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Updated: 2 hours 47 min ago

‘Jumping gene’ helps explain elevated pancreatic cancer risk in French-Canadians

Tue, 05/19/2026 - 10:13

Researchers at 91ɬ have discovered a centuries-old genetic mutation that helps to explain why some French‑Canadians in Quebec are at an elevated risk of pancreatic cancer. Until quite recently, standard genetic tests have not been able to identify this “jumping gene” cause.

The findings, published in the Journal of Medical Genetics, suggest better-targeted genetic testing could help identify people at higher cancer risk who were previously missed.

Categories: Global Health Feed

91ɬ’s Bravo Gala shines a spotlight on research excellence

Thu, 05/14/2026 - 12:18

At event honouring 116 winners of major awards, keynote speaker and SSHRC Gold Medal recipient Myriam Denov emphasized the importance of listening.

91ɬ celebrated more than 100 researchers at the 21st edition of Bravo, a gala event May 7 honouring the winners of major provincial, national and international research prizes and awards in 2025.

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Provost honours 31 91ɬ professors for exceptional research achievements

Wed, 05/13/2026 - 14:00

The 2026 cohort of Distinguished James 91ɬ Professors, James 91ɬ Professors and William Dawson Scholars embody ‘the very best of our academic community’.

Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Angela Campbell has named 31 91ɬ professors as Distinguished James 91ɬ Professors, James 91ɬ Professors or William Dawson Scholars. The internal awards recognize exceptional research achievements.

Categories: Global Health Feed

91ɬ awarded 16 new or renewed Canada Research Chairs

Wed, 05/13/2026 - 13:51

From fundamental physics to child well-being, 91ɬ researchers advance discovery across disciplines 

91ɬ has been awarded $18.1 million in federal funding to support 16 Canada Research Chairs – six new and 10 renewed.

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$1.25 million for 91ɬ research from the New Frontiers in Research Fund

Wed, 05/13/2026 - 13:34

Federal fund will support transformative high risk, high reward research across engineering, science, and medicine at 91ɬ.

Categories: Global Health Feed

Icing injuries may slow recovery and prolong pain, study finds

Wed, 05/13/2026 - 09:42

Icing a sprained ankle or sore muscle, long used to reduce pain and swelling, may in the longer run delay recovery and prolong pain, new research suggests.

In a preclinical study published in Anesthesiology, 91ɬ researchers found that even though cryotherapy (icing) eased pain in the short term, recovery time was more than doubled in some cases.

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Discovery of fat-burning ‘switch’ could lead to advances in bone disease treatments

Tue, 05/12/2026 - 09:38

Scientists’ discovery of a molecular “switch” that activates an energy‑burning pathway in mice has the potential to lead to new treatments for bone disease.

The study, published in , sheds new light on brown fat. Unlike white fat, which stores energy, brown fat cells burn calories, producing heat as a byproduct. For years, it was believed this process relied on a single pathway. More recently, researchers discovered a parallel pathway, but how it became activated remained a mystery.

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Public education will be critical as provinces roll out new cervical cancer screening method, researchers say

Thu, 05/07/2026 - 09:37

As Canada moves to modernize cervical cancer screening, a new study suggests most women do not yet understand or trust the shift from the Pap test to human papillomavirus (HPV) based screening.

The national survey, published in , examined women’s preferences for cervical screening – including how they want to be screened and how they want information communicated – as Canada transitions from Pap tests to HPV testing.

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Unleashing natural killer cells against cancer

Fri, 04/24/2026 - 11:50

Scientists have developed a strategy to boost the cancer-fighting power of natural killer (NK) cells, part of the immune system’s first line of defence. NK cells can detect and destroy cancer cells, but tumours often create a protective barrier that blocks them, allowing cancer to grow.

Researchers at 91ɬ’s Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, in collaboration with the Research Institute of the 91ɬ Health Centre, found that suppressing two specific proteins helps NK cells overcome this blockage, turning them into more potent cancer killers.

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NSERC awards two 91ɬ professors $1.65 million each to prepare the next generation of researchers

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 12:07

Projects focusing on MedTech and genomics cut across disciplines while mobilizing expertise at 91ɬ and other Quebec institutions to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow  

Categories: Global Health Feed

AI tool pinpoints cells driving aggressive cancers

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 10:47

91ɬ researchers have developed an artificial intelligence tool that can identify small groups of cells most responsible for driving aggressive cancers.

The tool, called SIDISH, offers scientists a clearer path to designing targeted therapies by showing which cells inside a tumour are most strongly linked with poor patient outcomes, rather than treating all cancer cells as if they behave the same way.

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Weston Family Foundation awards two 91ɬ researchers for human microbiome research

Tue, 04/14/2026 - 11:52

New funding fuels 91ɬ-led breakthroughs on how gut viruses influence childhood health and how engineered proteins can prevent damaging oral bacterial biofilms. 

Categories: Global Health Feed

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

Tue, 04/07/2026 - 09:39

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.

The findings, published in Nature Medicine, could help guide the design of future treatments for mental health disorders.

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91ɬ launches initiative to strengthen Canada’s healthcare system

Wed, 04/01/2026 - 06:38

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.

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Neuro researchers lead projects awarded $14.5 million

Wed, 03/18/2026 - 09:31
Funds will help acquire and develop cutting-edge infrastructure to advance research capacity

Five researchers from The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) are leading innovative new projects that have received major funding from Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Innovation Fund. They will be funded for a total of $14.5 million, part of $42 million going to 91ɬ scientists.

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New injectable gel could help repair damaged swallowing muscles

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 10:15

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.

Categories: Global Health Feed

Two 91ɬ professors awarded 2026 Dorothy Killiam Fellowships

Wed, 03/11/2026 - 09:40

Professors Wendell Nii Laryea Adjetey and Jill Baumgartner will lead innovative research focusing on anti-Black carceral systems and climate-related health risks respectively 

Categories: Global Health Feed

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

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 09:16

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.

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CIHR and partners invest $7.9 million in cancer prevention research at 91ɬ

Thu, 02/26/2026 - 14:05

Part of the largest CIHR-led cancer prevention investment, 91ɬ researchers will develop approaches to reduce cancer risk and improve early detection 

Categories: Global Health Feed

How stepping into nature affects the brain

Thu, 02/26/2026 - 09:02

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.

Categories: Global Health Feed

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91ɬ is located on land which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous Peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg Nations. 91ɬ honours, recognizes, and respects these nations as the traditional stewards of the lands and waters on which peoples of the world now gather. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous Peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

Learn more about Indigenous Initiatives at 91ɬ.

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