Using sunlight to turn two greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals

McGill University researchers have harnessed the power of sunlight to transform two of the most harmful greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals. The discovery could help combat climate change and provide a more sustainable way to produce certain industrial products.

Digitally cataloguing archived plant specimens can transform conservation efforts

Digitally cataloguing the more than 300 million plant specimens preserved in museums worldwide could yield crucial insights into how to preserve biodiversity amid climate change, a study by McGill University researchers has found.

Digitally cataloguing, or digitizing, a herbarium specimen involves recording the species name and original location and uploading that record to a digital repository that is publicly accessible.

How climate change is affecting where species live

As the climate warms, many species are on the move, raising new challenges for policy-makers around the world. Shifts in the ranges of mosquitoes and disease-bearing ticks and bats are introducing illnesses such as malaria and Lyme disease into regions where health-care systems are unprepared. Movements of commercially important fish from one jurisdiction to another are shifting job opportunities and causing trade disputes.

Millions of gamers advance biomedical research

Leveraging gamers and video game technology can dramatically boost scientific research according to a new study published today in Nature Biotechnology.

Safer, more efficient drug discovery

McGill researchers have discovered a safer and more efficient technique for testing new drugs while they are in development.

A promising discovery in a rare neurodegenerative disease

Imagine being middle aged and starting to feel that you are off balance a lot and that you are having a hard time coordinating your movements. Those are among the symptoms of Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6, known as SCA6, a rare neurodegenerative disease which typically appears in adulthood and worsens over time. Over time, other problems such as slurred speech and difficulty seeing or seeing double, may also appear.

Soup & Science: McGill’s stew-pendous serving of research

Recently, McGill undergraduate students had the opportunity to savor an enriching blend of knowledge and soup at the 37th edition of Soup & Science. This week-long event, occurring once a semester, highlights research taking place on campus. This semester’s showcase included topics across disciplines, ranging from quantum meta-photonics to optogenetic stimulation in roundworms, and students were able to learn and engage with these topics in an intimate setting.

Energy poverty: an overlooked determinant of health and climate resilience in Canada

Despite Canada being an important energy producer, not all Canadians can access or afford adequate levels of energy services at home to meet their needs, maintain healthy indoor temperatures, and live a decent life—a situation known as energy poverty. Depending on the measure, 6–19% of Canadian households face energy poverty. Health risks associated with energy poverty are documented in countries with milder climates.

Alfonso Mucci elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union

Alfonso Mucci, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, has been elected an American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fellow. He joins 53 other individuals in the 2022 Class of Fellows. AGU, a nonprofit organization that supports 130,000 enthusiasts to experts worldwide in Earth and space sciences, annually recognizes a select number of individuals as part of its Honours and Recognition program.

Undergraduate students celebrated for summer research

On August 10, thirty or so undergraduate students gathered in Leacock 232 to share their experiences as researchers in the Faculty of Science over the summer.

Making data science accessible to all

The Faculty of Science’s new Computational and Data Systems Initiative will help researchers unlock the power of data-intensive research methods

Real-time alert system heralds new era in fast radio burst research

McGill University scientists have developed a new system for sharing the enormous amount of data being generated by the CHIME radio telescope in its search for fast radio bursts (FRBs), the puzzling extragalactic phenomenon that is one of the hottest topics in modern-day astronomy.

Stress affects our motivation – but not necessarily our ability – to do difficult tasks

Stress increases people’s tendency to avoid cognitively demanding tasks, without necessarily altering their ability to perform those tasks, according to new research from McGill University.

Hidden magma pools pose volcanic eruption risks we can’t yet detect

New research co-authored by McGill Earth and Planetary Science professor John Stix challenges conventional views about scientists' ability to reliably predict volcanic eruptions.