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University of Montreal


DNA clamp to grab cancer before it develops

Researchers have developed a DNA clamp that can detect genetic mutations in cancer with greater efficiency than current methods, paving the way for rapid screening and new nanotechnology tools. The technology uses triple helices to improve specificity and has potential applications in diagnostic tests and DNA-based nanostructures.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 19, 2013

Is peer-review systemically misogynist?

A study analyzing 5.4 million peer-reviewed articles found that women are significantly under-represented in authorship and citations, with men dominating fields like engineering and computer science. Regional and disciplinary differences were also observed, highlighting the need to address gender disparities in science research.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature·DateDec 11, 2013

Peer-review science is taking off on Twitter, but who is tweeting what and why?

A recent study analyzed 1.4 million peer-reviewed articles on Twitter and found that high tweet counts do not necessarily correlate with high citation rates. Many articles from prestigious journals like PNAS and Science received significant mentions, but quality control is lacking in social networks.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology·DateDec 8, 2013

Amplifying our vision of the infinitely small

A new method to detect and identify molecules has been discovered by Richard Martel's team, enabling the use of optical scanners to pinpoint particles. The technique uses nanoprobes composed of dye molecules aligned inside carbon nanotubes, which amplify Raman signals up to a million times stronger than other molecules.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 2, 2013

PCBs still affecting our health decades later

A study by University of Montreal researcher Maryse Bouchard found a significant association between PCB levels and cognitive abilities among individuals aged 70-84 years. Higher exposure to PCBs in older age groups led to greater diminution in cognition, particularly in women.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateNov 25, 2013

Stepparents are not always evil

Researchers found that in regions with limited economic opportunities, stepparents were more likely to neglect their stepchildren, while in areas with greater resources, they treated all children equally. The 'Cinderella effect' is not inevitable, and parental care depends on factors beyond biological relationships.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalBiodemography and Social Biology·DateNov 12, 2013

New tool may unveil inhabitable worlds

SPIRou, a near-infrared spectropolarimeter and high-precision velocimeter, will detect habitable Earth twins orbiting nearby red dwarf stars and study the formation of Sun-like stars and their planets. The instrument's advanced technology will reveal the existence of liquid water on planetary surfaces.

Why do you want to eat the baby?

Researchers discovered that mothers show increased activation in the dopaminergic system of the caudate nucleus when exposed to newborn odors, a key finding suggesting biological underpinnings for maternal functions. The study's results imply a neural response linked to maternal status.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateSep 22, 2013

Why do young adults start smoking?

Researchers at the University of Montreal identified three risk factors associated with young adult smoking onset: impulsivity, poor school performance, and higher alcohol consumption. This study suggests that targeted prevention campaigns for young adults aged 18-24 could help prevent smoking initiation.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateSep 16, 2013

Could turning on a gene prevent diabetes?

Researchers have discovered a protein, Neu1, that regulates insulin signaling in body cells, potentially helping to prevent type 2 diabetes. The study's findings, published in the journal Diabetes, suggest that restoring Neu1 levels and function could improve insulin absorption, reducing the need for insulin therapy.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalDiabetes·DateJul 22, 2013

Liver protein crucial for pregnancy

Researchers at the University of Montreal found that a liver protein plays a crucial role in pregnancy and the human menstrual cycle. The study, published in Nature Medicine, showed that mice genetically engineered to lack the protein had defective placentas and failed pregnancies.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 30, 2013

Despite free health care, household income affects chronic disease control in kids

A study by University of Montreal researchers found a negative correlation between household income and glycated hemoglobin levels in children with type 1 diabetes. The difference in glycated hemoglobin levels corresponds to a doubling of the risk of eye damage, highlighting the need for greater support for low-income families

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateApr 4, 2013

Sex at zero gravity

Researchers from the University of Montreal studied how hypergravity and microgravity affect plant reproduction, brain diseases, and cancer. They found that changes in gravity impact cellular traffic flow and construction of the cellular envelope, leading to compromised cell functioning and potential implications for human health.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 13, 2013

Asterix's Roman foes -- Researchers have a better idea of how cancer cells move and grow

Scientists at the University of Montreal's IRIC have identified a key mechanism that enables cancer cells to coordinate their movement, allowing them to disseminate efficiently in the body. By understanding this mechanism, researchers hope to develop molecular targets to disrupt collective cell migration and fight metastasis formation.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateMar 12, 2013

A new drug reduces heart damage

A new anti-inflammatory drug, inclacumab, has shown promising results in reducing heart muscle damage during angioplasty. The study involved 530 patients with myocardial infarction and found that a single dose of the drug reduced troponin I levels by 24%, offering great promise for its potential use in treating heart attack patients.