science wire

A new UdeM study examines how a person's lifestyle influences our assumptions about their political leanings and how valid those assumptions are. Can we infer a person's voting preferences from their lifestyle choices' Are certain characteristics, such as the type of car you drive or leisure activities, really associated with different political parties' The answer seems to be yes, according to a new study by Catherine Ouellet , a professor in the Department of Political Science at Université de Montréal.

A narrower keyboard on loan from a U.S. company to the Faculty of Music reduces muscle fatigue and provides more comfort and sound control for smaller-handed pianists, typically women.

School of Psychoeducation doctoral candidate Rocio Macabena Perez finds that UdeM's extracurricular Art en tête program reduces depressive symptoms in Quebec high-school students.

Most humans are itching to catch a glimpse of the upcoming solar eclipse. But for some wildlife, this unique cosmic event is more likely to befuddle than bewitch.

Developed by two UdeM computer-science students, Mon Éclipse simulates the path of the April 8 total eclipse of the sun.

In a new book co-edited by UdeM's Catherine Régis and Jean-Louis Denis, experts from a dozen countries and a dozen disciplines argue for a more human-centred approach to artificial intelligence.

A new report co-authored by an UdeM professor makes recommendations to help ensure that the rights of seniors in long-term care are respected.

An UdeM criminologist looks at Quebec provincial police attitudes towards the potential use of bodycamera footage in legal proceedings - and finds most think it's a good idea, up to a point. In the courtroom, Quebec provincial police officers seem to be broadly in favour of having images captured by body-worn cameras used as evidence, but are also concerned about some of the potential consequences for the pursuit of justice.

Between now and June, seven graduate students from UdeM's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will participate in a pilot project to run the veterinary clinic of the Inuit village of Kuujjuaq.

An UdeM professor and his collaborators have proven Pólya's conjecture for the eigenvalues of a disk, a tricky problem in mathematics.

Urban planner and researcher Juan Torres shares his passion for visionary school design and more inclusive, sustainable communities.

Canadian researchers led by Montreal radiologist Gilles Soulez have developed a novel approach to treat liver tumours using magnet-guided microrobots in an MRI device. The idea of injecting microscopic robots into the bloodstream to heal the human body is not new. It's also not science fiction. Guided by an external magnetic field, miniature biocompatible robots, made of magnetizable iron oxide nanoparticles, can theoretically provide medical treatment in a very targeted manner.

A researcher in psychology shares some tips for navigating contentious discussions with anyone, including your partner. Just in time for a smooth Valentine's Day! Sensitive topics can quickly become sore points for a couple: think housework, parenting, money, and in-laws. Disagreements are seemingly inevitable, especially between people who share their daily lives and future plans.

Criminology student Vincent Mousseau has found that forensic analysts do a good job of manually coding shoeprints for comparison against available databases.

Some horror video games leave players with wounds that take a long time to heal, an UdeM researchers finds.

UdeM's Department of Anthropology hosted a delegation from the Consulate General of Mexico in Montreal for a ceremony marking the return of Mesoamerican human remains.

A study of Quebec schoolchildren enrolled in music programs shows that girls are more anxious. Whether the parent enrolled the child in the program is also a factor.

What could be simpler than chewing? Yet this commonplace physical act mobilizes a surprising number of muscles and neurons, and is even important for cognition.

Stardust, cosmic cliffs, swirls of colored gas, fascinating infrared: the space observatory stationed 1.5 million kilometres from Earth reveals its first harvest of data.

An UdeM sociology professor who studies issues facing LGBTQI+ communities in Tunisia highlights their challenges, hopes and struggles.

Medical professor Jonathan Brouillette discusses the protein's accumulation in the brain - and its promise as a new therapeutic target. The effects of Alzheimer's disease are devastating: not being able to recognize loved ones, losing precious memories, losing the ability to perform simple tasks, suffering through mood swings, and so on.

A recent poll asked Quebecers where they wish to spend their final days. The results may surprise you.

Hypnosis can improve the quality of life of people suffering from chronic pain, according to a new research led by UdeM associate medical professor David Ogez.

You'll be surprised to learn how much zing a root fungus can add to a favourite seasonal berry. At many winter holiday tables, cranberries have pride of place as an accompaniment to roast turkey and an ingredient in sparkling cocktails. This tart little berry is a big part of our seasonal cuisine here in Quebec, and for good reason: in any given year, we're either the second or third largest producer of cranberries in the world.

Two UdeM experts shed light on what triggers some kids with autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders to lash out - and offer ways to cope.

Violence against women takes many forms, including reproductive coercion: control over a woman's reproductive choices by her spouse or family.

Literature professor Marcello Vitali-Rosati has some thoughts on the question.

Women with disabilities who experience intimate-partner violence face substantial barriers when they decide to leave their partners.

Generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT raise questions about how it can be used and controlled in the field of law, say two UdeM professors.

Say hello to the Sidney-Altman RNA Therapeutic Hub. Inaugurated today by the UdeM-affiliated IRCM, it gives scientists a major tool in their arsenal against diseases like cancer.

Three big challenges - educational, democratic and legal - are raised by the growing popularity of Open AI's chatbot, says UdeM philosophy professor Marc-Antoine Dilhac.

AI could be used to improve prevention, diagnosis and care across the healthcare spectrum, including psychiatry and mental health. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already present in our healthcare system, to varying degrees. The problem is that it's mostly being used by individual care and research units operating independently of each other.

ChatGPT is getting smarter, but Serge Larivée, a professor and researcher who specializes in human intelligence, is afraid it might be dumbing us down. ChatGPT is evolving. Once a "simple" chatbot driven by artificial intelligence (AI), it's slowly turning into a true virtual assistant that people can actually speak with and show what they're talking about.

Explore or play it safe? Build new neural connections or preserve old ones? UdeM neuroscientist Becket Ebitz delves into these oppositions in the human brain.