Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences /newsroom/taxonomy/term/21399/all en Study links alcohol consumption to more severe nut allergy reaction /newsroom/channels/news/study-links-alcohol-consumption-more-severe-nut-allergy-reaction-362237 <table> <tr></tr> </table> <p>Findings of a new study into severe allergic reactions offer a sobering warning to people allergic to tree nuts and, more broadly, could lead to quicker diagnoses in emergency care for people with all anaphylactic allergies.</p> Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:55:20 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314918 at /newsroom New drug shows promise against Duchenne muscular dystrophy /newsroom/channels/news/new-drug-shows-promise-against-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy-362113 <p>A novel drug holds promise for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disorder that causes severe muscle degeneration.</p> <p>ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ University researchers have discovered that an experimental compound called K884 can boost the natural repair abilities of muscle stem cells. Current treatments can slow muscle damage, but don’t address the root problem.</p> <p>DMD affects about one in 5,000 boys worldwide, often leading to wheelchair dependence by the teenage years and life-threatening complications in early adulthood.</p> Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:40:33 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314898 at /newsroom Universal genetic testing of breast cancer patients could help many /newsroom/channels/news/universal-genetic-testing-breast-cancer-patients-could-help-many-361933 <p><!-- x-tinymce/html --></p> <p>A new study demonstrates how universal genetic testing for breast cancer can ensure no patient is missed for advanced therapies.</p> Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:56:18 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314881 at /newsroom Pregnancy enhances natural immunity to block severe flu /newsroom/channels/news/pregnancy-enhances-natural-immunity-block-severe-flu-361713 <p>ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ University scientists have discovered that pregnancy may trigger a natural immunity to boost protection against severe flu infection.</p> <p>Contrary to the common belief that pregnancy increases vulnerability to infections, researchers found that it strengthened an immune defense in mice, blocking the Influenza A virus from spreading to the lungs, where it can cause severe infection.</p> Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:04:19 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314867 at /newsroom Researchers find design flaws and oversight issues in certain health apps, offer solutions for more effective tools /newsroom/channels/news/researchers-find-design-flaws-and-oversight-issues-certain-health-apps-offer-solutions-more-360944 <p><!-- x-tinymce/html --><!-- x-tinymce/html --></p> <p>AI-powered apps offering medical diagnoses at the click of a button are often limited by biased data and a lack of regulation, leading to inaccurate and unsafe health advice, a new study found.</p> Tue, 05 Nov 2024 18:26:03 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314805 at /newsroom Berry-flavoured may be more dangerous than non-flavoured vapes: study /newsroom/channels/news/berry-flavoured-may-be-more-dangerous-non-flavoured-vapes-study-360871 <p>Berry-flavoured vapes can weaken the lungs’ natural defences, making it harder for the body to fight off infections, new research suggests.</p> <p>The study compared effects of flavoured e-cigarettes to those of unflavoured ones.</p> <p>While previous research has shown that all forms of vaping can be harmful, the scholars said this study adds to a mounting body of evidence demonstrating how added flavourings to vaping solutions can exacerbate the dangers.</p> Fri, 01 Nov 2024 20:30:01 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314773 at /newsroom Experts: Movember 2024 /newsroom/channels/news/experts-movember-2024-360800 <p><a href="https://ca.movember.com/support-us?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj4K5BhDYARIsAD1Ly2rI53iJHzNYFVkHZF-7ma7J6l90S-41FsHeo5AYpkTviZOthwoYDxgaAgfiEALw_wcB" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Movember</a> is an annual campaign held in November to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, including prostate and testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.  </p> <p>These experts from ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ University are available to comment on this topic:  </p> Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:06:57 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314769 at /newsroom How vitamin D deficiency can lead to autoimmune diseases /newsroom/channels/news/how-vitamin-d-deficiency-can-lead-autoimmune-diseases-360580 <p>As Canadians brace for “vitamin D winter” – months when the sun’s angle is too low to produce the vitamin in the skin – a ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ University study explains why vitamin D deficiency early in life is associated with a higher risk of autoimmune diseases.</p> <p>During childhood, the thymus helps train immune cells to distinguish between the body’s own tissues and harmful invaders. A vitamin D deficiency at that stage of life causes the thymus to age more quickly, the researchers discovered.</p> Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:20:40 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314722 at /newsroom Parenting programs help kids, but provide insufficient support for parents, study finds /newsroom/channels/news/parenting-programs-help-kids-provide-insufficient-support-parents-study-finds-360264 <p><!-- x-tinymce/html --></p> <p>Parenting programs that address both mental health and parenting skills can improve children’s development, but often fall short when it comes to offering effective mental-health support for parents, new research suggests.</p> <p>“It’s a surprising contradiction,” said the study’s lead author,<a href="/newsroom/marilyn-ahun"> Marilyn Ahun</a>, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ University. “Our findings show the potential of multi-component programs, while revealing gaps that need to be addressed.”</p> Tue, 08 Oct 2024 20:54:54 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314692 at /newsroom Help with chronic hives: A new app and North America’s first patient registry /newsroom/channels/news/help-chronic-hives-new-app-and-north-americas-first-patient-registry-360119 <p>Tuesday, Oct. 1 is <a href="https://urticariaday.org/about-urticaria/">Urticaria Day</a>, raising awareness of a condition more commonly known as hives.</p> <p>This year, Canadians living with chronic hives have two new resources, developed in part by a ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ University researcher: North America’s first chronic urticaria patient registry and a new app for patient care.</p> Fri, 27 Sep 2024 19:09:03 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314649 at /newsroom New drug molecule could lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s disease in younger patients /newsroom/channels/news/new-drug-molecule-could-lead-new-treatments-parkinsons-disease-younger-patients-359804 <p>A novel drug molecule could potentially lead to new treatments to prevent Parkinson’s disease in younger patients, according to new research.</p> <p>“We are excited about this drug compound because we might have the possibility to develop the first cure for Parkinson’s disease, at least for a subset of patients,” said lead author <a href="/newsroom/kalle-gehring">Kalle Gehring</a>, a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ University and Canada Research Chair in Structural Studies of Neurodegenerative Diseases.</p> Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:37:21 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314637 at /newsroom The brain’s balancing system /newsroom/channels/news/brains-balancing-system-358549 <p>A finding by a ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ-led team of neuroscientists could open doors to new treatments for a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders attributed to dysfunctions in specific dopamine pathways.<br /> <br /></p> Tue, 20 Aug 2024 20:22:09 +0000 katherine.gombay@mcgill.ca 314587 at /newsroom More than 2M Quebecers don’t have access to primary care: OurCare report /newsroom/channels/news/more-2m-quebecers-dont-have-access-primary-care-ourcare-report-356254 <p>More than two million people in Quebec don’t have access to primary care, the front door to the healthcare system, according to the newly released <a href="https://www.ourcare.ca/reports">OurCare report on Canada</a>. This is among the worst rates in the country, the report states.</p> <p>To address a medical system that’s facing an aging and growing population, the OurCare report – developed in collaboration with ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ University researchers – focuses on the public’s expectations when it comes to defining good primary care and what policy changes they recommend to shape the system.</p> Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:44:17 +0000 claire.loewen@mcgill.ca 310374 at /newsroom