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Welcome to the April 2021 issue of ‘Brainstorm’

Brainstorm graphic‘Brainstorm,’ a special edition of YFile publishing on the first Friday of every month, showcases research and innovation at York University. It offers compelling and accessible feature-length stories about the world-leading and policy-relevant work of York’s academics and researchers across all disciplines and Faculties and encompasses both pure and applied research.

In the April 2021 issue

Trailblazing report offers policy solutions for long-term care during COVID-19 and beyond – Bonus video
Sociologist Pat Armstrong, an expert on the Canadian healthcare system, has co-authored a ground-breaking report that gives government stakeholders a literal how-to plan on improving long-term residential care. It provides a path forward at a vital point in time.

Females in reproductive years less likely to contract COVID-19, finds new research on the role of estrogen 
Compelling new research determines that females between puberty and menopause are less likely to contract the virus. This suggests that estrogen may help in reducing COVID-19 incidence and in the development of symptoms, especially those related to increased survival.

Engineering team addresses flood management, urban planning and sustainable development 
Cities are increasingly threatened with flooding, fueled by climate change. Transformative research, led by Professor Usman Khan, determines the best way to approach this threat – a technique that reduces runoff – and considers the demand for this technique.

Researchers gain wisdom, key recommendations, from First Nations People living with HIV/AIDS
Through interviews with First Nations people living with HIV/AIDS, using a traditional storytelling method, a health researcher gains key policy and funding recommendations ― nothing short of a call for action that will help to decolonise care for Indigenous Peoples.

Who are Ontario’s green drivers and how can we incentivize more of them?
New research shows that drivers of electric vehicles represent one per cent of new car owners – this, ten years after a provincial push to encourage green driving. One researcher learns more about these consumers and advocates gaining additional info on them to better tailor the strategy.

Launched in January 2017, ‘Brainstorm’ is produced out of the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation in partnership with Communications & Public Affairs; overseen by Megan Mueller, senior manager, research communications; and edited by Jenny Pitt-Clark, YFile editor and Ashley Goodfellow Craig, YFile deputy editor.