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University of Toronto


All food energy improves memory in elderly, study says

A new study from the University of Toronto shows that consuming carbohydrate, fat and protein drinks of equal calories improves verbal recall in elderly individuals. The positive effects on memory are explained by an evolutionary perspective, suggesting specific types of food energy enhance specific aspects of brain function.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 19, 2001

Family relationships key to children's mental health, say University of Toronto researchers

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that anxious children with troubled families have poorer treatment outcomes. Children who felt their families were dysfunctional or their parents were stressed had poorer treatment outcomes. The study suggests including parents in the treatment process is crucial for effective therapy.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateOct 24, 2001

Plants, insects play cat and mouse game

Research by Professor Anurag Agrawal reveals that plants can detect the difference between various insect species and respond accordingly, adjusting their growth, behavior, and chemical defenses. In turn, insects adapt their phenotype and physiology to better digest the plant, highlighting a flexible co-evolutionary strategy.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·DateOct 24, 2001

Bad marriages exacerbate high blood pressure

A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that unhappy marriages increase blood pressure in people with mild hypertension, while good marriages are protective. Participants who experienced marital discord had a statistically significant thickening of the heart's left ventricle after three years.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateDec 13, 2000

Lifting the pressure on holiday party perfectionists

Perfectionists experience anxiety and depression when minor hassles pile up during the holidays. To mitigate this, Blankstein suggests planning ahead, involving others in tasks, and accepting help from loved ones. His study based on 443 university students provides valuable insights into perfectionism's impact on mental health.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Counseling Psychology·DateDec 11, 2000

Mother nature cleans up human-made mess

A University of Toronto researcher found a polar lake in the Arctic has recovered significantly despite decades of sewage dumping, using diatoms as effective bio-monitors. The phosphorus levels have declined sharply since 1972, tracking the decrease in population at a former Canadian military base.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalHydrobiologia·DateNov 16, 2000

Tackling seasonal depression in Canada

A new national study in Canada aims to test different types and combinations of anti-depressants and fluorescent light therapy for patients with seasonal depression. Researchers hope to better understand this debilitating condition that affects over 600,000 Canadians each year, causing significant dysfunction and impairment.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalThe Canadian Journal of Psychiatry·DateNov 16, 2000

Boys' writing perceived worse than girls: study

A study by University of Toronto professor Shelley Peterson found that students perceive male authors as more competent if their stories are descriptive and well-written, while female authors are viewed as more capable if they write about relationships or emotional themes. This perceived incompetence can have long-term implications on ...

Study challenges mammogram effectiveness in breast screening

A study found that breast cancer mortality was almost identical in two groups of women aged 50-59, one receiving annual mammograms and the other physical examinations alone. Effective and regular breast physical examinations with breast self-examination may be an alternative to annual mammograms for this age group.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateSep 18, 2000

Simple new method holds great promise for treating carbon monoxide poisoning quickly and easily

A new treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning has been developed, which can be applied by paramedics to speed up the elimination of the poison from victims' bodies. The treatment involves adding a specific mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide to an oxygen mask, increasing the rate of carbon monoxide elimination up to three times.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 14, 2000

'Lying' gets space-age results

A U of T engineer has devised a method to control vibrations in robots assembling or repairing objects in outer space. By entering a 'corrected' equation into the system, scientists can reduce deformations and complete tasks more quickly.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Robotic Systems·DateMay 28, 2000

Stone tools reveal ancient seafood diet

A new study of ancient stone tools in Eritrea reveals that early humans harvested seafood in Africa around 125,000 years ago. The discovery suggests a widespread adaptive strategy in early human behavior that spread across the continent between 115,000 and 125,000 years ago.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature·DateMay 28, 2000

Equatorial water may have provided means of survival

Researchers from the University of Toronto and Texas A&M University suggest that a belt of open water near the equator may have supported life during the Snowball Earth era. This region could have provided refuge for early multi-celled animals, enabling them to survive and thrive in the face of extreme climate conditions.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature·DateMay 24, 2000

Decision on when to operate for childhood ear infections depends on which surgeon you ask: Study

A study found that surgeons in Ontario have differing opinions on when to perform surgery on children with ear infections, citing varying factors. The researchers surveyed 17 clinical and social factors, but only six were agreed upon, highlighting the need for a revised approach to addressing this common Canadian procedure.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 30, 2000