Research
Understanding how right- or left-hand dominance could open a window into the autistic brain
Most people take for granted which hand they use to reach for a cup of coffee or a puzzle piece. However, a new study out of York University suggests that for autistic individuals, which hand they use for various tasks is highly variable, which points to profound differences in the brain.
York takes a top five spot in Research Infosource rankings for comprehensive universities
York University placed in the top five for comprehensive universities in the 2025 Research Infosource Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities. York also ranked number one out of 13 comprehensive universities nationally
Study illuminates the brain’s predictive power in movement control
A groundbreaking study by Professor Jonathan Michaels reveals how the brains of humans and monkeys use sensory expectations to prepare for unexpected disturbances, enabling faster and more accurate motor responses.
Combined alcohol and cannabis use linked to adverse consequences in young adults, York U led study finds
A new longitudinal study led by York University’s Department of Psychology published today finds that young adults experiencing periods of high stress, anxiety and depressed mood more frequently combined binge drinking with cannabis use in order to get more high and drunk, and were also likely to report more adverse life consequences when combining these substances. Lead author Jeffrey Wardell, Associate Professor in York University’s Faculty of Health, says that since cannabis use among young adults has increased after Canada legalized the drug, understanding why people combine the drug and outcomes when they do is important.
The Truth About Detransitioning
We found that many people detransition not out of regret, but because they feel forced by societal factors like negative attitudes toward transgender people, attitudes that are being amplified by the Trump administration.
How individuals grasp an object may offer simpler diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder
Getting a timely diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is a major challenge, but new research out of York University shows that how young adults, and potentially children, grasp objects could offer a simpler way to diagnose someone on the autism spectrum.
TRCA and York University announce Memorandum of Understanding
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and York University execute a Memorandum of Understanding to set the stage for future collaboration
Canada is lagging in innovation, and that’s a problem for funding the programs we care about
As Canadians prepare to vote in another federal election, the country’s economy faces a sobering reality. As the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) notes, productivity is stagnating, our innovation performance lags global peers and high-potential startups often fail to scale.
New autonomous ethics board a first for non-Indigenous post-secondary institutions in Canada
York University will launch an autonomous Indigenous Research Ethics Board (IREB) in July, believed to be a first for non-Indigenous post-secondary institutions in Canada, to further work in Indigenizing research and to ensure Indigenous Peoples have a greater say in proposed research projects.