Lithium study yields insights in the fight against HIV
Lithium, a widely used treatment for bipolar disorder and other mood disorders, has shown early promise in suppressing HIV, McGill University researchers report.
A new study published in iScience found lithium can prevent infected cells from reactivating, and that it does so through an unexpected biological mechanism.
The findings point toward future treatments designed to mimic lithium’s beneficial effects while avoiding its broader impacts on the body.
McGill study identifies most effective methods for early detection of tench, an invasive freshwater fish
As tench continue to spread through the St. Lawrence River, a study from McGill University provides fisheries managers with guidance on how to detect the invasive species, an essential first step in preventing it from reaching new waters. The findings can inform efforts to contain and manage existing populations, helping agencies determine how and where to carry out removal or control activities.
McGill researchers identify a range of unexpected chemical contaminants in human milk
An interdisciplinary team including researchers at McGill University has found a range of unexpected chemical contaminants in human milk samples from Canada and South Africa. The chemicals include traces of pesticides, antimicrobials and additives used in plastics and personal-care products. The findings were published across five papers.
Freshwater browning threatens growth and populations of economically important fish, McGill researchers say
Freshwater browning is stunting fish growth of some species, shrinking populations of others and changing the composition of fish communities, McGill-led research suggests. “Browning” refers to freshwater bodies turning tea-coloured, a phenomenon driven by higher levels of dissolved organic matter and/or higher levels of iron in the water. Causes include changes in land use and climate, and reduced acid precipitation.
Irradiated cannabis might still harbour toxic fungi and residues, McGill study finds
Gamma irradiation, an industry-standard sterilization method for medicinal and recreational cannabis, does not fully eliminate toxic fungi or their chemical residues, a McGill University study has found. Current testing practices may also miss contamination, raising concerns about health risks for vulnerable users, particularly those with weakened immune systems.
Findings suggest that certain medications for Type 2 diabetes reduce risk of dementia
A large McGill University study has found that two classes of medications commonly prescribed for Type 2 diabetes, both incretin-based, are associated with a reduced risk of dementia.
Drawing on clinical data from more than 450,000 patients, the research adds to growing evidence that incretin-based therapies have protective benefits for the brain.
Study offers evidence that racial bias is at play in overrepresentation of Black youth in Canadian child welfare systems
Researchers who examined Canadian child welfare data found that Black children were not only investigated at a higher rate than their white peers but were also more likely to be taken from their homes, even when the only difference between cases was the child’s race.
McGill researcher unveils new model that more accurately measures greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas
McGill engineering researchers have introduced an open-source model that makes it easier for experts and non-experts alike to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. natural gas supply chains and yields more accurate results.
New light-triggered microneedle patch could make IVF hormone delivery painless and automated
A McGill University research team has developed a painless, automated way to deliver in vitro fertilization (IVF) hormones using a light-activated microneedle patch, an innovation that could ease one of the most stressful parts of fertility treatment and open new possibilities for other diseases that require frequent, time-sensitive injections.
Do supervised consumption sites bring increased crime? Study suggests that’s a myth
Overdose prevention sites and supervised consumption sites in Toronto are not associated with long-term increases in local crime, McGill University researchers have found.
Mosquitoes’ feeding tubes make ultrafine 3D-printing nozzles
Researchers in McGill’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and at Drexel University have developed an innovative manufacturing technique that makes female mosquito proboscides, or feeding tubes, into high-resolution 3D-printing nozzles. With its unique geometry, structure and mechanics, the proboscis en
New evidence challenges understanding of Parkinson’s disease
A McGill-led study is challenging a popular theory about how dopamine drives movement, a discovery that could shift how scientists think about Parkinson’s disease treatments.
Fine particles in pollution are associated with early signs of autoimmune disease
A new study has linked air pollution exposure and immune-system changes that often precede the onset of autoimmune diseases.
McGill University researchers analyzing Ontario data found that fine particles in air pollution are associated with higher levels of a biomarker linked with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus.
Microencapsulated B-vitamins help dairy cows produce more milk with fewer emissions
A new international study led by McGill University in collaboration with Jefo Nutrition shows that supplementing dairy cow diets with microencapsulated B-vitamins can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing milk yield and quality.
Brain discovery opens door to earlier detection of metabolic syndrome in women
McGill University researchers have identified a brain function that helps explain why childhood stress raises metabolic health risks for some women later in life.
A new study found that variations in the brain’s insulin receptor network affect how women respond to early-life adversity. This effect has a lesser impact in men, suggesting there is a sex-specific process at play.
