Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects memory, thinking, and eventually grows severe enough to interfere with daily life. AD is the most common cause of dementia, an umbrella term that encompasses many different symptoms of cognitive decline. While AD is still categorized as an incurable disease,[Read More…]
Research Briefs
Dark matter and energy: What we know about the unknown
When we think of what the physical world is made of, atoms come to mind—but it turns out the story is far more complex. In reality, atomic matter makes up only five per cent of the universe. The rest, however, is made of dark matter and dark energy, which have[Read More…]
How a tiny brain region is shaping the future of major depressive disorder research
Warning: This piece mentions suicide. The habenula is a tiny structure buried deep within the brain, composed of two distinct subregions—the medial (MHb) and lateral habenula (LHb). Although small, it is a critical hub for regulating mood, motivation, and reward processing. Because of this, researchers have begun to link abnormalities[Read More…]
Not just ice caps: Shorter frozen seasons causing concern for climate scientists
The climate crisis, painfully familiar and distressing, continues to demand our attention. Some researchers are devoting this attention to analyzing the number of frozen land surface days—days when the ground surface is in a frozen state. A recent paper led by Shadi Hatami, a hydrologist and climate scientist at the[Read More…]
Burnout and mentorship gaps for marginalized clinician-scientist trainees
MD-PhD and MD-MSc programs—where students pursue a Doctor of Medicine (MD) alongside either a Master of Science (MSc) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)—are becoming increasingly recognized for their academic and career-centric benefits. These programs train physicians with strong scientific research backgrounds, equipping graduates with a unique skillset. However, these courses[Read More…]
Rethinking our relationship with academic emotions
Have you ever stressed about your schoolwork, only for that stress to create even more stress? This phenomenon—stressing about stress—is a metacognitive experience very common among students of all ages. Academic emotions impact motivation, engagement in learning processes, and learning outcomes. However, it remains unclear which emotion regulation strategies actually[Read More…]
McGill researcher Danielle Berbrier investigates new therapeutic for women with PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disease characterized by excess hormone production from the ovaries, resulting in irregular menstrual cycles and fertility issues. PCOS affects around one in ten women, making it one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age. Beyond its relationship to menstruation and[Read More…]
Accidental discovery reveals a potential plant-based anti-aging compound
Geroscience, the study of aging and age-related diseases, has become a popular area of research in recent years. Here, the focus is not on treating age-related illnesses, but preventing or delaying their onset by understanding the biological mechanisms underlying aging. In a recent study, researchers discovered that Cyrene, a plant-derived[Read More…]
Available but not accessible: Clinicians highlight gaps in mental health service delivery
Conversations surrounding mental health (MH) have increased dramatically in recent years, with many institutions promoting wellness and expanding volumes of resources. However, the presence of services alone does not guarantee accessibility, particularly for immigrants, refugees, and socioculturally diverse communities, who often face barriers due to language, financial constraints, and increasing[Read More…]
Parenting Black and Latine children in an era of heightened racism
In a political context marked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric vilifying people of colour, the rise of white supremacy, and heightened anti-immigration enforcement by ICE, racism and discrimination have become increasingly prevalent and dangerous for many people of colour. Black and Latine youth, in particular, are victims of[Read More…]