Fibrotic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer involve scarring, affecting organ function. Research by the University of Western Ontario identified glycogen synthase kinase 3 as a brake that can be impaired, leading to scarring.
A landmark study conducted at The University of Western Ontario found that arthroscopic surgery provides no additional therapeutic value for patients with moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. Physical therapy and medication proved equally effective in reducing joint pain and improving function.
Researchers are conducting the first-ever tests on a full-scale house to simulate hurricane-force winds, using pressure boxes to create realistic conditions. The goal is to understand how buildings fail and make them safer through basic additions and amendments.
Researchers at University of Western Ontario developed a method to tap into automatic mental associations of undecided individuals, predicting their future decisions on controversial issues. The implicit association test was used to analyze participants' responses, showing significant correlations between initial and final beliefs.
Research suggests that codeine may be unsuitable for all breastfed infants due to rapid metabolism into morphine, which can cause central nervous system depression. Fortunately, removal of exposure leads to dramatic improvement and no long-term adverse effects.
New research reveals that a specific dopamine pathway is responsible for the rewarding effects of nicotine. The mesolimbic dopamine system is also linked to addiction in other substances like cocaine and alcohol.
A new study finds that proteins modifying DNA play a key role in major depression and suicide, with brain tissue showing higher rates of epigenetic regulation. The research, led by Dr. Michael O. Poulter, identifies a gene involved in regulating brain activity as being heavily chemically modified in deceased individuals.
Researchers have discovered a gene that helps clear mucous in the lungs and digestive system of people with cystic fibrosis. By correcting abnormal levels of this gene, they were able to prevent blockages and improve survival rates in mice with CF.
Researchers at University of Western Ontario found a link between brain ventricle size and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's patients. They suggest that MRI scans can measure ventricle changes to provide earlier diagnosis and assess treatment effectiveness.
Researchers François Lagugné-Labarthet and Amardeep Thind receive Canada Research Chairs to study nanomaterials and develop new optical techniques. They aim to improve understanding of the Canadian healthcare system, reducing wait times and resource shortages.
A researcher at the University of Western Ontario is studying the relationship between global warming, nutrient enrichment, and lake systems to understand the complex dynamics of climate change. The study aims to identify how human activities impact regional temperature, hydroclimates, and aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers have found that delaying gum tissue closure improves outcomes for cleft palate patients. The study, led by Dr. Damir Matic, involved 136 children and found that closing the cleft at 8-9 years old prior to canine tooth eruption leads to better facial growth and reduces damage.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario have received $10.5 million in funding to study a protein that may control regeneration in spinal cord injuries. The discovery aims to understand how scar tissue inhibits nerve growth and develop effective treatments for the estimated 12,000 annual spinal cord injuries in Canada and the US.
A moral philosopher is investigating the ethics of medicated memory manipulation, particularly in the context of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The use of beta-blockers to dampen emotional responses to traumatic events may undermine an individual's understanding of their moral responsibility.
Researchers discovered that many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) possess rich pragmatic abilities, particularly in literal talk, challenging the notion of their limited communication skills.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario discovered that abdominal fat tissue produces a hormone called Neuropeptide Y (NPY), which stimulates fat cell production. This novel finding may lead to new therapeutic targets for combating obesity, including the development of a simple blood test to detect increased levels of NPY.
A large-scale study published in Journal of the American Medical Association finds that omega-3 fatty acids offer no benefit for preventing relapse in Crohn's disease. However, patients who took omega-3 supplements experienced significantly lower triglyceride levels, a risk factor for heart disease.
A recent study by William Roberts and his team found that rats can keep track of how much time has passed since a discovery, but not when it occurred. The researchers used an experiment with varying cues to test the rats' ability to remember episodic-like memories.
Researchers found three-billion-year-old zircon microcrystals in northern Ontario with an incredible 200-million-year growth span. The crystals provide a new record of planetary evolution and contradict previous theories about their behavior when exposed to heat and pressure.
Researchers found that a new 'top-down' therapy approach significantly improved disease remission rates and reduced steroid use in Crohn's patients. The two-year study showed 60% of top-down subjects were symptom-free by week 26, compared to 36% on traditional step-up treatment.
A Canadian study found that one-third of veterans who were deployed more than once experienced probable clinical depression, while 30% of those deployed only once were affected. The research also revealed that younger, single soldiers and those with multiple deployments were more likely to have PTSD and severe symptoms.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario have developed a new method to measure covert attention, shedding light on how the brain directs attention. By recording muscle activity in the neck, scientists can now detect when someone's eyes are not moving but still focusing on something.
Ozone intrusions are associated with sudden changes in tropopause altitude, damaging forests and crops. The study uses windprofilers to monitor ozone movements, highlighting the need for a better understanding of the role of human activities in atmospheric pollution.
A simplified step-care protocol for treating high blood pressure was more effective than guidelines-based practice in helping people reduce their blood pressure. The Simplified Treatment Intervention to Control Hypertension (STITCH) trial found that 65% of patients reached the target blood pressure level with STITCH-care, compared to 5...
A recent study by Western psychology graduate student Ben Bowles and professor Stefan Köhler found that the feeling of familiarity during recognition relies on a distinct brain mechanism. This insight sheds light on how memory is wired in the human brain, with implications for understanding memory deficits in neurology, including Alzhe...