Media Releases
Below is a selection of recent press releases. For all the latest news please visit www.utoronto.ca/news
General Inquires +1 (416) 978-0100 Email media.relations@utoronto.ca
Parental addictions linked to adult children’s depression
TORONTO, ON – The offspring of parents who were addicted to drugs or alcohol are more likely to be depressed in adulthood, according to a new study by University of Toronto researchers. In a paper published online in the journal Psychiatry Research this month, investigators examined the association between parental addictions and adult depression in a representative sample of 6,268 adults, drawn from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey. Of these respondents, 312 had a major depressive episode within the…
Study finds nearly 5 million asthmatics worldwide could benefit from antifungal therapy
TORONTO, ON – An estimated 4,837,000 asthmatics with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) could benefit substantially from antifungal treatment, say researchers from the University of Toronto and Manchester University. Their work, published today in the journal Medical Mycology, has also re-estimated the total number of asthmatics worldwide – to reveal a staggering 193 million sufferers. Twenty-four million asthma sufferers live in the United States, 20 million each in India and China, and seven million in the United Kingdom. Clinical studies have…
Decoding concussions this playoff season: U of T experts release key findings
TORONTO, ON – While the health of NHL players is a year-long priority, during the playoff season the consequences of concussions and penalties are even more intense. When the players hit the ice over the coming weeks, there are some scenarios fans and officials can to watch for which—according to findings from U of T expert, Dr. Michael Hutchison—could elevate the odds of a concussion occurring. Hutchison’s PhD research involved analyzing three-and-a-half years of NHL game footage, looking for consistencies…
New U of T plastics research facility promises lighter, stronger, more cost-effective production
TORONTO, ON – The Centre for Industrial Application of Microcellular Plastics (CIAMP) officially opened May 2, bringing with it the promise of lighter, stronger and more cost effective plastic materials for the automotive and construction industries. Located in Mississauga, CIAMP is a state-of-the-art research and development centre with industry-scale facilities for developing innovative, commercially viable plastic foaming and composite technologies, according to University of Toronto Engineering Professor Chul Park, Director of the Centre. It is funded by a $9.2-million grant…
Older U.S.-born Mexican-Americans have more physical limitations than Mexican American immigrants: Study
TORONTO, ON —New research indicates that Mexican-Americans born in the United States who are aged 55 and over are significantly more likely than Mexican-American immigrants to report that they have substantial limitations in one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying. (30% versus 25%). The research, published in this week’s International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, was a joint study by the University of Toronto and the University of California, Berkeley. A…
President of the University of Toronto to address Economic Club of Canada
OTTAWA, ON - Canada is at increasing risk of losing ground globally in research performance – a key factor in attracting, training and retaining the talent on which our capacity for innovation depends. In Budget 2013 the federal government signalled a very welcome interest in reinforcing excellence in post-secondary research. Professor Naylor will make the case for a Canadian research excellence fund as a practical response to ensure our long-term economic and social prosperity. EVENT DETAILS WHO: David Naylor, President, The University of Toronto WHAT: Address to the Economic…
Researchers plot locations where AEDs could save more lives
TORONTO, ON – Prompt use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, can greatly increase the survival rates of people who suffer a cardiac arrest. And MIE Professor Tim Chan, working with Dr. Laurie Morrison at St. Michael's Hospital, has developed a formula to determine where best to place these costly but life-saving devices. In a paper published in Circulation, Chan and Morrison note that publicly registered AEDs in Toronto are not in the best locations to help victims of…
Institute calls on government to focus on growth, not just cuts
TORONTO, ON – Government plays a key role in boosting the prosperity and competitiveness of the province, especially in times of economic hardship. The task of how to improve the Ontario government’s efficiency has become a widespread topic of debate. While most observers have looked at cost-cutting measures and administrative inefficiencies within the government, a central concern is missing from the debate: how to get Ontario back on a path of strong growth. In its latest Working Paper, Making sense…
U of T experts to discuss the symbiosis of brain and body
TORONTO, ON – What do picking up a cup of coffee, executing a perfect somersault, playing video games and conducting laparoscopic surgery have in common? Simply put, each task requires synergy between the brain and the body. Join experts from the University of Toronto to better understand how motor control theory applies to the extraordinary and the everyday at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education’s fifth public symposium, featuring: Olympic gold medalist Rosie MacLennan, who will offer a first-hand…
Less is more when it comes to investment choices, says new study
TORONTO, ON – The best investment portfolios are selected from the widest array of choices, right? Not so, says a new study authored by researchers at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and the Bank of Canada. It says that a shorter "menu" of options is often better than a longer one. That's because "menu-setters" who develop shorter lists have superior selection skills, on average. The conclusion goes against findings in other research suggesting that more choices lead…