A recent study found that Black older Americans have significantly better hearing than their White counterparts, with a prevalence rate of 9.4% compared to 15.4% among Whites. The study suggests potential explanations for this difference, including diet and noise exposure.
A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that adults with ADHD are four times more likely to experience generalized anxiety disorder. Factors associated with GAD among those with ADHD include being female, having a lower income, and a history of major depressive disorder.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have demonstrated that listening to personally meaningful music induces beneficial brain plasticity in patients with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease. The study showed changes in neural pathways correlated with increased memory performance on neuropsychological tests, suppo...
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created D-peptides that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and several of its variants, stopping infection in cultured human cells. The mirror-image peptides are stable, inexpensive to produce, and may be formulated as a nasal spray to prevent infection.
A recent scoping review found that subsidized housing residents with dementia or cognitive impairment face complex physical, mental, social, and behavioral struggles. These challenges can lead to premature institutionalization and exacerbate health deterioration if not addressed.
A scoping review highlights both the challenges and resilience of adapting to virtual funerals during COVID-19, including concerns about technology barriers and access, as well as the importance of healthcare professionals' support.
A new study found that drought may hinder child vaccination coverage in Africa, with polio vaccination rates being the lowest closest to the time of drought. The study suggests that climate change can hinder vaccinations through financial instability, food insecurity and erosion of public health infrastructure.
A new study has discovered the oldest known cavities ever found in a mammal, likely resulting from a diet rich in fruit. The cavities were identified in fossilized teeth of Microsyops latidens, a mammal that lived during the early Eocene, and suggest a shift in their diet over time.
A new study published in the journal Eating Behaviors found a strong association between vaping or e-cigarette use and an increased risk of developing an eating disorder among US college students. The study analyzed over 51,000 participants and highlighted the need for more research and clinical assessment to address this growing concern.
Researchers at University of Toronto found that the brain's prefrontal cortex generalizes perceptual experiences from different senses, producing sensations even without direct experience. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging and massage stones to capture neural activity patterns in the brain.
A new national study published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that bisexual Americans had over two times the rates of asthma and other lung diseases compared to heterosexual adults. Higher levels of discrimination experienced by bisexual people may lead to increased stress, inflammation, and worsened asthma.
Research reveals that young adults with ADHD are 69% more likely to develop a substance use disorder than their peers without ADHD. More than one-quarter of those with ADHD also experience major depression.
A new study found that 28.4% of adults with a history of suicide attempts are psychologically flourishing, achieving excellent mental health with factors like social support, higher income, and absence of chronic pain contributing to their well-being
A new tool called the 'scene wheel' is being used to study how accurately people construct mental representations of visual experiences. The wheel uses highly realistic images and deep-learning methods to simulate everyday visual experiences, allowing researchers to test the validity of classic findings in the field.
A scoping review of COVID-19 pandemic studies found individuals with chronic physical health conditions were more likely to experience anxiety, depression or substance use. Targeted interventions were lacking, highlighting the need for better mental health support.
A national study found that food insufficiency is strongly associated with unmet mental health needs and higher use of psychiatric medications among Americans. The study suggests that clinicians should screen patients for food insecurity and provide referrals to food assistance programs.
Researchers found that Canadians with a history of illicit drug dependence are more likely to experience mental illness than those without. Excellent mental health was more common among older respondents, those with higher levels of social support, and those without a history of depression or anxiety.
A national study published in Psychiatric Services found that nearly a quarter of US adults with depression or anxiety symptoms needed mental health counseling but were unable to access it. Women and young adults were more likely to report an unmet need for mental health support during the pandemic.
A study found that certain genetic variants of MTHFR enzyme can increase folate deficiency risk, leading to neurological and heart problems. Researchers identified over 656 possible variants, including the common A222V variant, which affects enzyme function in subtle ways.
A new national study found that children in the United States with greater screen time usage at ages 9-10 are more likely to gain weight one year later. Each additional hour spent on screen time is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) one year later.
A new study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that both anabolic steroid and legal performance-enhancing substance use are longitudinally associated with criminal offending among U.S. adults, particularly during young and middle adulthood. The study highlights the need for research on performance-enhancing substances to un...
A new study from the University of Toronto found that 63% of Canadians with migraines experience almost daily happiness and high levels of social and psychological well-being. Those who had a confidant or used spiritual coping mechanisms were more likely to be in excellent mental health.
A new study published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse found that 71% of Canadians with a history of alcohol dependence were no longer dependent, while 52% were free from any addictions or mental illness. The researchers also discovered that social support and age were strongly associated with optimal mental health, with older...
Researchers found that semi-aquatic anoles can exhale air into a bubble on their skin and re-inhale it, increasing their chances of eluding predators. The team studied six species of semi-aquatic anoles and found that all possessed the rebreathing trait, despite being distantly related.
Researchers at University of Toronto and Istanbul Technical University have discovered a new geologic process in plate tectonics that reveals early damage to areas of Earth's crust long before they are geologically altered by known plate-boundary processes. This challenges current understandings of the planet's tectonic cycle.
A study by Toronto researchers found that Baker's yeast cells employ a consistent network of gene interactions to coordinate growth in response to various environments. The majority of genetic interactions remained present across different conditions, revealing the stability of the cellular genetic program.
The Acceleration Consortium is using AI and robotics to design and discover new materials with superior performance characteristics. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of materials for renewable energy, consumer electronics, drugs, and other applications.
Researchers found that almonds contain approximately 20% unabsorbed calories after digestion, which can result in reduced energy absorption and potential weight loss. This finding could alleviate concerns about nuts contributing to weight gain, allowing for healthier snacking options.
A genetic variation that regulates iron metabolism is associated with enhanced endurance performance in athletes. Those at risk for iron overload performed 8% better than those with a low-risk genotype, cycling 1.3 minutes faster on average.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that the food industry interacted with government more than 80% of the time regarding Bill S-228, a failed bill to limit marketing to Canadian children. The study analyzed over 3,800 interactions and found that industry stakeholders dominated discussions on children's marketing and policy.
A new test called SATiN measures coronavirus antibodies in blood and is as sensitive as current market gold standard, while being cheaper and faster
A study of over 14,000 U.S. young adults found that adverse childhood experiences, such as physical and sexual abuse, predict greater performance-enhancing substance use. The likelihood of using anabolic-androgenic steroids increased nine times among men and six times among women who experienced sexual abuse.
Serious vision impairment declined by 26% among those aged 85 and older, while Black and Hispanic Americans showed greater reductions. The decline was attributed to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and advances in medical interventions for vision problems.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of reaction dynamics, shedding light on the behavior of molecules during collisions. The 'knock-on chemistry' phenomenon reveals that reaction products emerge in a straight line, moving in the same direction as the incoming reagent atom.
A new national study found that excessive social media use is associated with a higher risk of binge-eating disorder in US preteens. Children who spend more time on social media are more likely to develop the disorder, with each additional hour linked to a 62% increased risk.
The new technology streamlines creation of radiation treatment plans for brain tumors and other diseases, reducing time from 1.5-3 hours to just one minute while maintaining accuracy. This frees medical professionals to focus on patient care and improving outcomes.
The Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations will focus on new ways to support healthier urban populations and develop interventions to prevent the unsustainable rise of type 2 diabetes. The network aims to find solutions that address the root cause of chronic diseases and bring together existing expertise from across the University.
Scientists reveal that the African Coelacanth gained 62 new genes through encounters with other species, which arose from transposons. The genes likely play a role in gene regulation and are tissue-specific, with evidence suggesting they were introduced multiple times throughout evolutionary history.
A study found that Canadian adults who consumed an average of two to three fiber sources daily had lower rates of PTSD. Fiber's communication network between the gut and brain via short chain fatty acids may have a mental health-related protective effect.
Researchers used machine learning to design novel reticular frameworks for CO2 separation, outperforming existing materials. The automated platform generates optimal material designs, significantly reducing development time and resources.
Researchers found that brain tumour growth may be triggered by mutations in cells generated to replace damaged tissue after an injury. The study provides new insights into how glioblastoma develops and could lead to targeted therapies.
A recent Canadian study revealed that women with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are eight times more likely to have attempted suicide compared to their male counterparts. The study also found that adults with ADHD who experienced childhood parental violence had triple the odds of attempting suicide.
A new study of Canadians aged 45-85 found that 24% of refugees were in psychological distress compared to 13% of non-refugee immigrants and those born in Canada. The researchers believe pre-migration traumas, lack of social support, and chronic health conditions are contributing factors.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created a new tool called DISCO that enables the analysis of individual cells in their natural environment. The method combines cell microscopy with single-cell omics platforms, allowing scientists to study stem cells and other rare cell types in greater detail.
Researchers propose that declining hip fracture rates may be linked to generational differences in lifetime lead exposure, with bone mineral density and risk of fractures decreasing as lead levels decrease. The authors suggest that assessing lead levels in bones removed during hip replacements could help validate this hypothesis.
A recent study found that nearly 60% of young adults experienced direct or household employment loss during the pandemic, with many reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression. The researchers argue that addressing economic hardships can help mitigate mental health issues among this demographic.
Researchers found that as microbes adapt to new hosts, they become less beneficial to hosts of other genotypes. The study suggests that there may not be a single universally healthy microbiome, and transplanted microbes need time to adjust before providing benefits.
A new study sheds light on human responses to climate change in ancient Turkey, revealing local evidence of resilience and flourishing societies despite changes in the region. The research provides a significant new dataset that helps address questions about societal responses to proposed climate change.
A new study has found that non-obese Vietnamese Americans are 60% more likely to have diabetes than non-obese, non-Hispanic White Americans. Only 9% of Vietnamese Americans with diabetes were obese, compared to half of all non-Hispanic White Americans.
Researchers found that COVID-19 patients can retain antibodies in their saliva and blood for at least three months. The study used saliva and blood samples from over 100 patients to measure antibody levels, showing that IgG antibodies bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein are detectable for 115 days.