Researchers have successfully measured the motion of exoplanet Tau Bootis b, revealing its mass to be six times that of Jupiter. The team used an innovative technique to unravel direct light from the planet itself, overcoming previous attempts to measure its atmosphere.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that playing action videogames for 10 hours improves visual attention and changes brain activity. The study used EEG recordings to detect differences in brain waves before and after gameplay.
A recent study published in Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior found that nearly one-third of adults who were physically abused in childhood seriously considered taking their own life. The study suggests that children exposed to physical abuse may be at greater risk for suicidal behaviours in adulthood.
Researchers developed a novel method to distinguish sea-level fingerprints from various processes, allowing for more accurate estimation of individual ice sheets' contributions to rising global sea levels. The new approach may help estimate the current rate of sea level rise and rates of ice sheet melting simultaneously.
Biologists at the University of Toronto found that individuals with low-quality genes can produce offspring with even more inferior chromosomes, possibly leading to extinction. The study suggests that this could result in a 'mutational meltdown' that devastates endangered populations and increases health problems.
Researchers have developed a unique suspension technique for growing stem cells, eliminating the need for surface growth and increasing efficiency. This breakthrough has the potential to make cost-effective large-scale stem cell manufacturing possible, which could lead to new treatments for heart disease.
Researchers at the University of Toronto and Hebrew University have identified evidence of controlled fire use by human ancestors dating back to one million years ago. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that Homo erectus may have begun using fire as part of their way of life.
Researchers have discovered multiple genes associated with meconium ileus, a severe intestinal obstruction present at birth in CF patients. This finding suggests the possibility of personalized approaches to treatment and novel therapeutic targets for individuals with cystic fibrosis.
Researchers have developed environmentally-friendly iron-based nanoparticle catalysts that work as well as expensive metal-based catalysts. This breakthrough reduces the need for toxic and expensive organic ligands, making industrial syntheses more cost-effective.
Scientists at the University of Toronto have found a molecular mechanism that controls the transition of Candida albicans from yeast to fungus under elevated temperatures. This new pathway highlights the importance of heat in fungal growth and provides a potential target for drug therapies.
A group of environmental scholars recommends transforming national and international institutions into a more coherent planetary stewardship model. The proposal includes reforms to the UN system, integrating social and economic pillars of sustainable development, and closing regulatory gaps on emerging technologies.
A wooden statue of a king, believed to be female pharaoh Hatshepsut, was found along with an offering chapel and remains of over 80 animal mummies. The discovery provides insight into ritual activity associated with the great gods and challenges previous understanding of pharaonic representation.
A recent study by University of Toronto and Nipissing criminologists reveals that Canadian police departments largely do not report race in practice, despite only 20% having an explicit policy against it. This suppression of data hinders the development of effective initiatives to improve relations with racialized communities.
A 190-million-year-old dinosaur nesting site has been found in South Africa, providing significant insights into the evolution of reproductive behavior in early dinosaurs. The discovery includes clutches of eggs, embryos, and tiny footprints, shedding light on the complex behaviors of these ancient creatures.
A bizarre 'tulip-shaped' creature, Siphusauctum gregarium, has been discovered in the Canadian Rockies from Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale fossils. The unique filter feeding system challenges current knowledge of animal evolution.
Researchers discovered that intestinal B cells acquire functions allowing them to neutralize pathogens while in the gut, a complex balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria. This finding provides insight into the immune system's ability to fight infection without damaging beneficial bacteria and other essential cells.
Astronomers have discovered two gigantic black holes with masses about 10 billion times the mass of our sun, surpassing previous measurements by more than 50 per cent. The discovery suggests that these massive black holes may be the dormant remains of extremely luminous quasars from billions of years ago.
A new report highlights the global impact of medical misdiagnosis, revealing over a million people diagnosed with TB develop an incurable but manageable fungal infection. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) can progress slowly and may lie undetected for years until symptoms appear.
Researchers have found the largest batch of young, supermassive stars yet observed in our galaxy, including dozens of massive blue stars. The intense light emitted by these newborn stars has carved out a glowing hollow shell around them, offering a unique opportunity to study energy transmission and star formation.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that juvenile dragonflies exposed to predatory fish had survival rates 2.5 to 4.3 times less than those not exposed. This stress caused more dragonflies to fail metamorphosis and die, with 11% of larvae dying during this process.
The Koffler Scientific Reserve is launching a four-year project to collect seeds from 34 target species, which will be banked for 5-50 years. Researchers will analyze how these species react to changes in their surroundings, such as climate change and new land-use patterns.
A NASA-led study found unprecedented Arctic ozone loss in 2011, comparable to Antarctic ozone holes, caused by unusually low stratospheric temperatures. The researchers warn that Arctic ozone loss events may become more frequent due to climate change, posing a threat to human health and ecosystems.
Researchers found that pressure reduction foam mattresses and foam cleansers for incontinence care are cost-effective alternatives to standard mattresses and soap and water. The study estimated average savings of $115 and $179 per resident, respectively, with clinical benefits confirmed through further research.
A study found that pressure reduction foam mattresses and foam cleansers for incontinence care are cost-effective in reducing the risk of bedsores in long-term care residents. The researchers estimated average savings of $115 and $179 per resident, respectively.
Researchers propose molecular circuitry design inspired by natural light-harvesting systems to capture and utilize sunlight efficiently. Natural photosynthesis provides a model for efficient energy storage and transfer, enabling the development of sophisticated energy grids.
Researchers from U of T, KAUST, and Penn State created the most efficient solar cell using collodial-quatum-dots (CQD), achieving record electrical currents and power conversion efficiency. The team's innovative approach eliminated charge traps, enabling rapid electron movement and providing a path to long-term stability.
Scientists have found a control switch that regulates stem cell pluripotency by altering the DNA binding properties of FOXP1, facilitating maintenance of pluripotency and reprogramming adult cells. The discovery has significant implications for therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine and cancer research.
A University of Toronto-led team has observed extreme brightness changes on a nearby brown dwarf, suggesting the presence of a gigantic storm. The researchers used an infrared camera to capture repeated images of the brown dwarf over several hours, revealing the largest variations in brightness ever seen.
A new University of Toronto study highlights the need for improved communication with high-risk communities about HIV vaccine trials. Researchers found that misinformation, distrust, and misunderstanding persist, affecting participants' willingness to participate.
Researchers found that people judge others based on sexual orientation even if they're not consciously aware of it. Gay men were perceived as more likable than straight men, especially among black men.
Researchers from the University of Toronto and University of Guelph argue that incorporating employee engagement into performance management is crucial for improving both. The authors identify three psychological conditions – meaningfulness, safety, and availability – that support personal engagement. By focusing on these conditions, o...
A U of T study found that upgrading to pressure-reduction mattresses can prevent 1,005 pressure ulcers and save $7.2 million in healthcare costs annually for elderly patients in Ontario's emergency departments. The cost of upgrading would be 30 cents per patient, resulting in a savings of $32 per patient.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a new treatment target for human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of severe lung infections and estimated 10% of colds. The study found that RSV interacts with healthy cells by binding to a molecule called nucleolin, allowing it to decrease or increase infection.
Researchers identified new ADHD genes and showed a link between some of these genes and those found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neuropsychiatric conditions. The study found that people carrying the same CNVs can have different symptoms, highlighting the complexity of ADHD.
Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,000-year-old lion sculpture adorning a citadel gate complex in southeastern Turkey. The find provides valuable insight into the cultural sophistication of Iron Age states in the eastern Mediterranean.
Two UofToronto law professors argue that academics who receive credit for ghostwritten articles should be charged with professional misconduct and fraud. Guest authorship is seen as a violation of academic integrity standards, threatening the reliability of biomedical research and patient care.
A new study published in Social Development journal found that schools using corporal punishment performed worse on tasks requiring planning and self-control. Children exposed to punitive environments had lower verbal intelligence and increased behavioral problems related to executive-functioning deficits.
A University of Toronto study found that female minorities experience racism more deeply than sexism, leading to personal rejection and emotional distress. The research highlights the unique impact of racism on women from diverse backgrounds.
A global study has identified five key grand challenges in mental health, focusing on integrating screening into primary care, improving medication access, and strengthening training for healthcare personnel. The study aims to guide research funding agencies and clinicians in tackling mental illness worldwide.
Researchers found that women can more accurately identify straight vs gay men's faces near peak ovulation, with mating goals enhancing accuracy further.
Researchers developed a novel approach to cancer therapy by creating a drug that inhibits the mobility of cancer-promoting proteins within cells. The treatment uses a 'glue' molecule that binds to these proteins, forcing them to the cell membrane and making cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy.
A team of researchers led by University of Toronto physicist Aephraim Steinberg successfully reconstructed the full trajectories of light particles moving through a two-slit interferometer, a historic experiment that has puzzled physicists for decades. This achievement provides new insights into quantum mechanics and its interpretations.
A University of Toronto study found that formerly depressed patients' brain activity responses to sadness can predict future depression relapse. The research suggests that a frontal brain region's analysis and interpretation of sadness may perpetuate depression.
A 47 million-year-old lizard fossil has provided key findings on the evolutionary relationships between snakes and other reptiles. The study reveals that snakes evolved independently from limbless lizards, rather than sharing a common ancestry with burrowing reptiles.
Researchers developed a technology that measures the action of candidate drugs on human cells, enabling more effective therapies. This breakthrough could lead to earlier disease detection and tailor treatment options for cancer and HIV patients.
MyVoice, a mobile app and server system, introduces location-aware vocabulary that suggests useful words and phrases based on a user's location. The device is dramatically more affordable than traditional speaking aids, with a $30-monthly subscription cost.
Research from the University of Toronto Scarborough found that traditional problem-focused approaches to work-life balance can cause more problems due to stress and exhaustion. In contrast, avoiding conflicts by taking breaks can lead to reduced conflict between life roles and improved satisfaction with life.
Women experience higher levels of psychological distress when contacted frequently by supervisors, coworkers, or clients about work-related matters. Guilt plays a significant role in distinguishing women's work-family experiences from men's.
A study by Rimma Teper and colleagues found that people's predicted moral actions don't always align with their actual behavior. The researchers discovered that emotions play a crucial role in driving moral decisions, particularly when individuals are contemplating their actions rather than facing the consequences of those actions.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found a strong association between childhood physical abuse and peptic ulcers in adulthood. The study, which analyzed data from over 13,000 Canadians, showed that victims of childhood abuse were 68% more likely to develop peptic ulcers.