill University found that unmasked individuals can spread COVID-19 airborne particles up to 70% within a 2-meter radius, highlighting the need for mask-wearing and ventilation. The study suggests that current guidelines relying solely on physical distancing may not be sufficient to prevent transmission.
McGill University scientists created a new glass and acrylic composite material mimicking nacre for exceptional strength and durability. The material is three times stronger and five times more fracture-resistant than regular glass, with potential applications in phone screens and other industries.
A team of international researchers has unraveled the inner workings of C5aR2, a key receptor involved in inflammation and COVID-19. The study provides an additional opportunity for therapeutic targeting with new drug molecules to block its activation and inflammation response.
A study by McGill University reveals significant regional variation in Canada's nitrogen footprint, with Ontario and Quebec contributing the most. The research highlights the importance of understanding local drivers of nitrogen pollution to develop targeted solutions.
Researchers at McGill University found that smoking during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and birth defects. The study, which examined over nine million deliveries, also discovered that smoking mildly decreases the risk of preeclampsia.
A new study from McGill University reveals that delaying school start times can help reduce stress and improve coping skills in teenagers during times of crisis. The research found that allowing teens to follow their natural sleep-wake cycle led to improved mental health outcomes.
A team of scientists at McGill University has invented a smart device for personalized skin care inspired by the male diving beetle. The device collects and monitors body fluids while sticking to the skin's surface, paving the way for more accurate diagnostics and treatment for skin diseases like acne.
Researchers at McGill University identified proteins that drive cancer stem cells in brain tumours. Targeting the protein galectin1 may provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma when combined with radiation therapy. The study found significant improvement in tumour response to radiation therapy, resulting in expanded lifespan.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a new way to track genetically modified animals using artificial transgenes. The discovery provides a powerful tool for locating and managing escaped or released GM animals.
A new study reveals that the global demand for sand and gravel is in direct conflict with nearly half of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, primarily affecting health, environment, and society in low- and middle-income countries. The research highlights the need for effective management plans and policies to balance the pros an...
Researchers found that Indigenous Territories are as effective as Protected Areas in preserving forest's carbon stocks, with some areas showing up to 10% more carbon storage. The study suggests that securing land titles and formalizing forest co-governance can bring multiple benefits for both indigenous people and national governments.
A study by McGill University researchers found that planned hydropower dams could sever over 260,000 km of river, threatening free-flowing rivers globally. The dams would collectively generate less than 2% of the renewable energy needed by 2050 to keep global temperature increase below 1.5°C.
A new study demonstrates that artificial intelligence networks based on human brain connectivity can perform cognitive tasks efficiently. Researchers created a brain connectivity pattern and applied it to an artificial neural network, which performed cognitive memory tasks more flexibly and efficiently than other benchmark architectures.
A study from McGill University and France uses AI to identify factors predicting suicidal behavior in students, finding self-esteem as a major predictor. Approximately 17% of students exhibited suicidal behaviors, highlighting the need for large-scale screening tools.
Researchers from McGill University and Harvard University developed a simple test to measure creative potential, using the Divergent Association Task (DAT). The study found that naming unrelated words can predict creativity levels, with greater distances between words indicating higher creative abilities.
Researchers found that rhythm perception relies on two separate decisions: grouping and prominence, which are mutually informative. These decisions lead to our rhythmic intuitions, suggesting that speech processing involves complex inferences.
A study published in Journal of Experimental Biology found that Arctic seabirds are poorly adapted to cope with rising temperatures, leading to increased mortality rates. The researchers discovered that murres have an extremely poor ability to dissipate heat, making them more vulnerable to heat stress.
Research at McGill University found that patented biomedical inventions created by women are more likely to benefit women's health, addressing conditions like breast cancer and postpartum preeclampsia. However, female inventors face significant barriers, including lower commercialization rates and biases in early-stage feedback.
A new study using fecal stanols found that the Maya population in Itzan declined due to both droughts and wet periods, showing a link between climate extremes and population changes. The research provides insights into how ancient civilizations adapted to environmental issues like soil degradation and nutrient loss.
A study from McGill University found that songbirds use similar speech patterns to humans, including shorter elements in longer phrases. The researchers suggest that physical factors such as muscle fatigue and limited lung capacities may play a role in these patterns.
Climate warming has diminished the high-elevation flammability barrier, allowing fires to advance uphill in Western mountains. The area burning above 8,200 feet tripled in just over a decade, with rising temperatures extending fire territory to an additional 81,500 square kilometers.
A new study found that between 51-60% of the world's rivers stop flowing periodically, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in river science and management. Non-perennial rivers provide critical water sources and support biological diversity, but are often overlooked and mismanaged.
The CHIME/FRB catalogue reveals significant differences between repeater and non-repeater FRBs, with repeaters emitting more focused radio frequencies and bursting repeatedly. The discovery provides clues about the properties of FRBs and potentially offers an independent measurement of matter distribution in the Universe.
A new study from McGill University found no genetic evidence that vitamin D works as a protective measure against COVID-19. The study analyzed 14,134 individuals with COVID-19 and over 1.2 million without the disease, but found no difference between vitamin D levels and severity of illness.
Researchers found that early risers sleep an average of 1.1 hours longer on morning shifts, while night owls sleep two hours longer on evening shifts. Early risers also took more naps prior to their night shifts, compensating for their shorter nighttime sleep.
Scientists used accelerometers and audio recorders to study the behavior of Canada lynx, capturing detailed sounds of hunts, escapes, and social interactions. The findings provide valuable insight into the hunting habits and social dynamics of this elusive species.
Researchers at McGill University have gained new insight into the workings of perovskites, a semiconductor material that shows great promise for making high-efficiency, low-cost solar cells. They discovered a phenomenon known as quantum confinement occurs within bulk perovskite crystals, leading to the formation of 'quantum drops', whi...
Researchers find that hyper-enriched gold deposits form like soured milk, with butterfat particles clumping together to form a jelly. This process explains the rapid formation of these rare and valuable deposits, solving a decades-old scientific puzzle.
Global plant disease outbreaks are increasing, threatening global food supply, due to climate change and increased trade. Researchers call for improved detection systems, surveillance, and modeling to prevent disease outbreaks.
Researchers from McGill University studied threespine stickleback fish adapting to seasonal changes, finding genetic shifts that mirror past adaptations. The study's findings suggest predicting evolutionary future of populations under environmental stressors like climate change.
Researchers at McGill University studied bacterial movement through microfluidic environments to understand their navigational 'strategies'. The findings have implications for diagnosing infectious diseases, developing devices for genomics and bio computation, and maintaining human health.
Researchers at McGill University found that brain signals constantly adapt to synchronize visual and auditory inputs, using temporal recalibration to adjust our sense of time. This dynamic process enables us to perceive sounds and images as simultaneous, despite the different physical velocities and neural processing speeds.