Keila DePape

Montreal

Digital Reporter at CFCF-TV (Montreal, QC)

Former journalist from the prairies writing about breakthroughs in health research at McGill University.

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Articles

Blood test identifies biological markers for teen depression and severity

2 weeks ago | medicalxpress.com | Keila DePape |Gaby Clark |Robert Egan

Using a novel lab method they developed, McGill University researchers have identified nine molecules in the blood that were elevated in teens diagnosed with depression. These molecules also predicted how symptoms might progress over time. The findings of the clinical study could pave the way for earlier detection, before symptoms worsen and become hard to treat. The work is published in the journal Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science.
New insights into how cancer spreads prompt rethink of metastasis care

1 month ago | medicalxpress.com | Keila DePape

A McGill University-led research collaboration has achieved a breakthrough in understanding how cancer spreads. A clinical study of ovarian and colorectal cancer patients found cancer cells move in the bloodstream in clusters more commonly than was previously thought. The discovery could help doctors more quickly identify which cancer patients are at high risk of having their cancer spread to other organs, knowledge that could guide treatment decisions.
Drugs targeting 'zombie cells' show promise for treating chronic back pain

1 month ago | medicalxpress.com | Keila DePape

In a preclinical study led by McGill University researchers, two drugs targeting "zombie cells" have been shown to treat the underlying cause of chronic low back pain. The condition affects millions of people worldwide. Current treatments manage symptoms through painkillers or surgery, without addressing the root cause.
Fighting honey fraud with AI technology

1 month ago | phys.org | Keila DePape

McGill University researchers have developed an AI-powered method to verify the origin of honey, ensuring that what's on the label matches what's in the jar. The breakthrough, published in Analytical Chemistry, offers a potential solution to a long-standing problem. "Honey is one of the most fraud-prone commodities in global trade.
The brain's dopamine system may link cannabis use and psychosis

1 month ago | medicalxpress.com | Keila DePape

A McGill University-led study has found that people with cannabis use disorder (CUD) had elevated dopamine levels in a brain region associated with psychosis. The findings are published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. "This could help explain why cannabis use increases the risk of hallucinations and delusions, key symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders," said first author Jessica Ahrens, a Ph.D. student in McGill's Integrated Program in Neuroscience.
COVID-19 boosters help avoid breakthrough infections in immunocompromised people, study finds

2 months ago | medicalxpress.com | Keila DePape

New research findings provide solid evidence that annual COVID-19 vaccine booster doses continue to be advisable for certain immunocompromised people, researchers at McGill University say. The researchers looked at how often people with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) got COVID-19 despite having received at least three doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Blood test shows promise for early detection of dementia in people with a certain sleep disorder

2 months ago | medicalxpress.com | Keila DePape

For people with a certain sleep disorder, a simple blood test could help predict the development of dementia years before symptoms appear, a new study indicates. Idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) causes people to physically act out their dreams while sleeping. The disorder is also associated with a very high risk of Parkinson's disease and a related condition called Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
Beta-glucan from fungi could help protect against influenza

Feb 17, 2025 | medicalxpress.com | Keila DePape

A component found in all fungi may provide a shield against flu-related lung damage, according to a new study. A team of scientists led by Maziar Divangahi, a Professor in McGill's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, demonstrated that beta-glucan, administered to mice before their exposure to influenza, can reduce lung damage, improve lung function and lower the risk of illness and death.
Novel method to transform greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals ranked among year's top breakthroughs

Jan 9, 2025 | reporter.mcgill.ca | Keila DePape |External Relations

A groundbreaking discovery by McGill University researchers is among the top scientific advances of 2024, according to Québec Science magazine. The scientists developed a novel method to transform two greenhouse gases—methane and carbon dioxide—into valuable chemicals using sunlight. This innovation could help reduce emissions and provide a more sustainable way to produce certain industrial products.
Scientists discover a natural flu defense mechanism that activates in the nasal cavity during pregnancy

Dec 2, 2024 | medicalxpress.com | Keila DePape

McGill University scientists have discovered that pregnancy may trigger a natural immunity to boost protection against severe flu infection. Their work is published in the journal Science Advances. Contrary to the common belief that pregnancy increases vulnerability to infections, researchers found that it strengthened an immune defense in mice, blocking the Influenza A virus from spreading to the lungs, where it can cause severe infection.