A surprise advance in the treatment of adult cancers
A team of researchers at the Research Institute of the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Centre (RI-MUHC) has found an epigenetic modification that might be the cause of 15% of adult cancers of the throat linked to alcohol and tobacco use. This is a first in the field of epigenetics and the researchers are hopeful that the discovery can blaze a path in the development of new, targeted, more effective treatments that could arise over the next few years.
Breakthrough in MS treatment
In separate clinical trials, a drug called ocrelizumab has been shown to reduce new attacks in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), and new symptom progression in primary progressive MS.
Homing in on source of mysterious cosmic radio bursts
Astronomers have pinpointed for the first time the home galaxy of a Fast Radio Burst, moving scientists a step closer to detecting what causes these powerful but fleeting pulses of radio waves. FRBs, which last just a few thousandths of a second, have puzzled astrophysicists since their discovery a decade ago.
Lack of joy from music linked to brain disconnection
Have you ever met someone who just wasn’t into music?McGill researchers contribute to six of 10 discoveries of year picked by Quebec Science
Québec Science magazine has selected its 10 Discoveries of the Year for 2016, and McGill researchers figure in six of them. The annual list highlights top scientific research from across Quebec.
Two of the discoveries were led by researchers at McGill:
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ announces a transformative $20 million donation to the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital
Bacteria control levels of dangerous pollutant in seabirds
Despite ongoing global pollution, researchers have discovered that levels of mercury in seabirds off the coast of B.C. have remained relatively stable over the past 50 years. Surprisingly, mercury in seabirds is now actually slightly lower.
Fast track control accelerates switching of quantum bits
From laptops to cellphones, today’s technology advances through the ever-increasing speed at which electric charges are directed through circuits. Similarly, speeding up control over quantum states in atomic and nanoscale systems could lead to leaps for the emerging field of quantum technology.
Taking stock of the world’s lakes
The total shoreline of the world’s lakes is more than four times longer than the global ocean coastline. And if all the water in those lakes were spread over the Earth’s landmass, it would form a layer some four feet (1.3 metres) deep. Â
Lottery tickets aren’t child’s play
Lottery tickets may be fun-filled and exciting presents, but they are not suitable gifts for minors. Studies suggest that gambling is a popular yet risky activity among youth. Additionally, researchers have reported a correlation between age of gambling onset and problem gambling later in life. Lottery play is sometimes an initial introduction to gambling activities for minors.
McGill researchers lead development of tool to assess environmental risks of chemicals
Assessing the risks that toxic chemicals pose to natural ecosystems is a huge challenge, given the thousands of chemicals that require testing. But the task is expected soon to become less daunting, thanks to a new tool being developed by Ï㽶ÊÓƵ researchers.Â
McGill announces Dr. Thomas Robinson as the 2016 winner of the Bloomberg Manulife Prize for the Promotion of Active Health
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, in association with Lawrence and Frances Bloomberg and Manulife, is pleased to announce that Dr. Thomas Robinson, a Stanford University professor of Pediatric Medicine and pioneer in using novel motivational techniques to combat childhood obesity, is the winner of the 2016 Bloomberg Manulife Prize for the Promotion of Active Health.
Fast evolution affects everyone, everywhere
Rapid evolution of other species happens all around us all the time – and many of the most extreme examples are associated with human influences.
4-week prehabilitation prepares cancer patients for surgery
Just four weeks of prehabilitation (pre-surgery preparation) may be enough to help some cancer patients get in shape for surgery. That’s according to a recent study of close to 120 colorectal cancer patients in Montreal. This potentially means that, barring unforeseen circumstances that stem from the surgery itself, their recovery is likely to be speedier too, according to earlier research from the same McGill-led team.
Gene discovered to cause rare, severe neurological disease
Researchers have linked a debilitating neurological disease in children to mutations in a gene that regulates neuronal development through control of protein movement within neuronal cells.Â