university of toronto

Cherokee literature still affected by history of removal

A history of psychological, physical and spiritual “removal” from their land continues to have an impact on the literature of the Cherokee people, says Professor Daniel Justice of English at the University of Toronto. Justice, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, says the Cherokee people have historically responded to the forced uprooting of many generations by either accommodating European culture without feeling a sense of sacrifice or by challenging Euro-western mores and philosophies. Justice is currently completing research for his book Our Fire Survives The Storm.

Combining key ingredients of vegetarian diet cuts cholesterol

A diet combining a handful of known cholesterol-lowering plant components cut bad cholesterol by close to 30 per cent in a recent study by Candian researchers. The reduction is similar to that achieved by some drug treatments for high cholesterol, suggesting a possible drug-free alternative for combating the condition.

Gene increases schizophrenia risk, study says

Scientists have discovered the first “risk gene” for schizophrenia found in the general population. An uncommon variation of a gene called Nogo, when inherited from both parents, increases the risk of developing schizophrenia, says a study to be published in Molecular Brain Research. Previous findings about other risk genes for the disease were restricted to specific ethnic groups. “Finding a risk gene in the general population – the first finding of this type internationally – opens the door to discovering new and related risk genes,” says one of the study’s authors. “Now scientists will know where to look for related genes…. This will help in diagnosis and potentially in the design of new medications for treatment of this terrible disease.”