A McGill-led research team found that protein synthesis in inhibitory cells plays a crucial role in controlling long-term memory. The study identified two distinct processes taking place in excitatory and inhibitory networks, with each neuronal system capable of selective manipulation for memory control.
A study by McGill University researchers found that trust in public institutions is associated with lower COVID-19 mortality rates, while social trust and belonging are linked to higher deaths. Greater economic inequality is also a significant factor, particularly in countries with large gaps between rich and poor.
A new study found that Halloween and Easter holidays are associated with a significant spike in peanut and tree-nut allergies among children. The study suggests that increased awareness and education can help reduce the risk of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
A survey of 28 experts in vaccinology predicts that a publicly available COVID-19 vaccine may not be available before the fall of 2021. The majority of experts believe that the best-case scenario is a vaccine becoming available next summer, with some predicting it may take until 2022.
A new study by McGill University researchers finds that combined dry and hot events are increasing in frequency and size, causing widespread damage. The study suggests that climate change is driving these extremes, which can be particularly devastating for agriculture and ecosystems.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered that bacteria and carpenter ants collaborated to alter the development of the ant embryo, creating a single complex life form. The study reveals that this integration occurred in a series of steps, with the bacteria exploiting existing genetic loci within the ant embryos.
A study by McGill University researchers has identified neural markers related to beat synchronization in musicians' brains, revealing that it takes more than just moving or listening well to keep the beat. The findings suggest that practice can improve one's ability to synchronize and that around 2-3% of the population are 'beat deaf',
A new study by McGill University finds that housing homeless people with severe mental illness is more cost-effective than housing those with moderate needs. The Housing-First approach generates significant savings, with costs reduced by up to two-thirds for individuals with severe mental illness.
A McGill-led study reveals that suppressing the OSMR gene can improve radiation therapy effectiveness and expand lifespan in preclinical mouse models. Glioblastoma's resistance to therapy is overcome by starving cancer stem cells with energy production halted.
Researchers found that powered flight potential evolved at least three times in theropods: once in birds and twice in dromaeosaurids. This challenges the traditional view of bird origins, presenting a more complex picture of experimentation with wing-assisted locomotion.
A McGill-led study unlocks the behavior of an enzyme involved in cancer cell spread, revealing a delicate interaction between PRL3 and magnesium transport proteins crucial to colorectal cancer growth. This finding calls into question long-standing hypotheses about PRL3's role in cancer spread.
A new study led by McGill University researchers found that two-thirds of hospitalized seniors are prescribed inappropriate medications, increasing the risk of injury and adverse drug reactions. The study concludes that improving hospital prescribing practices can reduce this risk.
A McGill research team developed a new technique to detect nano-sized imperfections in materials using atomic force microscopy and ultrafast nonlinear optical methods. This discovery will lead to improvements in optical detectors used in various technologies, including solar cells and cell phones.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered bacterial organelles involved in gene expression, suggesting that bacteria may not be as simple as once thought. These findings could pave the way for a new generation of antibiotics to combat drug resistance.
A study by McGill researchers found that sodium concentrations can influence circadian rhythms in mice, activating neurons associated with the master clock. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating negative health effects of long distance travel or shift work.
A new study identifies a cancer cell hierarchy originating from a single type of cancer cell, which can be targeted to slow cancer growth. Rapidly dividing cancer stem cells are the earliest detectable cancer cells in the hierarchy and make a promising target for therapy.
Access to mobile phones is linked to improved health outcomes, including lower infant and maternal mortality rates. Mobile phones also enable women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, including the use of modern contraceptive methods.
A new study by McGill University explores the wide-ranging, negative consequences of social isolation on human psychology and physical health. The research reveals that strong interpersonal relationships are critical for survival across the lifespan, while social isolation is a significant predictor of mortality and morbidity.
A new study reveals that environmental groups are increasingly focused on advocating for climate change and environmental justice. The researchers found that more than 40% of the most powerful organizations prioritize these areas in their mission statements.
A new study by researchers from McGill University and the University of Toronto finds a cross-partisan consensus on battling COVID-19 in Canada. Canadians from different political parties are taking similar social distancing measures and expressing similar levels of confidence in the federal government's response.
A review paper from McGill University found that pain research remains overwhelmingly biased towards male rodents, leading to ineffective treatments for female chronic pain sufferers. The study suggests that most current analgesics will largely work in men rather than women, highlighting a critical blind spot in pain research.
A team of Canadian and Italian researchers have synthesized large-scale two-dimensional conjugated polymers, demonstrating their electronic properties. The results provide new insights into mechanisms of surface reactions at a fundamental level, yielding a novel material with outstanding properties.
Research suggests that COVID-19 has added stress on mothers during pregnancy, affecting their mental health, and potentially impacting their child's future well-being. Four factors of prenatal maternal stress were identified: anxiety/depression, somatic, general affective symptoms, and pregnancy-specific worries.
A research team at McGill University has gained a deeper understanding of nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), tiny natural machines that produce biologically active compounds. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of new potent antibiotics, immunosuppressants and other modern drugs by leveraging bacteria and fungi.
Researchers mapped and measured fault roughness using high-resolution seismic data, finding that rougher surfaces are stronger and more resistant to earthquake slip. The study's findings may help explain why certain earthquakes are stronger than others.
Researchers found significant differences in mineral deposits on aortic valves between men and women with stenosis. The study highlights the importance of considering diversity in research to improve science.
A new study suggests that reducing CO2 emissions rapidly could lead to ice-free years in the Arctic, occurring only occasionally. The research indicates that humans can still determine how often the Arctic Ocean will be ice-free, depending on future emissions levels.
A new study suggests that volcanic activity played a direct role in triggering extreme climate change at the end of the Triassic period. The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from these eruptions is comparable to the amount expected to be produced by all human activity in the 21st century.
Researchers at McGill University have identified a key protein, GPR56, involved in the biology of depression and its response to antidepressants. This discovery may lead to more effective treatments for depression.
A recent study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found a strong association between mild behavioral impairment (MBI) and amyloid plaque deposits in the brains of elderly individuals. MBI may potentially serve as an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease, allowing for earlier diagnosis and intervention.
Bird species that exhibit novel foraging behaviors have reduced risk of extinction, according to a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. The researchers found that the more innovative a species is, the lower its risk of extinction, with some species able to adapt to habitat destruction by finding new food sources.
A recent study from McGill University suggests that some people may experience psychedelic-like effects from placebos alone, with 61% of participants reporting an effect. The researchers found that context plays a significant role in these experiences, and clinicians may be able to leverage contextual factors to improve the safety of p...
Researchers at McGill University receive funding to develop a rapid diagnostic device for COVID-19 testing, screen approved drugs for efficacy against the virus, and study key genetic markers of immune response. The goal is to understand how coronaviruses evade human immunity and develop effective interventions to halt the pandemic.
New research from McGill University predicts a significant increase in Arctic sea ice movement by mid-century, leading to more widespread pollutant transport between neighboring countries. Thinner, faster-moving ice can carry pollutants and microplastics, posing a threat to Arctic waters.
The Homeless Health Research Network releases evidence-based clinical guidelines to address the changing homeless population in Canada. The guidelines focus on integrating housing, healthcare, and social services for vulnerable populations, including Indigenous peoples.
Researchers from McGill University found that widespread use of Roundup herbicide can trigger loss of biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems, making them more vulnerable to pollution and climate change. The study discovered that some ecosystems adapt by evolving resistance to the herbicide, but this comes at a cost of plankton diversity.
A team of McGill University researchers has created an artificial pancreas system that significantly improves glucose control, enhancing quality of life for individuals with type 1 diabetes. The system, which combines insulin and pramlintide, has shown promising results in minimizing glucose highs and lows.
A study using a cappella recordings revealed that humans have complementary neural systems for speech and music processing. The research found that temporal information is crucial for speech perception, while spectral information is key to music perception. This suggests that hemispheric specialization may be the nervous system's way o...
Researchers examine local adaptation in over 100 species, finding that interactions among species do not spur adaptation; instead, environmental pressures like temperature and drought are key drivers.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a protein called TACAN that plays a crucial role in sensing mechanical pain. The study provides hope for the development of powerful new analgesic drugs to treat chronic pain conditions.
A new species of hairy cicada, Maculaferrum blaisi, has been identified from a 100-million-year-old fossil in Labrador. The find sheds light on the region's insect biodiversity during the Cretaceous period, providing insights into the evolution of flowering plants and pollinating insects.
A study led by McGill University found that childhood behaviours identified by teachers, such as inattention-hyperactivity, predicted subsequent traumatic brain injuries in boys. The research suggests that treatments to reduce these behaviours may decrease the risk for TBIs.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered at least nine directions of brain-gender variation using a unique dataset and machine learning algorithms. This finding has important consequences for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada and beyond.
A recent study published in the journal AIDS found that vitamin E improves liver function and reduces fat in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and HIV. The treatment was well-tolerated and showed more significant improvements than reported in the general population.
Research suggests that bacteriophages found in children's intestinal tracts may play a role in childhood stunting. The viruses affect bacterial communities in the gut, and altering these communities could help improve health. This discovery offers hope for developing new cost-efficient therapies.
Researchers developed an open-source app to interactively explore predictive algorithms for meningioma patients. The models effectively predicted outcomes in individual patients, but further refinements are needed using larger datasets.
Researchers found that 94% of participants accepted manipulated responses as their own and rationalized moderate views. The study suggests that even polarized individuals can become open to opposing views for a short time.
Researchers at McGill University have launched interactive story maps to highlight the importance of wetlands, which support a disproportionately high number of endangered species. Wetlands also naturally combat climate change by storing carbon dioxide underground.
The study measures dynamic physical properties of human aortas and finds that age impairs their proper functioning. The researchers aim to design grafts capable of mimicking native aorta behavior, improving patients' quality of life.
A new study found that a single bout of intense cardiovascular exercise can improve video game performance. The research, led by Dr. Marc Roig, challenged the idea that video gaming and physical activity are antagonistic activities. Exercise was shown to benefit players regardless of their fitness level or emotional response.