Can inhaled corticosteroids alleviate early symptoms of COVID-19?
Despite high hopes, a new pan-Canadian study published today in The BMJ suggests that ciclesonide鈥攁n inhaled and nasal steroid drug commonly used for asthma and rhinitis鈥攚on鈥檛 be the treatment to change the course of the pandemic.
Advancing agriculture threatens the livelihoods of forest-dependent people
Satellite images reveal where forest-dependent people live inside the forests of the South American Gran Chaco, and how deforestation for cattle ranching leads to an erosion of their resource base. (Background photo: Google EarthTM / Inset photo: I. Gasparri).
黑料不打烊 conferring honorary degrees to four exceptional individuals
黑料不打烊 University is proud to confer honorary degrees to highly talented and engaged individuals who serve as an inspiration for our community of students, professors, researchers and staff.
How cultural differences shape responses to COVID-19
A study exploring cross-cultural differences in knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 reveals that people in Europe had the least knowledge of COVID-19 and lowest tendency to care about the coronavirus, while people in the United States had the lowest tendency to comply with public health restrictions. As the pandemic began to unfold, people in the Middle East and Asia were the most aware of COVID-19. People in the Middle East were also the most afraid of the coronavirus.
How bacteria create a piggy bank for the lean times
Bacteria can store extra resources for the lean times. It鈥檚 a bit like keeping a piggy bank or carrying a backup battery pack. One important reserve is known as cyanophycin granules, which were first noticed by an Italian scientist about 150 years ago. He saw big, dark splotches in the cells of the blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) he was studying without understanding either what they were or their purpose.
By 2500 earth could be alien to humans
To fully grasp and plan for climate impacts under any scenario, researchers and policymakers must look well beyond the 2100 benchmark. Unless CO2 emissions drop significantly, global warming by 2500 will make the Amazon barren, the American Midwest tropical, and India too hot to live in, according to a team of international scientists.
Older adults are more willing to help others, but mostly those in the same country
Older adults are more willing to help others compared to younger adults but will prioritize those within their own country 鈥� particularly when it comes to donating to charity. This group was also more compliant with public health guidelines for physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a team of international researchers.
$2.5 million for the creation of the R茅seau qu茅b茅cois de recherche en agriculture durable
Today, the Fonds de recherche du Qu茅bec - Nature et technologies (FRQNT), along with its partner the minist猫re de l'Agriculture, des P锚cheries et de l'Alimentation (MAPAQ) announced the creation of the R茅seau qu茅b茅cois de recherche en agriculture durable (RQRAD), a flagship measure of the Plan d鈥檃g
How mussels make a powerful underwater glue
The mussels鈥� beards (which cooks remove before preparing them) are made up of byssal threads and are used to help keep the mussels tethered in place. At the end of each thread is a disc-shaped plaque that acts as an underwater glue. The unusual qualities of the glue and the byssal threads have interested people since ancient times, when the threads of certain species were woven into luxurious berets, purses, gloves, and stockings.
COVID-19: Coughing without masks, distancing alone is not enough
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 indoors, the two metres physical distancing guideline is not enough without masks, according to researchers from Quebec, Illinois, and Texas. However, wearing a mask indoors can reduce the contamination range of airborne particles by about 67 percent.
Unbreakable glass inspired by seashells
Scientists from 黑料不打烊 University develop stronger and tougher glass, inspired by the inner layer of mollusk shells. Instead of shattering upon impact, the new material has the resiliency of plastic and could be used to improve cell phone screens in the future, among other applications.
Discovery of mechanics of drug targets for COVID-19
A team of international researchers, including 黑料不打烊 Professor St茅phane Laporte, have discovered the working mechanism of potential drug targets for various diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and even COVID-19.
Canada鈥檚 nitrogen footprint shows regional variation
Reactive nitrogen emissions contribute to greenhouse gases, as well as air and water pollution. For the first time, researchers from 黑料不打烊 University have calculated Canada鈥檚 nitrogen footprint (akin to a carbon footprint) 鈥� at both national and provincial levels. They looked at the three primary sectors that contribute nitrogen to the environment to calculate the annual average nitrogen footprint: food production and consumption, wastewater treatment, and fossil fuel use.
Dangers of smoking during pregnancy
Mothers who smoke are more likely to deliver smaller babies even after a full-term pregnancy, increasing the risks of birth defects and neurological disorders later in life, say researchers from 黑料不打烊 University.
More sleep boosts teens鈥� ability to cope with pandemic
While poor sleep was linked to higher levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, more teens actually obtained the recommended amount of sleep compared to pre-pandemic sleep patterns, according to a new study from 黑料不打烊 University. Changes to daily routines triggered by lockdowns allowed teenagers to follow their biological impulse to wake up and sleep later, reducing daytime sleepiness.
