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Waterloo scientists have developed a new way to understand how the universe began, and it could change what we know about the Big Bang and the earliest moments of cosmic history. Their work suggests that the universe's rapid early expansion could have arisen naturally from a deeper, more complete theory of quantum gravity.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects more than one billion people worldwide and is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. For decades, researchers have observed that premenopausal women are less likely to develop high blood pressure than men or postmenopausal women. Researchers have known for years that estrogen is the deciding factor, but exactly how it offers this protection has remained unclear.

A novel method to manipulate the inner structure of cells connects several scientific fields and could represent a significant step in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Dr. Travis Craddock, a professor of biology at the University of Waterloo and Canada Research Chair in Quantum Neurobiology, led the research team that is the first to use weak magnetic fields and isotopes to change the structure of cells.

New astronomical find is 8.5 billion years old and reshapes our understanding of early cosmic evolution Astrophysicists from the University of Waterloo have observed a new jellyfish galaxy, the most distant one of its kind ever captured. Jellyfish galaxies are named for the long, tentacle-like streams that trail behind them.

Scientists have found a planet that challenges the long-held assumption that lava planets are too hot to sustain an atmosphere. Waterloo Scientist Dr. Lisa Dang, physics and astronomy professor, and her collaborators made this discovery when they found a thick atmosphere around the rocky exoplanet TOI-561 b after flagging it as a planet of interest.

Researchers at University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) have reached a milestone in quantum information science: using a quantum computer to simulate how matter can behave in extreme environments, like the early universe after the big bang.

Chemical engineering researchers at the University of Waterloo have joined forces to take on a pressing environmental problem by using synthetic biology to turn plastic waste into valuable resources. The multidisciplinary group is working together to  review and identify strategies  that leverage synthetic biology, microbial engineering and engineering design to degrade and upcycle plastic waste.

A new study reveals that the illegal wildlife trade - worth billions annually - is deeply connected to other forms of organized crime, including arms dealing, drug trafficking and human smuggling. By mapping these criminal intersections, researchers found that tackling the illegal trade in animals and plants requires understanding how it converges with other serious crimes.

Sleep problems affect more than one in five residents in long-term care facilities, with pain, daytime napping and certain medications emerging as key contributors. An international team led by University of Waterloo researchers analyzed health records from more than 21,000 residents aged 65 and older living in 228 long-term care homes across New Brunswick and Saskatchewan between 2016 and 2021, using data from the standardized interRAI assessment system.

An international team led by researchers at the University of Waterloo has developed new material that can be used as flexible "artificial muscles" to replace rigid motors and pumps in robots and allow them to move more naturally and fluidly. Soft robots differ from hard robots in that they are pliable and flexible, making them safe for interaction with people, but the materials currently used for components enabling their movement aren't strong enough to be effective.

Waterloo study shows routine blood samples may give doctors early insights into injury severity and patient survival after spinal cord damage    Routine blood samples, such as those taken daily at any hospital and tracked over time, could help predict the severity of an injury and even provide insights into mortality after spinal cord damage, according to a recent University of Waterloo study.

Long-term stress levels, measured through hair samples, may provide important clues about mental health risks in children with (CPI), according to new research from the University of Waterloo. The study highlights how high hair cortisol, a type of steroid hormone, acts as a powerful early warning sign that could help identify children who live with CPI and who could be most at risk of mental health challenges, helping guide prevention and treatment strategies to better support their health and well-being.

An international study surveying people in a dozen countries found that when it comes to making complex decisions, people all'over the world tend to reflect on their own, rather than seek advice. Researchers from the University of Waterloo led the new study that surveyed more than 3,500 people from megacities to small Indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest to learn how they make decisions.

Female pilots perform better under pressure, study finds. Female pilots may outperform their male counterparts in high-pressure flight situations, according to a new study led by University of Waterloo researchers.

Research from the University of Waterloo has made it possible to accurately track indoor temperatures to determine households with life-threatening conditions. While there is legislation in Canada on heating public buildings and rental units as it gets colder outside, no rules exist for cooling during extreme heat.

A person diagnosed with dementia has improved survival outcomes in recent years amid significant progress in dementia diagnosis and care, according to a recent multinational study led by a University of Waterloo researcher. The study analyzed data from more than 1.2 million people over the age of 60 living with dementia in eight global regions between 2000 and 2018.

Psychology researchers studying music find what cues feelings of nostalgia Listening to familiar music can trigger vivid memories, and new research suggests that it isn't just sentimental lyrics or clever rhymes that take us back in time. Researchers from the University of Waterloo investigated which component of music is most powerful in evoking memories.

What's happening inside the brain of a passionate hockey fan during a big game? A new study from the University of Waterloo gives us a closer look at how the brain functions when watching sports, with data showing how different a die-hard fan's experience is from that of a casual viewer. The researchers found that during offensive faceoff opportunities, fans deeply invested in hockey showed more activity in a part of the brain called the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex.

Researchers use moss in new method capable of restoring peatlands damaged by oil and gas exploration   In what could represent a milestone in ecological restoration, researchers have implemented a method capable of restoring peatlands at tens of thousands of oil and gas exploration sites in western Canada.

Waterloo researchers are at the forefront of responding to the climate crisis with purpose-driven research and technology, including an interdisciplinary team who are in the field measuring methane emissions to support Canada's net-zero gas emissions goals. Methane is a very powerful greenhouse gas - approximately 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 20-year period.