Unbreakable glass inspired by seashells
Scientists from UU直播 develop stronger and tougher glass, inspired by the inner layer of mollusk shells. Instead of shattering upon impact, the new material has the resiliency of plastic and could be used to improve cell phone screens in the future, among other applications.
Discovery of mechanics of drug targets for COVID-19
A team of international researchers, including UU直播 Professor St茅phane Laporte, have discovered the working mechanism of potential drug targets for various diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and even COVID-19.
Canada鈥檚 nitrogen footprint shows regional variation
Reactive nitrogen emissions contribute to greenhouse gases, as well as air and water pollution. For the first time, researchers from UU直播 have calculated Canada鈥檚 nitrogen footprint (akin to a carbon footprint) 鈥� at both national and provincial levels. They looked at the three primary sectors that contribute nitrogen to the environment to calculate the annual average nitrogen footprint: food production and consumption, wastewater treatment, and fossil fuel use.
Dangers of smoking during pregnancy
Mothers who smoke are more likely to deliver smaller babies even after a full-term pregnancy, increasing the risks of birth defects and neurological disorders later in life, say researchers from UU直播.
More sleep boosts teens鈥� ability to cope with pandemic
While poor sleep was linked to higher levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, more teens actually obtained the recommended amount of sleep compared to pre-pandemic sleep patterns, according to a new study from UU直播. Changes to daily routines triggered by lockdowns allowed teenagers to follow their biological impulse to wake up and sleep later, reducing daytime sleepiness.
Helping children with autism and hyperlexia learn to understand what they read
Hyperlexia is a condition where preschool children display an intense early interest in letters in a way that is very advanced for their age. They can decode words accurately, but without understanding their meaning. It is most common among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) 鈥� with approximately 6-20% of children with autism demonstrating hyperlexia.
Freshwater ecosystems at risk due to glyphosate use
One of the few species that was found to be resistant to severe glyphosate contamination was Scapholeberis mucronata, a freshwater zooplankter commonly found in Qu茅bec and elsewhere in North America. CREDIT: Marie-Pier H茅bert
Fighting brain cancer at its root
UU直播 researchers identify proteins that drive cancer stem cells. Targeting and supressing a particular protein called galectin1 could provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma, in combination with radiation therapy.
A skin crawling treatment for acne?
Drawing inspiration from nature, a team of international scientists have invented a smart device for personalized skin care modeled after the male diving beetle. This tool collects and monitors body fluids while sticking to the skin鈥檚 surface, paving the way for more accurate diagnostics and treatment for skin diseases and conditions like acne. The team includes Bo-yong Park, a former postdoctoral researcher at The Neuro at UU直播.
Tracking genetically modified animals
UU直播 researchers have discovered a new way to track genetically modified animals using the artificial transgenes they leave behind in the environment. The discovery provides a powerful new tool to locate and manage genetically modified animals that have escaped or been released into the wild.
Global sand and gravel extraction conflicts with half of UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sediment mining in the Goyain River in northern Bangladesh. The sand taken from these beds is used for buildings and infrastructure in nearby towns and cities CREDIT: Jim Best
Six UU直播 students receive Canada's largest science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) scholarships
Six students from across Canada have been named recipients of the country鈥檚 largest undergraduate scholarship program, Schulich Leader Scholarships, and will begin their studies this September, in UU直播鈥檚 bicentennial year.
Uncovering the relationship between lifestyle, personality and brain structure
Danilo Bzdok, a researcher at The Neuro, UU直播鈥檚 Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, uses machine learning to identify patterns in human neurological and psychological data.聽One of his team鈥檚 recent studies聽analyzed personality profiles, demographic status and social lifestyle from a cohort of 40,000聽UK Biobank聽midd
Indigenous territories fight climate change
In a recent study in PLOS ONE, researchers from 6 different countries, including Camilo Alejo and Catherine Potvin of the Department of Biology at UU直播, examined the importance of I
Over 260,000 kilometres of rivers at risk due to proposed hydro dams
Over 260,000 kilometres of river could potentially be severed by planned hydroelectric developments according to UU直播 researchers. The Amazon, the Congo, and the Irrawaddy are just a few of the rivers at risk of losing their free-flowing status if the proposed construction of new hydropower dams takes place.
