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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.

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.

Experts: AI governance and mental health

admin — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:27:41 +0000

Six months before the killings in Tumbler Ridge, Open AI suspended a ChatGPT account owned by the shooter. However, it failed to alert Canadian authorities of its contents. In the wake of Bill C-27’s death on the order paper in January 2025, there remains no binding federal regulation of artificial intelligence in Canada. These ��Թ� experts can comment:

Experts: Violence in Mexico follows killing of drug lord

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:39:19 +0000

The killing on Sunday of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of a powerful drug cartel, has triggered violence between security forces and criminal gangs in at least 20 of Mexico’s 32 states. Canadian airlines have suspended flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta and tourists in the popular resort destination are sheltering in place.

These ��Թ� experts can comment:

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.

Colourism might help explain health inequities suffered by dark-skinned Black Americans, researchers say

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:24:38 +0000

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.

Researchers found that Black Americans who are, or perceive themselves to be, dark skinned show clear markers of cellular aging associated with immune-system damage and also score lower on a measurement of self-worth. Cellular aging and low self-worth are both associated with relatively poor health outcomes.

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.

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.

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.

��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.

Expert: Munich Security Conference

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:08:54 +0000

The Munich Security Conference, which opened today and runs until Feb. 15, is a leading forum for discussions on international security. It is attended by heads of state and ministers of defence and foreign affairs from around the world.

��Թ� researchers build the best light-powered, room-temperature computer yet

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:49:57 +0000

��Թ� and Queen’s University researchers have built an improved version of a computer that uses light to solve extremely hard problems more quickly and at larger scale than existing systems, without the need for cryogenic cooling.

Which childhood abuse survivors are at elevated risk of depression? New study provides important clues

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:53:23 +0000

Scientists have identified a pattern of gene activity present in some female survivors of childhood abuse that is associated with an elevated risk of depression.

Expert: Mental health impacts of gun violence

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:51:39 +0000

Following a deadly mass shooting at a school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. and a murder-suicide in Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg, Que. this week, a ��Թ� expert is available to speak about the psychological toll of gun violence.

Tina Montreuil, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at ��Թ� is available to comment on the following topics:

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.