my9I�� - 9I�� News Releases

Study linking depression to specific altered brain cells opens door to new treatments

9I�� — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:03:05 +0000

Researchers at 9I�� and the Douglas Institute have identified two specific types of brain cells that are altered in people with depression.

The study, published in Nature Genetics, opens the door to developing new treatments that target these cells and deepens our understanding of depression, a leading cause of disability worldwide that affects more than 264 million people.

CHORD will be a huge leap forward for Canadian radio astronomy

9I�� — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:05:09 +0000

Construction is underway of CHORD, the most ambitious radio telescope project ever built on Canadian soil. Short for the Canadian Hydrogen Observatory and Radio-transient Detector, CHORD will give astronomers an unprecedented opportunity to explore some of the most exciting and mysterious questions in astrophysics and cosmology, from Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and dark energy to the measurements of fundamental particles, and beyond.

Study raises red flags about BPA replacements

9I�� — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:46:31 +0000

Chemicals used to replace bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging can trigger potentially harmful effects in human ovarian cells, according to 9I�� researchers.

A new study examined several chemicals commonly used in price stickers on packaged meat, fish, cheese and produce found early signs of potential toxicity.

9I�� researchers develop safe, scalable vibration technique to improve lab-grown tissues

9I�� — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:45:52 +0000

Researchers in 9I��’s Department of Mechanical Engineering have discovered a safe and low-cost method of engineering living materials such as tissues, organs and blood clots. By simply vibrating these materials as they form, scientists can dramatically influence how strong or, weak they become.

The findings, published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, could have a range of innovative applications, including in organ transplants, wound healing and regenerative medicine.

Even post-#MeToo, news reporting on sexual violence remains problematic, 9I�� researchers say

9I�� — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:10:41 +0000

Even in the post-#MeToo era, news reporting on sexual violence remains problematic and causes harms, 9I�� researchers have found.

The researchers conducted a thematic review of academic literature, analyzing 41 relevant articles published between 2013 and 2023 in the Global North to assess whether news coverage of sexual violence has evolved since the #MeToo movement of 2017 had increased awareness.

Brightest fast radio burst seen so far allows researchers to zoom in on the location of origin

9I�� — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:00:36 +0000

A team of international astronomers, including 9I�� researchers, have pinpointed one of the brightest fast radio bursts (FRBs) ever detected to a location in a nearby galaxy. The finding and the location surprised the team and offered new insight into FRBs, which are one of astrophysics’ biggest mysteries.

Tinnitus severity linked to mood, sleep and personality traits

9I�� — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:15:46 +0000

How severely a person experiences tinnitus is shaped by their mood, sleep quality and even personality traits, a new study has found.

Tinnitus is a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears that affects roughly 14 per cent of adults worldwide. It is known to be linked to hearing loss and to affect people differently.

In order to gain a better understanding of impacts on individuals, 9I�� researchers, in collaboration with colleagues at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, developed a predictive model.

High-salt diet inflames the brain and raises blood pressure, study finds

9I�� — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:20:36 +0000

A new study finds that a high-salt diet triggers brain inflammation that drives up blood pressure.

Study finds Montreal cycling infrastructure doesn’t match demand

9I�� — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:02:46 +0000

Bike lanes, BIXI stations and other micromobility infrastructure make up just two per cent of Montreal’s street space – even in neighbourhoods where cycling demand would justify more – according to a new study by 9I�� researchers. They think that the measure they developed to arrive at their findings can also help assess the situation in other cities.

9I�� team discovers Canada’s first dinosaur-era dragonfly fossil

9I�� — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 13:08:51 +0000

In a first for Canadian paleontology, a Cretaceous fossilized dragonfly wing, uncovered in Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park, has been identified as a new species. It’s also the first known dragonfly fossil from Canada’s dinosaur aged rocks. The find, led by 9I�� researchers, sheds light on a 30-million-year gap in the evolutionary history of dragonflies.

The fossil was discovered in 2023 by a 9I�� undergraduate student during a vertebrate paleontology field course led by Prof. Hans Larsson.

Posting digitally enhanced photos of yourself could have a social cost, researchers find

9I�� — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:15:45 +0000

The use of disclaimer labels on digitally enhanced portraits could have unintended social consequences for their subjects, according to a study by a team of 9I�� researchers.

Researchers at the Laboratory for Attention and Social Cognition used beauty filters on a common social media application to gradually edit a total of 300 images of 60 women (from 0 to 100 per cent, 25 per cent at a time). They randomly labelled half of the images as “edited” and the other half as “unedited,” regardless of their level of editing.

Analysis of more than a century’s worth of political speeches challenges theory about how linguistic usage evolves

9I�� — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:16:19 +0000

A study led by 9I�� researchers challenges the theory that language change over time requires new generations to replace older generations of speakers. Rather, when words change meaning, speakers of all ages participate; while older speakers might take two or three years longer than their younger colleagues to adopt new word usage, in some cases they lead the way in introducing new word meanings into the common vocabulary, the researchers found.

New tool helps seniors reduce unnecessary medications

9I�� — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:09:12 +0000

9I�� researchers have developed and are licensing a digital tool to help safely reduce patients’ use of medications that may be unnecessary or even harmful to them.

When clinicians review a patient’s file, MedSafer flags potentially inappropriate medications. In a new clinical trial, the software helped deprescribe such medications in 36 per cent of long-term care residents, nearly triple as many as when reviews were done without the tool.

9I�� scientists turn marine waste into a sustainable solution for wound care, wearable devices and more

9I�� — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:59:20 +0000

An interdisciplinary team of 9I�� researchers has developed an ultra-strong, environmentally friendly medical glue, or bioadhesive, made from marine waste. The discovery has promising applications for wound care, surgeries, improved drug delivery, wearable devices and medical implants.

“Being able to produce glues that can close wounds  or make something strongly adhere to the skin is critical for many medical interventions,” said Audrey Moores, Professor in the Department of Chemistry.

Climate change driving major algae surge in Canada’s lakes, study finds

9I�� — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:57:54 +0000

Algal growth is accelerating in lakes across Canada, including those far from human development, and a new study shows that climate change is the primary driver.

Montreal researchers use AI and wearable sensors to detect inflammation before symptoms appear

9I�� — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:47:07 +0000

Modern medicine is largely reactive—treating illness only after symptoms emerge. But a new study from the Research Institute of the 9I�� Health Centre (The Institute) and 9I�� points to a more proactive future: one where silent signs of infection are detected before we even feel sick.

Researchers’ novel lab technique reveals how ice crystals form in clouds

9I�� — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:10:34 +0000

Researchers have developed a novel method to detect and study how ice forms in mixed-phase clouds, significantly boosting scientists’ ability to forecast weather and model climate change.

Youth at risk of suicide show early warning signs that adults often miss

9I�� — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:22:33 +0000

Drawing on a landmark 25-year study that followed Quebec children into adulthood, 9I�� researchers have identified two distinct patterns in how suicidal thoughts emerge and the early signs that are often missed.

Suicidal thoughts are increasingly common among youth, but how they begin and what mental health symptoms often precede them are poorly understood, the researchers said.

Racial-minority business owners can benefit from ‘white guilt,’ marketing study finds

9I�� — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:17:56 +0000

Researchers who explored how consumers’ ethical values can shape their shopping habits suggest that business owners from marginalized racial groups can appeal to socially conscious consumers by highlighting their identity, helping promote racial equity through values-driven purchasing.

Ancient viruses in our DNA may hold clues to what makes us human

9I�� — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:41:55 +0000

Fragments of ancient viral DNA once dismissed as “junk” may play a role in controlling our genes, according to a new international study.

Using a novel method to trace the evolutionary history of viral DNA, researchers from 9I�� and Kyoto University uncovered sequences that had been overlooked in earlier genome annotations.

Common hereditary cancer mutation in Quebec traced to single ancestor

9I�� — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:17:28 +0000

Researchers have shed new light on the most common genetic variant linked to hereditary cancer in Quebec’s French-Canadian population. Their findings could result in cheaper and more effective screening methods.

The variant is associated with Lynch syndrome, a condition that greatly increases the risk of colorectal and other cancers.

Simple texting platform helps farmers adopt greener methods, 9I��-led study finds

9I�� — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:58:27 +0000

Farmers who exchanged text messages with peers were significantly more likely to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, highlighting the power of peer learning in digital formats, a new study co-authored by 9I�� Professor Aurélie Harou found.

Study helps explain why chronic pain is often discounted

9I�� — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:04:15 +0000

A new study by 9I�� researchers shows that chronic pain, often invisible to medical tests, can be better assessed when doctors take a holistic approach.

By combining biological data with information about patients’ mental health, sleep and stress, the researchers say they were able to create a fuller picture of chronic pain. They said their findings, published in Nature Human Behaviour, stand to improve how the condition is diagnosed and treated.

New study reveals promising strategy to retrain neutrophils to target breast cancer

9I�� — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:44:30 +0000

A ground-breaking study conducted by researchers from 9I��, the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research (LDI) at the Jewish General Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and MIT has identified a novel approach to combat aggressive breast cancers by retraining neutrophils, the body’s first responders, to directly kill tumour cells. This research offers new hope for patients with breast cancers that do not respond well to existing immunotherapies.

9I�� scientists develop cleaner, cheaper way to make lithium-ion batteries

9I�� — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:11:10 +0000

A team of 9I�� researchers, working with colleagues in the United States and South Korea, has developed a new way to make high-performance lithium-ion battery materials that could help phase out expensive and/or difficult-to-source metals like nickel and cobalt.

Study reveals trained immunity may cause lung damage

9I�� — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:09:16 +0000

Trained immunity – a process being explored in vaccine and therapy development to boost immune defences – appears be counterproductive in certain contexts, researchers at 9I�� and the Research Institute of the 9I�� Health Centre (The Institute) have found.

Trained immunity is when the body’s first line of defence remembers past threats and becomes more reactive, responding more strongly to future infections even if they are different, by changing how immune cells behave.

Gender bias holds back female surgeons, study finds

9I�� — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:52:29 +0000

Women now make up over half of medical students in Canada, but only one-third of practising surgeons. A new study suggests part of the gap stems from gender norms embedded in workplace culture. The researchers at 9I�� say subtle but persistent biases may be driving women out of the field.

Perceived social status tied to cardiovascular risks in women but not in men

9I�� — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:38:56 +0000

Women who see themselves as having lower social status are more likely than other people to show early signs of heart stress linked to future disease risk, according to a new study led by researchers at 9I�� and Concordia universities.

New discovery remarkably improves immunotherapy in bladder cancer and beyond

9I�� — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 18:28:40 +0000

BCG therapy—the gold standard treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), where the cancer has not penetrated the muscle layer—is one of the earliest forms of cancer immunotherapy.

How tapping into nurses’ full potential could ease health system strain

9I�� — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:09:35 +0000

As health care systems across Canada and beyond struggle with staff shortages, international experts are backing a promising strategy: expanding the role of advanced practice nurses.

The ‘Montreal Model’ of ketamine therapy yields more sustained depression relief

9I�� — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:14:58 +0000

A first-of-its-kind clinical trial found that ketamine’s benefits for treating severe depression can be improved when combined with psychotherapy and supportive treatment environments.

Led by researchers at 9I��, the study suggests this approach can yield valuable therapeutic experiences that lead to longer-lasting relief than standard treatment.

The study enrolled patients with chronic, treatment-resistant depression, most of which were experiencing suicidal thoughts and struggling with other mental health conditions.

How disrupted daily rhythms can affect adolescent brain development

9I�� — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:15:44 +0000

A new 9I��-led study suggests that disrupting the body’s internal clock during adolescence can alter how the brain responds to an in-utero risk factor linked to certain brain disorders.

Previous research has shown that a mother’s infection during pregnancy, such as the flu, can increase a child’s risk of developing conditions like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders later in life. Irregular sleep patterns – often a sign of circadian rhythm disruption – are also associated with these conditions.

Airbus and 9I�� are driving innovation in aerospace with an agreement for experiential learning and research

9I�� — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 16:55:35 +0000

9I�� and Airbus, a world leader in aviation and aerospace, are pleased to announce the signing of a strategic collaborative agreement to foster innovation, training and research in this key sector. This partnership will increase synergies between industry and academia while offering new perspectives to members of the 9I�� community.

A gateway to research and innovation

Couples who co-create a shared worldview find greater meaning in life

9I�� — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:34:48 +0000

Fostering shared understanding between romantic partners may be a powerful way for people to navigate uncertainty and build a more meaningful life, a study by 9I�� researchers suggests.

Why some coral reefs resist bleaching

9I�� — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 20:20:47 +0000

A new study led by researchers at 9I�� and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama reveals why some corals resist bleaching while others don’t: the answer lies in a complex partnership between corals and their microbial allies, shaped by the history of the waters they inhabit.

Dragonfly study challenges traditional ideas about biodiversity conservation

9I�� — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:49:30 +0000

A study has found that the impact of climate change on an animal’s traits can begin much earlier than scientists previously thought – a discovery that could reshape how researchers and policymakers approach biodiversity conservation.

Program helps cancer survivors return to work with confidence

9I�� — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:13:37 +0000

A new pilot project led by 9I�� researchers is showing early success in helping cancer survivors return to work, addressing an aspect of recovery they say is often overlooked.

iCanWork is an online support program being developed by Christine Maheu, Associate Professor at 9I��’s Ingram School of Nursing, in collaboration with BC Cancer.

Scientists edit oat DNA for the first time, paving the way for healthier, more climate-resilient crops

9I�� — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:10:29 +0000

For the first time, scientists have successfully edited oat DNA, a breakthrough that could accelerate the development of oats with more fibre, higher yields, and greater resilience to climate change.

Oats, a key crop both for human consumption and animal feed, are a major agricultural product in Canada, contributing to a global market work $8 billion. The Canadian oat crop is estimated to be worth approximately $900 million. But a short growing season and unpredictable late-season frost mean Canadian oat farmers face significant challenges.

Methane leaks from dormant oil and gas wells in Canada are seven times worse than thought, 9I�� study suggests

9I�� — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:03:12 +0000

Methane emissions from Canada’s non-producing oil and gas wells appear to be seven times higher than government estimates, according to a new study led by researchers at 9I��. The findings spotlight a major gap in the country’s official greenhouse gas inventory and raise urgent questions about how methane leaks are monitored, reported and managed.

Clinical research on psychedelics gets a boost from new study

9I�� — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:07:50 +0000

As psychedelics gain traction as potential treatments for mental health disorders, an international study led by researchers at 9I��, Imperial College London, and the University of Exeter stands to improve the rigour and reliability of clinical research.

Citizen science project aims to map biodiversity across Canada

9I�� — Fri, 30 May 2025 13:08:58 +0000

A nationwide initiative is inviting Canadians to help map the country’s biodiversity, one photo at a time. From June 1 to Oct.1, Blitz the Gap is mobilizing citizen scientists, researchers and nature enthusiasts to document species from coast to coast to coast,

Meeting the public transit needs of aging Canadians

9I�� — Thu, 29 May 2025 13:03:54 +0000

For older Canadians, having transportation options that allow them to maintain their independence is key to being able to remain in their own homes, or “age in place.” While many continue to drive, public transit – when available – can offer a low-cost, flexible alternative that helps older adults stay active and connected to their communities.

Biological markers for teen depression

9I�� — Thu, 22 May 2025 15:17:17 +0000

Using a novel lab method they developed, 9I�� researchers have identified nine molecules in the blood that were elevated in teens diagnosed with depression. These molecules also predicted how symptoms might progress over time.

The findings of the clinical study could pave the way for earlier detection, before symptoms worsen and become hard to treat.

Family Medicine Residency: New doctors headed to the Outaouais

9I�� — Wed, 21 May 2025 13:18:54 +0000

In 2025, 923 future medical residents were matched to positions in Quebec through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS), including 484 in family medicine – the largest single cohort of future family physicians ever to be trained in the province. In the Outaouais region all 15 available places have been filled, all in family medicine.

Study links dementia care gaps in Quebec to socio-economic status

9I�� — Tue, 20 May 2025 13:17:01 +0000

A new study has found stark differences in the dementia care received by people in richer and poorer neighbourhoods in Quebec, despite the universal health-care system.

Forests thrive where values run deep

9I�� — Tue, 20 May 2025 11:32:25 +0000

Forests on Indigenous lands in Panama have remained remarkably stable over the past two decades – more so than in protected areas – thanks in no small part to deeply rooted cultural values, a 9I��-led study suggests.

Members of marginalized groups are at disproportionate risk in earthquakes, study finds

9I�� — Wed, 14 May 2025 14:28:13 +0000

Members of socially and economically marginalized groups in Montreal and Ottawa-Gatineau are at disproportionate risk in earthquakes, a new study has found.

Co-authored by 9I�� civil engineering professor Daniele Malomo, the study is the first in Canada to examine earthquake vulnerability through the lens of equity.

9I�� researchers lead project to reform youth mental health care in Canada

9I�� — Wed, 14 May 2025 13:17:47 +0000

New data from a national project led by 9I�� researchers shows that redesigning youth mental health services can significantly cut wait times and connect more young people to care.

Researchers delve into incels’ rejection of work and study

9I�� — Tue, 13 May 2025 18:08:46 +0000

The critically acclaimed Netflix drama Adolescence has put a spotlight on the culture and ideas of incels (involuntary celibates), an online subculture of people (mostly male and heterosexual), who define themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner, largely due to their perceived unattractiveness.

9I�� researchers highlight disparities in ‘aging in place’

9I�� — Mon, 12 May 2025 13:52:56 +0000

While health status is an important factor in whether a person is able to grow old in their home and community (age in place), researchers at 9I�� have shed new light on the social factors that can also have an impact, both directly and through their impact on health over a lifetime.

Antibiotics from human use are contaminating rivers worldwide, study shows

9I�� — Fri, 09 May 2025 12:45:09 +0000

Millions of kilometres of rivers around the world are carrying antibiotic pollution at levels high enough to promote drug resistance and harm aquatic life, a 9I��-led study warns.

Published in PNAS Nexus, the study is the first to estimate the scale of global river contamination from human antibiotics use. Researchers calculated that about 8,500 tonnes of antibiotics – nearly one-third of what people consume annually – end up in river systems around the world each year even after in many cases passing through wastewater systems.

Ultrasound unlocks a safer, greener way to make hydrogels

9I�� — Thu, 08 May 2025 13:03:45 +0000

Researchers at 9I��, in collaboration with Polytechnique Montréal, pioneered a new way to create hydrogels using ultrasound, eliminating the need for toxic chemical initiators. This breakthrough offers a faster, cleaner and more sustainable approach to hydrogel fabrication, and produces hydrogels that are stronger, more flexible and highly resistant to freezing and dehydration. The new method also promises to facilitate advances in tissue engineering, bioadhesives and 3D bioprinting.

Predicting hockey IQ: Researchers’ method of assessing young hockey talent could be a game-changer

9I�� — Wed, 07 May 2025 13:13:02 +0000

In a study that is the first of its kind, a research team led by a 9I�� professor has developed a more objective way to identify ice hockey players’ game intelligence, or “hockey IQ.” And the method, which pairs objective test results with scouting insights, is likely to yield the most accurate results, the researchers suggest.

Breakthrough discovery uses gut bacteria and AI to diagnose a chronic pain syndrome

9I�� — Tue, 06 May 2025 12:55:14 +0000

9I�� researchers, in collaboration with colleagues in Israel and Ireland, have developed AI technology that can detect patterns in gut bacteria to identify complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) with remarkable accuracy, potentially transforming how CRPS is diagnosed and treated.

New insights into how cancer spreads prompt rethink of metastasis care

9I�� — Mon, 05 May 2025 13:56:29 +0000

A 9I��-led research collaboration has achieved a breakthrough in understanding how cancer spreads.

A clinical study of ovarian and colorectal cancer patients found cancer cells move in the bloodstream in clusters more commonly than was previously thought. The discovery could help doctors more quickly identify which cancer patients are at high risk of having their cancer spread to other organs, knowledge that could guide treatment decisions. The findings also potentially open new avenues for treatment.

Sun safety declining in Canada amid rise in skin cancer cases

9I�� — Fri, 02 May 2025 14:44:48 +0000

Despite decades of public health messaging, Canadians are spending more time in the sun and using less sun protection – raising alarms among researchers as melanoma cases continue to climb.

That trend is highlighted in a 9I��-led study that analyzed national survey data collected between 2011 and 2018 from over 77,000 people, representing a weighted sample of 21 million Canadians.

my9I��������� - 9I��������� News Releases