The bigger the evolutionary jump, the more lethal cross-species diseases could be
Some diseases which are fatal in one species can cause only mild discomfort in another—but it’s hard for scientists to predict how lethal a disease will be if it leaps across species.
However, a new paper published this week in PNAS indicates that the evolutionary relationship between infected hosts can predict the impact of diseases.
Using laser light to study how epilepsy arises in the healthy brain
Scientists at McGill University have developed a new method to study how seizures arise in the healthy brain. Using laser light guided through ultra-thin optic fibers in the brain of rodents, the researchers “turned on” light-sensitive proteins in selective brain cells and were able to eventually cause seizures through repeated laser stimulation. These findings were published March 27, 2019 in the journal Scientific Reports.
Bengio co-recipient of A.M. Turing Award
by Daniel McCabe
Congratulations to McGill graduate Yoshua Bengio, BEng’86, MSc’88, PhD’91, on being named a co-recipient of the 2018 A.M. Turing Award. Frequently referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Computing,” the Turing Award, presented by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), recognizes individuals for major contributions of lasting importance to computing.
Anti-TB drugs can increase risk of TB re-infection
Current treatments for tuberculosis (TB) are very effective in controlling TB infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). They don’t, however, always prevent reinfection. Why this happens is one of the long-standing questions in TB research.
Montreal and McGill University Become Blue Communities
The Ville de Montréal and McGill University today received Blue Community certification on the occasion of World Water Day. To obtain this certification, they have undertaken to recognize water and sanitation as human rights, to promote publicly managed water services and to ban or phase out the sale of bottled water in their buildings and at their events. Hence Montreal has joined some forty Blue Communities worldwide, including major cities like Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Victoria.
Bartha Knoppers awarded 2019 Friesen Prize
McGill University Professor Bartha Knoppers, a global leader in the study of legal, social and ethical issues related to biomedical research in human genetics and genomics, has been awarded the 2019 Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research by the Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FCIHR).
Rising global shipping traffic could lead to surge in invasive species
Rising global maritime traffic could lead to sharp increases in invasive species around the world over the next 30 years, according to a new study by McGill University researchers.
The findings, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, suggest that shipping growth will far outweigh climate change in the spread of non-indigenous pests to new environments in coming decades.
New cause for concern over weedkiller glyphosate
New research from McGill University reveals an overlooked impact that the widely used herbicide glyphosate may be having on the environment.
Canadian researchers and international collaborators seek to improve the care of people living with dementia and their families
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be a disorienting experience for the person diagnosed and their families. A diagnosis often leaves the person and their families searching for information and guidance on health and social services that are available to assist them in their daily lives.
Impostor Cities exhibition to represent Canada at the 2020 Venice Biennale in Architecture
Impostor Cities explores how Canadian cities double as other places on screen. The exhibition will represent Canada at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition - la Biennale di Venezia in 2020.
McGill researchers receive $3.7M in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Government of Quebec
By Amanda Testani
Fifteen McGill researchers have received federal grants through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). Minister of Science and Sport, Kirsty Duncan, made the announcement today at the University of Western Ontario. Each McGill recipient will also receive matching funds from the Quebec government for their research endeavors.
European-Canadian Cancer Network chosen as a driver project of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health
The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) has selected the European-Canadian Cancer Network (EUCANCan) as one of seven 2019 Driver Projects to advance and pilot standards for sharing genomic health-related data.
Dr. Arjun Krishnaswamy selected as 2019 Sloan Research Fellow
An Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine and a member of the Cell Information Systems group at McGill’s Life Sciences Complex, Dr. Arjun Krishnaswamy was recently included among the 126 outstanding early-career researchers selected for 2019 Sloan Research Fellowships.
International team of scientists detect cause of rare pediatric brain disorder
Mathilde came into the world with chubby cheeks and a full head of auburn hair. But she was a very sick baby, and was immediately transferred on January 19, 2013 to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Montreal Children’s Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre (MCH-MUHC). By the time she arrived, she was sicker than initially expected; Mathilde’s small head was of particular concern to doctors.
Mega-experiment shows species interactions stronger towards tropics and lowlands
An international research team led by a McGill University researcher used a simple experiment that mimics how plants and animals interact with each other—leaving seeds out for 24 hours to see how many get eaten. Seven thousand seed beds were deployed across a huge geographic scale, with 70 sites cutting across 18 mountains from Alaska to the equator.
