�� News - Expert alerts

Experts: Rocky Mountain spotted fever

webfull — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:36:52 +0000

The first case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever was confirmed in Quebec this week. The tick-borne illness, which can be life threatening, is typically found in the United States.

Virginie Millien is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at �� and Curator of Zoology at the Redpath Museum. She can speak to how climate change and shifting habitats are enabling ticks to spread into new regions.

virginie.millien [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)

Published: 21 August 2025

Expert: Efforts to reach a treaty on global plastic pollution

webfull — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:10:29 +0000

Global talks to finalize a UN treaty on plastic pollution ended in Geneva without consensus after 10 days of negotiations, highlighting sharp divisions over issues like production caps, chemicals of concern and financing. Despite the setback, countries pledged to continue negotiations, with the UN Environment Programme stressing the urgency of tackling a problem that affects ecosystems and human health worldwide.

Published: 18 August 2025

Experts: back-to-school

webfull — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:23:47 +0000

With the first day of school fast approaching, �� experts are available to comment on a variety of related issues.

Mental health and well-being

Marie-Claude Geoffroy, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, is the Canada Research Chair in Youth Suicide Prevention. She can discuss youth mental health.

marie-claude.geoffroy [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)

Published: 14 August 2025

Experts: GLP-1 drugs beyond weight loss

webfull — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:39:42 +0000

Ozempic and Wegovy are widely used to support weight loss and manage diabetes. But could this class of drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, also help treat heart failure, liver disease and even addiction?

A new study by researchers at �� and the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at the Jewish General Hospital takes a closer look at their growing list of potential uses beyond diabetes and obesity.

Published: 7 August 2025

Experts: Hunger crisis in Gaza

webfull — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:04:16 +0000

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned yesterday of a worst-case scenario famine unfolding in the Gaza strip, as access to food and other essential items and services has become highly limited due to the ongoing conflict and displacement.

These �� experts are available to comment:

Published: 30 July 2025

Expert: International Court of Justice rules on climate change

webfull — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 20:03:59 +0000

The International Court of Justice ruled today that countries must act on the “urgent and existential threat” of climate change. The advisory opinion, backed by all 15 of the court’s judges, potentially opens the door to further legal action by states that seek to hold other states accountable.

This �� expert is available to comment:

Published: 23 July 2025

Expert: Concerns about transparency in AI models

webfull — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 18:48:54 +0000

A coalition of 40 AI researchers – including signatories from Meta, OpenAI and Montreal-based Mila – has issued a joint position paper warning that as advanced AI systems evolve, we may be losing the ability to understand or monitor how they “think.”

Published: 21 July 2025

Experts: Extreme heat, wildfire smoke and converging climate events

webfull — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:57:58 +0000

As Montreal experiences the convergence of a heat wave, wildfire smoke from the Prairies, and recent extreme storms, �� experts are available to discuss the science behind these converging climate-driven events.

Published: 15 July 2025

Expert: Obesity

webfull — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:39:58 +0000

About one-third of Canadians are now obese, with women and young adults most affected, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. It found obesity rates accelerated significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This expert from �� is available to comment:

Published: 14 July 2025

Experts: U.S. tariffs on copper

webfull — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 18:40:00 +0000

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 50 per cent tariff on all copper imported into the United States.