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Experts: Quebec budget

admin — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 21:10:28 +0000

Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard is presenting his 2026-2027 budget today, March 18.

These ɬ�﷬ experts are available to comment:

Julian Karaguesian, Faculty Lecturer, Department of Economics, can speak about budgetary issues, as well as wider fiscal and economic policy issues.

Julian.karaguesian [at] mcgill.ca (English, French, German)

Experts: Declining functional health among Canadian adults

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:54:00 +0000

The functional health of Canadian adults has declined over the past decade, according to a new Statistics Canada report. Since 2015, the number of Canadians reporting very good to perfect health dropped from about 69 per cent to 56 per cent. Using a measurement that covers eight dimensions of health, the report finds the decline is driven mainly by worsening emotional health and a ris

New injectable gel could help repair damaged swallowing muscles

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:15:32 +0000

A new injectable gel developed by researchers at ɬ�﷬ and Kyoto University could enable stem cell-based treatments for swallowing disorders.

While stem cells have the potential to repair damaged swallowing muscles, ensuring their survival after injection has been a major challenge. In a preclinical study published in Biomaterials, the new approach improved stem-cell survival by more than five times compared with traditional methods.

Expert: Canada’s unemployment rate

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:47:21 +0000

The Canadian economy lost 84,000 jobs last month as the national unemployment rate rose to 6.7 per cent, according to Statistics Canada.

A ɬ�﷬ expert is available to comment:

Fabian Lange, Professor and Chair, Department of Economics, specializes in labour economics, earnings inequality and health and population economics.

fabian.lange [at] mcgill.ca (English, French – no live broadcast interviews in French)

Study shows how tree cover shapes freshwater ecosystems over millennia

admin — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:07:15 +0000

Researchers at ɬ�﷬ used 2,000-year-old stone jars in Laos to observe long-term ecological processes, enhancing understanding of how strongly tree cover shapes small freshwater ecosystems. Their findings stand to help scientists predict how freshwater habitats will respond to environmental change, the researchers said.

Experts: The future of Air Transat

admin — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:41:12 +0000

A special meeting of Air Transat shareholders, scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, will determine the future leadership of the company. Pierre Karl Péladeau’s investment firm, Financière Outremont, is the airline’s largest shareholder; he is calling for a smaller board of directors.

These ɬ�﷬ experts are available for comment:

Study offers guidance on the therapeutic use of mindfulness, yoga to boost mental health for dementia patients

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:36:49 +0000

Non-pharmacological interventions, such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, tai chi and breathing practices, have shown promise in helping to reduce some mental health symptoms of patients living with cognitive decline or dementia, but it has been unclear which types work best, for whom and under what conditions.

Some young gamers may be at higher risk of mental health problems, but family and school support can help

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:16:18 +0000

Pre-teens who struggle to control their video gaming habits are more likely to have psychotic-like experiences a year later, a new study has found.

ɬ�﷬ researchers and colleagues at Maastricht University found that 12-year-olds who showed signs of problematic gaming were more likely to experience mild paranoia, unusual beliefs or disturbed perceptions at age 13.

Experts: War in Iran

admin — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:16:50 +0000

Since the joint U.S. and Israeli attacks began Feb. 28, the situation in Iran and in the region has evolved rapidly. U.S. President Donald Trump has said his objective is regime change in Iran.

These ɬ�﷬ experts are available to comment:

Rex Brynen, Professor, Department of Political Science, is an expert in Middle East politics and security.
rex.brynen [at] mcgill.ca (English)

How stepping into nature affects the brain

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:02:16 +0000

Spending time in nature, even briefly, triggers changes in the brain that calm stress, restore attention and quiet mental clutter, a new study has found.

Researchers at ɬ�﷬ and colleagues at Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile have examined more than 100 brain-imaging studies from various disciplines. The result is one of the most comprehensive reviews to date of how the brain responds to nature.

Making solar power’s land use more efficient

admin — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:24:28 +0000

As solar energy rapidly is becoming the world’s largest renewable power source, new research from ɬ�﷬ offers a clearer picture of how much land that growth could require and how smarter choices could mitigate solar energy’s land footprint.

Experts: AI governance and mental health

admin — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:27:41 +0000

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 ɬ�﷬ experts can comment:

Experts: Violence in Mexico follows killing of drug lord

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:39:19 +0000

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.

These ɬ�﷬ experts can comment:

Findings of ɬ�﷬ study could lead to new longevity therapies and improved fall prevention

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:46:40 +0000

A new ɬ�﷬ 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.

Colourism might help explain health inequities suffered by dark-skinned Black Americans, researchers say

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:24:38 +0000

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.

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.