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How stepping into nature affects the brain

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:02:16 +0000

Spending time in nature, even briefly, triggers changes in the brain that calm stress, restore attention and quiet mental clutter, a new study has found.

Researchers at 91ɬ�� and colleagues at Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile have examined more than 100 brain-imaging studies from various disciplines. The result is one of the most comprehensive reviews to date of how the brain responds to nature.

Cognitive biases of talent scouts can undermine sports teams’ success

admin — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:58:25 +0000

Sports talent scouts’ decisions are influenced by various common cognitive biases that can affect their work and undermine team success, a paper published in the International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology has suggested.

91ɬ�� launches initiative to strengthen Canada’s healthcare system

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:38:22 +0000

91ɬ�� has launched the Initiative for Transforming Healthcare (ITH) to apply a systems-based approach and advance technology-enabled solutions to drive change in Canadian healthcare.

Mounting pressures – from limited access to family doctors to surgical backlogs and emergency room crowding – are straining Canada’s health system. The Initiative will explore ways to resolve these growing challenges through cross-sector partnerships.

Plants retain a ‘genetic memory’ of past population crashes, study shows

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:32:55 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� and the United States Forest Service have found that plants living in areas where human activity has caused population crashes carry long-lasting genetic traces of that history, such as reduced genetic diversity. Because genetic diversity helps species adapt to climate change, disease and other stresses, the study suggests it is vital to consider a population’s history-influenced genetics alongside its size and habitat in conservation planning.

New injectable gel could help repair damaged swallowing muscles

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:15:32 +0000

A new injectable gel developed by researchers at 91ɬ�� and Kyoto University could enable stem cell-based treatments for swallowing disorders.

While stem cells have the potential to repair damaged swallowing muscles, ensuring their survival after injection has been a major challenge. In a preclinical study published in Biomaterials, the new approach improved stem-cell survival by more than five times compared with traditional methods.

Engineered nanoparticles could deliver better targeted cancer treatment

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:42:37 +0000

Scientists at 91ɬ�� and the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute have developed a new way to deliver cancer immunotherapy that caused fewer side effects compared to standard treatment in a preclinical study.

Stability of brain’s internal compass may help explain how memories last

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:29:09 +0000

A new discovery by 91ɬ�� researchers sheds light on how we retain memories over time, even though brain activity is constantly changing.

Published in Nature, the preclinical study found the brain’s internal compass remains remarkably stable over time. The findings suggest this steady sense of direction may act as an anchor for memory.

Which childhood abuse survivors are at elevated risk of depression? New study provides important clues

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:53:23 +0000

Scientists have identified a pattern of gene activity present in some female survivors of childhood abuse that is associated with an elevated risk of depression.

Some young gamers may be at higher risk of mental health problems, but family and school support can help

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:16:18 +0000

Pre-teens who struggle to control their video gaming habits are more likely to have psychotic-like experiences a year later, a new study has found.

91ɬ�� researchers and colleagues at Maastricht University found that 12-year-olds who showed signs of problematic gaming were more likely to experience mild paranoia, unusual beliefs or disturbed perceptions at age 13.

Colourism might help explain health inequities suffered by dark-skinned Black Americans, researchers say

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:24:38 +0000

A study of Black Americans is among the first to show how the internalization of negative messages about dark skin tones could be linked to harms to health.

Researchers found that Black Americans who are, or perceive themselves to be, dark skinned show clear markers of cellular aging associated with immune-system damage and also score lower on a measurement of self-worth. Cellular aging and low self-worth are both associated with relatively poor health outcomes.

Largest-ever study of psychedelics could help advance their use in treating mental health disorders

admin — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:39:31 +0000

Scientists have demonstrated, for the first time, that several psychedelic drugs – including psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, DMT and ayahuasca – produce a common pattern of brain activity despite their distinct chemistries.

An international consortium led by a 91ɬ�� researcher pooled brain imaging data from labs across five countries, creating the largest study of its kind to date.

91ɬ�� researchers build the best light-powered, room-temperature computer yet

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:49:57 +0000

91ɬ�� and Queen’s University researchers have built an improved version of a computer that uses light to solve extremely hard problems more quickly and at larger scale than existing systems, without the need for cryogenic cooling.

Humans share acoustic preferences with other animals, study shows

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:18:52 +0000

A 91ɬ��-led study has found that humans share acoustic preferences with other species, at least when it comes to animal calls. The results provide experimental evidence that shared sensory processing mechanisms may shape aesthetic judgments of sound.

Addressing shame should be a focal point of treatment of childhood sexual abuse survivors, researchers suggest

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:43:35 +0000

A 91ɬ��-led study on the role played by shame in the continuing trauma suffered by survivors of childhood sexual abuse indicates that addressing shame should be a focal point of treatment. Clinicians should use strategies that normalize disclosure, validate survivors’ feelings and integrate shame-resolution techniques into their therapy plans, the researchers suggested.

Study offers guidance on the therapeutic use of mindfulness, yoga to boost mental health for dementia patients

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:36:49 +0000

Non-pharmacological interventions, such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, tai chi and breathing practices, have shown promise in helping to reduce some mental health symptoms of patients living with cognitive decline or dementia, but it has been unclear which types work best, for whom and under what conditions.