Dangers of smoking during pregnancy
Mothers who smoke are more likely to deliver smaller babies even after a full-term pregnancy, increasing the risks of birth defects and neurological disorders later in life, say researchers from McGill University.
More sleep boosts teens’ ability to cope with pandemic
While poor sleep was linked to higher levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, more teens actually obtained the recommended amount of sleep compared to pre-pandemic sleep patterns, according to a new study from McGill University. Changes to daily routines triggered by lockdowns allowed teenagers to follow their biological impulse to wake up and sleep later, reducing daytime sleepiness.
Helping children with autism and hyperlexia learn to understand what they read
Hyperlexia is a condition where preschool children display an intense early interest in letters in a way that is very advanced for their age. They can decode words accurately, but without understanding their meaning. It is most common among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – with approximately 6-20% of children with autism demonstrating hyperlexia.
Freshwater ecosystems at risk due to glyphosate use
One of the few species that was found to be resistant to severe glyphosate contamination was Scapholeberis mucronata, a freshwater zooplankter commonly found in Québec and elsewhere in North America. CREDIT: Marie-Pier Hébert
Fighting brain cancer at its root
McGill University researchers identify proteins that drive cancer stem cells. Targeting and supressing a particular protein called galectin1 could provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma, in combination with radiation therapy.
A skin crawling treatment for acne?
Drawing inspiration from nature, a team of international scientists have invented a smart device for personalized skin care modeled after the male diving beetle. This tool collects and monitors body fluids while sticking to the skin’s surface, paving the way for more accurate diagnostics and treatment for skin diseases and conditions like acne. The team includes Bo-yong Park, a former postdoctoral researcher at The Neuro at McGill University.
Tracking genetically modified animals
McGill University researchers have discovered a new way to track genetically modified animals using the artificial transgenes they leave behind in the environment. The discovery provides a powerful new tool to locate and manage genetically modified animals that have escaped or been released into the wild.
Global sand and gravel extraction conflicts with half of UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sediment mining in the Goyain River in northern Bangladesh. The sand taken from these beds is used for buildings and infrastructure in nearby towns and cities CREDIT: Jim Best
Six McGill students receive Canada's largest science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) scholarships
Six students from across Canada have been named recipients of the country’s largest undergraduate scholarship program, Schulich Leader Scholarships, and will begin their studies this September, in McGill’s bicentennial year.
Uncovering the relationship between lifestyle, personality and brain structure
Danilo Bzdok, a researcher at The Neuro, McGill’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, uses machine learning to identify patterns in human neurological and psychological data. One of his team’s recent studies analyzed personality profiles, demographic status and social lifestyle from a cohort of 40,000 UK Biobank midd
Indigenous territories fight climate change
In a recent study in PLOS ONE, researchers from 6 different countries, including Camilo Alejo and Catherine Potvin of the Department of Biology at McGill University, examined the importance of I
Over 260,000 kilometres of rivers at risk due to proposed hydro dams
Over 260,000 kilometres of river could potentially be severed by planned hydroelectric developments according to McGill University researchers. The Amazon, the Congo, and the Irrawaddy are just a few of the rivers at risk of losing their free-flowing status if the proposed construction of new hydropower dams takes place.
CFI invests $3.9 M in McGill research
McGill’s researchers will soon acquire the highly specialized tools they need to innovate in their fields thanks to funding from the Government of Canada through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, made the announcement today of $77 million across 50 institutions in Canada through the program.
Lighting the way to improved biomaterials
Researchers from McGill University believe that they have found a way to improve the development of biomaterials that could be instrumental in drug delivery, tissue regeneration, nano-optics and nanoelectronics.
Using AI to predict suicidal behaviours in students
How can we predict suicide risk in students, especially at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many people’s mental health? According to researchers from Montreal and France, self-esteem represents an important predictive marker of suicidal risk. The team from McGill University, University of Montreal, Inserm, and Université de Bordeaux is using artificial intelligence to identify factors that accurately predict suicidal behavior in students.
