Unlocking even more value in Canada’s canola industry

USask researchers develop novel method for separating kernel from hull; advance could enable companies to make better use of all parts of canola seed.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2025.104303

New research reveals tiny lead fragments in hunted meat pose health risk

Synchrotron X-rays show particles far tinier than previously shown and in concentrations exceeding levels set by human health agencies

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-20285-2

3D-printed lungs could improve disease prevention and treatment

Lung diseases like tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis can be difficult to treat. In part, that’s because the two-dimensional models researchers use to study the diseases don’t accurately reflect the shape of human lungs -- and animal models don’t behave like humans do when they encounter disease. University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers from the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) and the College of Engineering are working to build a better model.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioadv.2025.214428

Could zebrafish hold clues to detecting, preventing scoliosis in children and teens?

Dr. Brian Ciruna had no intention of studying scoliosis, a condition that causes unnatural curvature of the spine. However, the unexpected discovery about a decade ago that zebrafish also develop curved spines left him wondering what was causing the spine to bend and whether there was some connection to the human form of the disease. It turns out that this small, minnow-like fish has a lot to tell researchers about a condition that affects three to four percent of children and young teens in Canada. Despite its prevalence, we know very little about the underlying causes of scoliosis in humans, says Ciruna, Senior Scientist and Head of the Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto and professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto. Zebrafish, it turns out, have human-like backbones, making them an excellent model for this research.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63742-2

New tiny prehistoric fish species unlocks origins of catfish, carp

The fossil of a tiny fish found in southwestern Alberta provides new insight into the origin and evolution of otophysans, the supergroup of fish that includes catfish, carp and tetras, which today account for two-thirds of all freshwater species. The specimen, studied by researchers at Western University, the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology and international collaborators, is a skeleton of a fish about 5 cm long from the Late Cretaceous period (the same time period of the iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex, about 70 million to 66 million years ago.) A new kind of fish entirely, it is now named Acronichthys maccognoi. A study detailing the discovery was published today in the high impact journal, Science.

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adr4494

Fusarium head blight mycotoxin detector in the works

Fusarium head blight (FHB) and the mycotoxin it causes, especially deoxynivalenol (DON), can be a serious economic detriment to producers. It reduces yield and grain grade, as well as contaminates the grain, making it dangerous for human and animal consumption. Sheila Andrade, a PhD student at the University of Saskatchewan, has been working on developing a method of detection to ease the struggles of producers, agronomists and industry. The objective of her work has been to employ synchrotron-based x-ray phase-contrast computed tomograph at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) to measure the morphological parameters of Fusarium-infected wheat kernels, to correlate those parameters with DON contamination, and also compare the morphological FHB symptom differences between durum and bread wheat.

Toward cleaner oil sands processing

Researchers from University of Alberta use CLS to study movement of solids in bitumen froth.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2025.10103

Greening the production of cement

USask researchers find that adding biochar to cement yields concrete that's stronger, more environmentally friendly.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07210-3

Scotty’s rib: University of Regina PhD student examines preserved blood vessels in famous fossil

Using CLS beamlines, University of Regina team gain new insights into how dinosaur bones may have healed after injuries.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06981-z

Better heating method makes legumes easier to digest

USask researchers find radio frequency heating breaks down antinutrient in peas and beans and is more energy efficient

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2025.104033

Plant leaves inspire design of improved fuel cell

University of Toronto researchers look to nature to overcome challenge of water management in hydrogen fuel cells.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125760

Sask. researchers study effects of hydrogen on steel used in pipelines

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are learning how existing natural gas pipelines could transport hydrogen in the future. Hydrogen has been gaining popularity worldwide as a potential clean, sustainable energy source. But in order to meet high energy demands like utility infrastructure, large volumes of hydrogen would need to be transported by pipelines, either existing natural gas or dedicated hydrogen pipelines.

Improving steel pipelines for safe transport of hydrogen

USask researchers use synchrotron light to capture 3D images of cracks that form inside steel.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2025.109419