news 2025

Data from Canada's most populous province add to emerging evidence that air pollution risks go beyond lung and heart health A new study has linked air pollution exposure and immune-system changes that often precede the onset of autoimmune diseases.

McGill-led study finds that by making production more efficient, the feed additive also reduced, on average, the amount of land and water needed for dairy herds  A new international study led by McGill University in collaboration with  Jefo Nutrition shows that supplementing dairy cow diets with microencapsulated B-vitamins can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing milk yield and quality.

Chemical engineering researchers at the University of Waterloo have joined forces to take on a pressing environmental problem by using synthetic biology to turn plastic waste into valuable resources. The multidisciplinary group is working together to  review and identify strategies  that leverage synthetic biology, microbial engineering and engineering design to degrade and upcycle plastic waste.

McGill researchers track boulders' influence on snow melt, watersheds using unique combination of methods Crucial 'missing link' between what satellites can observe and what actually happens on the ground could improve climate modelling in certain northern regions Thanks to their use of a unique methodology, a McGill-led research team has obtained new insights into how boulders affect snow melt in mountainous northern environments, with implications for local water resources.

An essential "missing link" between satellite observations and ground-based phenomena could improve climate modelling of certain northern regions Using a novel methodology, a research team led by McGill University has shed light on the influence of boulders on snowmelt in mountainous northern regions, with significant implications for local water resources.

This new type of panel offers ecological and economic advantages over traditional gypsum panels Would you trust a drywall panel in which gypsum has been replaced by earth and wood fibers? Chances are you'd greet the idea with a certain amount of skepticism, but a study published by two Laval University researchers in the journal Construction and Building Materials suggests that your distrust is unfounded.

A new study reveals that the illegal wildlife trade - worth billions annually - is deeply connected to other forms of organized crime, including arms dealing, drug trafficking and human smuggling. By mapping these criminal intersections, researchers found that tackling the illegal trade in animals and plants requires understanding how it converges with other serious crimes.

A biofilter made from pumpkin peels could capture almost 100% of the lead present in water contaminated by this heavy metal The millions of pumpkins that need to be disposed of the day after Halloween could have a useful second life for the environment. Indeed, a study published by a team from Laval University in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology suggests that pumpkin peel - like that of three other fruits - could provide valuable environmental services thanks to its ability to capture heavy metals such as lead.

Common flood management tactics risk doing more harm than good without improved monitoring and understanding of rivers, according to a new study co-authored by Simon Fraser researchers. Published in the journal Nature , the study looked at the 2021 flood of Western Europe's Meuse River that caused dozens of fatalities and billions of dollars in infrastructure damage.

McGill researchers' method for standardizing samples will help toxicologists better understand the pollutants' harmful effects McGill researchers have developed a novel method to replicate four types of microplastics commonly found in the environment, providing researchers with a standardized approach to study their toxic effects.

New measure shows micromobility takes up just 2% of road space, despite a measurable need for more in certain boroughs Bike lanes, BIXI stations and other micromobility infrastructure make up just two per cent of Montreal's street space - even in neighbourhoods where cycling demand would justify more - according to a new study by McGill researchers.

Could Earth-sized exoplanets be habitable? Based on observations with the James Webb Space Telescope, UdeM graduate Caroline Piaulet-Ghorayeb and her team suggest it's still too soon to say. Université de Montréal doctoral graduate Caroline Piaulet-Ghorayeb and her team are unequivocal: TRAPPIST-1 d, the third planet orbiting the small star TRAPPIST-1, doesn't have an Earth-like atmosphere.

As sheep make their debut on the grounds of the former racecourse, researchers are keen to explore the project's effects on human, animal and environmental health. It's an opportunity for many city dwellers to discover this animal and get in touch with nature in the city. Credit: Annie Cloutier After visiting several Montreal parks, including Parc Maisonneuve, the sheep of the Biquette écopâturage organization are coming to the site of the former racecourse this summer.

For the past 150 years, algae levels have surged in Canadian lakes, even the remote ones, with a sharp spike since the 1960s  Algal growth is accelerating in lakes across Canada, including those far from human development, and a new study shows that climate change is the primary driver. A research team led by scientists at McGill University and Université Laval examined lake sediment cores from 80 lakes across Canada to uncover long-term changes in algae levels.

McGill scientists turn marine waste into a sustainable solution for wound care, wearable devices and more   An interdisciplinary team of McGill researchers has developed an ultra-strong, environmentally friendly medical glue, or bioadhesive, made from marine waste.

'This discovery matters for everyone affected by changing weather patterns - from farmers and city planners to disaster response teams and climate policymakers'  Researchers have developed a novel method to detect and study how ice forms in mixed-phase clouds, significantly boosting scientists' ability to forecast weather and model climate change.

Professor Patrick Hayes is leading two innovative projects to measure atmospheric contaminants in Rouyn-Noranda and Montreal, where air quality raises public health issues. As environmental concerns take center stage in Quebec, Professor Patrick Hayes of the Université de Montréal's Department of Chemistry is leading two projects to better characterize air pollution.

Farmers in Tanzania were more likely to adopt climate-friendly techniques when given the chance to exchange ideas with their peers  Farmers who exchanged text messages with peers were significantly more likely to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, highlighting the power of peer learning in digital formats, a new study co-authored by McGill University Professor Aurélie Harou found.

A team of McGill researchers, working with colleagues in the United States and South Korea, has developed a new way to make high-performance lithium-ion battery materials that could help phase out expensive and/or difficult-to-source metals like nickel and cobalt. The team's breakthrough lies in creating a better method of producing "disordered rock-salt" (DRX) cathode particles, an alternative battery material.