MUHC in the Media - February 9, 2026

Doctors Paul Giacomini and Étienne de Villers-Sidani, from The Neuro, led the development of a device that improves the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis. ETNA-MS uses eye movements to assess the progression of the disease. Découverte

Researchers from McGill and the RI-MUHC have developed a technology that can perform ultra-rapid phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing directly from urine specimens. This achievement was recently published in Nature Nanotechnology. The technology could allow for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections and determination of effective antibiotics in just 36 minutes, as opposed to the current 2-3 days. Dr. Cédric Yansouni, infectious disease physician and medical microbiologist, scientist and director of the J.D. MacLean Center for Tropical and Geographic Medicine, spoke about this innovation with Radio-Canada.

Black people in Canada are disproportionately affected by certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, triple-negative breast cancer, and hypertensive disorders. To understand why, a team of researchers is leading the GenCARE project, which involves sequencing the genomes of 10,000 Black Canadians. Prof. Loydie Jerome-Majewska, a scientist at The Institute and the project's lead researcher in Quebec, discussed the project on the CBC radio program Breakaway. CBC

According to a study conducted by researchers in British Columbia, removing a woman's fallopian tubes when she undergoes a hysterectomy or tubal ligation—a procedure known as opportunistic salpingectomy—could drastically reduce her risk of developing ovarian cancer. When asked to comment on these research findings, Dr. Lucy Gilbert, director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and the Women's Health Research Unit at the MUHC, said it was a brilliant idea. La Presse, City News

According to a study by Italian researchers, consuming ultra-processed foods increases the risk of death from cancer or other causes in cancer survivors. Prof. David Labbé, a researcher at The Institute, points out that while the mechanisms involved are not yet fully understood, the recommendation to limit consumption of processed foods applies to everyone, as other studies have shown that these foods increase the risk of developing cancer. La Presse, City News

Skin problems (such as eczema), a family history of allergies and the late introduction of certain foods may contribute to the development of food allergies in children, according to a new study. Proper skin care could help reduce the risks, says Dr. Christine McCusker, Director of the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Division at the Montreal Children's Hospital. CBC

Hospitalizations for suicide attempts among girls aged 10 to 14 tripled between 2010 and 2024, according to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec. Anxiety, pressure from social media and a lack of resources are to blame, says Dr. Eva-Flore Bui-Xuan, Chief of Psychiatry at the Montreal Children's Hospital. Le Journal de Montréal

Spending hours in a waiting room full of sick people can make us worry about catching something other than what we came in for. Here's how to reduce the risk, according to Dr. Earl Rubin, Director of the Infectious Diseases Division at the Montreal Children's Hospital. Montreal Gazette

After a sixth femicide committed in Quebec since the beginning of 2026, several experts are concerned about women's safety and the lack of resources to protect them. It is also important to consider the distress experienced by men prior to violence, emphasizes Dr. Cécile Rousseau, a psychiatrist at the Montreal Children's Hospital. Global News

Influenza D, a virus that primarily infects livestock, and canine coronavirus have the potential to mutate and spread to humans. Neither virus is currently known to circulate widely in people, but in light of the recent pandemic, concerns are never fully put to rest. Dr. Don Vinh, researcher and microbiologist, discussed these two viruses in an interview with Salut Bonjour host Ève-Marie Lortie (9:35 a.m.).

Dr. Marcel Behr, an infectious disease specialist at the MUHC and a scientist at The Institute, commented on a new study that suggests that many TB diagnoses may be incorrect. NPR