my91ɬ�� - 91ɬ�� News Releases

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

91ɬ�� — Tue, 19 May 2026 14:13:42 +0000

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.

91ɬ�� researchers help secure Canadian access to the world’s largest telescope

91ɬ�� — Thu, 14 May 2026 18:19:47 +0000

A team led by the Université de Montréal, the Observatoire du Mont‑Mégantic (OMM) and the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx), in partnership with the University of British Columbia and 91ɬ��, has been awarded nearly $11.3 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to support Canada’s contribution to ANDES, a flagship scientific instrument for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) under construction in Chile.

Icing injuries may slow recovery and prolong pain, study finds

91ɬ�� — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:42:56 +0000

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.

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

91ɬ�� — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:38:51 +0000

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 Nature, 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.

91ɬ�� researchers’ sustainable construction method aims to improve earthquake safety

91ɬ�� — Mon, 11 May 2026 14:49:54 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� are carrying out large‑scale tests of a new timber-steel structural system designed to help buildings better withstand earthquakes. Early results suggest the system performs well under simulated earthquake forces, offering a potential path toward safer, more sustainable construction in Quebec and beyond.

A promising new way to transplant cells could lead to a better treatment for Type 1 diabetes

91ɬ�� — Thu, 07 May 2026 15:04:12 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� and the Research Institute of the 91ɬ�� Health Center (RI-MUHC) have developed a novel device to transplant insulin-producing cells that integrates directly with existing blood vessels in the body. The technology, which showed promising results in preclinical trials, aims to overcome key challenges of emerging long-term cell-based treatments for Type 1 diabetes. As well as serving as an artificial pancreas, it potentially could be used to replace or support the function of other organs.

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

91ɬ�� — Thu, 07 May 2026 13:37:38 +0000

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 Current Oncology, 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.

Moderate UV light is best when it comes to boosting the vitamin D content of edible mushrooms, 91ɬ�� study finds

91ɬ�� — Mon, 04 May 2026 14:00:59 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� have discovered that moderate ultraviolet (UV) light exposure is best when the technique is used to enhance vitamin D₂ in edible mushrooms. Excessive exposure leads to nutrient degradation or a plateau effect, they found. The paper also provides quantitative guidance.

The researchers’ work supports efforts to address vitamin D deficiency, which affects between 30 and 50 per cent of the world’s population, as well as enhance the nutritional value of mushrooms more broadly.

91ɬ�� researchers engineer faster, more effective blood clots

91ɬ�� — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:32:13 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� have developed a rapid way to engineer blood clots that stop severe bleeding and support tissue healing more effectively. Their technique, called “click clotting,” links red blood cell surface proteins through a chemical reaction, resulting in a biocompatible clot that is 13 times more resistant to fracturing and four times more adhesive than natural blood clots. The team said the method could be used to develop life-saving biomaterials to help control severe bleeding, as well as benefit people with clotting disorders.

91ɬ�� researchers’ novel device could boost the development of sound-based lasers

91ɬ�� — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:52:16 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� have developed a novel device that generates sound-like particles known as phonons at extremely cold temperatures. The technology could be used to create phonon lasers, with possible applications in communications and medical diagnostics.

Unleashing natural killer cells against cancer

91ɬ�� — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:50:22 +0000

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.

Only some kinds of job losses cause voters to elect strong leaders, study finds

91ɬ�� — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:57:47 +0000

Americans are more likely to turn to authoritarian leaders when jobs are being lost due to offshoring than they are when job losses result from automation, an international research team has found. This is despite the fact that automation tends to lead to greater job losses.

Study finds treating peanuts with cold plasma could make them less allergenic

91ɬ�� — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:16:33 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� have found that briefly treating peanuts with cold plasma, an ionically charged gas that triggers chemical changes, reduces their potential to cause allergic reactions. The researchers say this is probably because the process causes changes to the protein structure, the part of the peanut that can trigger an immune response. The technology was also shown to improve functional properties important for food manufacturing.

Researchers identify new jellyfish species in fossils near Quebec City

91ɬ�� — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:37:27 +0000

Researchers studying 450-million-year-old fossils discovered about 50 kilometres northeast of Quebec City have identified a new species of basal medusozoan: Paleocanna tentaculum, a soft-bodied, tube-shaped polyp with a ring of tentacles. Closely related to modern jellyfish, it is a rare discovery. Only a few other species in its subphylum have ever been described in the fossil record.

AI tool pinpoints cells driving aggressive cancers

91ɬ�� — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:47:49 +0000

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.

Internalization of homophobia and transphobia may undermine mental health benefits of religiosity or spirituality for LGBTQIA+ people, study finds

91ɬ�� — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:47:58 +0000

Non-affirming religious doctrine may engender internalized homophobia or transphobia among LGBTQIA+ people of faith, undermining the positive mental health outcomes otherwise associated with religiosity and spirituality, a 91ɬ�� study has found.

Non-producing oil and gas wells emit microbial methane at rates 1,000 times higher than previously estimated

91ɬ�� — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:52:18 +0000

Microbial methane leaking from non-producing oil and gas wells is being emitted at rates about 1,000 times higher than previously estimated, according to a new study led by 91ɬ�� researchers.

91ɬ�� inaugurates new facilities at Macdonald Campus to advance teaching and research on climate‑resilient agriculture

91ɬ�� — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:32:51 +0000

91ɬ�� today inaugurated state‑of‑the‑art teaching greenhouse and plant phenotyping research facilities at its Macdonald Campus in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. These represent major investments in teaching and research focused on food security, crop resilience and sustainable agriculture.

Researchers turn to mussels and mistletoe to design sustainable materials

91ɬ�� — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:58:15 +0000

Taking inspiration from how mussels and mistletoe plants build natural fibres and adhesives, researchers at 91ɬ�� have developed a new way to manufacture complex materials that could offer a more environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional plastics and glues.

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

91ɬ�� — 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.

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

91ɬ�� — 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.

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

91ɬ�� — 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.

Researchers warn of risks posed by ‘contaminants of emerging concern’ found in crops, agricultural soil

91ɬ�� — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:16:17 +0000

A new international study offers insights into the health risks posed by crops’ absorption of “contaminants of emerging concern” (CECs) and flags knowledge gaps the authors say must be addressed.

CECs include pharmaceuticals, microplastics, engineered nanomaterials and PFAS (commonly known as “forever chemicals”). The researchers warn that even when present at very low concentrations, these chemicals can subtly alter plant physiology, disrupt soil health and pose wider environmental and human health risks.

Humans share acoustic preferences with other animals, study shows

91ɬ�� — 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.

New injectable gel could help repair damaged swallowing muscles

91ɬ�� — 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.

Study shows how tree cover shapes freshwater ecosystems over millennia

91ɬ�� — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:07:15 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� used 2,000-year-old stone jars in Laos to observe long-term ecological processes, enhancing understanding of how strongly tree cover shapes small freshwater ecosystems. Their findings stand to help scientists predict how freshwater habitats will respond to environmental change, the researchers said.

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

91ɬ�� — 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.

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

91ɬ�� — 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.

How stepping into nature affects the brain

91ɬ�� — 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.

Making solar power’s land use more efficient

91ɬ�� — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:24:28 +0000

As solar energy rapidly is becoming the world’s largest renewable power source, new research from 91ɬ�� offers a clearer picture of how much land that growth could require and how smarter choices could mitigate solar energy’s land footprint.

Findings of 91ɬ�� study could lead to new longevity therapies and improved fall prevention

91ɬ�� — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:46:40 +0000

A new 91ɬ�� study has found a direct link between age‑related declines in neuron activity in the cerebellum and worsening motor skills, including gait, balance and agility. While it is well known that these abilities diminish with age, this is the first research to pinpoint how changes in Purkinje cells – a key type of cerebellar neuron – drive this decline and translate into measurable changes in behaviour and physical function.

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

91ɬ�� — 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.

Engineered nanoparticles could deliver better targeted cancer treatment

91ɬ�� — 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.

Cognitive biases of talent scouts can undermine sports teams’ success

91ɬ�� — 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.

New study provides advice on how to boost participation in physical activity among autistic youth

91ɬ�� — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:21:49 +0000

Researchers investigating how to increase participation in physical activity by autistic children and teens say key strategies include creating predictable routines, involving family members and ensuring safe and sensory-friendly spaces.

Those were among 95 “facilitators” yielded by their review of previously published research on the subject. Autistic youth are less physically active than their peers, who are already not physically active enough, the researchers said, noting that physical activity could be beneficial to their physical, social and emotional health.

91ɬ�� researchers optimize process for converting human urine into clean energy

91ɬ�� — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:07:32 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� have improved the efficiency of a method for converting human urine into clean energy.

The method employs microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which use bacteria to turn organic waste into electricity, providing a sustainable and low-cost means of treating wastewater while generating energy from an abundant source. The 91ɬ�� research provides insights into which urine concentrations are optimal for this process.

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

91ɬ�� — 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.

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

91ɬ�� — 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.

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

91ɬ�� — 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.

Economic, educational and gender inequities can contribute to problematic social media use among teens, findings suggest

91ɬ�� — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:42:44 +0000

A new 91ɬ�� study suggests that problematic social media use among teens is in part related to broader social inequalities.

Zékai Lu, a PhD student in 91ɬ��’s Department of Sociology and author of the study, had set out to determine whether problematic social media use is driven mainly by individual traits or whether the social environment of the country a teen lives in also plays a significant role.

People can learn to reject unfair advantages, even when it costs them

91ɬ�� — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:32:11 +0000

A new study co-authored by 91ɬ�� researchers suggests people can be taught to reject unfair advantages.

“We often benefit personally from an unequal distribution of resources, a phenomenon known as advantageous inequity – for example, receiving a higher salary than a colleague with the identical role,” said senior author Ross Otto, a psychology professor. “Here we ask whether people can learn to punish advantageous inequity merely by observing the inequity-averse preferences of another person.”

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

91ɬ�� — 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.

91ɬ�� to partner with United Arab Emirates and Indonesia to train next generation of professionals and drive societal change

91ɬ�� — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:08:51 +0000

For over 50 years, 91ɬ�� has been collaborating with Indonesia’s education sector. Now a planned donation of US$12.8 million from the UAE via the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation to 91ɬ�� will establish the UAE-Indonesia Future Leaders Program to support Indonesia’s national and global development objectives. The program will mobilize expertise and scholarship to lead societal change and respond to future needs and challenges in areas such as sustainability, engineering, health, and teacher education that are crucial to Indonesia’s future.

Pan-Canadian Genome Library Achieves Major National Milestone with Agreement to Integrate >15,000 genomes from HostSeq and BQC19

91ɬ�� — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:21:08 +0000

The Pan-Canadian Genome Library (PCGL), hosted at 91ɬ��, today announced a major milestone in the implementation of Canada’s national genomics infrastructure with the planned integration of data from CGEn’s HostSeq Initiative and the Biobanque Québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19). This achievement marks a significant step in transforming Canada’s world-class genomic data assets into a coordinated, accessible, and impactful national resource.

Study suggests protein made in the liver is a key factor in men’s bone health

91ɬ�� — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:01:37 +0000

New research suggests the liver plays a previously unrecognized role in bone health, but only in males.

A 91ɬ��-led study published in Matrix Biology found that a protein made in the liver helps regulate bone growth in male mice, but not in females. The findings may help explain why men with liver disease are more likely to experience bone loss.

91ɬ�� researchers develop quick test that stands to curb antimicrobial resistance

91ɬ�� — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:48:47 +0000

91ɬ�� researchers have developed a diagnostic system capable of identifying bacteria –and determining which antibiotics can stop them – in just 36 minutes, a major advance in the global effort to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Current clinical testing methods typically take 48 to 72 hours, leaving physicians without timely guidance.

The researchers say this innovation arrives at a critical moment due to the urgency of the AMR crisis, which arises from bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics.

Pathological lying in teens is associated with executive function deficits, study indicates

91ɬ�� — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:17:11 +0000

Teenagers who are pathological liars also tend to struggle with executive function deficits, such as poor memory or impulse control, researchers have found.

Night owl or early bird? Study finds sleep categories aren’t that simple

91ɬ�� — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:05:32 +0000

The familiar labels “night owl” and “early bird,” long used in sleep research, don’t fully capture the diversity of human internal clocks, a new study has found.

The 91ɬ��-led study published in Nature Communications found the two sleep-wake patterns, called chronotypes, contain a total of five distinct biological subtypes, each associated with different patterns of behaviour and health.

Hippocampus does more than store memories: it predicts rewards, study finds

91ɬ�� — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:58:01 +0000

A preclinical study published in Nature has found evidence that the hippocampus, the brain region that stores memory, also reorganizes memories to anticipate future outcomes.

A rich social environment is associated with better cognitive health outcomes for older adults, study finds

91ɬ�� — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:22:59 +0000

Research by an interdisciplinary team from 91ɬ�� and Université Laval provides new insights into the links between social factors and cognitive health among aging adults.

While previous research had found positive correlations between specific measures of social connectedness and a variety of health outcomes, this study appears to have been the first to create profiles aggregating multiple social factors and to see how those correlated with cognitive health in older adults, the researchers said.

In polar regions, microbes are influencing climate change as frozen ecosystems thaw, 91ɬ�� review finds

91ɬ�� — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:35:08 +0000

Microbes across Earth’s coldest regions are becoming more active as glaciers, permafrost and sea ice thaw, accelerating carbon release and potentially amplifying climate change, according to a new international review from 91ɬ��.