��Թ� News - News releases

Hippocampus does more than store memories: it predicts rewards, study finds

webfull — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:58:01 +0000

A preclinical study published in Nature has found evidence that the hippocampus, the brain region that stores memory, also reorganizes memories to anticipate future outcomes.

Published: 29 January 2026

A rich social environment is associated with better cognitive health outcomes for older adults, study finds

webfull — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:22:59 +0000

Research by an interdisciplinary team from ��Թ� and Université Laval provides new insights into the links between social factors and cognitive health among aging adults.

While previous research had found positive correlations between specific measures of social connectedness and a variety of health outcomes, this study appears to have been the first to create profiles aggregating multiple social factors and to see how those correlated with cognitive health in older adults, the researchers said.

Published: 27 January 2026

In polar regions, microbes are influencing climate change as frozen ecosystems thaw, ��Թ� review finds

webfull — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:35:08 +0000

Microbes across Earth’s coldest regions are becoming more active as glaciers, permafrost and sea ice thaw, accelerating carbon release and potentially amplifying climate change, according to a new international review from ��Թ�.

Published: 26 January 2026

��Թ� researchers create shapeshifting materials that could power the next generation of soft robots

webfull — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:59:18 +0000

��Թ� engineers have developed new ultra-thin materials that can be programmed to move, fold and reshape themselves, much like animated origami. They open the door to softer, safer and more adaptable robots that could be used in medical tools that gently move inside the body, wearable devices that change shape on the skin or smart packaging that reacts to its environment.

Published: 23 January 2026

Lithium study yields insights in the fight against HIV

webfull — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:07:00 +0000

Lithium, a widely used treatment for bipolar disorder and other mood disorders, has shown early promise in suppressing HIV, ��Թ� 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.

The findings point toward future treatments designed to mimic lithium’s beneficial effects while avoiding its broader impacts on the body.

Published: 21 January 2026

��Թ� study identifies most effective methods for early detection of tench, an invasive freshwater fish

webfull — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:34:16 +0000

As tench continue to spread through the St. Lawrence River, a study from ��Թ� provides fisheries managers with guidance on how to detect the invasive species, an essential first step in preventing it from reaching new waters. The findings can inform efforts to contain and manage existing populations, helping agencies determine how and where to carry out removal or control activities.

Published: 21 January 2026

��Թ� researchers identify a range of unexpected chemical contaminants in human milk

webfull — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:45:07 +0000

An interdisciplinary team including researchers at ��Թ� 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.

Published: 20 January 2026

Freshwater browning threatens growth and populations of economically important fish, ��Թ� researchers say

webfull — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:30:53 +0000

Freshwater browning is stunting fish growth of some species, shrinking populations of others and changing the composition of fish communities, ��Թ�-led research suggests. “Browning” refers to freshwater bodies turning tea-coloured, a phenomenon driven by higher levels of dissolved organic matter and/or higher levels of iron in the water. Causes include changes in land use and climate, and reduced acid precipitation.

The findings indicate that changes in land use and climate are affecting biodiversity and how ecosystems function, with implications for fisheries management.

Published: 19 January 2026

Irradiated cannabis might still harbour toxic fungi and residues, ��Թ� study finds

webfull — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:16:56 +0000

Gamma irradiation, an industry-standard sterilization method for medicinal and recreational cannabis, does not fully eliminate toxic fungi or their chemical residues, a ��Թ� study has found. Current testing practices may also miss contamination, raising concerns about health risks for vulnerable users, particularly those with weakened immune systems.

Published: 15 January 2026

Findings suggest that certain medications for Type 2 diabetes reduce risk of dementia

webfull — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:02:20 +0000

A large ��Թ� 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.

The study examined GLP-1 receptor agonists, which include such medications as Ozempic, as well as DPP-4 inhibitors.

Published: 15 January 2026

���������Թ� News - News releases

Hippocampus does more than store memories: it predicts rewards, study finds

A rich social environment is associated with better cognitive health outcomes for older adults, study finds

In polar regions, microbes are influencing climate change as frozen ecosystems thaw, ���������Թ� review finds

���������Թ� researchers create shapeshifting materials that could power the next generation of soft robots

Lithium study yields insights in the fight against HIV

���������Թ� study identifies most effective methods for early detection of tench, an invasive freshwater fish

���������Թ� researchers identify a range of unexpected chemical contaminants in human milk

Freshwater browning threatens growth and populations of economically important fish, ���������Թ� researchers say

Irradiated cannabis might still harbour toxic fungi and residues, ���������Թ� study finds