A team of University of Waterloo researchers has developed bio-compatible and non-toxic hydrogel composites using sustainable cellulose nanoparticles derived from plants. The tiny robots have the potential to conduct medical procedures, such as biopsy, and cell and tissue transport in a minimally invasive fashion.
Researchers created a 3D printed tumor model using bioprinting and synthetic chips to better understand complex cancers. The model simulates the surrounding environment, addressing limitations of traditional 2D models.
Researchers found that using electronic prompts during appointment scheduling for seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines can identify willing participants for HPV and shingles vaccines. Only 30% of those booking for these vaccines were already vaccinated against HPV, presenting a significant opportunity for targeted campaigns.
A Canadian hospital's energy and water use, medical product purchases account for over half its yearly carbon footprint, totalling 3500-5000 tons of CO2 equivalent. One hospital bed is roughly equivalent to the carbon footprint of five Canadian households.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have created a robust method to control individual qubits made of barium, a crucial step towards building functional quantum computers. The new optical system uses laser light and precision engineering to target and control individual atoms with unprecedented accuracy.
A team of researchers at the University of Waterloo and Dalhousie University have developed a method for forecasting short-term disease progression using limited data. The Sparsity and Delay Embedding-based Forecasting model, or SPADE4, uses machine learning to predict epidemic progressions with high accuracy.
A team of researchers has designed novel systems to capture water vapour in the air and turn it into liquid. They are inspired by nature, mimicking the efficiency of spider webs and desert beetles, to create inexpensive, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly freshwater generation systems.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to study circadian rhythm resilience and develop ways to improve it in individuals with weak internal clocks. Sustained disruptions can lead to disorders like diabetes and memory loss.
Researchers have developed a new explainable AI model to reduce bias and enhance trust in machine learning-generated decisions. The Pattern Discovery and Disentanglement (PDD) model can predict medical results with rigorous statistics and explainable patterns, leading to more reliable diagnoses and better treatment recommendations.
A new research method has determined the health impacts of heat and air quality, finding that even moderate temperature increases can lead to increased hospital visits and death for vulnerable populations. The study aims to help municipalities make informed decisions about climate mitigation and adaptation measures.
De-Stijl, a machine learning-based tool, suggests color palettes and demonstrates their impact in different distributions. It removes tedious guesswork from graphic design, facilitating creativity.
Researchers found that US public pension funds would have seen a 13% higher return on investments if they had divested from fossil fuels a decade ago. Divestment also reduced the carbon footprint of portfolios equivalent to powering 35 million homes per year.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo discovered a method to bypass voice authentication security systems with high accuracy. They found that malicious actors can generate convincing copies of a victim's voice using deepfake software, evading existing spoofing countermeasures.
Researchers discuss how AI can adapt and reinvent social science research practices to harness the power of large language models. The study explores novel opportunities for testing theories and hypotheses about human behavior at great scale and speed.
A study by University of Waterloo researchers reveals that Canada's carbon price regime exposes high-emitting industries to significant default risks, with assets worth $256 billion at risk. Financial lenders must consider carbon emissions in credit risk assessments to mitigate this risk.
New research from the University of Waterloo suggests that public peer recognition can lead to feelings of unfairness among employees, causing them to become less willing to help others. This can occur when employees disagree on what behaviors should be recognized or feel that they are not receiving fair recognition.
Researchers created a new type of wound dressing material using advanced polymers, enabling customized dressings with fine-tuned surface adhesion. The material has potential applications in burn treatment and drug delivery for cancer patients, providing constant medication release outside the clinic setting.
A new study found that antipsychotic drug use increased in all provinces of Canada during the first year of the pandemic. The percentage of residents receiving these medications without a diagnosis of psychosis rose significantly. Meanwhile, other areas such as falls and pressure ulcers showed no significant changes.
A new study from the University of Waterloo highlights four strategies to enhance equity and justice in climate action planning: modifying strategies, designing collaborative spaces, addressing gaps between words and actions, and considering underlying social processes. By prioritizing vulnerable populations and local actors, urban gov...
Researchers developed a framework to estimate economic benefits of urban parks, finding improved mental health and air quality lead to significant cost savings. The Quaker Foods City Square park in Peterborough, Ontario, yielded estimated annual benefits of over $4 million, justifying financial investment.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a robot system that uses artificial intelligence to track objects, including medication and glasses. This technology has shown high accuracy in locating everyday items, potentially improving the quality of life for individuals with dementia.
A recent study found that workplace accidents are most likely to occur in moderately dangerous environments due to inadequate safety behaviors. Workers tend to underestimate the need for safety measures and allocate insufficient time and effort to work safely in these conditions.
A new study by University of Waterloo researchers found that Canadian electronic waste (e-waste) has more than tripled in the last two decades, generating close to a million tons in 2020. E-waste generation per person has increased from 8.3 kg to 25.3 kg between 2000 and 2020.
Researchers at University of Waterloo and University of Toronto developed a novel generating system that converts mechanical vibrations into electricity. The system is compact, reliable, low-cost, and green, and has the potential to power billions of sensors needed for Internet of Things devices.
A new study found that the subjective visual vertical – a measure of how individuals perceive vertical lines – shifted considerably after participants played a high-intensity VR game, affecting the severity of cybersickness. This shift was linked to individual differences in sensory processing and gaming experience.
Researchers have developed a method to extract valuable metals from old mining waste using microbes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30%. This process also captures carbon dioxide from the air and stores it in the tailings as new minerals.
A new AI tool analyzed food consumption data from over 600 residents in long-term care homes, revealing a need for improved dietary habits. The study suggests that a diet rich in whole grains, plant-based proteins, and plain fruits and vegetables can help reduce inflammation and improve clinical outcomes.
Participation in campus recreational sports before the pandemic was linked to lower stress and higher competence during lockdowns. The study found that students developed key skills such as adaptability through sport, which helped them manage pandemic-related setbacks.
The new system, built by researchers at the University of Waterloo, uses low-power radar technology to track activities and alert medical experts to potential health issues. It can detect decline in mobility, increased likelihood of falls, and onset of medical conditions without the need for wearable devices.
Research reveals that financial landlords, including private equity firms and institutional investors, own nearly one in eight rental units in Montreal. This trend is linked to gentrification, displacement, aggressive rent increases, and eviction practices, particularly affecting precarious, racialized, and student groups.
Research from the University of Waterloo found that employees often feel pressure to continue working despite wanting a break due to fear of falling behind. The study suggests that promoting employee well-being by addressing unpleasant work conditions can help reduce the need for breaks.
Researchers found that well-designed facilities with diverse programming, cross-sector partnerships, and community needs analysis can promote long-term participation. Effective location choices and stakeholder engagement also contribute to facility productivity post-event.
Researchers found reduced brain oxygen levels in individuals with symptomatic COVID-19 illness, worse performance on cognitive tests, and increased psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety. Older women were more affected by the brain imaging outcomes.
A tiny soft robot has been developed to help doctors perform surgery and search in hard-to-reach places. The robot uses ultraviolet light and magnetic force to climb on any surface, including walls and ceilings, without an external power supply.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo used a robot to help students with learning disabilities stay focused, leading to higher completion rates. The study found that students who worked with the robot were generally more engaged with their tasks.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo analyzed a zero-carbon building in Canada and found that data-driven improvements helped reduce energy consumption by 15% without compromising comfort. The building is now on track to achieve its target, producing five percent more clean energy than it consumes and adding it to the Ontario grid.
A recent study by University of Waterloo researchers argues that globalization is far from over, contradicting widespread fears of a US-China rivalry. The authors suggest that the economic and technological costs of such a rivalry would be too high, hurting consumers worldwide.
Engineers at the University of Waterloo developed AI technology to predict breast cancer treatment effectiveness, allowing doctors to prescribe personalized treatments and reduce unnecessary side effects. The new algorithm uses synthetic correlated diffusion imaging images to forecast patient responses to chemotherapy.
Researchers found that small, disconnected wetlands are twice as effective in catching pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus. These isolated wetlands can protect lake or river ecosystems from pollution, improving water quality and biodiversity.
A new mathematical model simulates how the body regulates potassium levels, shedding light on the relationship between kidneys and muscles. The study suggests that muscle-kidney cross-talk signal hypothesis is essential in maintaining healthy potassium homeostasis.
A computational model predicts brain tumour growth using MRI data, providing valuable insights for clinicians. The study uses anonymous patient data to develop a predictive model for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) growth, which can be used to inform treatment decisions.
A new study refutes industry claims that banning menthol cigarettes leads to increased use of illegal smokes. Researchers found no significant change in the purchase of cigarettes from First Nations reserves after the Canadian menthol ban.
Researchers developed a natural material derived from seaweed to promote vascular cell growth and prevent blood clots in heart bypass surgery. Fucoidan, a seaweed-derived compound, was added to synthetic blood vessels using nanotechnology, significantly reducing the chances of clots forming.
A new AI method has analyzed substance use trends among Canadian high schoolers, identifying factors such as large weekly allowances and low physical activity that increase the risk of transitioning to multiple substance use. The study found that once students start using substances, it is rare for them to stop, highlighting the need f...
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have identified a new method for scheduling radiation therapy that could be up to 22% more effective at killing cancer cells. The algorithm takes into account the differing radiation resistances of stem cells and non-stem cells, allowing doctors to predict how a tumour will respond to treatment.
Scientists at the University of Waterloo have developed a device that generates twisted neutrons with well-defined orbital angular momentum, enabling researchers to study next-generation quantum materials. The discovery provides an additional quantized degree of freedom for characterizing complicated materials.
A Waterloo research team created the Wi-Peep drone-powered device, which can see through walls by exploiting a WiFi security loophole called polite WiFi. This allows it to identify and locate WiFi-enabled devices within seconds.
A new study by the University of Waterloo found that individuals with anxiety disorders are not more hesitant to get vaccinated than those without. Instead, discomfort with uncertainty is a significant predictor of vaccine hesitancy in both anxious and non-anxious individuals.
A new study from the University of Waterloo and Statistics Canada finds that inexperienced Canadian women entrepreneurs see more success when partnering with experienced men than women or going solo. The research highlights significant barriers faced by women in business, including negative stereotypes and limited access to financing.
A proposed U.S. menthol ban could significantly reduce plastic pollution and toxic chemical leaching into soil and water supplies. The ban is estimated to cut littering by 3.8 billion cigarette butts annually, saving approximately 1.7 million pounds of waste.