Anthropologists at University of Toronto discover earliest cemetery in the Middle East, with graves containing human remains and those of a red fox. The discovery suggests that humans may have kept foxes as pets or had early attempts to tame them, but no successful domestication.
A new study found that adult children of divorce are at higher risk of suicidal thoughts, especially men who experienced parental divorce before age 18. Men from divorced families had more than three times the odds of suicidal ideation compared to men from intact families.
The Planck satellite mission has provided unprecedented all-sky coverage of cosmic dust, offering insights into dust evolution in different environments. The data will help researchers understand the complex history of our universe and its present form.
Aaron Hertzmann, a professor at the University of Toronto's Department of Computer Science, has received the 2010 Steacie Prize for his exceptional contributions to computer graphics and machine learning research. His work focuses on applying machine-learning techniques to resolve complex problems in computer graphics.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a spontaneously chain-reacting molecule that can grow durable 'molecular-chains' on surfaces. This discovery could enable faster and more efficient creation of nano-wires for circuitry applications.
Physicists at the University of Toronto and Rutgers University have successfully recreated a supernova explosion in a laboratory setting. The experiment, led by Michael Rogers, involved triggering a chemical reaction that generated a miniaturized version of the explosive process seen in stars.
Researchers found that law firms led by managing partners with powerful faces in college were more profitable, and that facial cues can predict success across a lifespan of approximately 20 years. The study used ratings from judges to measure perceived power and correlated them with firm profits.
Research found that people are more likely to cheat and make immoral decisions when it requires minimal action. Participants were more willing to help others when they had to explicitly choose 'yes' or 'no', whereas passive requests led to lower rates of volunteering.
Researchers found that polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs) used in food packaging are breaking down into perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), including PFOA, and being ingested by people. This study provides valuable evidence to inform policy on the use of PAPs in food contact applications.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have found that social interactions can impact an individual's sensitivity to physical pain. Participants who experienced indifferent social interactions reported less pain sensitivity, while those with positive social experiences showed no change. This discovery has significant clinical implica...
A University of Toronto study reveals that visual attention diminishes with age, leading to better memory for irrelevant information. Older adults are less capable of filtering out distracting information, which broadly influences cognitive deficits in normal aging.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that species in spatially heterogeneous environments have higher rates of sexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction resulted in organisms with better adaptability and robust genetic constitutions.
A new species of dinosaur, Sarahsaurus, discovered in Arizona challenges conventional wisdom about dinosaurs' spread across the world. The fossil suggests that dinosaurs took advantage of a natural catastrophe to move into North America, rather than overpowering other species.
A new study from the University of Toronto suggests that having more schedule control at work can lead to blurring of boundaries between work and family life. Researchers found that individuals with partial or full schedule control experienced less negative consequences in terms of work-family multitasking activities.
A Canadian Patient Safety Institute-led research team, led by Dr. Diane Doran and Dr. Régis Blais, has been awarded $1 million to investigate the safety risks of healthcare services provided in homes. The two-year study aims to improve patient safety outcomes in home care services.
A study by researchers at the University of Toronto Scarborough found that using an inner voice helps individuals exercise self-control and resist impulsive decisions. The team conducted tests where participants were unable to verbalize messages to themselves, leading to increased impulsivity.
Scientists at the University of Toronto have discovered chemicals and genes that may break Striga's stranglehold on crops in sub-Saharan Africa. By manipulating strigolactone production, they aim to reduce the parasite's ability to kill crops.
A 17-year study in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado confirms widespread fears of a decline in bee pollination, with a progressive decrease in fruiting rates observed over the years. The research suggests that climate change may be a contributing factor, particularly during early seasons when bees emerge from hibernation.
New research from the University of Toronto Scarborough shows that prejudice has a lasting negative impact on those who experience it. Studies have found that people perform poorly in situations where they feel stereotyped, with lingering effects on behavior such as aggression, over-eating, and poor decision-making.
The University of Toronto team has broken world records in the search for new particles at the LHC, confirming the Standard Model theory. The team set new limits on the mass of excited quarks, excluding their existence below a certain threshold and reconfirming allegiance to the Standard Model.
A new review of existing literature found that several factors influence willingness to receive an HIV vaccine, including misconceptions about vaccine efficacy and fear of side effects. To ensure a future HIV vaccine is acceptable, public education is crucial to address these concerns.
Researchers developed a model predicting the architecture of nanoparticle ensembles and their properties. The findings could lead to more efficient production of nanostructures with complex architectures.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that liberals tend to prioritize compassion and equality, while conservatives prioritize order and social norms. This study contributes to understanding the deeper motivations behind political behavior and suggests that both types of motivation are necessary for a functioning society.
A new study by University of Toronto researchers finds that people who engage in creative work activities experience excessive job pressures, feel overwhelmed, and receive work-related contact outside of normal hours. This leads to more conflict between work and family roles, affecting functioning at home.
Researchers at the University of Toronto and Royal Ontario Museum discover new fossils of Nectocaris pteryx, a 500-million-year-old squid-like carnivore. The findings suggest that primitive cephalopods existed earlier than thought, offering insights into their evolution and diversity.
The discovery of SN2005E reveals a supernova whose origin cannot be explained by any previously known mechanism. It is rich in helium and surprisingly different from typical white dwarf systems.
Researchers at U of T discovered a new view on how living cells use DNA to generate genetic messages, resolving a decade-old gap in understanding. The 'splicing code' helps predict and prevent diseases such as cancers and neurodegenerative disorders.
Scientists aim to prevent insects from spreading deadly diseases like Chagas' by manipulating physiology to stop the transmission of the illness. Researchers have identified genes controlling diuresis in kissing bugs and hope to create a peptide agonist to prevent waste and parasites from being left on wounds.
Research at University of Toronto Scarborough found that the human brain is more reactive to people of one's own race, producing significantly more motor-cortex activity, whereas observing others from a different race results in reduced activity. The study suggests that this phenomenon may contribute to prejudice and limited empathy.
A new technology developed at the University of Toronto enables ads to be resized automatically to conform to any web space, maximizing usable website spaces. This innovation could significantly increase revenues for publishers and create new opportunities for advertisers, given the online advertising market's billions-of-dollars worth.
A cache of cuneiform tablets from the early 7th century BCE contains a largely intact Assyrian treaty that records a covenant between Esarhaddon and a secondary ruler. The treaty was confirmed at elaborate ceremonies in Nimrud, securing Ashurbanipal's accession to the throne and avoiding a political crisis.
A new study from the University of Toronto found that most Americans believe God is directly involved in their personal affairs, with 82% relying on God for help and guidance. Higher education and income levels are associated with lower beliefs in divine intervention, but surprisingly, more religiously active individuals in these group...
Research reveals high levels of contamination to water and sediment in Frenchman's Bay due to road salt applied in winter. The study found that 3,600 tonnes of road salt end up in the bay every winter, poisoning it for the rest of the year.
A nearly complete fossilized skeleton of a primitive snake coiled inside a dinosaur nest was discovered in India, showing that ancient snakes ate dinosaur hatchlings. The study suggests that the ecosystem of predators during the hatching season supported hundreds or thousands of defenseless baby sauropods.
Purple loosestrife, a destructive invasive plant, may face a reproductive penalty in northern climates. Northern populations have adapted by flowering earlier but suffer reduced seed production and smaller size.
Researchers at University of Toronto have found evidence of quantum mechanics in marine algae's ability to optimize photosynthesis. This discovery suggests that energy from absorbed light resides in a state known as coherence, allowing for efficient flow of energy through the system.
Researchers found that educated individuals and professionals report more work interference with personal life, highlighting the 'stress of higher status'. Long hours also contribute to work-life imbalance, but only among those with control over their schedules.
New psychology research finds two optimal ratios for female facial beauty: one for length and width. The study reveals that faces judged more attractive have a vertical eye-mouth distance of approximately 36% of their face's length and horizontal eye-distance of approximately 46% of their face's width.
Researchers discover ultrafast population switching of quantum dots in a structured vacuum, enabling photonic computers that are hundreds of times faster than electronic counterparts. The breakthrough could lead to compact computers without heat dissipation issues.
Ray Jayawardhana, a University of Toronto astronomer, has been awarded the 2009 Steacie Prize for his exceptional contributions to astrophysics research. His discoveries have made headlines on several occasions, including capturing the first direct image of a giant planet revolving around a young sun-like star.
Researchers from the University of Toronto have discovered that the hippocampus is only activated when context cues enable memory recall. This finding sheds light on the mysterious process of retrieving memories, particularly in individuals with damage to the hippocampus, such as those with Alzheimer's or Epilepsy.
A new study found that a moderate level of acceptability for an HIV vaccine exists, but high-risk communities may not automatically accept it. The key factors influencing acceptance are efficacy, side effects, and cost. Education is also crucial to ensure the public trusts the vaccine.
A new study by U of T researchers reveals that forest trees use different drought response gene programs at different times of the day, not just in the middle of the day as previously thought. This critical finding has implications for conserving and breeding drought-resistant trees.
A new study by University of Toronto researchers has found a significant association between childhood physical abuse and the development of osteoarthritis in adulthood. Adults who experienced physical abuse as children have a 56% higher odds of developing osteoarthritis compared to those who did not.
People with job authority report higher levels of interpersonal conflict and stressors spilling over into non-work domains. Despite benefits like greater pay and problem-solving tasks, the health costs negate the advantages of having power at work.
A new study suggests that some minerals beneath the Earth's surface could be of extraterrestrial origin. Researchers propose that a 'rain' of comets and meteorites may have deposited precious metals such as platinum and rhodium in the rock portion of the Earth, challenging internal geological processes.
A University of Toronto study found that genetically eliminating certain pheromones triggered a surge in fruit flies' libido, leading to same-sex and interspecies mating. The research suggests a link between sex, species recognition, and chemical signals in fly behavior.
Researchers have created a new technology that analyzes tiny blood and breast tissue samples to detect increased estrogen levels, which may indicate breast cancer. This breakthrough could lead to faster screening for high-risk populations and improved diagnosis.
Researchers at University of Toronto have discovered a previously unidentified form of circulation within the human eye, which may provide important new insights into glaucoma. The discovery overthrows the idea that the eye is an immune privileged site due to the lack of lymphatics.
Researchers observed magnetic behavior in an atomic gas, cooled to near absolute zero, and found it became ferromagnetic when repulsive forces were increased. The discovery may change textbooks on magnetism, showing that a gas of fermions can exhibit magnetic properties without a crystalline structure.