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Stability of brain’s internal compass may help explain how memories last

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:29:09 +0000

A new discovery by ��Թ� researchers sheds light on how we retain memories over time, even though brain activity is constantly changing.

Published in Nature, the preclinical study found the brain’s internal compass remains remarkably stable over time. The findings suggest this steady sense of direction may act as an anchor for memory.

��Թ� researchers optimize process for converting human urine into clean energy

admin — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:07:32 +0000

Researchers at ��Թ� have improved the efficiency of a method for converting human urine into clean energy.

The method employs microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which use bacteria to turn organic waste into electricity, providing a sustainable and low-cost means of treating wastewater while generating energy from an abundant source. The ��Թ� research provides insights into which urine concentrations are optimal for this process.

Humans share acoustic preferences with other animals, study shows

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:18:52 +0000

A ��Թ�-led study has found that humans share acoustic preferences with other species, at least when it comes to animal calls. The results provide experimental evidence that shared sensory processing mechanisms may shape aesthetic judgments of sound.

People can learn to reject unfair advantages, even when it costs them

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:32:11 +0000

A new study co-authored by ��Թ� researchers suggests people can be taught to reject unfair advantages.

“We often benefit personally from an unequal distribution of resources, a phenomenon known as advantageous inequity – for example, receiving a higher salary than a colleague with the identical role,” said senior author Ross Otto, a psychology professor. “Here we ask whether people can learn to punish advantageous inequity merely by observing the inequity-averse preferences of another person.”

Study offers guidance on the therapeutic use of mindfulness, yoga to boost mental health for dementia patients

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:36:49 +0000

Non-pharmacological interventions, such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, tai chi and breathing practices, have shown promise in helping to reduce some mental health symptoms of patients living with cognitive decline or dementia, but it has been unclear which types work best, for whom and under what conditions.

Findings of ��Թ� study could lead to new longevity therapies and improved fall prevention

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:46:40 +0000

A new ��Թ� 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. While it is well known that these abilities diminish with age, this is the first research to pinpoint how changes in Purkinje cells – a key type of cerebellar neuron – drive this decline and translate into measurable changes in behaviour and physical function.

New study provides advice on how to boost participation in physical activity among autistic youth

admin — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:21:49 +0000

Researchers investigating how to increase participation in physical activity by autistic children and teens say key strategies include creating predictable routines, involving family members and ensuring safe and sensory-friendly spaces.

Those were among 95 “facilitators” yielded by their review of previously published research on the subject. Autistic youth are less physically active than their peers, who are already not physically active enough, the researchers said, noting that physical activity could be beneficial to their physical, social and emotional health.

Economic, educational and gender inequities can contribute to problematic social media use among teens, findings suggest

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:42:44 +0000

A new ��Թ� study suggests that problematic social media use among teens is in part related to broader social inequalities.

Zékai Lu, a PhD student in ��Թ�’s Department of Sociology and author of the study, had set out to determine whether problematic social media use is driven mainly by individual traits or whether the social environment of the country a teen lives in also plays a significant role.

Study shows how tree cover shapes freshwater ecosystems over millennia

admin — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:07:15 +0000

Researchers at ��Թ� used 2,000-year-old stone jars in Laos to observe long-term ecological processes, enhancing understanding of how strongly tree cover shapes small freshwater ecosystems. Their findings stand to help scientists predict how freshwater habitats will respond to environmental change, the researchers said.

Making solar power’s land use more efficient

admin — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:24:28 +0000

As solar energy rapidly is becoming the world’s largest renewable power source, new research from ��Թ� offers a clearer picture of how much land that growth could require and how smarter choices could mitigate solar energy’s land footprint.

Cognitive biases of talent scouts can undermine sports teams’ success

admin — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:58:25 +0000

Sports talent scouts’ decisions are influenced by various common cognitive biases that can affect their work and undermine team success, a paper published in the International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology has suggested.

Researchers warn of risks posed by ‘contaminants of emerging concern’ found in crops, agricultural soil

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:16:17 +0000

A new international study offers insights into the health risks posed by crops’ absorption of “contaminants of emerging concern” (CECs) and flags knowledge gaps the authors say must be addressed.

CECs include pharmaceuticals, microplastics, engineered nanomaterials and PFAS (commonly known as “forever chemicals”). The researchers warn that even when present at very low concentrations, these chemicals can subtly alter plant physiology, disrupt soil health and pose wider environmental and human health risks.

Plants retain a ‘genetic memory’ of past population crashes, study shows

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:32:55 +0000

Researchers at ��Թ� and the United States Forest Service have found that plants living in areas where human activity has caused population crashes carry long-lasting genetic traces of that history, such as reduced genetic diversity. Because genetic diversity helps species adapt to climate change, disease and other stresses, the study suggests it is vital to consider a population’s history-influenced genetics alongside its size and habitat in conservation planning.

How stepping into nature affects the brain

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:02:16 +0000

Spending time in nature, even briefly, triggers changes in the brain that calm stress, restore attention and quiet mental clutter, a new study has found.

Researchers at ��Թ� and colleagues at Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile have examined more than 100 brain-imaging studies from various disciplines. The result is one of the most comprehensive reviews to date of how the brain responds to nature.

Engineered nanoparticles could deliver better targeted cancer treatment

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:42:37 +0000

Scientists at ��Թ� 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.