Empowering the powerless: Q&A with acclaimed filmmaker Patrick Alcedo

With two well-received documentaries under his belt, Professor Patrick Alcedo has proven his ability to tell an evocative and unforgettable story. He sits down with Brainstorm to talk about his documentaries, which showcase Filipino culture, empower the underprivileged and, in his own words, “grip the heart.” After choreographing a Filipino dance extravaganza at York University […]

Landmark dental care study in Indigenous population shows failures in system

A new study led by a Canada Graduate Scholar at York U reveals that more than one quarter of Indigenous people go to the dentist only for emergencies. This underscores the pressing need for the Federal government to better tailor programs for this population. Dental health is linked to a person’s overall health status. Existing […]

Pioneering iron research has application in heart health and diabetes

A biology Professor and York Research Chair undertook a compelling study on iron overload and insulin that could inform future approaches to heart health and diabetes… ultimately, improving patients’ health outcomes. York U is leading in this area of research. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries […]

Osgoode professor finds refugee determinations in Canada woefully subjective

New research shows that decisions around Federal Court applications for judicial review of refugee determinations depend on which judge decides the case. Much needs to be done, and one York U professor has offered up a compelling list of recommendations for enhancing fairness in the process. Access to justice is the cornerstone of the Canadian […]

Urbanization article sums up existing thought, poses vital questions

The Director of the City Institute unpacks some critical debates in urbanization in a timely new article. This will be of interest to many in disciplines ranging from sociology to economics, geography to environmental studies; urban planners; and government stakeholders at all three levels. Urban studies is not what it used to be. Today, it […]

One-of-a-kind project on waste management research makes big strides in 2019

Waste Wiki, a resource that provides research and data on waste management to academia, industry and government, has launched a series of new endeavours in 2019. In fact, since it was launched three years ago, one York U postdoc fellow with an uncanny skill for knowledge translation has grown this project exponentially.

Unleashing speed: Researchers find way to transfer data 1,000 times faster

A global research team, led by the Lassonde School of Engineering, undertook some vital research on how to better support IoT devices and services in cellular networks by transferring data more swiftly. This will greatly enhance our connected world; improve the user experience; and impact industry, healthcare, business, transportation and everyday life. The “Internet of […]

Broadening horizons key to romantic satisfaction, new research finds

Sad but true, that first flush of love, passion and sexual desire fizzles over time. But new research finds that doing creative things, which involve novelty, change and unpredictability, promotes desire and satisfaction in established romantic relationships. Thirty-eight per cent of today’s marriages end in divorce, according to Statistics Canada. Keeping the romance alive over […]

Bygone charity records, highly relevant today, reveal rich/poor dynamics

New research by a business professor digs deep on two Toronto charities from nearly a century ago and, through an examination of their records, discovers a great deal about the roles of the rich and poor in society. These findings have application for today’s fundraising ventures and charities, says the researcher. Comparing two very different […]

'Any idea we had about privacy is over,' says author of new book on genealogy

After producing an eye-opening TVO documentary about ancestry and data mining, genealogy expert Julia Creet, an English professor, has turned her attention to writing a book on the topic. Like the film, it could inform policy-makers around the sticky issue of digital privacy in an era of Ancestry.com and 23andMe. Genealogy is a white-hot topic, […]