Science Canada | Research News ✦ July 13-17
Cancer-eating bacteria, AI wildfire prediction, and more ↴
SCICAN NEWS · JULY 13-17
Cancer-eating bacteria, wildfire prediction, heat’s impact on health, and more.
The AI data-centre debate escalates by the day, but so too do the possibilities for innovation. Every week, we’re seeing research on advanced algorithms expand, exploring everything from cancer treatment to wildfire prediction.
Let’s dig into some of the exciting research — algorithms and beyond — from across Canada last week ↴
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Could engineered bacteria eat cancer from the inside out?
Researchers are genetically engineering variants of soil bacteria that only survive in low-oxygen environments — precisely the conditions found inside tumours.
The bacteria remain dormant in healthy oxygenated tissue but activate and grow inside tumours, and could help scientists develop new cancer therapies.
“Bacteria spores enter the tumour, finding an environment where there are lots of nutrients and no oxygen, which this organism prefers, and so it starts eating those nutrients and growing in size.” — Dr. Marc Aucoin, Chemical Engineering Professor
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
New AI prediction model to help fight wildfires
Researchers at U of T are developing an AI-powered system that predicts wildfire spread using computer vision and high-resolution cameras mounted on aircraft.
The system could eventually help teams deploy first responders and allocate resources more effectively. It tracks flames and smoke, combining weather data to create more sophisticated predictive models (current methods are largely based on prescribed burns from the 1980s, weather, forest conditions, and human experience).
“Last season, we logged 50 fires, which is currently the highest number recorded in one season. This year, we plan to capture more than 100 wildfires, sufficient to start developing and validating our prediction models.” — Dr. Steven Waslander, University of Toronto
Collaboration: Institute for Aerospace Studies at the University of Toronto, Natural Resources Canada, Simon Fraser University, BC Wildfire, Alberta Wildfire, and Conair Aerial Firefighting.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Cohere and U of T scale AI responsibly
Working with Canadian AI leader Cohere, the University of Toronto is deploying the company’s agentic AI platform, North, to help orchestrate the university’s forthcoming enterprise-wide AI platform.
That sovereign AI system will coordinate tasks across university systems — teaching, learning, research, student services, and operations — while keeping its sensitive data under institutional control.
“North, Cohere’s flagship agentic AI platform, will connect trusted information across university systems, coordinate complex workflows and help faculty, librarians, staff and students work faster, access services more easily and make better-informed decisions, while keeping sensitive data secure and under U of T’s control.” — Joelle Pineau, Chief AI Officer at Cohere
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Student’s defence nanotech goes public
Less than a decade after launching as a capstone project, Alchemy has completed a $13.7 million IPO and is now trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. The University of Waterloo project evolved from spray prevention for windshield frost to thermal camouflage textiles for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Their work led to a partnership with Defence Research and Development Canada and a $1 million contract to develop nanocomposite coatings that conceal uniforms across different environments. The company now serves both automotive and defence markets.
“We focus on the practical applications of nanotechnology. With a full product line right now in the market, we are in the process of doing something no one else has done before: delivering high-quality, easy to install windshield protection films in the same package.” — Khanjan Desai, University of Waterloo
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
What to know about heat and health
UBC researchers are warning that extreme heat can limit cognition, increase aggressive and high-risk behaviour as blood shifts away from the brain to cool the body.
The researchers add that some medications like antidepressants, blood-pressure drugs, and cholesterol-lowering treatments can interfere with the body's cooling mechanisms.
Most heat-related deaths occur at home among isolated individuals with underlying conditions, making it imperative to recognize early warning signs: confusion, headaches, and rapid pulse.
Unfortunately, fans may actually worsen dehydration in very hot indoor temperatures.
“During heat waves, we see increases not just in road traffic collisions, but also things like drownings, homicides, aggressive behaviour and suicides. Remember that this is a stress to your body, and you may not be thinking and working as efficiently as you would otherwise.” — Dr. Michael Brauer, University of British Columbia
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Exploring the ‘forever chemicals’ in our living rooms
Environmental chemist Miriam Diamond is investigating how toxic chemicals known as "forever chemicals" are emitted from common household products — from flame retardants in mattresses to cosmetics and consumer electronics.
Such everyday items can expose people to contaminants that are associated with immune problems, impaired fetal and infant growth, and even increased cancer risk.
“Most researchers in my field wanted to work in cool places like the Arctic or the high mountains. But I turned my attention to the indoors because I had two young children before tenure and couldn’t travel – and now I’m worrying about their health and the health of my grandchildren.” — Dr. Miriam Diamond, University of Toronto
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Custom 3D-printed contact lenses in 20 mins
University of Waterloo researchers have developed a platform that combines new silicone materials with advanced 3D printing technology to produce custom contact lenses in 20 minutes.
Their software designs lenses with inner surfaces that match the patient's cornea and outer surfaces that provide vision correction. The findings will particularly help patients with irregularly shaped corneas who currently use rigid lenses and have to make multiple appointments over weeks or months. Their findings could pave the way for specialized lenses to be designed, manufactured, and dispensed during a single visit to an optometrist.
The technology recently received a Gold Medal at the Shanghai International Exhibition of Inventions in June 2026.
“We are very excited about this work because it brings us closer to contact lenses that are truly personalized. Our technology produces lenses with patient-specific surfaces for a precise fit while delivering the optical clarity and mechanical performance expected of commercial contact lenses.” — Dr. Shirley Tang, University of Waterloo