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…]
Tag: research briefs
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…]
The link between mental health and breathlessness
Have you ever trudged through the snow up rue University, about to write a final exam that will make or break your grade? By the time you reach the top of that hill, you might be feeling more out of breath than usual. A recent study involving Dennis Jensen, a[Read More…]
Goat and sheep milk allergies point to underlying cow’s milk allergy…Most of the time
Despite the meteoric rise of plant-based milk’s popularity over the past few years, cow’s milk continues to dominate the global milk market. It is an excellent source of vital minerals, vitamins, and proteins, and is often recommended for young children—that is, assuming they are not allergic. Even with all of[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…]
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…]
How exoenzymes changed the fate of organic matter
The very first life on Earth appeared 3.8 billion years ago as individual cells called heterotrophs, which were dependent on external food sources. Over the years, these simple heterotrophic cells underwent countless evolutionary changes, transforming into the planet’s diverse range of present-day animals. Despite the critical importance of evolution for[Read More…]
Research briefs: Thanksgiving weekend
Pumpkin and mammoth pies Americans who celebrated Thanksgiving last weekend have mastodons and mammoths to thank for the pumpkin pie on the table. In a study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, researchers established a link between the extinction of Pleistocene megafauna—mastodons, mammoths, giant[Read More…]
This week in space
Throughout history, blood moons have been associated with bad omens. In Chinese tradition, a blood moon foreshadowed famine or disease. Mesopotamians believed that a lunar eclipse resulted from attacks by demons. But on Sept. 27, from 10:11 p.m. to 10:37 p.m., when the moon turned red, there were no famines[Read More…]
Summer research briefs: Brain power
Molding memories Some people find it hard to remember what they had for lunch yesterday, while others can remember every detail of the house they grew up in. Understanding how memories are retained and recalled has always intrigued researchers, especially when seeking therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Researchers speculate[Read More…]