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University of Toronto


Billions of invasive round goby are in the Great Lakes. UTSC researchers want to stop them from spreading inland

UTSC researchers suggest governments should rethink round goby management as the invasive species spreads inland, threatening native biodiversity. The team proposes a combination of trapping, electrofishing, physical barriers, and rapid-response programs to reduce local populations and eliminate them.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Great Lakes Research·DateAug 17, 2026

Refugees reveal how community shapes success in Canada

A University of Toronto study explores the experiences of 42 older Hungarian and Vietnamese refugees, finding that strong social connections, supportive communities, and opportunities for belonging played a crucial role in their success. The research highlights the importance of policies that strengthen community connections and suppor...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus·DateAug 6, 2026

New review highlights gaps in care for First Nations children in Canada

A new study reveals that despite improvements in access to services through Jordan's Principle, First Nations children still face long-standing inequalities in healthcare. The review highlights the critical role of allied health professionals in navigating the system and calls for improved training and awareness among healthcare workers.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Indigenous Social Development·DateJul 22, 2026

Physicists identify upper limit to resistivity in a pure metal

Researchers discovered a maximum amount of electrical resistance that can occur due to electron collisions, offering insights into what causes resistivity at the microscopic level. The study found that when interactions between atoms become too strong, the resistivity caused by collisions eventually stops rising and saturates.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2026

Canada faces surge in social anxiety

A new Canadian study reveals that social anxiety disorder now affects nearly 1 in 7 adults, up from 8% in 2002. Young people are most at risk, and early life experiences, such as childhood trauma, and lack of social support play a significant role.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPsychiatry Research·TypeSurvey·DateJun 10, 2026

Being “half-included” in American society takes a toll on immigrant health, study finds

A new study finds that immigrants who are socially integrated on some dimensions but not others experience worse health, particularly among minority groups. The 'acculturative discordance' phenomenon is associated with higher disability risks after age 65, affecting one in four adults aged 65 and older.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateJun 4, 2026

The nocebo effect and the neuroscience behind it

A new study by researchers at the University of Toronto identified a specific brain pathway through which cholecystokinin (CCK) acts to amplify pain in response to negative expectations. This pathway, traveling from the anterior cingulate cortex to the lateral periaqueductal gray, increases pain sensitivity and worsens symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMay 26, 2026

White hydrogen discovered in billion-year-old Canadian Shield rock points to potential new energy source

Researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa have discovered large volumes of natural hydrogen in the Canadian Shield, which could provide a domestic source of cost-effective energy. The study suggests that harnessing this resource could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support local industry hubs.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2026

Death rates on Mount Everest have declined dramatically over the last century

A new study analyzing Mount Everest expeditions spanning more than a century has found that death rates among climbers have declined significantly in recent decades. The research highlights improvements in safety measures such as fixed ropes, better weather forecasting, and increased oversight among climbing teams.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 23, 2026

Working outside the home protected mental health for older adults during the pandemic

New research found that maintaining in-person work provided psychological benefits, while job loss and employment disruptions significantly increased depression risk. Older adults with stable employment experienced significant mental health benefits, particularly women who shouldered increased caregiving responsibilities.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalHealth Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 23, 2026

Breathing and moving in the ancient world of reptiles: What a mummified 289-million-year-old reptile can reveal about us today

A 289-million-year-old mummified reptile has provided scientists with a unique window into the evolution of breathing and movement in ancient reptiles. The study found that the reptile's respiratory system is similar to that of modern reptiles, birds, and mammals, suggesting an efficient mechanism for respiration.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature·DateApr 8, 2026

Researcher finds evidence supporting sucrose can help manage painful procedures in infants

A recent Cochrane review found that administering sucrose to infants undergoing venepuncture is an effective and safe way to manage pain. The study recommends using sucrose as a first-line pain management strategy before the procedure, especially when other options like skin-to-skin contact or breastfeeding are not available.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateMar 5, 2026

Ultra-processed foods in preschool years associated with behavioural difficulties in childhood

Researchers at the University of Toronto found that higher ultra-processed food consumption is associated with increased anxiety, fearfulness, aggression and hyperactivity in preschoolers. Replacing ultra-processed foods with minimally processed options may support healthier development and lower behavioural difficulties.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMar 3, 2026

Binge drinking isn’t just a young person’s issue; it’s a serious later-life mortality risk

A new study from the University of Toronto found that binge drinking among adults aged 50 and older is associated with a significantly increased risk of death. After adjusting for health status and socioeconomic factors, individuals who never engaged in binge drinking had a 19% lower mortality risk compared to weekly binge drinkers.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAlcohol·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Study identifies potential biomarker linked to progression and brain inflammation in multiple sclerosis

A University of Toronto-led study has discovered a potential biomarker linked to multiple sclerosis disease progression that could help identify patients most likely to benefit from new drugs. The findings were validated in both mouse models and humans, suggesting a possible surrogate marker for leptomeningeal inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 2, 2026

University of Toronto launches Electric Vehicle Innovation Ontario to accelerate advanced EV technologies and build Canada’s innovation advantage

The University of Toronto has launched Electric Vehicle Innovation Ontario (EVIO), a partnership between industry and academia to develop next-generation electric vehicle technologies. The program will generate over $30 million in economic activity, expand firm-level R&D capacity, and create new Canadian intellectual property.