Cases of endocarditis – infection of the heart valves – have risen dramatically in recent years as a result of the opioid crisis. In London, Ontario 55 per cent of people who experience heart valve infections are injection drug users. They are particularly vulnerable...
Research & Innovation
Granddaughter’s epilepsy battle inspires $2.5-million donation
https://youtu.be/MklIzzfpf7U Spurred on by their granddaughter’s ongoing battle with epilepsy, Western Chancellor Jack Cowin, BA’64, LLD’00, and his wife Sharon have made a substantial $2.5-million gift to epilepsy research at Western University. Jack and Sharon were...
Pollen DNA provides potential new window for forensic information
For one Western University researcher, DNA found in pollen grains can provide a fingerprint to determine their precise origin. Bogumil Karas, PhD, an assistant professor at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, collaborated with research teams from...
Severe breastfeeding pain experienced by new mothers can impact infant health
Breastfeeding pain is not often recognized as a problem, but a majority of first-time mothers experience this type of pain, which may lead some to stop breastfeeding altogether. A new study from Western University has discovered that the pain experienced is often...
Physical activity throughout pregnancy enhances physical and mental health and reduces risk of pregnancy complications
Physical activity is a critical component of achieving a healthy pregnancy according to a new evidence-based pregnancy & physical activity guideline, co-led by Western University professor Michelle Mottola and launched jointly by the Society of Obstetricians and...
Boy meets world: Life-long space buff and Western graduate student discovers exoplanet
Ever since Chris Fox was a young boy, he wanted to visit alien planets. With no immediate plans for such a voyage, the Western University graduate student has done the next best thing. He’s gone and found one. Teamed with Paul Wiegert, Graduate Program Director at...
World’s largest sleep study shows too much shut-eye can be bad for your brain
Preliminary results from the world’s largest sleep study have shown that people who sleep on average between 7 to 8 hours per night performed better cognitively than those who slept less, or more, than this amount. Neuroscientists from Western University’s renowned...
Genetic mutation may increase risk of pancreatic cancer in females
In a new study from Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, researchers have found that mutation of a gene called ATRX may lead to increased risk of developing pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in...
Why does being familiar with someone’s voice help us understand what they’re saying?
A new study from Western University’s BrainsCAN initiative shows that familiar voices are easier to understand even if a person doesn’t recognize them as familiar. The findings were published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological...
Study shows wellness app and ‘loyalty points’ fuel physical activity
A new study led by Western University shows that relatively small financial incentives – as little as pennies a day – and goal setting can increase physical activity. The findings were published today by the high impact journal JMIR mHealth and uHealth. Using the...
Canadian Space Agency announces Western’s Sarah Gallagher as its first Science Advisor
Longueuil, Quebec - The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening science in its decision-making, supporting the vital work done by Canadian researchers and ensuring that government science is fully available to the public. In keeping with these national...
Seniors’ simple falls prompt costly paramedic visits
A newly published study shows London-area paramedics are spending at least a month’s worth of time each year literally picking up seniors who have called emergency services for help in getting up, usually after a fall, but who refuse transport to hospital for further...