All posts tagged: Research

Elevating Québec’s research through international collaboration

Elevating Québec’s research through international collaboration

Published by skeptic

Marco Blouin, Director General Science and Partnerships, Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie, Québec government, explains how international collaboration is accelerating Québec’s research, development, and innovation. Research and innovation has long been at the forefront of Québec’s economic landscape. Over many years, Québec has established a scientific research base of international calibre and has built strong relationships with stakeholders in the research and innovation ecosystem across the globe. Québec is positioning itself as a leader in innovative fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies. In 2024, Canada officially joined the Horizon Europe programme under Pillar II, opening up ample opportunity for Québec to propel its research and development (R&D). The Innovation Platform spoke to Marco Blouin, Director General Science and Partnerships, Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie, Québec government to discover more about Québec’s research and innovation landscape and find out what the new Horizon Europe partnership could do for the province. What role can Québec play in the global innovation landscape? We like to think of ourselves as …

AI that clicks for you: Microsoft’s research points to the future of GUI automation

AI that clicks for you: Microsoft’s research points to the future of GUI automation

Published by skeptic

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More A comprehensive new survey from Microsoft researchers and academic partners reveals that artificial intelligence agents powered by large language models (LLMs) are becoming increasingly capable of controlling graphical user interfaces (GUIs), potentially changing how humans interact with software. The technology essentially gives AI systems the ability to see and manipulate computer interfaces just like humans do — clicking buttons, filling out forms, and navigating between applications. Rather than requiring users to learn complex software commands, these “GUI agents” can interpret natural language requests and automatically execute the necessary actions. “These agents represent a paradigm shift, enabling users to perform intricate, multi-step tasks through simple conversational commands,” the researchers write. “Their applications span across web navigation, mobile app interactions, and desktop automation, offering a transformative user experience that revolutionizes how individuals interact with software.” Think of it as having a highly skilled executive assistant who can operate any software program on your behalf. You simply tell the …

Research in Saskatchewan for innovators across industries

Research in Saskatchewan for innovators across industries

Published by skeptic

Research in Saskatchewan is helping to plan, develop and execute innovative ideas. For decades, Saskatchewan has been a global powerhouse in agriculture, potash, uranium, oil and gas, and forestry production. Today, the province has an opportunity to drive investment in new and emerging sectors, such as critical mineral exploration, development, and processing, as well as advanced manufacturing and investment in clean technologies. Now, as the world seeks innovative options, the province is embracing new opportunities to support and invest in emerging sectors that lead to a Strong. Sustainable. Saskatchewan. Abundant natural resources World-renowned agricultural products Competitive tax incentives Proximity and easy market access Strong and talented workforce Those are just some of what makes Saskatchewan an outstanding place to invest and do business. With a world-class research community and innovation infrastructure, Saskatchewan is a world leader in research, development, and production – the ideal hub for innovators across key industries. Take a look at the many globally renowned science and research organisations that call Saskatchewan home. They play a crucial role in helping to develop, …

Masculine honor, social identity, and the Sicilian Mafia: New insights from research

Masculine honor, social identity, and the Sicilian Mafia: New insights from research

Published by José

A recent study published in Political Psychology provides new insights into how cultural values and social identities influence attitudes toward criminal organizations like the Sicilian Mafia. The research found that individuals who strongly endorse values of masculine honor are more likely to justify practices that indirectly support the Mafia’s authority in communities. However, this relationship shifts based on social identity: stronger identification with regional identities enhances this link, while stronger national identification weakens it. Masculine honor refers to a set of cultural values and beliefs that emphasize male strength, aggression, and the defense of personal or familial reputation through violence if necessary. It reflects an ideal of manhood centered on respect, dominance, and self-reliance. These values often position men as protectors and enforcers of social order within their communities. In communities where masculine honor is deeply ingrained, these values can create a cultural distance from state institutions. This gap can open the door for other entities, like criminal organizations, to fill the void by providing alternative governance that aligns with the local culture. The Sicilian …

Trent’s freshwater research driven by expertise and collaboration

Trent’s freshwater research driven by expertise and collaboration

Published by skeptic

Trent University in Ontario is engaged in a range of studies focused on addressing local and global freshwater issues, including microplastics, carbon cycling, and pollution. Freshwater resources are essential for sustaining life, supporting ecosystems, and providing human needs. Yet, these vital systems all across the globe are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and the list goes on. It might feel like the physical scale of these resources makes these challenges unmanageable, but you just need to look to Canada – one of the world’s largest countries and regarded as a leader in freshwater resource management – to be inspired and optimistic. Specifically, Trent University in Peterborough and Durham GTA, Ontario, is showcasing leadership in the field of freshwater research with its depth and breadth of knowledge, unique resources, and collaborative approach to understanding and informing solutions. Trent’s top researchers are leaders in water research Trent University boasts a diverse group of over 30 experts involved in and dedicated to freshwater and environmental research. This distinguished collection of experts consists of …

Making bullying everyone’s concern reduces rates in English and Welsh primary schools – new research

Making bullying everyone’s concern reduces rates in English and Welsh primary schools – new research

Published by skeptic

Bullying in schools is widespread, and it has consequences that can last through childhood and into adulthood. Research has found that children who are frequently bullied are more likely to self-harm, and being bullied in childhood has been linked with a higher risk of depression as an adult. Bullying is preventable, but schools need more help in tackling it. While schools in England and Wales are required to have an anti-bullying policy, rates remain high. A 2023 report from charity the Anti-Bullying Alliance found that nearly a quarter of the over 65,000 children surveyed said they had been frequently bullied in the previous few weeks. Generally, school policies seek to address the issue of how to tackle bullying when it occurs. However, there is evidence to suggest that an approach that encompasses the whole school to prevent bullying, as well as clear strategies to address confirmed bullying, are most effective. Our research has tested the effectiveness of one of these whole-school approaches, the Kiva programme. This was a study with more than 11,000 children and …

Research and innovation at Niagara College: Solutions for industry

Research and innovation at Niagara College: Solutions for industry

Published by skeptic

The team at Niagara College provides real-world solutions for businesses, key industry sectors, and the community through applied research and knowledge transfer activities. For more than two decades, the award-winning Research and Innovation team at Niagara College (NC) has conducted diverse projects in collaboration with hundreds of small – and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), thanks to the researcher teams, including students and recent graduates, across our several research disciplines, including advanced manufacturing, business, commercialisation and media services, food and beverage, health, and horticultural and environmental sciences. With funding support from various government agencies, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers to assist industry partners leap forward in the marketplace. The importance of applied research and innovation Staying competitive in the ever-changing marketplace can be difficult, but when a business taps into the expertise of NC’s Research and Innovation, it becomes much easier. As the No. 1 Research College in Canada, we provide access to state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technologies and share expert insights to help SMEs succeed. We de-risk the innovation process, through …

Can daytime sleepiness predict weight gain? New research highlights sex differences

Can daytime sleepiness predict weight gain? New research highlights sex differences

Published by José

New research published in Sleep Health sheds light on how daytime sleepiness and body weight are interconnected over time, revealing key sex differences. The study found that men with higher levels of daytime sleepiness had consistently higher body mass index (BMI), while women who experienced increasing daytime sleepiness over time showed faster weight gain. Among women, this effect was most pronounced in younger participants. Obesity is a significant public health challenge, increasing the risk of numerous chronic health conditions and premature mortality. Sleep disturbances, including daytime sleepiness, are often associated with obesity. While much research has focused on how obesity contributes to sleepiness—through mechanisms like sleep apnea—fewer studies have explored the reverse relationship: whether sleepiness itself can lead to weight gain. This new study sought to fill this gap by examining how both levels and changes in daytime sleepiness influence BMI trajectories over time. Importantly, the researchers aimed to uncover potential differences between men and women, as previous studies suggest that obesity and sleep-related factors often differ by sex. By using longitudinal data and objective …

Driving global change at TRU’s research centres

Driving global change at TRU’s research centres

Published by skeptic

Research propels innovation and discovery at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). Located in the picturesque city of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, TRU is pioneering research to address critical global and local issues. With a commitment to collaborative, impactful research, TRU is dedicated to creating solutions that matter. Through initiatives that span population health, cultural preservation, and environmental resilience, TRU’s research centres are making meaningful strides towards a better future. This commitment is most clearly exemplified by three of TRU’s research centres: the Population Health and Aging Rural Research Centre (PHARR), the All My Relations Research Centre, and the Institute for Wildfire Science, Adaptation and Resiliency. Each of these centres reflects the university’s values and brings together faculty, students, and community partners to drive progress on issues affecting Canadians and beyond. “At TRU, our researchers, faculty, students, and community partners work together to push the boundaries of knowledge and create solutions to the pressing challenges we face,” says Shannon Wagner, Vice-President Research at TRU. “By fostering partnerships and collaboration, we are not only addressing today’s societal needs …

OpenScholar: The open-source A.I. that’s outperforming GPT-4o in scientific research

OpenScholar: The open-source A.I. that’s outperforming GPT-4o in scientific research

Published by skeptic

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More Scientists are drowning in data. With millions of research papers published every year, even the most dedicated experts struggle to stay updated on the latest findings in their fields. A new artificial intelligence system, called OpenScholar, is promising to rewrite the rules for how researchers access, evaluate, and synthesize scientific literature. Built by the Allen Institute for AI (Ai2) and the University of Washington, OpenScholar combines cutting-edge retrieval systems with a fine-tuned language model to deliver citation-backed, comprehensive answers to complex research questions. “Scientific progress depends on researchers’ ability to synthesize the growing body of literature,” the OpenScholar researchers wrote in their paper. But that ability is increasingly constrained by the sheer volume of information. OpenScholar, they argue, offers a path forward—one that not only helps researchers navigate the deluge of papers but also challenges the dominance of proprietary AI systems like OpenAI’s GPT-4o. How OpenScholar’s AI brain processes 45 million research papers in seconds At …