news 2021

AI can predict the necessity of ICU admission based on more than 200 clinical data points New technology could help doctors make the most of limited resources during the COVID-19 pandemic by identifying patients who require intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. The system, developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo and DarwinAI, an alumni-founded startup company, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the necessity of ICU admission based on more than 200 clinical data points, including vital signs, blood test results and medical history.

A new method of creating hydrogen from natural gas - one which does not produce carbon dioxide as a byproduct - could open up a range of emission-free alternative energy technologies. Murray Thomson , a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto, recently spun out the innovation into a company, Aurora Hydrogen , along with co-founders Erin Bobicki , formerly an assistant professor in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering who is now at the University of Alberta, and Andrew Gillis, who joined the team as CEO.

A Western Univesity study has found moms-to-be often find and curate health information on behalf of their partners. Photo by Amina Filkins of Pexels Today's parents-to-be use online tools for health guidance in the same way their parents once dog-eared pages of the What to Expect book series. But a new study has found it's new moms who most often devour digital guidance about parenting - while dads-to-be rely on their women partners to sift and curate information for them.

A new joint project between Western University's Faculty of Engineering and Fanshawe College's Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI) , in collaboration with London Hydro, is investigating household energy consumption for electric vehicles (EVs) and how weather factors affect it. EVs charged in Ontario produce, on average, only three per cent of the emissions of a similar gas-fueled car.

Scientists from McGill University develop stronger and tougher glass, inspired by the inner layer of mollusk shells. Instead of shattering upon impact, the new material has the resiliency of plastic and could be used to improve cell phone screens in the future, among other applications. While techniques like tempering and laminating can help reinforce glass, they are costly and no longer work once the surface is damaged.