A study of 32 pregnant women exposed to organic solvents at work found that their children had significantly lower verbal cognitive functioning and greater inattention, highlighting the need for reduced exposure during pregnancy.
Researchers at U of T found that municipal wastewater contains enough organic material to generate significant amounts of electricity. By using anaerobic digestion instead of aerobic treatment, wastewater treatment plants could produce enough electricity for their own operations and potentially export excess energy to the grid.
A study by Dr. Massey Beveridge highlights the importance of orthopedic care in developing countries, where road traffic injuries and falls are major causes of disease burden among children. With only 400 surgeons serving 200 million people, access to simple surgical and obstetrical procedures could prevent up to 10% of all deaths.
A University of Toronto study discovered precursor cells within the adult pancreas that can make new pancreatic cells, potentially providing a plentiful supply of beta cells for transplant treatments. The research also found that these cells can generate both beta cells and neurons, challenging existing dogma on development.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that only 38.5% of Urdu- and Hindi-speaking women had undergone a clinical breast examination, despite 83% being aware of the procedure. The study highlights gaps in knowledge about breast cancer risk and screening methods among South Asian immigrant women.
Research by University of Toronto criminologists reveals a systematic bias against Aboriginal women prisoners, leading to unfair classification rates and reduced privileges. The study found that 60% of Aboriginal women were classified as medium security risks despite committing fewer infractions in prison.
Research suggests that depression significantly impacts life satisfaction, while anxiety has a minimal effect. A disposition to be cheerful is more important for happiness than external factors like success or popularity.
A new technique developed by researchers at the University of Toronto has shown promise in guiding nerve cells to repair spinal damage. By using a series of fibrous rods with peptides, the team aims to stimulate cell adhesion and migration, bridging gaps between severed spine ends.
Researchers have successfully bridged the 'Kuzyk quantum gap' in molecular nonlinear optics, creating a new hybrid material that can harness light's power. This innovation could lead to faster internet speeds and more efficient communication systems.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found high levels of mercury in sport-fish eaters' blood, particularly among Asian-Canadians. The findings emphasize the need for ongoing surveillance and education to minimize health risks from contaminated fish consumption.
Researchers found that men and women have different spatial orientations in environments due to physiological differences, such as inner ear size. The study suggests that these differences affect how individuals orient themselves in various situations.
Researchers using new genome scanning technologies found stretches of DNA varying by hundreds of thousands of chemical bases that were present or absent in healthy individuals' genomes. This challenge long-held beliefs about the limited nature of genetic variation.
Researchers characterized intermediate states in protein folding at an atomic level, a crucial step towards predicting protein structure and improving drug design. This breakthrough could help understand errors in folding linked to diseases like cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer's.
Researchers at U of T found that animals absorb environmental information to modulate behavior, associating smells with starvation cues. A mutation affecting environmental role in memory recall was identified, highlighting the importance of environment in learning.
A University of Toronto study found that West Nile virus encephalitis is a common neurological manifestation in hospitalized patients, often leading to severe neuromuscular dysfunction. The study's authors recommend electrodiagnostic testing for unexplained weakness and critically ill patients to rule out acute flaccid paralysis syndrome.
A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds light on the intricate process of morphogenesis, a crucial step in embryonic development. By studying convergent extension in frog embryos, they found that a single mechanism controls both cell differentiation and tissue elongation.
Researchers engineered mutations to 700 yeast genes and used computerized analysis to predict gene functions. The developed yeast strains are now commercially available for other researchers.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown reaction that converts fluorotelomer alcohols into perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in the atmosphere, which can last up to 20 days. The chemicals were found in polar bear liver tissue samples and may pose developmental risks to humans living in the Arctic.
A study published in Psychological Medicine found that 35% of women with anorexia nervosa relapsed into the disorder within two years of leaving the hospital. The mean time before relapse was 18 months, highlighting the need for improved relapse prevention treatments.
A University of Toronto professor highlights the disproportionate impact of COPD on women, who experience greater lung damage and are more likely to develop emphysema. By 2010, women will suffer from COPD twice as often as men worldwide.
A study by University of Toronto PhD student Glenn Stalker found that Canadians spent 34% of their spare time alone at home in 1998, up from 28% in 1986. Time spent with friends and family at home also decreased by five percent during the same period.
The study reveals that mice lacking the Mus81 protein are fertile and can help monitor health more closely. Researchers explore whether the mutation is tied to human tumour formation, allowing for targeted treatment strategies.
Researchers discovered specific retinal cells are predisposed to becoming tumours due to genetic mutation removing protective barriers. The study found three types of cells resistant to cell death and continued dividing despite the defective gene.
A landmark study estimates that 7.5% of hospital patients experience adverse events in Canada, resulting in 185,000 preventable incidents in 2000. The study found that surgical care accounted for the largest number of adverse events and that 37% were potentially preventable.
Fortifying food supply with folic acid can markedly lower the risk of neural tube defects in offspring, such as spina bifida. The long-term safety of folic acid has been debated, but fortification is considered a better way to reach most women worldwide.
A University of Toronto study found that music teachers are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to high noise levels. The research suggests that classrooms with reflective surfaces and ear protection measures can help mitigate this risk.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have successfully created a three-photon entangled state, enabling precise measurements that surpass those made by single photons. The breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize fields like quantum computing and gravitational wave detection.
Researchers have discovered that the anterior cingulate cortex plays a crucial role in storing and retrieving lifelong memories. The study, led by Dr. Paul Frankland, found that older memories are transferred from the hippocampus to the cortex over several weeks, likely during sleep.
A team of researchers has successfully corrected a genetic defect responsible for cystic fibrosis in mice using turmeric extract. Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, was able to release the mutant CFTR protein from an inappropriate compartment inside the cell and allow it to function normally.
Researchers found that 83% of pediatric MS patients had evidence of a past Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, compared to 42% of healthy control group members. The study suggests that the genetic code of EBV may play an important role in the development of multiple sclerosis.
A new robotic device called RAFFE has been developed by scientists from the University of Toronto and the University of Calgary to safely collect fingerprint evidence from suspicious packages. The device uses heat and fumes to react with oils in fingerprints, turning them white, allowing for photographing before safe disposal.
A University of Toronto study found that companies with subsidiaries in more than one province can shift income to a province with lower taxes, increasing their revenues. This allows companies to move profits to provinces with more favorable tax regimes, ultimately benefiting government revenue.
High-volume hospitals demonstrate lower mortality rates for complex surgeries, suggesting optimal resource allocation and human resources. Regionalization of procedures and services can be reconsidered to preserve quality care at smaller facilities.
Research suggests that dieters experience improved self-image after viewing photos of thin models in popular magazines. However, the study also indicates that those who are highly invested in achieving this ideal may be more likely to develop eating disorders.
Concussions are linked to depression and confusion in athletes after injury. The study found that emotional changes disappeared within three weeks of recovery.
U of T researchers identify gene responsible for protein malfunction in Crohn's patients, enabling diagnostic test and potential new treatments. The findings provide valuable insights into chronic inflammation and its impact on the disease.
Organ donations from living donors are less common in Canada due to cultural variations. Non-Western cultures perceive death as a more integrated state than Western societies do, making organ donation challenging for some individuals. Healthcare professionals must be aware of these differences and provide respectful care.
Researchers found that mice embryos lacking the ATM gene were more susceptible to DNA damage and birth defects when exposed to ionizing radiation. The study suggests that the ATM gene protects embryos from oxidative stress, and its absence may lead to increased risk of birth defects in humans.
Researchers at U of T's Molecular Design and Information Technology Centre have created the first small molecules that bind to the insulin receptor, paving the way for oral insulin development. The breakthrough could lead to a new treatment option for over two million Canadians with diabetes.
Research shows quality of information and empathy from healthcare providers are crucial in receiving bad news about pregnancy complications. Women want clear facts, options, and follow-up care details, as well as privacy and emotional support.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created a new gel-like substance that guides neural cells through channels, providing a greater surface area for neural stimuli transmission. This breakthrough could lead to stronger signals in regenerated nerves, paving the way for regenerative medicine applications.
Researchers have identified a new form of the MECP2 gene associated with Rett syndrome, a genetic neurological disorder affecting mostly girls. The discovery suggests that a defective alternate form of the gene causes the disease, providing hope for improved diagnosis and treatment options.
A study published in Diabetes Care found that diabetes reduces life expectancy by 12 years, with men living 64.7 years and women 70.7 years compared to the general population. Eradicating diabetes would increase life expectancy by 2.8 years for men and 2.6 years for women.
Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane, a banned chemical, was detected in the atmosphere of Sable Island off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The study reveals that the chemical traveled from China and India to the Arctic Ocean before reaching Atlantic Canada.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified patterns in electromagnetic fields caused by lightning strikes on tall structures, such as the CN Tower. This study provides crucial insights for designing protective measures, including enclosures for sensitive equipment and special diodes to prevent over-voltage.
Researchers discovered a link between the Endothelial NO Synthase gene and Alevolar Capillary Dysplasia (ACD), a fatal lung disease affecting newborns. The study found that mice lacking this gene developed major defects in lung development, mirroring human cases of ACD.
A research team led by Dr. Howard Lipshitz discovered that a protein linked to mammalian embryo implantation also plays a role in tumour metastasis in fruit fly development. The study found a surprising level of similarity between the proteins in flies and mammals, with potential implications for understanding human disease.
The study identifies three key factors: tunnelling, competing order, and charge imbalance. By understanding these mechanisms, scientists can develop superconducting materials with higher critical temperatures, leading to significant implications for industries like medical imaging and electrical power transmission.
Researchers watched the inner regions of an accretion disk, just miles from a neutron star's surface, change its structure in real-time. The observation provides new insight into the flow of a neutron star's accretion disk and could help study black holes and distant quasars.
Researchers found that simulated games in virtual reality boosted children's belief in their abilities, regardless of their physical limitations. The therapy also gave them a chance to succeed in types of play they might have difficulty accessing otherwise.