A study of 3,500 Canadians aged 55 and older found that childhood adversities and chronic health conditions are linked to depression. Middle-aged adults were more likely to experience depression than older Canadians, highlighting the importance of holistic healthcare for this population.
A new study finds that past injuries can amplify fear and pain responses to stressful experiences, setting the stage for chronic pain conditions. Researchers discovered that mice with a history of injury responded more intensely to predator scent, exhibiting exaggerated fear and long-lasting pain.
A recent study of 1,543 males aged 15 to 35 found that those who used prescription weight loss medications reported significantly higher levels of disordered eating behaviors and attitudes. The study suggests that boys and men may face unique pressures or vulnerabilities related to body image and weight control, highlighting the need f...
A new University of Toronto study reveals that over one-third of boys and men know someone who uses steroids, increasing their own intention to use them. The research highlights the importance of targeted prevention efforts considering social environments and identity factors.
A new study reveals that tweens who use devices in bed and receive notifications are more likely to experience sleep disturbance. Experts recommend keeping screens outside the bedroom, turning off notifications, and avoiding social media before bedtime to promote healthier sleep habits.
A new study found that extreme weather events worsen resource insecurities and increase risks of sexual and gender-based violence, transactional sex, and menstruation insecurity among refugee youth in Uganda. Climate-related pressures push young women into early marriage and transactional sex to access food.
A new study published in the Journal of Gerontology found that Asian Americans no longer report better health outcomes than white Americans among US adults aged 50 and over. The prevalence of disability declined across every other racial group, but remained stagnant among US-born Asians since 2005.
A new study by the University of Toronto finds Afghans' life satisfaction and hope at an all-time, global low. The research highlights profound distress and despair within the country due to structural factors like war and political unrest.
A new study found that climate change is driving sexual and reproductive health risks among young adolescents in Kenya, with food, water, and sanitation insecurities linked to school dropout, gender-based violence, and early pregnancy.
A new study finds connections between extreme weather events and HIV vulnerabilities, including increased transactional sex, reduced condom agency, and LGBTQ stigma. Researchers studied 21 sex workers and 15 gbMSM in Nairobi, Kenya, revealing interrelated links between climate change-related resource insecurities and HIV risk.
A new study reveals a strong association between viewing muscularity-oriented social media content and muscle dysmorphia among boys and men. Exposure to images of muscular bodies, posts promoting muscle-building supplements, and content featuring steroids increased the risk of muscle dysmorphia.
A new computer model simulates magnetism and turbulence in the interstellar medium, providing unprecedented detail on the Milky Way Galaxy's overall magnetic field. The model also helps understand star formation and the propagation of cosmic rays, offering insights into astrophysical phenomenon.
Researchers have used AI and brain activity to study the Other-Race-Effect (ORE), a phenomenon where people recognize faces of their own race more easily than others. They found that faces from other races are processed more generally and with less detail, leading to less accurate recognition.
A new study found that over 21% of boys and men aged 15-35 met criteria for any probable eating disorder. Probable bulimia nervosa was most common, while anorexia nervosa was least common. Higher BMI and being sexual minority increased the risk of diagnosis.
A study of 296 Canadian and 309 Hong Kong children found that those with feminine-behaving peers showed signs of fear and disgust, while those with masculine-behaving peers displayed happy emotions. This suggests that children learn to imitate these emotional responses from their peers, family members, and media.
A comprehensive review of studies reveals that over 15% of caregivers of adult cancer patients suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Caregivers with pre-existing mental health conditions and high caregiver burden are at greater risk. The study highlights the urgent need for proactive screening and support to prevent long-t...
A new study published in Child Maltreatment found that adults who experienced childhood physical and sexual abuse had double the odds of developing health and mental health conditions. The presence of a protective adult in the home was associated with better long-term health outcomes among children who experienced abuse.
A new study combines satellite collar data with specialized cameras to shed light on the mysterious and important stage of maternal denning. The researchers found that using both methods can accurately predict when polar bears will emerge from their dens and how external factors like temperature influence their behavior.
Researchers from the University of Toronto have shown that a low-carb diet can worsen the DNA-damaging effects of certain gut microbes, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer. A unique strain of E. coli bacteria was found to drive polyp growth in the colon when paired with a low-carb diet.
Researchers discovered that trying to make ourselves happier actually makes us less happy by draining our ability to use self-control and willpower. This 'happiness paradox' is caused by mentally exhausting efforts to regulate thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
A study found that 10% of South Asian immigrants aged 45 and older in Canada had hypothyroidism. Higher dietary intake of fat, lower consumption of fruits and vegetables, and increasing age were associated with a higher risk of the condition. Early recognition and treatment are crucial to minimize preventable health impacts.
Heavy screen use, particularly social media and video games, is associated with an increased risk of developing manic symptoms in U.S. preteens. The study found that prolonged screen time can lead to behaviors characteristic of bipolar-spectrum disorders, including inflated self-esteem, decreased sleep needs, and impulsivity.
Researchers at U of T discover a ginger compound called furanodienone that selectively binds to and regulates nuclear receptor PXR, reducing inflammation in the colon. FDN has been shown to increase tight junction proteins, repairing damage to the gut lining caused by inflammation.
A study published in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus found that the prevalence of older Americans without disabilities increased from 61% in 2008 to 65% in 2017. This represents a significant improvement, with an additional 2.07 million older Americans potentially having had disabilities if trends had remained constant.
A new study finds that parents' own screen habits significantly increase the likelihood of preteens engaging with mature media. Proactive parental monitoring and clear media rules are linked to lower consumption of mature content.
Researchers at U of T have developed a new platform called smol-seq that uses DNA sequencing to detect metabolites. This method enables the analysis of hundreds of metabolites simultaneously, making it faster and more precise than current methods.
A University of Toronto study found that Canadian preschoolers who consumed more ultra-processed foods were more likely to develop obesity at age five. The researchers also discovered sex-driven differences in the effects of ultra-processed food on obesity risk, with stronger effects seen in males.
A study by University of Toronto researchers links polar bear population decline to extended energy deficits caused by a lack of food on dwindling sea ice. The model, tracking the bears' energy balance, shows reduced reproduction and cub survival rates due to shorter hunting seasons.
A new study found that AI-generated empathetic responses were preferred over those from humans and expert crisis responders. The researchers suggest that AI can supplement human empathy, but should not replace it entirely due to potential biases and ethical concerns.
A recent study by researchers from the University of Toronto found that older adults who experienced parental divorce during childhood have a 60% higher odds of stroke. The study controlled for known risk factors and still showed a strong association between parental divorce and stroke.
A study by the University of Toronto found that Indigenous university students struggle with funding, affordable housing, and childcare, leading to feelings of isolation and decreased sense of belonging. Resource centers, cultural events, and mentorship opportunities can help mitigate these barriers.
Climate change is associated with poorer HIV prevention outcomes, including reduced testing and increased risk behaviors, leading to higher new infections and poorer treatment adherence. Researchers identified links between extreme weather events and HIV-related challenges, emphasizing the need for innovative interventions and strategies.
Researchers at U of T have created SIMPL2, a platform that simplifies detection and improves accuracy of protein-protein interactions. The tool enables the rapid identification of protein interactions, including weak ones, for targeted drug therapies.
A University of Toronto study discovered a new communication pathway between the gut and lung, highlighting the role of a little-known protozoan in shaping immune responses. The study found that this microbe can worsen airway inflammation in allergic asthma but provide protection against respiratory infections.
Researchers found that women who had both ovaries surgically removed before age 50 are at high risk of late-life Alzheimer's disease, with a fourfold increase in risk linked to the APOE4 allele. Hormone therapy reduces this risk by half in these women.
Research reveals transgender and gender-diverse preteens are 15% less physically active than cisgender peers, with 1,394 fewer steps taken daily. This disparity may be due to stigma and discrimination discouraging team sports participation.
A study of 40 randomized controlled trials found that estrogen-like compounds in soy had no effect on key markers of estrogen-related cancers. The findings support the idea that soy isoflavones behave differently from human estrogen, particularly when it comes to cancers that depend on estrogen to develop.
A recent longitudinal study from the University of Toronto reveals that older adults with migraine are at a substantial increase in risk of depression during the pandemic. Increased family conflict, difficulties in accessing healthcare, and caregiving responsibilities were associated with higher risks of depression among this population.
The discovery provides a unique way to investigate the extreme phase of stellar evolution, bridging the gap between the earliest and final stages of binary star systems. This breakthrough could help explain cosmic events like supernova explosions and gravitational waves.
A new study found that excessive social media use among 11-12-year-olds is associated with increased experimentation with substances like alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis. Schools and parents can play a crucial role in addressing this issue by implementing media literacy programs and monitoring content.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has discovered two distinct subtypes of glioblastoma cancer stem cells, each with unique genetic vulnerabilities. By targeting these vulnerabilities, a more effective treatment approach may be developed, improving prognosis for patients with this lethal brain cancer.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has discovered a unique stem cell type, the neural crest stem cell, which can be reprogrammed into different cell types. This discovery challenges longstanding theories in cellular reprogramming and highlights the potential of these cells for stem cell transplantation to treat disease.
A new study from the University of Toronto finds that childhood neglect is associated with a range of mental and physical health problems in adulthood. The presence of a supportive adult and higher socioeconomic status largely attenuate this relationship.
A new study provides a clear definition of late-life homelessness, which is shaped by age-based structures, social relations, and intersecting forms of oppression. The researchers argue that policy makers and professionals need a comprehensive understanding of this issue to effectively address it.
Researchers discovered that INPP4B drives the movement of lysosomes to the periphery of pancreatic cancer cells, releasing their contents into the extracellular space and disrupting the structural support network. This process enables the cells to migrate and invade other tissues, making it easier for the cancer to spread.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has developed a rapid screening system to identify compounds that can stop the growth of amyloid proteins. The study found 40 compounds that demonstrate the ability to inhibit amyloid formation, providing a promising lead for future disease treatments.
A recent study published in Cell reveals that nearly one in six disease-causing mutations leads to proteins mislocalizing within the cell. The research team developed a high-throughput imaging platform to assess protein location and found that breakdowns in protein stability are a major driver of misplaced proteins.
Researchers at U of T have discovered that C2H2 zinc finger proteins, which primarily bind to DNA, also regulate RNA processing through various mechanisms. These proteins modify mRNA, controlling its length and altering it after transcription.
Plant roots use a silent molecular 'language' to direct fungi to attach, providing phosphates. Researchers discovered that strigolactone activates fungal genes associated with phosphate metabolism, leading to new strategies for cultivating hardier crops and combatting disease-causing fungi.
Researchers argue that stigma can play a huge role in health outcomes, leading to disengagement from care, coerced sterilization, and lack of informed choices. Addressing stigma through evidence-based approaches, such as staff training and relationship building, can improve healthcare services.