Researchers examining instances where infants and young children died in sitting or carrying devices recommend that parents do not leave their child sleeping in these devices unattended. The team analyzed the records of 47 deaths in the US associated with sitting and carrying devices such as car seats, slings, and bouncers. The analysis showed that […]
Discovering the hidden secrets of the woolly mammoth genome
Complete genome sequencing of two woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) specimens that lived approximately 4,300 and 44,800 years ago has been completed by researchers. The younger specimen was a member of one of last surviving mammoth populations. The researchers concluded that the woolly mammoth experienced a temporary population decline before recovering. This resulted in a reduction […]
Rare Pocket Shark found
A small and rare species of shark has been observed for the second time only in history. Only 5 and a half inches long, it’s called “pocket” because of a distinctive ‘pocket’ gland above the pectoral fin. Researchers have found the rare specimen in the frozen remain of midwater trawl survey performed in the northern […]
Physicians and veterinarians should collaborate to make pet owners healthier
A group of physicians is recommending certain precautions and greater collaboration between veterinarians and physicians to reduce the risk of diseases associated with owning a pet. Pets are a potential source for more than 70 human diseases yet the researchers who reviewed existing studies found that physicians generally fail to regularly discuss the […]
Drinking 170-year-old champagne for science
Tasting and chemically analyzing 170-year-old champagnes recovered from the Baltic Sea in 2010 has revealed some features of 19th-century winemaking practices. Researchers compared the chemistry of the historic bottles to that of modern champagnes and found the recovered bottles had less alcohol but higher levels of iron, copper, sodium and chlorine. The discovery of traces […]
Smoking, respiratory health and Canada’s aboriginal people
Aboriginal peoples living in Alberta have a greater risk of developing a major respiratory disorder than non-Aboriginals, according to a new research. The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mainly caused by smoking, between 2002 and 2010 in Alberta in people 35 years and older were higher for First Nations (11 per cent), Inuits (nine […]
Could maple syrup help cut use of antibiotics?
An extract of maple syrup makes certain dangerous bacteria, such as E. coli, more susceptible to antibiotics, a McGill study has found. The researchers found maple syrup is a rich source of phenolic compounds which are capable of repressing a number of bacterial genes linked to antibiotic resistance. While this is just a first step, […]
Scientists genetically modify human embryos
In a world first, scientists have reported editing the genomes of human embryos. Chinese researchers using ‘non-viable’ embryos which cannot result in a live birth in order to attempt to modify the gene responsible for a potentially fatal blood disorder called β-thalassaemia. They used a gene-editing technique known as CRISPR/Cas9 (pronounced ‘crisper’) which allows you to […]
Why coyotes move to the city
Sick coyotes are more likely to seek easily accessible food sources such as garbage in developed areas according to a new study. Across North American cities reports of coyote-human problems have increased, and biologists are trying to understand why. The authors used GPS collars to follow 19 coyotes in the Edmonton area. Half of the […]
A new test to confirm heart attacks within one hour
A study has shown a new test can almost always determine if a patient suffered a heart attack within the first hour of it occurring. The study examined 1320 patients presenting to emergency departments and accurately diagnosed 75 per cent of the patients. The remaining 318 patients were placed in the “observational zone”, and 59 […]
Monitoring a new avian influenza strain in B.C.
Canadian researchers will launch a novel project to shed light on the source of a deadly H5N2 strain responsible for the death and destruction of approximately 240,000 birds in B.C between December 2014 to January 2015. The project funded by Genome BC, Genome Canada, Agriculture Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will seek to […]
A place for life to form on the Martian surface?
Thin films of liquid brines which could hypothetically support life may form daily on soil on Mars and evaporate overnight, according to a new study. The Curiosity rover, which is traversing Gale crater on equatorial region of Mars, has detected a type of salt called perchlorate. Perchlorate salts both lower the freezing temperature […]
HPV vaccination of boys could be cost-effective
A new study shows that vaccinating 12-year-old boys against the human papillomavirus (HPV) may be a cost-effective strategy for preventing cancers that start at the back of the throat and mouth, and involve the tonsils and base of the tongue. The disease is known as oropharyngeal cancer. Researchers used a statistical model and estimate […]
Vote for your favorite research
From the discovery of neutrinos to recognizing the effect of grapefruit on our ability to metabolize drugs, Ontario’s universities have contributed ground-breaking research. What do you think the top research should be? The Council of Ontario Universities is asking the general public to vote for their favourite ‘game-changing research’ here.
Swimming or drifting: young sea turtles do swim
“Toddler” sea turtles appear to be active swimmers moving with a purpose, going against the previously held belief that they drifted with ocean currents. A team of researchers tracked young Green Sea turtles and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles using satellite telemetry as well as buoys to follow sea currents. Comparing the models of ocean currents […]
What wind turbine noise does and doesn’t do
While wind turbine noise is annoying and can disturb some people’s sleep, a new Council of Canadian Academies’ report requested by Health Canada concludes that there is no evidence yet for further health effects. The report found no evidence linking wind turbines to hearing loss and inadequate evidence for other health effects such as fatigue, […]