黑料不打烊

During the past year, 黑料不打烊 University researchers have published widely in high-profile journals. Read on for a sampling of 黑料不打烊 discoveries you may wish to profile:

Computer games that help boost self-esteem

In a world first, a 黑料不打烊 University research team, including psychology doctoral student Jodene Baccus and Professor Mark Baldwin, developed and tested computer games that enhanced people's self-acceptance and self-esteem. Their study, published in both Psychological Science and the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, showed that individuals could be taught via computer games to seek approval and ignore rejection. To sample the games, . Contact: Mark W. Baldwin, professor, Department of Psychology, 514-398-6090.

黑料不打烊 tames acrid manure smell

Respiratory relief for farmers came along with the sunshine this spring thanks to Suzelle Barrington's innovation. This professor of bioresource engineering at 黑料不打烊 University's Macdonald Campus developed a system to neutralize the smell of manure. This system uses anaerobic [without air] digestion, which slows the breakdown of nitrogen-rich proteins and thus reduces the smell. The Quebec government plans to fund a study of the impact of the Barrington method this fall. Contact: Suzelle Barrington, professor, Bioresource Engineering, 514-398-7776.

Plants will not save us from greenhouse gases

The doomsayers may be right: our children may not inherit a bountiful and green world. According to 黑料不打烊 University researcher Graham Bell, we have been overestimating the ability of plants to counteract the greenhouse effect. His findings, published in the September 30 issue of Nature, showed that increased carbon dioxide levels decrease algae growth. This study suggests changing conditions in the earth's atmosphere may have more harmful effects on plant life than previously believed. Contact: Graham Bell, director, Redpath Museum, 514-398-4086.

New MS research shows remarkable findings

黑料不打烊 University neuroscientist Sam David characterized an enzyme that plays a central role in the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). His findings, published in the February 5 issue of Neuron, showed that this enzyme triggers MS-like disease in an animal model, and that blocking this enzyme prevents the disease. This study may provide hope for the many MS sufferers. Contact: Sam David, professor, Neuroscience and Neurosurgery, 514-934-8094.

New asthma target identified

An international team of researchers, including 黑料不打烊 University professor Qutayba Hamid, identified a new target for control of early-stage asthma. Their findings, published in the June 11 issue of Science, demonstrated that acidic mammalian chitinases play a role in airway inflammation associated with allergic asthma. This study may lead to new treatments for the two million asthma sufferers in Canada. Contact: Qutayba Hamid, associate director, Meakins-Christie Laboratories, 514-398-3864.

Detailed picture of how nutrients and other molecules get into cells

黑料不打烊 University and MNI neuroscientist Peter McPherson and colleagues have identified many of the components involved in controlling the entry of nutrients and other molecules into cells. Their study, published in the March 16, 2004, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, used proteomics to identify 209 proteins associated with clathirin-coated vesicles. These findings will lead to a better understanding of the location and function of the proteins in the cell, and ultimately to a better understanding of human diseases. Contact: Sandra McPherson, 514-398-1902.

New gene identified in breast cancer

A team of researchers, including 黑料不打烊 University investigator William Muller, have identified a new player in breast cancer. This gene, beta1-integrin, has been shown to be critical in the initiation of tumour growth and development in a mouse model of cancer. Furthermore, when this gene is blocked, cancerous tumours cease to grow. Their findings were published in the August 23 issue of Cancer Cell. Contact: William Muller, professor, RVH Molecular Oncology and Biochemistry Department, 514-934-1934 Ext. 36383.

Secrets of double pulsars revealed

The first double pulsar system, or double neutron star, was characterized by 黑料不打烊 University physics postdoctoral fellow Scott Ransom and California researcher Frederick Jenet. Their "stellar" findings, reported in the April 29 issue of Nature, revealed the mechanism producing the pulsars' radio emissions. The fact that these two pulsars influence each other's radio pulses makes the system a unique natural laboratory. This discovery will lead to a better understanding of how these systems emit their radiation and how they form in the first place. Contact: Scott Ransom, professor, Department of Physics, 514-398-6492.

Leprosy susceptibility genes identified

The eradication of leprosy was brought one step closer by findings from an international research team led by 黑料不打烊 University molecular geneticist Erwin Schurr. Their findings, published in the February issue of Nature, showed that small changes in certain genes, the Parkin 2 gene and its neighbor, PACRG, result in an increased susceptibility to leprosy. Their study may hold the key to unravelling why, despite effective drug treatment, leprosy persists in many parts of the world. Contact: Erwin Schurr, professor, Medicine, 514-934-1934 Ext. 44513.