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UdeM scientists have developed a method to create retinal transplants from stem cells, and with them, blind mini-pigs have showed signs of restored vision, a promising development for humans, as well. Scientists at Université de Montréal have successfully transplanted retinas made from stem cells into blind mini-pigs - and, it seems, made them see again, according to a new study.

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Waterloo analyzed data from nearly 500,000 Canadian patients who lived in nursing homes across Canada between 2000 and 2022. It found that residents who were given antipsychotic medications showed a significant worsening of their behaviours. In fact, nearly 68 per cent of residents who used antipsychotics had more problems with their behaviour during follow-up checks.

A new study provides insights into the brain processes involved in nonverbal communication of pain, specifically facial expressions. Stubbing your toe on a table leg or fracturing your wrist will probably make you wince in pain (and possibly curse). It's a natural reaction; facial expressions play an important role in communicating the unpleasant sensory and emotional experience of pain.

Scientists discover a natural flu defense mechanism that activates in the nasal cavity during pregnancy McGill scientists have discovered that pregnancy may trigger a natural immunity to boost protection against severe flu infection. Contrary to the common belief that pregnancy increases vulnerability to infections, researchers found that it strengthened an immune defense in mice, blocking the Influenza A virus from spreading to the lungs, where it can cause severe infection.

Doctoral candidate Sabrine Marangoni from UdeM's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has compiled 24 videos documenting signs of pain in cats. Cats are masters at masking their pain, a natural instinct to avoid attracting predators. However, this poses a challenge for the veterinarians and care teams who must assess and manage pain in cats.

Scientists have uncovered a new link between the immune system and the development of Parkinson's disease. Researchers at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) at McGill University have discovered that an immune response plays a key role in how toxic protein clumps, known as Lewy bodies, form in brain cells and contribute to disease.

An affordable and effective nutritional approach to help reduce inflammation and prevent Type 2 diabetes. The team led by May Faraj, Professor of Nutrition at Université de Montréal and Director of the Nutrition, Lipoproteins and Cardiometabolic Diseases Research Unit at the Montréal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), sheds new light on the role of marine-source omega-3 supplementation in treating adipose tissue inflammation and reducing the risk for cardiometabolic diseases like Type 2 diabetes.

An international team of scientists led by UdeM wife-and-husband team Zdenka Pausova and Tomas Paus links the presence of white spots on MRI brain scans of older adults to a genetic risk of dementia. They show up as bright white spots when you get a brain MRI: lesions called white matter hyperintensities, or WMH.

A new study shows that photoreceptor cells in the retina exhibit planar polarity, i.e. their light-sensitive cilia orient themselves in a coordinated manner.

Young adults at risk of psychosis show reduced brain connectivity, a deficit that cannabis use appears to worsen, a new study has found. The breakthrough paves the way for psychosis treatments targeting symptoms that current medications miss. In the first-of-its-kind study, McGill researchers detected a marked decrease in synaptic density-the connections between neurons that enable brain communication-in individuals at risk of psychosis, compared to a healthy control group.

A multi-disciplinary team of University of Calgary researchers is aiming to use genetic variants to discover new cardiovascular diseases and disease mechanisms. Libin Cardiovascular Institute members Dr. Wayne Chen, PhD, and Dr. Robert Rose, PhD, are leading a novel study investigating the genetics behind rare cardiovascular conditions.

A team of researchers from McGill and Université de Montréal's Observatoire pour l'éducation et la santé des enfants (OPES, or observatory on children's health and eduation), led by Sylvana Côté, spending two hours a week of class time in a natural environment can reduce emotional distress among 10- to 12-year-olds who had the most significant mental health problems before the program began.

Groundbreaking finding by Faculty of Veterinary Medicine team opens door to new immunotherapies and enhanced vaccines. The human immune system is a marvel of biological engineering, yet, even today, there are fundamental aspects of its operation that remain shrouded in mystery. "Our immune systems protect us from everyday threats - like the viruses that cause the flu or from mutated cells like cancer cells," says Dr. Johnathan Canton, PhD.

A new study finds that seniors who tend to mirror other people's feelings are more likely to show signs of being anxious or depressed themselves. Madeleine and Paul are sitting on a park bench. As she tells Paul about her financial worries and how she's been struggling for months to make ends meet, Madeleine's eyes well with tears.

Researchers find design flaws and oversight issues in certain health apps, offer solutions for more effective tools AI-powered apps offering medical diagnoses at the click of a button are often limited by biased data and a lack of regulation, leading to inaccurate and unsafe health advice, a new study found.

Findings build on growing evidence that adding flavours to vaping solutions can increase the dangers. Berry-flavoured vapes can weaken the lungs' natural defences, making it harder for the body to fight off infections, new research suggests. The study compared effects of flavoured e-cigarettes to those of unflavoured ones.

Historical data linked to end of sugar rationing in the United Kingdom offers unique glimpse into diet and health A low-sugar diet in the first years of life can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood, a study based on historical data has found. The researchers pulled data from UK Biobank, focusing on adults conceived just before and after the 1953 end of wartime sugar rationing in the United Kingdom.

First-of-its-kind Canadian study found 10 Ontario children died of an opioid-related cause between 2017 and 2021 A new study from Western researchers in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario highlights the scope of opioid-related deaths in young children in Ontario, while providing a clearer picture of the risk factors.

Breastfeeding, child nutrition and exposure secondhand tobacco smoke at an early age may play a role in the onset of inflammatory bowel disease, according to a study conducted on Quebecers. A research team led by Professor Marie-Claude Rousseau of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and Dr. Prévost Jantchou, reseracher at the Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine and professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Université de Montréal has made several promising discoveries regarding risk factors for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).

Western researchers are taking a unique global approach to finding an effective treatment for people living with long COVID. Led by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry professor Douglas Fraser, the projects represent the first multi-continental research conducted on long COVID, with study sites in Africa and North and South Americas.