/newsroom/taxonomy/term/21399/all en /newsroom/channels/news/scientific-insights-how-humans-access-deep-spiritual-states-363723 <p>Two seemingly opposite spiritual practices – Buddhist jhāna meditation and the Christian practice of speaking in tongues – have more in common than previously thought, a new study suggests.</p> <p>While one is quiet and deeply focused, and the other emotionally charged and expressive, both appear to harness the same cognitive feedback loop to create profound states of joy and surrender.</p> Tue, 18 Feb 2025 15:59:14 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 315067 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/new-discovery-could-help-protect-against-influenza-363625 <p>A component found in all fungi may provide a shield against flu-related lung damage, according to a new study.</p> <p>A team of scientists led by Maziar Divangahi, a Professor in ���˴�Ƭ’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of the ���˴�Ƭ University Health Centre, demonstrated that beta-glucan, administered to mice before their exposure to influenza, can reduce lung damage, improve lung function and lower the risk of illness and death.</p> Thu, 13 Feb 2025 21:31:23 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 315038 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/communication-between-body-muscle-and-brain-influences-fertility-study-finds-363063 <p><!-- x-tinymce/html --></p> <p>A newly discovered line of communication between body muscle and the pituitary gland may play an unexpected role in female fertility, according to a new study.</p> <p>���˴�Ƭ University researchers found that a protein produced in the muscles helps manage the release of a hormone made in the pea-sized gland attached to the base of the brain.</p> <p>The findings, published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi4736"><em>Science</em></a>, could lead to new treatment options for infertility, the researchers said.</p> Mon, 03 Feb 2025 18:25:31 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 315020 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/what-drives-mood-swings-bipolar-disorder-study-points-second-brain-clock-362917 <p>A brain rhythm working in tandem with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle may explain why bipolar patients alternate between mania and depression, according to new research.</p> <p>The ���˴�Ƭ University-led study published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ado9965"><i>Science Advances</i></a> marks a breakthrough in understanding what drives shifts between the two states, something that, according to lead author <a href="https://douglas.research.mcgill.ca/kai-florian-storch/">Kai-Florian Storch</a>, is considered the “holy grail” of bipolar-disorder research.</p> Fri, 24 Jan 2025 20:11:34 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314988 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/child-undernutrition-may-be-contributing-global-measles-outbreaks-researchers-find-362588 <p>Amid a global surge in measles cases, new research suggests that undernutrition may be exacerbating outbreaks in areas suffering from food insecurity.</p> <p>A study involving over 600 fully vaccinated children in South Africa found those who were undernourished had substantially lower levels of antibodies against measles.</p> Wed, 15 Jan 2025 16:48:08 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314959 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/ai-innovation-unlocks-non-surgical-way-detect-brain-cancer-spread-362513 <p><!-- x-tinymce/html --></p> <p>Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model to detect the spread of metastatic brain cancer using MRI scans, offering insights into patients’ cancer without aggressive surgery.</p> Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:31:27 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314949 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/expert-stomach-flu-cases-spike-canada-362482 <p>Canada is seeing a rise in cases of gastroenteritis, commonly known as the stomach flu, with over 150 reported at the University of Guelph. Often caused by norovirus, the illness spreads through contaminated surfaces, water or food, causing vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.</p> <p>An expert from ���˴�Ƭ University is available to comment on this topic:</p> <p><a href="/newsroom/raymond-tellier">Raymond Tellier</a>, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases.</p> Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:18:38 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314945 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/study-links-alcohol-consumption-more-severe-nut-allergy-reaction-362237 <table> <tr></tr> </table> <p>Findings of a new study into severe allergic reactions offer a sobering warning to people allergic to tree nuts and, more broadly, could lead to quicker diagnoses in emergency care for people with all anaphylactic allergies.</p> Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:55:20 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314918 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/new-drug-shows-promise-against-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy-362113 <p>A novel drug holds promise for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disorder that causes severe muscle degeneration.</p> <p>���˴�Ƭ University researchers have discovered that an experimental compound called K884 can boost the natural repair abilities of muscle stem cells. Current treatments can slow muscle damage, but don’t address the root problem.</p> <p>DMD affects about one in 5,000 boys worldwide, often leading to wheelchair dependence by the teenage years and life-threatening complications in early adulthood.</p> Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:40:33 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314898 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/universal-genetic-testing-breast-cancer-patients-could-help-many-361933 <p><!-- x-tinymce/html --></p> <p>A new study demonstrates how universal genetic testing for breast cancer can ensure no patient is missed for advanced therapies.</p> Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:56:18 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314881 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/pregnancy-enhances-natural-immunity-block-severe-flu-361713 <p>���˴�Ƭ University scientists have discovered that pregnancy may trigger a natural immunity to boost protection against severe flu infection.</p> <p>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.</p> Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:04:19 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314867 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/researchers-find-design-flaws-and-oversight-issues-certain-health-apps-offer-solutions-more-360944 <p><!-- x-tinymce/html --><!-- x-tinymce/html --></p> <p>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.</p> Tue, 05 Nov 2024 18:26:03 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314805 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/berry-flavoured-may-be-more-dangerous-non-flavoured-vapes-study-360871 <p>Berry-flavoured vapes can weaken the lungs’ natural defences, making it harder for the body to fight off infections, new research suggests.</p> <p>The study compared effects of flavoured e-cigarettes to those of unflavoured ones.</p> <p>While previous research has shown that all forms of vaping can be harmful, the scholars said this study adds to a mounting body of evidence demonstrating how added flavourings to vaping solutions can exacerbate the dangers.</p> Fri, 01 Nov 2024 20:30:01 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314773 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/experts-movember-2024-360800 <p><a href="https://ca.movember.com/support-us?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj4K5BhDYARIsAD1Ly2rI53iJHzNYFVkHZF-7ma7J6l90S-41FsHeo5AYpkTviZOthwoYDxgaAgfiEALw_wcB" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Movember</a> is an annual campaign held in November to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, including prostate and testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.  </p> <p>These experts from ���˴�Ƭ University are available to comment on this topic:  </p> Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:06:57 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314769 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/how-vitamin-d-deficiency-can-lead-autoimmune-diseases-360580 <p>As Canadians brace for “vitamin D winter” – months when the sun’s angle is too low to produce the vitamin in the skin – a ���˴�Ƭ University study explains why vitamin D deficiency early in life is associated with a higher risk of autoimmune diseases.</p> <p>During childhood, the thymus helps train immune cells to distinguish between the body’s own tissues and harmful invaders. A vitamin D deficiency at that stage of life causes the thymus to age more quickly, the researchers discovered.</p> Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:20:40 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314722 at /newsroom