Add BrightSurf on Google Email

University of Waterloo


Gays and lesbians who feel supported are more certain about retirement prospects

A University of Waterloo study found that gay men and lesbians who feel socially supported are more certain about their retirement prospects. The research, which analyzed data from over 6,000 working Canadians aged 45 to 70, showed that those who felt isolated or marginalized were less secure in their retirement plans.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement·DateJun 26, 2017

Putting others first can cost lives in emergencies

A new study from the University of Waterloo found that strong individuals should prioritize their own safety before attempting to help weaker people in emergency situations. The research used computer modeling to simulate a flooded subway station, finding that overall survival rates were higher when strong members reached safety first.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalExpert Systems with Applications·DateJun 23, 2017

Research finds link between spacing out and giving up

New research from the University of Waterloo found that people who can sustain focus in daily life are more likely to report maintaining passion in their long-term objectives. The study suggests that mindfulness training exercises like meditation may help mitigate mind-wandering habits and achieve goals.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Journal of Experimental Psychology/Revue canadienne de psychologie expérimentale·DateJun 13, 2017

Ontarians still skeptical of flu shot

A new study from the University of Waterloo found that half of those who avoid flu shots do so due to concerns over vaccine effectiveness and personal immune systems. The study also revealed that moral and religious reasons, as well as past poor vaccine experiences, contribute to avoidance.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateJun 12, 2017

Your sex life is only as old as you feel

A University of Waterloo study of 1170 adults aged mid-40s to mid-70s found that those closer to their chronological age reported lower quality sex lives. Feeling younger at heart was associated with increased interest in sex, particularly for middle-aged and older individuals.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalThe Journal of Sex Research·DateMay 30, 2017

Study says drugs could be developed cheaper and faster

Researchers have discovered a new way to identify and test new drugs using differential mobility spectrometry (DMS), which analyzes drug molecules based on their response to an electrical field. This technique can measure drug properties in seconds, allowing for high-throughput testing of hundreds or thousands of drugs.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalACS Central Science·DateFeb 22, 2017

Maintaining healthy relationships: University of Waterloo studies identify a promising way

A University of Waterloo study found that thinking about the future helps people shift their focus away from current feelings and mitigate conflicts in romantic relationships. By envisioning their relationship a year into the future, individuals can adopt a more positive perspective and show more forgiveness.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJul 28, 2016

Computing a secret, unbreakable key

The University of Waterloo's IQC developed software to assess QKD protocol security, achieving perfect agreement with previous results and enabling exploration of new protocols. The tool enables users to analyze any protocol in seconds, a significant improvement over months-long efforts.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 20, 2016

Research finds that wisdom is a matter of both heart and mind

New research identifies conditions under which psychophysiology impacts wise judgment, finding greater capacity for wiser reasoning in individuals with more varied heart rates and a distanced viewpoint. This study extends previous work on cognitive underpinnings of wise judgment to include consideration of the heart's impact on the mind.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateApr 7, 2016