External /epi-biostat-occh/taxonomy/term/4/all en Plants retain a ‘genetic memory’ of past population crashes, study shows /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/plants-retain-genetic-memory-past-population-crashes-study-shows-371067 <p>Researchers at VRƵ and the <a href="https://research.fs.usda.gov/nrs">United States Forest Service</a> 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.</p> Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:32:55 +0000 admin 6578264 at /epi-biostat-occh Pan-Canadian Genome Library Achieves Major National Milestone with Agreement to Integrate >15,000 genomes from HostSeq and BQC19   /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/pan-canadian-genome-library-achieves-major-national-milestone-agreement-integrate-15000-genomes-371082 <p>The Pan-Canadian Genome Library (PCGL), hosted at VRƵ, today announced a major milestone in the implementation of Canada’s national genomics infrastructure with the planned integration of data from CGEn’s HostSeq Initiative and the Biobanque Québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19). This achievement marks a significant step in transforming Canada’s world-class genomic data assets into a coordinated, accessible, and impactful national resource. </p> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:21:08 +0000 admin 6578273 at /epi-biostat-occh How stepping into nature affects the brain /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/how-stepping-nature-affects-brain-371263 <p>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.</p> <p>Researchers at VRƵ 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.</p> Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:02:16 +0000 admin 6578245 at /epi-biostat-occh Engineered nanoparticles could deliver better targeted cancer treatment /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/engineered-nanoparticles-could-deliver-better-targeted-cancer-treatment-371264 <p>Scientists at VRƵ 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 href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2519625123" target="_blank">a preclinical study.</a></p> Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:42:37 +0000 admin 6578252 at /epi-biostat-occh Which childhood abuse survivors are at elevated risk of depression? New study provides important clues /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/which-childhood-abuse-survivors-are-elevated-risk-depression-new-study-provides-important-clues-371213 <p>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.</p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:53:23 +0000 admin 6578260 at /epi-biostat-occh New injectable gel could help repair damaged swallowing muscles /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/new-injectable-gel-could-help-repair-damaged-swallowing-muscles-371932 <p>A new injectable gel developed by researchers at VRƵ and Kyoto University could enable stem cell-based treatments for swallowing disorders.</p> <p>While stem cells have the potential to repair damaged swallowing muscles, ensuring their survival after injection has been a major challenge. In a preclinical study published in <i>Biomaterials,</i> the new approach improved stem-cell survival by more than five times compared with traditional methods.</p> Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:15:32 +0000 admin 6578237 at /epi-biostat-occh VRƵ to partner with United Arab Emirates and Indonesia to train next generation of professionals and drive societal change /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/mcgill-university-partner-united-arab-emirates-and-indonesia-train-next-generation-professionals-and-371086 <p>For over 50 years, VRƵ has been collaborating with Indonesia’s education sector. Now a planned donation of US$12.8 million from the UAE via the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation to VRƵ will establish the <b>UAE-Indonesia Future Leaders Program</b> to support Indonesia’s national and global development objectives. The program will mobilize expertise and scholarship to lead societal change and respond to future needs and challenges in areas such as sustainability, engineering, health, and teacher education that are crucial to Indonesia’s future.</p> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:08:51 +0000 admin 6578271 at /epi-biostat-occh Colourism might help explain health inequities suffered by dark-skinned Black Americans, researchers say /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/colourism-might-help-explain-health-inequities-suffered-dark-skinned-black-americans-researchers-say-371378 <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:24:38 +0000 admin 6578251 at /epi-biostat-occh VRƵ researchers build the best light-powered, room-temperature computer yet /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/mcgill-researchers-build-best-light-powered-room-temperature-computer-yet-371261 <p>VRƵ 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.</p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:49:57 +0000 admin 6578262 at /epi-biostat-occh Addressing shame should be a focal point of treatment of childhood sexual abuse survivors, researchers suggest /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/addressing-shame-should-be-focal-point-treatment-childhood-sexual-abuse-survivors-researchers-371187 <p>A VRƵ-led study on the role played by shame in the continuing trauma suffered by survivors of childhood sexual abuse indicates that addressing shame should be a focal point of treatment. Clinicians should use strategies that normalize disclosure, validate survivors’ feelings and integrate shame-resolution techniques into their therapy plans, the researchers suggested.</p> Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:43:35 +0000 admin 6578270 at /epi-biostat-occh Some young gamers may be at higher risk of mental health problems, but family and school support can help /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/some-young-gamers-may-be-higher-risk-mental-health-problems-family-and-school-support-can-help-371566 <p>Pre-teens who struggle to control their video gaming habits are more likely to have psychotic-like experiences a year later, a new study has found.</p> <p>VRƵ researchers and colleagues at Maastricht University found that 12-year-olds who showed signs of problematic gaming were more likely to experience mild paranoia, unusual beliefs or disturbed perceptions at age 13.</p> Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:16:18 +0000 admin 6578243 at /epi-biostat-occh VRƵ researchers optimize process for converting human urine into clean energy /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/mcgill-researchers-optimize-process-converting-human-urine-clean-energy-371215 <p>Researchers at VRƵ have improved the efficiency of a method for converting human urine into clean energy.</p> <p>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 VRƵ research provides insights into which urine concentrations are optimal for this process.</p> Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:07:32 +0000 admin 6578258 at /epi-biostat-occh Humans share acoustic preferences with other animals, study shows /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/humans-share-acoustic-preferences-other-animals-study-shows-371910 <p>A VRƵ-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.</p> Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:18:52 +0000 admin 6578234 at /epi-biostat-occh People can learn to reject unfair advantages, even when it costs them /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/people-can-learn-reject-unfair-advantages-even-when-it-costs-them-371227 <p>A new <a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/102800">study</a> co-authored by VRƵ researchers suggests people can be taught to reject unfair advantages.</p> <p>“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.”</p> Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:32:11 +0000 admin 6578268 at /epi-biostat-occh Study offers guidance on the therapeutic use of mindfulness, yoga to boost mental health for dementia patients /epi-biostat-occh/channels/news/study-offers-guidance-therapeutic-use-mindfulness-yoga-boost-mental-health-dementia-patients-371571 <p>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.</p> Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:36:49 +0000 admin 6578241 at /epi-biostat-occh