External

Experts: Methane pollution

kay.pettigrew@mcgill.ca — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:45:19 +0000

The Canadian federal government has announced new measures to reduce methane pollution.

The greenhouse gas, which is primarily emitted through fossil fuel extraction and by landfills, has 80 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide.

�� experts are available to comment on this topic:

Preparing Academic Investigators for Clinical Trial Readiness in Neurology

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:48:16 +0000

The team from the Platform for Advanced Clinical Therapies (PACT) and Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) at The Neuro’s Clinical Research Unit will help academic researchers better understand the regulatory, ethical and legal requirements to tran

New evidence challenges understanding of Parkinson’s disease

keila.depape@mcgill.ca — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:49:51 +0000

A ��-led study is challenging a popular theory about how dopamine drives movement, a discovery that could shift how scientists think about Parkinson’s disease treatments.

Published in Nature Neuroscience, the research found dopamine does not set the speed or force of each movement, as had been thought. Instead, it appears to act as the underlying support system that makes movement possible.

Vincent Rigby on What Trump's National Security Strategy Means for Canada | CDA Institute

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:52:50 +0000

December 15, 2025 | Vincent Rigby participated in a panel discussion with the CDA Institute on the 2025 US National Security Strategy, alongside speakers Kerry Buck and Dr. Christopher Sands. He highlights the potential implications of its hemispheric framing on Canada.

Chris Ragan on Canada's emission targets (Alberta-Ottawa memorandum) | The Hub

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:04:12 +0000

December 9, 2025 | Christopher Ragan, examines how well the Alberta-Ottawa memorandum of understanding balances pipeline development with environmental protection. He analyzes whether the deal, featuring carbon capture investment, enhanced industrial carbon pricing, and a new pipeline to Asian markets will help or hinder Canada's emission targets.

Read the interview summary here.

Scientists decode the full range of oat genomes, opening the door to more nutritious, climate-smart crops

claire.loewen@mcgill.ca — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:39:10 +0000

Researchers have cracked one of agriculture’s most complicated genomes, revealing long-hidden DNA rearrangements that could help scientists breed oats that are more resilient, nutritious and sustainable.

The study, by an international consortium that included researchers from �� and published in Nature, presents the first-ever “pangenome” and “pantranscriptome” of oats. These map all known oat genes and track how they behave across 33 varieties that grow around the world.

Fine particles in pollution are associated with early signs of autoimmune disease

keila.depape@mcgill.ca — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:58:38 +0000

A new study has linked air pollution exposure and immune-system changes that often precede the onset of autoimmune diseases.

�� researchers analyzing Ontario data found that fine particles in air pollution are associated with higher levels of a biomarker linked with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus.

Microencapsulated B-vitamins help dairy cows produce more milk with fewer emissions

kay.pettigrew@mcgill.ca — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 21:41:04 +0000

A new international study led by �� in collaboration with Jefo Nutrition shows that supplementing dairy cow diets with microencapsulated B-vitamins can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing milk yield and quality. The use of the feed additive cut global warming potential, an internationally standardized measure of climate impact, by up to 18 per cent across seven countries.

Gisèle Yasmeen on Rising Food Insecurity in Saskatchewan | Radio-Canada

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 21:24:28 +0000

December 11, 2025 | Gisèle Yasmeen recently joined Radio-Canada to discuss new data showing a sharp rise in food insecurity in Saskatchewan. She noted that rising housing costs and limited social supports are forcing families to make difficult trade-offs, leaving many without consistent access to nutritious food. Yasmeen also argued that the strain is particularly evident among Indigenous households and is increasingly felt across the broader population.

Vincent Rigby on Canada’s Mobilization Plans | CBC

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:29:09 +0000

December 10, 2025 | Vincent Rigby spoke to CBC News about new internal Defence documents that outline an ambitious plan to dramatically expand Canada’s reserve forces, including a primary reserve of 100,000 members and a supplementary reserve of 300,000 citizens. The documents indicate that the military is already struggling with supply chain issues, equipment shortages, and limited training capacity while planning for such a large mobilization.

Experts: The new U.S. National Security Strategy

katherine.gombay@mcgill.ca — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:13:46 +0000

These experts can comment on this subject:

Maria Popova, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Jean Monnet Chair, can speak about how the future of NATO will be affected, whether this shift may lead to an increase in conscription in European countries and the potential rise of far-right leaders in Europe.

Experts: Australia bans social media use for under-16s

katherine.gombay@mcgill.ca — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:28:39 +0000

Starting Dec. 10, Australia will become the first country in the world to ban the use of social media platforms by those who are under 16. The goal is to protect the young from cyber-bullying, grooming and exposure to harmful content. The onus will be on the social media companies to enforce the ban.

These �� experts are available to comment:

Experts: 2025 Holiday Season

keila.depape@mcgill.ca — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:26:04 +0000

The �� Media Relations Office offers the following resources for your holiday stories:

Health

Perry Adler, Faculty Lecturer, Department of Family Medicine, can speak to a range of mental health topics, including seasonal depressive disorder and its treatments, the “holiday blues,” family and social pressures during the holidays, as well as stress and expectations tied to New Year’s Eve and resolutions.

Brain discovery opens door to earlier detection of metabolic syndrome in women

keila.depape@mcgill.ca — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:29:22 +0000

�� researchers have identified a brain function that helps explain why childhood stress raises metabolic health risks for some women later in life.

A new study found that variations in the brain’s insulin receptor network affect how women respond to early-life adversity. This effect has a lesser impact in men, suggesting there is a sex-specific process at play.

Jennifer Welsh on Preventing Genocide Atrocities | United Nations

admin — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:28:02 +0000

December 8, 2025 | Jennifer Welsh was invited to participate in a panel discussion held by the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, focusing on the topic of “Early Warning – Early Action for Genocide and Atrocity Prevention: Strengthening Global Partnerships.”