A new study found significant variation in PCB concentrations among Icelandic orcas, with those eating mixed diets having up to 9 times higher levels. This contradicts earlier research and highlights the need for individualized assessments of health risks in killer whale populations.
Researchers at McGill University developed a novel approach using silicone and sugar to create the softest brain implant yet. The new implants have shown reduced inflammation and higher neuronal density compared to traditional hard implants.
A new study warns that major reductions in wetlands will disproportionately affect Afrotropical migratory waterbirds. The research highlights the urgent need for a holistic conservation strategy to address climate change impacts.
A team of researchers from McGill University has made a groundbreaking discovery about fast radio bursts (FRBs), revealing that they include lower frequency radio waves than previously detected. The study used the combined capacities of two radio telescopes, CHIME and LOFAR, to detect FRBs at frequencies as low as 110 MHz, shedding new...
A study by McGill University found that Canadians exposed to US-based information on social media are more likely to consume and spread COVID-19 misinformation. The researchers analyzed the behaviors of 200,000 active Canadian Twitter users and found that exposure to US news outlets was associated with misperceptions about COVID-19.
Climate change and pollution threaten narwhals, with mercury levels increasing significantly since the 1990s. The narwhal's tusk provides a window into changing conditions, revealing shifts in diet and exposure to pollutants over the past half century.
A recent study by McGill University researchers has mapped gene signatures to functional processes across the human brain, revealing key insights into cognitive and affective processes. The findings suggest that specific genetic signals are linked to attention and memory, while others are associated with emotions and fear.
Researchers from McGill University warn of worsening water scarcity in rural Alaska due to climate change. Households often rely on rainwater catchment and grey water recycling, but affordability remains a significant issue, with costs exceeding household income.
A study by McGill University researchers found that delaying second COVID-19 vaccine doses can have benefits, but effects depend on population immunity. Increasing vaccination rates or changing dosing regimes can mitigate longer-term epidemiological effects.
A new technique developed by McGill University scientists can detect ultra-trace quantities of plastics in various environmental samples, including snow, water, and soil. The technique allows for more accurate analysis of micro- and nano-plastics, shedding light on the widespread impact of plastic pollution on human health.
A new study at McGill University identifies a non-DNA based means by which sperm remember a father's environment and transmit that information to the embryo, affecting gene expression and leading to birth defects. The discovery opens new avenues for studying disease transmission and prevention.
The study found that many regions with high air pollution don't measure PM2.5 levels and have weak standards, while places like Canada and Australia have strict enforcement. High population density is not a barrier to fighting air pollution successfully, as seen in countries like Japan and Singapore.
A study published in Nature Communications found that a species' thermal tolerance is linked to its current climate and that cold tolerance has evolved faster than heat tolerance. This suggests that many species will not be able to adapt quickly enough to survive the unprecedented rate of contemporary climate change.
Researchers have discovered a link between increased levels of the protein OAS1 and reduced mortality and disease severity among patients with COVID-19. Boosting OAS1 levels through drugs may be explored to improve outcomes.
Scientists have identified a range of microbiome species never before detected in human milk, which change significantly between early and late lactation. These bacteria are thought to protect the infant gastrointestinal tract and improve aspects of long-term health, such as allergy prevention and toxin resistance.
A recent paper from McGill University suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to sustainability is not feasible due to regional complexities. The researchers propose envisioning diverse desirable futures, nurturing seeds of sustainability, and navigating emerging pathways to create a more sustainable future. This approach acknowledg...
A recent study led by McGill University found that the Pacific and Caribbean crocodile populations have been separated for approximately 100,000 years, contradicting previous expectations of 3 million years. This discovery was made possible by reconstructing Ice Age sea levels and analyzing genetic variations in the crocodiles' genomes.
A study from McGill University reveals a persistent gender gap in hiring, with women earning 64% of PhD degrees in archaeology but making up only 46% of assistant professors. The researchers suggest that subtle practices and inhospitable working environments may be contributing to the attrition rates of women in academia.
New study by McGill University researchers reveals that super-Earths can form independently, without gas shells like mini-Neptunes. This contradicts previous theories and sheds new light on the mysterious origins of these exoplanets.
Researchers from McGill University found that people who report greater personal well-being are easier for others to perceive on a first date. This suggests that individuals with higher self-esteem and life satisfaction may be more authentic in their interactions, making them more accessible to accurate interpretation.
A study found that communities with low monetization have remarkably high levels of happiness, comparable to Scandinavian countries. The researchers interviewed 678 people and found that social and economic factors play a bigger role in higher monetized sites.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a possible mechanism that contributes to LSD's ability to increase social interaction, activating serotonin receptors and AMPA receptors in the prefrontal cortex. The findings could lead to the development of novel therapies for anxiety and autism disorders.
Researchers studied seabirds' flight performance and found that birds with larger muscle fibers flew faster despite beating their wings less frequently. They also discovered that birds with a higher number of nuclei in their muscle cells could activate more muscle fibers to power flight.
A recent study by McGill University finds that methane emissions from abandoned oil and gas wells in the US and Canada are significantly higher than previously estimated. The research estimates that these wells emit more methane gas than government records suggest, with implications for climate change.
A team of researchers identified a new species of praying mantis thanks to fossilized wing imprints. The discovery sheds light on wing evolution among mantises and advances scientific understanding of their evolution. The study uses Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) to analyze the intricate network of veins in the fossils.
A new model developed by researchers at McGill University predicts that warming waters will reduce the ability of large fish to extract oxygen from their environment, impairing their physiological performance. The study's findings suggest that global warming could limit the aerobic capacity of fish worldwide.
A study from McGill University found that mothers with multiple children experience more fragmented sleep patterns compared to mothers of a single child. However, fathers with multiple children do not exhibit significant differences in sleep quality.
A study by McGill University researchers found that child marriage remains a practice in Canada, with the majority of marriages being common-law unions. The study highlights the need for innovative approaches to address the issue and sheds light on the persistence of child marriage in the country.
A recent study identifies Canada's most critical areas for ecosystem services, including freshwater, carbon storage, and nature-based recreation. The research highlights the need to protect these areas from human activities that threaten their conservation.
A new study by researchers at McGill University projects that the threshold for dangerous global warming will be crossed between 2027 and 2042. This is a narrower window than previous estimates, with expected warming being about 10 to 15 percent lower.
A study published in Nursing Outlook found that nurse practitioners significantly reduced costs and improved patient safety in six long-term care facilities in Quebec, with cost savings ranging from $1.9 to $3.2 million. The introduction of nurse practitioners also led to a reduction in nursing administration time for medications.
A study of over 150 countries links Internet penetration with migration intentions and behaviours, suggesting that digital connectivity plays a key role in shaping migration decisions. The association between Internet use and intention to migrate is stronger among women and those with less education, particularly for economic migrants.
Plant communities shifted towards more terrestrial plants and trees, despite dramatic climate changes. Researchers found that rainfall patterns remained relatively minor and short-lived during the mass extinction event.
Researchers found that ketamine works by targeting specific brain proteins involved in memory formation, specifically 4E-BPs. The study suggests a potential new approach to treating major depressive disorder, particularly for patients resistant to standard antidepressants.
A study of 40,000 adults found that lonely individuals have distinct brain regions and networks, including a stronger default network and preserved fornix nerve fibers. This could help prevent neurological disease and develop better treatments for loneliness.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that young adults with higher levels of perceived social support reported lower levels of depression and anxiety symptoms one year later. This suggests that promoting and leveraging social support can be beneficial for mental health outcomes.
A McGill University-led research team analyzed over 200,000 groundwater samples and found that current guidelines may need revision to reflect modern uses and technologies. The study suggests that existing wells already encroach on 'bases of fresh water' and brackish waters exist within current groundwater basins.
Researchers analyzed protein sequences of SARS-CoV2 virus and host cell receptors to find commonalities among animals susceptible to infection. Greater cellular oxidation may predispose the elderly and those with underlying health conditions to more severe infection.
A large multi-site study has found a link between brain connectivity and grey matter atrophy caused by certain types of epilepsy. The study used big data analysis to accurately predict damage to grey matter over time.
A study of 44 infants found that half never slept 8 hours consecutively, and parents' perceptions of infant sleep vary greatly. Researchers suggest that understanding these differences is key to supporting healthy sleep habits in infancy.
A new study by McGill University researchers demonstrates that changes in the Antarctic ice sheet were driven by melting ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere. The team used numerical modeling and geological records to simulate simultaneous changes in sea levels and ice dynamics, revealing a complex connection between the two hemispheres.
A McGill University-led team found that extreme population declines among a small number of vertebrate species drive the apparent global decline. Removing these outliers reveals a more hopeful picture of global biodiversity. The study provides reason for hope in conservation efforts.
A team of Canadian astronomers detected an intense radio burst from a nearby magnetar, lending weight to the theory that magnetars are behind at least some fast radio bursts. The findings suggest that magnetars could be responsible for some FRBs, but further research is needed to confirm this.
The study predicts extreme weather conditions on K2-141b, including supersonic winds and rocky rains, which can be detected from hundreds of light years away with next-generation telescopes. The team also found that two-thirds of the exoplanet faces perpetual daylight, leading to frigid temperatures on the night side.
A new technique has found extremely high stiffness in tiny regions of aggressive breast cancer tumors, suggesting only a few areas need to stiffen for metastasis to occur. This could lead to improved cancer detection and mapping.
McGill University professors have created an online COVID-19 vaccine tracker providing real-time updates on vaccine progress and characteristics. The tracker helps manage expectations about vaccine availability and promotes transparency in the regulatory process.
The study found that natural immunity is only weakly protective against reinfection, leading to larger outbreaks. Vaccines capable of eliciting strong immune responses can substantially reduce future caseloads.
Two small dinosaurs, Yi and Ambopteryx, had bat-like wings but struggled to fly, instead gliding between trees. Their unique wing membranes allowed them to glide, but not powered flight. The study supports that dinosaurs evolved flight in multiple ways before modern birds evolved.
A global study led by McGill University found that 54% of UN-recognized countries have national mandatory vaccination policies, with varying penalties for non-compliance. Educational and financial penalties are the most common, ranging from small fines to jail time in some cases.
A $2.7M NIH grant will fund a research program investigating the relationship between loneliness and brain structure/function in typically aging people and those at risk for Alzheimer's disease. The project aims to advance understanding of how social isolation impacts brain aging and progression to AD.