External /dementia/taxonomy/term/4/all en Experts: AI governance and mental health /dementia/channels/news/experts-ai-governance-and-mental-health-371468 <p>Six months before the killings in Tumbler Ridge, Open AI suspended a ChatGPT account owned by the shooter. However, it failed to alert Canadian authorities of its contents. In the wake of Bill C-27’s death on the order paper in January 2025, there remains no binding federal regulation of artificial intelligence in Canada. These VRƵ experts can comment:</p> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:27:41 +0000 admin 17410 at /dementia Experts: Violence in Mexico follows killing of drug lord /dementia/channels/news/experts-violence-mexico-follows-killing-drug-lord-371443 <p>The killing on Sunday of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of a powerful drug cartel, has triggered violence between security forces and criminal gangs in at least 20 of Mexico’s 32 states. Canadian airlines have suspended flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta and tourists in the popular resort destination are sheltering in place.</p> <p>These VRƵ experts can comment:</p> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:39:19 +0000 admin 17409 at /dementia Neuro Epilepsy Lecture Series /dementia/channels/event/neuro-epilepsy-lecture-series-371435 <p>The 2025-2026 Neuro Epilepsy Lecture Series covers hot topics in basic and clinical epilepsy research. Speakers will include distinguished leaders and rising stars, with the goal of bridging basic research and clinical perspectives.</p> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:41:56 +0000 admin 17407 at /dementia Findings of VRƵ study could lead to new longevity therapies and improved fall prevention /dementia/channels/news/findings-mcgill-study-could-lead-new-longevity-therapies-and-improved-fall-prevention-371349 <p>A new VRƵ study has found a direct link between age‑related declines in neuron activity in the cerebellum and worsening motor skills, including gait, balance and agility. While it is well known that these abilities diminish with age, this is the first research to pinpoint how changes in Purkinje cells – a key type of cerebellar neuron – drive this decline and translate into measurable changes in behaviour and physical function.</p> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:46:40 +0000 admin 17405 at /dementia Special film screening of Tough Old Broads - Free to attend! /dementia/channels/event/special-film-screening-tough-old-broads-free-attend-371318 <p>Dear Community Members,</p> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 21:08:34 +0000 diane.weidner@mcgill.ca 17399 at /dementia Colourism might help explain health inequities suffered by dark-skinned Black Americans, researchers say /dementia/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 17404 at /dementia Engineered nanoparticles could deliver better targeted cancer treatment /dementia/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 17402 at /dementia Cognitive biases of talent scouts can undermine sports teams’ success /dementia/channels/news/cognitive-biases-talent-scouts-can-undermine-sports-teams-success-371308 <p>Sports talent scouts’ decisions are influenced by various common cognitive biases that can affect their work and undermine team success, a paper published in the <i>International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology </i>has suggested.</p> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:58:25 +0000 admin 17398 at /dementia New study provides advice on how to boost participation in physical activity among autistic youth /dementia/channels/news/new-study-provides-advice-how-boost-participation-physical-activity-among-autistic-youth-371283 <p>Researchers investigating how to increase participation in physical activity by autistic children and teens say key strategies include creating predictable routines, involving family members and ensuring safe and sensory-friendly spaces.</p> <p>Those were among 95 “facilitators” yielded by their review of previously published research on the subject. Autistic youth are less physically active than their peers, who are already not physically active enough, the researchers said, noting that physical activity could be beneficial to their physical, social and emotional health.</p> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:21:49 +0000 admin 17396 at /dementia VRƵ researchers optimize process for converting human urine into clean energy /dementia/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 17394 at /dementia Expert: Munich Security Conference /dementia/channels/news/expert-munich-security-conference-371265 <p>The Munich Security Conference, which opened today and runs until Feb. 15, is a leading forum for discussions on international security. It is attended by heads of state and ministers of defence and foreign affairs from around the world.</p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:08:54 +0000 admin 17392 at /dementia VRƵ researchers build the best light-powered, room-temperature computer yet /dementia/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 17389 at /dementia Which childhood abuse survivors are at elevated risk of depression? New study provides important clues /dementia/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 17387 at /dementia Expert: Mental health impacts of gun violence /dementia/channels/news/expert-mental-health-impacts-gun-violence-371244 <p>Following a deadly mass shooting at a school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. and a murder-suicide in Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg, Que. this week, a VRƵ expert is available to speak about the psychological toll of gun violence.</p> <p><b>Tina Montreuil, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at VRƵ</b> is available to comment on the following topics:</p> Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:51:39 +0000 admin 17385 at /dementia Plants retain a ‘genetic memory’ of past population crashes, study shows /dementia/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 17383 at /dementia