McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences

10/16/2026

Eating a well-rounded diet can support the body and the brain. Eating ultra-processed foods may harm both.

A new study from the Population Health Research Institute explores how people’s diets may impact their cognitive health.

As McMaster Associate Professor Russell de Souza told Forbes, the study looks specifically at people’s intake of processed and ultra-processed foods and links diets high in ultra-processed foods to signs of brain damage.

https://ow.ly/Aj3550ZYtOu

10/15/2026

Researchers at McMaster University have shown that antibodies recovered from human breast milk can provide protection against an array of different respiratory viruses, pointing to a potential new approach to preventing infection.

The study highlights the potential of breast milk as a scalable and sustainable source of diverse antibodies that could be used for passive immunization.

https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/antibodies-derived-from-breast-milk-can-protect-against-rsv-influenza-and-other-respiratory-viruses-mcmaster-study-finds/

10/13/2026

'The Big Question' is an 11-part series where students from the Health Science Communication course break down the complex health research they're doing in a way that’s clear and accessible, helping people better understand the work that’s already creating a healthier future for us all.

Learn more: https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/how-mcmaster-grad-students-are-learning-to-answer-the-big-question/

10/09/2026

October 10 is World Mental Health Day.

Mental health plays a crucial role in overall well-being. Having the right information can help you better understand and manage it.

From mood disorders in adults and children to eating disorders, substance use, and addiction, McMaster experts break down complex topics to offer clear, reliable information while helping to counter online misinformation.

[...]Read More...

10/08/2026

Open to McMaster students from every faculty, the ACE Future Innovators Bootcamp offers a practical introduction to commercialization and entrepreneurship.

Participants will learn how to identify and validate problems, understand customers and markets, consider the barriers that can shape an idea’s future and communicate a compelling case for a solution.

Students from four Faculties are bringing different experiences to the ACE Future Innovators Bootcamp. Together, they show that entrepreneurship can begin anywhere.

10/08/2026

Gut inflammation may disrupt essential bacteria that help the body digest certain trigger foods, according to a new study published in the journal Gastroenterology.

Alberto Caminero Fernandez, senior author and associate professor in the Department of Medicine, describes how the gut microbiota differs in people with inflammatory bowel disease, compared with healthy controls.

Until now, experts haven’t been sure why foods like wheat, milk, or cheese can bother people when their IBD is under control. New research may have hit upon an answer.

10/08/2026

Black patients in Canada have an increased risk for severe maternal morbidity (SMM) — serious complications that can occur during pregnancy, labour, delivery or postpartum period — compared with White patients, according to new research.

Giulia Muraca, lead author and associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, spoke with Medscape News Canada about the study, and why “much more work must be done” to identify the mechanisms underlying the gaps it revealed.

Rates of severe maternal morbidity declined with increasing income among White patients but increased with increasing income among Black patients in a new study.

10/08/2026

As the world grapples with a rise in drug-resistant bacteria and emerging viral threats, McMaster University has earned global recognition for its role on the frontlines of both fights: placement among the top 100 organizations worldwide for infectious disease research.

The new infectious disease index, issued today by the prestigious journal Nature, ranks McMaster 79th in the field worldwide — and 4th in Canada — for its leadership in the areas of antimicrobial resistance, drug discovery, diagnostics, virology, vaccinology and host-pathogen interactions.

As the world grapples with a rise in drug-resistant bacteria and emerging viral threats, McMaster University has earned global recognition for its role on the frontlines of both fights: placement among the top 100 organizations worldwide for infectious disease research. The new infectious disease in...

10/08/2026

McMaster research published in Gastroenterology links intestinal inflammation to changes in the gut microbiota, the community of microbes in the digestive tract. In experimental models, those changes disrupted the breakdown of food components, promoted immune reactions and worsened colitis, or inflammation of the colon.

The findings point to a possible way to address food intolerances by restoring the activity of certain gut bacteria. That approach reduced food intolerances in experimental models, but its benefits for patients still need to be established.

10/08/2026

Jackie Bosch has been named the assistant dean of Research for the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.

In her role, Bosch will work closely with the Faculty’s vice-dean, Research to facilitate the conduct and operational functions of Health Sciences research activities.

Jackie Bosch has been named the assistant dean of Research for the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, effective November 1, 2026. In her role, Bosch will work closely with the Faculty’s vice-dean, Research to facilitate the conduct and operational functions of Health Sciences resea...