Low levels of air pollution deadlier than previously thought
The World Health Organization’s most recent estimates (2016) are that over 4.2 million people die prematurely each year due to long-term exposure to fine particulate outdoor air pollution (often referred to as PM2.5,).
Vaccine uptake remains low among at-risk Canadians
As the flu season begins and the COVID-19 pandemic continues, pneumococcal vaccination is more important than ever to prevent disease and death from pneumonia and other forms of pneumococcal disease. But vaccine uptake remains low among adults at high risk, say researchers from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ to establish high-profile discussion series on Canada’s place in the world
Thanks to an endowment of $5 million from Canadian philanthropist Charles Bronfman, LLD’90, the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada (MISC) is launching a new flagship event entitled Conversations, sponsored by Charles Bronfman, a series of high-profile and broadly accessible discussions about issues of global importance and the challenges and opportunities facing Canada. Â
Penguin feathers may be secret to effective anti-icing technology
Ice buildup on powerlines and electric towers brought the northern US and southern Canada to a standstill during the Great Ice Storm of 1998, leaving many in the cold and dark for days and even weeks. Whether it is on wind turbines, electric towers, drones, or airplane wings, dealing with ice buildup typically depends on techniques that are time consuming, costly and/or use a lot of energy, along with various chemicals.
Seawater: memory keeper, energy source, and pollution tracking
Forging a healthier future through research: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ launches new Institute of Genomic Medicine
A landmark donation to support Ï㽶ÊÓƵ’s renowned genomics research and education programs from UK-based alumnus and long-time donor Victor Dahdaleh is a catalyst for advancements in genomics research. Thanks to gifts from Victor Dahdaleh totalling more than $30 million, McGill will launch the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine.
Advancing climate research thanks to new satellite mission co-led by Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Canadian scientists will contribute to assessing and addressing climate change thanks to a new satellite mission that has received more than $200 million from the Canadian federal government. This is Canada’s contribution to a major multi-satellite mission led by NASA, the Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) mission, and will improve extreme weather prediction, climate modelling, and the monitoring of disasters.
Transparent face masks restore emotional understanding, but not empathy
Mask-wearing has become the norm for many since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite their effectiveness in preventing the spread of viruses, opaque masks impair our ability to understand and convey emotions, a group of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ researchers has found.
Flatworm-inspired medical adhesives stop blood loss
Every year around 2 million people die worldwide from hemorrhaging or blood loss. Uncontrolled hemorrhaging accounts for more than 30% of trauma deaths. To stop the bleeding, doctors often apply pressure to the wound and seal the site with medical glue. But what happens when applying pressure is difficult or could make things worse? Or the surface of the wound is too bloody for glue?
AI that can learn patterns of human language
Human languages are notoriously complex, and linguists have long thought it would be impossible to teach a machine how to analyze speech sounds and word structures in the way humans do. But researchers from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, MIT, and Cornell University have taken a step in this direction. They have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can learn the rules and patterns of human languages on its own.
Why leaves change colour, a bilingual theatre journey, and how Uber could help cities cut carbon emissions
A more sustainable production of industrial chemicals
Two renewable resources – cellulose from wood pulp and chitin from the shells of crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans – are known to industrial chemists for their potential for creating highly versatile nanocrystals, useful for making pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, industrial additives and much more.Â
Hats off: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ celebrates graduates and honorary doctorate recipients at Fall Convocation
On October 26, 2022, 1,800 graduating students will cross the stage at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ’s Fall 2022 convocation ceremonies. They will celebrate with family and friends at Place des Arts, 175 St. Catherine Street West.
As part of the ceremonies, McGill will continue its tradition of conferring honorary degrees to highly talented and engaged individuals who serve as an inspiration for its community of students, professors, researchers, and staff.
The surprising Swiss-Army-knife-like functions of a powerful enzyme
Blue-green algae (AKA cyanobacteria) have a superpower which likely helps them be highly successful as invaders of waterways. They have an extraordinary ability to store energy and nitrogen in their cells for times of need. But how exactly they do so remains only partly understood.