Using genome sequencing researchers have mapped how the Ebola virus spread in Western Africa during 2014 – 2015. They found Ebola entered the country several times during the early outbreak, however most of the infections were due to a single introduction of the virus, which spread rapidly. Researchers performed the sequencing in Liberia to trace the […]
Category: Paper of Interest
E-cigarette flavourings linked to respiratory disease
Tests of 51 flavours of e-cigarettes have found 47 have chemicals which have been linked to respiratory disease. Those tested included flavours such as Cupcake and Cotton Candy, which are targeted towards younger consumers. Diacetyl, which is considered a respiratory hazard by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the USA, was found in more […]
Dear, Health Minister – some friendly advice
The editors of the Canadian Medical Association Journal published a letter to Canada’s new Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Philpott. They called on Dr. Phillpott to let science and evidence guide policy. The authors also asked the new minister to follow through on her promises to expand home care, improve vaccination rates, and address mental […]
DNA stutters provide a hidden layer of information
Repetitive pieces of DNA, previously thought to be “junk”, play an important role in regulating how genes are expressed, according to a recent study. Short Tandem Repeats (STRs), are sections of DNA which are repeated, similar to a stutter. Researchers found STRs are able to fine tune the expression of nearby genes, and that different […]
Budgeting for climate change – A series from Nature
This week a group of articles were published in Nature Geoscience and Nature Climate change jointly focused on “budgeting for climate change”. In one article, researchers, argue against the two degree target limit for global temperature rise. Another paper suggests we should aim to aggressively reduce our current emissions, as soon as possible, saying this […]
What’s hiding around the corner? This camera knows
Seeing around corners may not be possible for the human eye, but for this camera it’s a breeze. Researchers have developed a camera system that, within three seconds, can locate an object, hidden behind a wall, and track its movement. The system fires a stream of short pulses of light onto the floor just in […]
Don’t forget the other pollinators
Butterflies, wasps, beetles and flies might not be as effective pollinators as bees but new research shows their impact shouldn’t be discounted. Non-bee pollinators visit more flowers than bees so that even if they’re not such effective pollinators, their rates pollination are similar to bees. The analysis of 39 field studies revealed there is […]
Language changes brain patterns
Very early language experience will influence how a child’s brain processes a new language later in life, according to a study in Nature. Researchers examined three groups of children, all of whom were fluent in French. One group had no exposure to Mandarin, another was fluent in Mandarin, and the last third group had been […]
Saving with supervised injection sites
Creating supervised injection facilities in Toronto and Ottawa would be a cost-effective way to prevent people from developing hepatitis C, according to an updated analysis. The researchers believe there is an 86 per cent chance one or more supervised injection facilities would be cost-effective in Toronto, and a 90 per cent chance in Ottawa. They […]
The backwards effects of warming
Manipulating the food-web to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions may have the opposite effect under a warmer climate, according to a new study. Under certain conditions increasing water temperatures can cause what are called ‘trophic cascades’ – These occur when a population increase or decrease in a one species impacts other species in the food-chain, by making […]
Using Statistics Canada information to reveal opioid trends
Researchers believe they have found a way to use Statistics Canada data to accurately estimate rates of opioid-related deaths nation-wide. The algorithm they developed may be useful for provincial and federal public health agencies, helping to quickly identify and report on trends in opioid overdoses across Canada. Original research paper published in the CMAJ on November 30, 2015. […]
Pregnant smokers quit…if the money is right
Pregnant women are more likely to quit smoking when they are offered a financial incentive according to a new study. The researchers found the financial incentive was cost-effective for the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, which determines cost-effectiveness in a similar method to other high-income countries. In a randomized controlled trial the researchers […]
The science of social media
A group of researchers is calling for further research into social media. The authors suggest that using social media as a proxy for real-world behaviours could help provide insights into an individual’s emotional state or personality traits, as well as being used to measure social conformity. Original research paper published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences on November […]
Fighting cancer with algae
A microscopic algae, called diatoms, have been genetically altered to target and deliver drugs to cancerous cells without harming healthy tissue. Researchers used a two-step strategy to attach antibodies as well as drug molecules to the algae, creating a targeted delivery system. The authors of the paper say the efficacy of the system, as well […]
Repairing DNA in a matter of weeks
Reprogramming and genetically correcting stem cells can be achieved in as little as two weeks thanks to a new technique. This advance could offer potential therapies for individuals with a range of genetic disorders. Previous techniques to create stem cells from a patient’s tissue and reprogram the stem cell to remove a negative mutation took […]
Ancient farming bee-haviour
Researchers have found evidence that humans have been gathering bee products, such as honey and honeycomb, for at least 9,000 years. The researchers examined residues preserved on thousands of pottery vessels from across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The earliest evidence was found in pots from Neolithic sites in Anatolia, where Europe and Asia join, […]
