news 2026

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects more than one billion people worldwide and is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. For decades, researchers have observed that premenopausal women are less likely to develop high blood pressure than men or postmenopausal women. Researchers have known for years that estrogen is the deciding factor, but exactly how it offers this protection has remained unclear.

Just a few days in simulated microgravity can subtly change the way women's blood clots, sparking bigger questions about health monitoring protocols for astronauts who can spend six months or more in orbit, say Simon Fraser researchers. First reported in 2020, an International Space Station mission detected an unexpected blood clot in a female astronaut's jugular vein.

Researchers say we need to look at the impact of video games on daily life, not just screen time According to a new study, pre-adolescents who have difficulty managing their video game habits are more likely to experience psychotic-type episodes. In collaboration with colleagues from Maastricht University, a research team from McGill University found that 12-year-olds who showed signs of a gaming problem were more likely than other youngsters to suffer from mild paranoia, adhere to unusual beliefs and have altered perceptions of reality by the age of 13.

The research, which focused on the cerebellum, identifies the link between aging-related brain cell changes and declines in motor skill A new McGill University 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.

A researcher's keen eye and spirit of curiosity led to the discovery of a new method for cell engineering - a finding that opens doors to more sustainable sources for everything from fuel to vitamin supplements. Western graduate Emma Walker, PhD'25, uncovered a more effective way to deliver DNA into diatoms, single-celled algae found near the surface of oceans, lakes and rivers.

Study finds that those who see themselves as having darker complexions compared to other Black Americans show markers associated with poorer health outcomes 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.

Experimental approach shows early promise; aim is more effective immunotherapy with fewer side effects Scientists at McGill University 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.

The nasally-administered vaccine currently under development could protect children aged 6 months to 5 years against bronchiolitis and pneumonia Human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cause numerous cases of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children aged 6 months to 5 years every year.

Data reveals widespread practice in 26 southern countries, calls attention to hazardous-chemical exposure Burning plastic to cook food, heat homes and dispose of trash is more common than many people realize, according to a recent international study led by University of Calgary researchers. The study, among the first of its kind and published in Nature Communications , surveyed more than 1,000 people who work closely with lowand middle-income communities in 26 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Findings indicate vitamin B3 looks promising to help rearm a compromised immune system Edward (Ed) Waldner had no idea why he didn't feel well, but he knew he didn't feel like himself. At 55 years of age, he felt exhausted all the time. It didn't seem to matter how hard he had worked that day. He wondered if he had sleep apnea.

McGill study finds that persistent feelings of shame are not just a symptom, but may drive other negative outcomes A McGill-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.

Study reveals that shame is more than a symptom, and can lead to other consequences A study by a McGill University research team into the role shame plays in persistent childhood sexual abuse trauma suggests that shame management should be an important part of treatment. According to the team, clinicians should use strategies to normalize disclosure, validate victims' feelings and incorporate resolution techniques into their therapeutic plans.

UCalgary-led study reveals a genetic factor behind who may and may not benefit from opioids prescribed for pain Findings from international and cross-faculty collaboration provide insight on responses, including why some people may be at higher risk of dependency A University of Calgary-led international research team has identified a genetic factor that may explain why people respond so differently to opioid pain medications, and why some individuals face greater risk of side-effects including dependency.

Scientists identify five biological sleep-wake profiles linked to different health and behaviour patterns, helping explain why sleep schedules affect people differently 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.

A rich social environment is associated with better cognitive health outcomes for older adults, study finds With awareness growing that lack of social connection may be a health hazard, researchers say it's important for the public to better understand the connections Research by an interdisciplinary team from McGill University and Université Laval provides new insights into the links between social factors and cognitive health among aging adults.

UCalgary's Healthy City Lab develops "route complexity metric" to track subtle changes in older adults' everyday navigation behind the wheel As drivers steering our way through each day, we make hundreds of tiny navigational decisions.

Study in human cells finds low-cost drug keeps virus dormant through an unexpected pathway, pointing the way to new treatments Lithium, a widely used treatment for bipolar disorder and other mood disorders, has shown early promise in suppressing HIV, McGill researchers report. A new study published in iScience found lithium can prevent infected cells from reactivating, and that it does so through an unexpected biological mechanism.

An interdisciplinary team including researchers at McGill University has found a range of unexpected chemical contaminants in human milk samples from Canada and South Africa. The chemicals include traces of pesticides, antimicrobials and additives used in plastics and personal-care products. The findings were published across five papers.

There is growing evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors have protective benefits for the brain A large McGill University study has found that two classes of medications commonly prescribed for Type 2 diabetes, both incretin-based, are associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Drawing on clinical data from more than 450,000 patients, the research adds to growing evidence that incretin-based therapies have protective benefits for the brain.

Researchers raise concerns about possible health risks for vulnerable users, point to a need for better methods and safeguards   Gamma irradiation, an industry-standard sterilization method for medicinal and recreational cannabis, does not fully eliminate toxic fungi or their chemical residues, a McGill University study has found. Current testing practices may also miss contamination, raising concerns about health risks for vulnerable users, particularly those with weakened immune systems.