New musculoskeletal research from Western University, originally intended to improve a hockey goaltender's life-long mobility, has led to the development of goalie pads that do just what netminders want them to do – stop more pucks. In collaboration with industry...
Research & Innovation
Evidence of human influence and pollution found in remote mountain lakes
A new interdisciplinary study at Western University has shown for the first time that 70 per cent of nitrates in high mountain lakes in Utah are from human-caused sources – with fertilizers having, by far, the most impact. The research suggests these findings also...
Western University physician calls for more public information on the potential risk of household chemicals on pregnant women
A Western University research team is calling on the need for the availability of more information about the risk of common household chemicals for pregnant women. Dr. Jeff Nisker, senior author and professor, Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and...
International study explores the good, the bad and not-so ugly of hallucinations
Hallucinations can be a terrifying part of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia. But according to a new study from Western University and the University of Cambridge, being able to visualize things in our mind's...
Detecting prostate cancer with a drop of blood and Gulf War technology
Gulf War technology is making it possible for researchers to detect prostate cancer with a single drop of blood. Hon Leong, PhD, assistant professor at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry and scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute,...
New study shows exercise during pregnancy combats high blood pressure and oversized babies
A new study led by Western University and the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid presents overwhelming evidence that women should, whenever possible, exercise during pregnancy to combat high blood pressure, excessive weight gain and oversized babies. Michelle Mottola,...
Half of transgender Ontarians do not feel comfortable with their family doctor
Approximately half of transgender Ontarians who have a family physician are not comfortable discussing transgender-related health issues with their family physician. Greta Bauer, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at Western...
New Western study suggests arthroscopic knee surgery not cost-effective compared to other ‘non-operative’ treatments
It's been nearly a decade since Western University researchers reported that arthroscopic knee surgery provides no additional benefit compared to optimized physical and medical therapy among sufferers of osteoarthritis (OA) and yet the surgery is still routinely...
Exposure to marijuana in adolescence causes schizophrenia-like changes in the brain
Researchers at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry have published a study showing the significant, long-term impacts of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive component in marijuana – on the adolescent brain. After...
The story behind a vegetative patient’s shocking recovery
Western University's Adrian Owen provided expert analysis to award-winning science writer Kate Lunau for her long-form, feature story about the "shocking" recovery of a patient in a vegetative state, which was published by Maclean's on December 31, 2015. Owen is the...
New imaging technique will save lives and money
An international research collaboration, led by Western University, has developed a new imaging technique that will save hospitals money and more importantly, give some patients a second chance at life. Utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology,...
Stroke and dementia are on the decline in Ontario
Researchers at Western University have published the first study in the world showing a decline in the incidence of dementia at a whole population level which they believe is connected to the overall decline in strokes. Between 2002 and 2013, the incidence of stroke...