news 2023

New study on vapes challenges belief that adolescents experience less severe withdrawal symptoms from nicotine than adults  Vapes or e-cigarettes were introduced as a potentially safer alternative to traditional smoking to curb tobacco use. However, the popularity of vapes has risen among an age group it wasn't intended for: adolescents.

Singing, at any age, can improve accuracy and speed of elocution during complex tasks . Talking is an exercise that requires great coordination between the lungs and the muscles that control the vocal cords, jaw, tongue and lips. As the years go by, these anatomical structures undergo changes that affect vocal function.

The thick layer of sediment accumulated at the bottom of this lake could be used to study climate change, environmental changes and earthquakes that have occurred over hundreds of thousands of years .

The simple activity of walking through a room jumpstarts the neurons in the human brain. An explosion of electrochemical events or "neuronal spikes" appear at various times during the action. These spikes in activity, otherwise known as action potentials, are electrical impulses that occur when neurons communicate with one another.

Researchers use AI to identify toxic substances in wastewater with greater accuracy and speed An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Waterloo is using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify microplastics faster and more accurately than ever before. Microplastics are commonly found in food and are dangerous pollutants that cause severe environmental damage - finding them is the key to getting rid of them.

Waterloo research team partners with BMO to turn pollution into renewable energy  By Nicola Kelly Faculty of Engineering An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Waterloo aims to tackle CO2 emissions in the value chain by transforming CO2 into valuable chemicals needed by industry. Supported by BMO, the research focuses on the use of green hydrogen to capture CO2 from power plants as well as the iron, steel, and cement industries, and convert it into useful gases via reverse water gas shift reaction.

Now that ChatGPT can "see" and "hear," could it be useful for people with mobility, sensory or cognitive disabilities? Whether it's a question of analyzing medical images, detecting drug interactions, or creating brain-computer interfaces, it seems like the potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the healthcare industry are endless.

New technique developed by researchers at McGill and UQAM offers unprecedented view inside lithium-ion batteries, potentially leading to dramatically faster charging times for EVs, computers, and phones What if you could charge your electric vehicle in the same amount of time it takes to fill a tank of gas?

The first exploration of the piercing microbiome reveals how a sudden disturbance like a piercing can lead to a fundamental ecological shift that increases biodiversity and lay groundwork for developing skin piercings as a model for understanding how communities respond to rapid environmental change In a new study from McGill researchers bring science into an unexpected setting: a tattoo parlor.

Groundbreaking work by IRCM scientists using an RNA-based therapeutic approach gives hope for a future cure for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health problem affecting approximately 30 percent of people in Western countries and which has been in sharp increase over the last three decades.

A new study from Simon Fraser researchers examines the Canadian military's efforts to reduce the impacts of underwater noise pollution on species during training exercises in the Pacific Ocean but caveat that more can still be done. The paper, published today in Marine Policy , takes aim at a report commissioned by the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) to reduce the effects of noise pollution from military small-arms munitions training within "Whiskey Hotel", a 330-square-kilometre area in the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the British Columbia coast.

Researchers describe a novel technique used by polar bears to hunt snow geese Bylot Island, Nunavut, August 8, 2021, 1 p.m. A polar bear approaches a pond where some thirty moulting snow geese - unable to fly - have taken refuge. The bear enters the water, swims stealthily along the surface towards a goose and, once within 30 meters of it, disappears beneath the surface of the wave, then suddenly emerges..

University of Waterloo researchers are pioneering a method to detect breast cancer in women early enough for them to receive life-saving treatment. The innovative technology will be cheaper and safer than common cancer diagnostic tools. The innovative technology aims to be more accurate as well as cheaper to provide than today's most common diagnostic tools such as X-ray mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Topics Western researchers have unveiled crucial insights into the sleep health of middle-aged and older adults in Canada, identifying social determinants that contribute to disparities in sleep satisfaction, efficiency, and duration. The study revealed that men report sleeping better than women, and contrary to previously held beliefs, sleep actually improves with age.

McGill researchers have made a breakthrough in diagnostic technology, inventing a 'lab on a chip' that can be 3D-printed in just 30 minutes. The chip has the potential to make on-the-spot testing widely accessible. As part of a recent study, the results of which were published in the journal  Advanced Materials, the McGill team developed capillaric chips that act as miniature laboratories.

AI breakthrough may lead to highly personalized medicine in the treatment of serious diseases Machine learning is now helping researchers analyze the makeup of unfamiliar cells, which could lead to more personalized medicine in the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Researchers at the University of Waterloo developed GraphNovo, a new program that provides a more accurate understanding of the peptide sequences in cells.

McGill researchers explore the power of imagination, showing how a shift in thinking can make humans more caring In a world grappling with deep-seated division and social upheaval, empathy has become more critical than ever. But science suggests when it comes to evoking empathy, our imagination is more powerful than we previously thought.

Discovery may lead to medical advances in bio-implants, wearable sensors, and more How do you create strong, yet quick-release connections between living and non-living tissues? This is a question that continues to puzzle bioengineers who aim to create materials that bond together for advanced biomedical applications.

McGill researchers challenge current understanding of dinosaur extinction by unearthing link between volcanic eruptions and climate change What wiped out the dinosaurs? A meteorite plummeting to Earth is only part of the story, a new study suggests. Climate change triggered by massive volcanic eruptions may have ultimately set the stage for the dinosaur extinction, challenging the traditional narrative that a meteorite alone delivered the final blow to the ancient giants.

Researcher from the School of Accounting and Finance explores how nonmonetary factors impact contestant behavior and effort levels By Kelsey Stoddart School of Accounting and Finance In today's data-driven world, holding data science competitions is a popular way to address real-world problems. Companies leverage these competitions to crowdsource solutions and strategically attract potential employees.