The world needs more empathy—here is how science can harness it
In a world grappling with deep-seated division and social upheaval, empathy has become more critical than ever.
But science suggests when it comes to evoking empathy, our imagination is more powerful than we previously thought. A new study, led by McGill researchers, reveals how the different ways to experience empathy affect our willingness to help others.
Unlocking the secret strength of marine mussels
How do you create strong, yet quick-release connections between living and non-living tissues? This is a question that continues to puzzle bioengineers who aim to create materials that bond together for advanced biomedical applications.
More than a meteorite: New clues about the demise of dinosaurs
What wiped out the dinosaurs? A meteorite plummeting to Earth is only part of the story, a new study suggests. Climate change triggered by massive volcanic eruptions may have ultimately set the stage for the dinosaur extinction, challenging the traditional narrative that a meteorite alone delivered the final blow to the ancient giants.
Q&A: How can Canada best meet its commitment to protecting 30% of its land by 2030?
At last year’s COP15 conference in Montreal, the Government of Canada set the goal of conserving 30 percent of the country’s land and water by 2030.
Unlocking the impact of early-life adversity on brain function
Do adults with a history of childhood trauma have altered brain responses to psychological challenges? Previous studies indicated that this can occur in laboratory animals, but it has been unclear whether it occurs in humans.
McGill receives three Canada Excellence Research Chairs
The results of the 2022 Canada Excellence Research Chairs competition were announced this morning at Simon Fraser University by the Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Ted Hewitt, President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Chair of the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat Steering Committee.
How do temperature extremes influence the distribution of species?
As the planet gets hotter, animal and plant species around the world will be faced with new, potentially unpredictable living conditions, which could alter ecosystems in unprecedented ways.
Eye-to-eye contact is rare but shapes our social behavior
When speaking to one another, much of the communication occurs nonverbally – through body posture, hand gestures, and the eyes. Our eye gaze during conversations therefore reveals a wealth of information about our attention, intention, or psychological states. But, there remains little scientific knowledge about the information that human eyes convey in interactions – is looking at others’ faces enough, or does our communication require eye-to-eye contact?
Patients propose real world solutions to Quebec’s primary care crisis: report
A new report shares patient-led solutions to help address the worsening primary care crisis in Quebec, where more than two million Quebecers have no assigned family doctor or nurse practitioner, among the worst rates in the country.
When dads are feeling a bit depressed or anxious, how do kids fare?
Many parents experience stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms throughout their lives, particularly during times of transition, such as pregnancy and children’s entry into school. Studies have generally found that high levels of anxiety and depression in parents are linked to poorer behavioural and cognitive outcomes in children.
Nicolas Cowan selected for prestigious Arthur B. McDonald Fellowship
World-leading exoplanet researcher recognized by NSERC for visionary science as well as commitment to public outreach and equity activities
McGill University today announced that Professor Nicolas Cowan has received the 2023 Arthur B. McDonald Fellowship from NSERC. These prestigious fellowships are awarded annually to early-stage academic researchers in the natural sciences and engineering.
Velvet Worm slime could inspire sustainable synthetic materials, study finds
In the tropical, temperate forests it calls home, the velvet worm uses a projectile “slime” to capture its prey. When it’s ejected from the worm, the slime transforms into a gel before solidifying into stiff fibers upon exposure to air. This forms an inescapable trap for struggling prey. "The fact that the slime transitions from a liquid to a solid in mid-air is extremely unusual," said Professor Matthew Harrington, co-director of the McGill Institute for Advanced Materials.
Government of Canada invests $15M in first-of-its-kind pan-Canadian genome library
Today at the McGill Genome Centre, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced a $15M investment over five years to create a Pan-Canadian Genome Library (PCGL), which will allow for easier sharing of genomic data across the country, and aid in the development of a national strategy to capture, store and access Canadian data in an equitable, secure, and sustainable manner.
The sunscreen paradox: McGill University researchers warn of ‘false sense of security’
Sunscreen usage is climbing, but so are melanoma and skin cancer rates: this, researchers say, is the sunscreen paradox.
A relational framework for microbiome research that includes Indigenous communities
Research on the trillions of microorganisms that make up a person’s microbiome can lead to medical breakthroughs to treat diseases like inflammatory bowel syndrome and diabetes.
