Sept. 28, 2025, marks five years since the death of Joyce Echaquan, a 37-year-old Atikamekw woman who died of pulmonary edema—fluid accumulation in the lungs—due to medical negligence in a northern Montreal hospital, Centre Hospitalier de Lanaudière. Joyce livestreamed the persistent mistreatment and discrimination she endured while seeking medical attention,[Read More…]
Research Briefs
New scoping review maps Indigenous harm reduction, barriers, and gaps
Indigenous Peoples across North America and Oceania experience higher rates of drug-related harm than other populations. These harms are shaped both by the historical and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism. While Indigenous Peoples in these regions are often willing to access health services that reduce the risks of drug use,[Read More…]
Are deep-ocean microbes waiting for lunch?
The deep ocean—at least 200 metres below sea level—is home to an organic carbon pool comparable in size to the atmospheric carbon reservoir. This carbon pool has remained consistent in size for millennia. If just one per cent of the deep-ocean carbon were released in the atmosphere through microbial respiration,[Read More…]
Investigating the link between sex-dependent gene expressions and major depressive disorder
Why do women experience major depressive disorder (MDD) at nearly twice the rate of men in the post-puberty stage? During this critical stage, MDD manifests in a sex-specific way in its prevalence, symptomatology, and treatment responses when comparing males and females. In a recent publication in Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity,[Read More…]
Bad balance? Blame your concussion
Concussions: Either you have had one, or you know someone who has. These injuries are incredibly common—particularly in high-contact sports such as football, hockey, and rugby—and they can leave lasting, debilitating impacts. Yet, despite their dangers, concussions are hard to objectively identify by a third party, making them difficult for[Read More…]
Back to the roots: Investigating how soil influences root traits
Plant roots may be out of sight, but they are not out of mind for McGill researchers. While it is known that fine roots—those less than two mm in diametre—possess highly variable physiological and morphological properties, the reasons behind this variation remain unknown. Caroline Dallstream, a PhD student in McGill’s[Read More…]
Cracking the honesty code: Key techniques for encouraging honesty in children
Honesty is a crucial foundation for relationships and cooperation. In early childhood education, helping children recognize the importance of honesty is fundamental. Victoria Talwar, professor in McGill’s Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and lab director of the Talwar Child Development Research Lab, recently published a paper in Developmental Psychology[Read More…]
What nurses have to say about healthcare for the underprivileged
We often take many aspects of our lives for granted. Among these are access to healthcare, a place to stay permanently, and a safe and stable home, which are all critical for a healthy and prosperous life. However, many people lack access to these necessities. Overlooking the improvement plan for[Read More…]
Diversity dynamics: Exploring organizational diversity’s impact on minority recruitment
Existing research in the field of psychology has shown that organizational diversity influences the work environment and the behaviours of individuals seeking employment opportunities. In a paper titled “A field study of the impacts of workplace diversity on the recruitment of minority group members,” Jordan Axt, assistant professor in McGill’s[Read More…]
Patient-centric progress: Advancements in technologies for type 1 diabetes
Living with diabetes goes beyond managing its symptoms. It involves grappling with social stigma, the necessity of a continuous supply of insulin, the lurking fear of hypoglycemia, and the financial burden of disease management in failing healthcare systems. Recent advancements in diabetes technology aim to assist with insulin adjustment and[Read More…]
