New research indicates that nasal balloons can reduce hearing loss in children with a common middle-ear problem, avoiding the use of unnecessary antibiotics. Otitis media effusion, also known as “glue ear”, occurs when the middle ear fills with a thick fluid, affecting hearing development. Currently there is no nonsurgical intervention proven to help with the […]
Tag: health
Current dietary protein recommendations are too low
Recommendations for protein intake in healthy populations may be incorrect, according to researchers who point to a meta-analysis reviewing the latest findings. Current recommendations may not be sufficient to promote optimal muscle health, especially in aging populations prone to muscle loss. Consuming moderate amounts of high-quality protein at each meal, rather than a larger quantity once […]
A new chemo delivery system minimizes impact on healthy cells
A research team developed a nanoparticle that releases chemotherapeutics inside tumor cells only, sparing healthy tissues. This nanoparticle, called ZnO-nanocarrier, activates when surrounded by high acidity – a pathological feature of tumor cells. The particle releases its chemotherapeutic load within six hours in acidic pH. During this process, the tumor cell undergoes a color change which […]
Reminder for mushroom hunters
Distinguishing poisonous mushrooms from edible varieties can be tricky as they can look so similar that even experts are challenged. A case reported in this week’s CMAJ reminds that “patients should be counselled that poisonous and edible mushrooms can be very similar in appearance and that wild mushrooms of uncertain identity should not be eaten. […]
Small cell lung cancer occurs when two genes are switched off
Using whole-genome sequencing researchers found that small cell lung cancer (SCLC) occurs when both copies of two separate genes responsible for tumor suppression are switched off. The research team hopes this discovery will help the development of new treatments for SCLC, which usually results in patient-death within months. Researchers sequenced the genome of 110 tumor […]
Living near trees leaves people feeling healthier
A new study of 13,000 residents of Toronto, suggests that living in a neighbourhood with more (and or larger) trees leads people to report feeling healthier. The research team used Toronto tree density data and combined this information with a self-reporting questionnaire of general health perception and certain medical conditions including heart disease, stroke and […]
Community based HIV prevention programs save $5 in treatment costs for every $1 spent
Community based HIV prevention programs helped stop 16,672 HIV infections between 1987 and 2011, saving the health care system approximately $6.5 billion. Researchers found that every dollar invested into community based HIV prevention programs saved approximately five dollars in provincial healthcare costs. The researchers used Ontario HIV surveillance reports to estimate the number of HIV […]
Visualizing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using CT and MRI scans
Treatment for patients suffering from mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could be improved through the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) according to new research. Researchers found that both MRI and CT measurements helped explain symptoms in the patients that were unable to be explained using traditional methods alone. The […]
Traffic-related air pollution during pregnancy is a likely cause of asthma
Children exposed to high levels of traffic-related air pollution before they are born are more likely to suffer from asthma as children according to a study of Toronto neighbourhoods. The study also found that children in close proximity to high-traffic areas are more likely to suffer from asthma. Researchers analyzed the health and residential records […]
CT scanning for cancer redundant in blood clot patients
Computerized tomography scans, or CT scans, do not improve cancer detection rates, or shorten the time to diagnosis, in patients with unexplained blood clots in the lungs or legs. Previous studies suggest that up to 10 per cent of patients suffering from venous thromboembolism, blood clots in the lungs or legs, will be diagnosed with […]
Unnecessary imaging common among breast cancer patients
Most women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer are given imaging tests to look for distant growths, despite official guidelines according to a new study. The research team found that over 79 per cent of women with stage I breast cancer, and over 92 per cent with stage II, received imaging tests despite having a less than two […]
Genetics links creativity to psychosis
Creativity and psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, share genetic roots according to a new study. Researchers analyzed genetic data from over 150,000 Icelanders who were healthy, or had been diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. They found that the same genetic variants associated with increased risk of mental disorders also predicted whether […]
Leaky pipes can lead to water contamination
Underground water pipes can not only leak water but in certain circumstances suck in surrounding and potentially contaminated water. New research shows that while pressure in water mains typically forces water out through the leaks, when the pressure drops, pipes start to suck in groundwater. Any contaminants can then travel throughout the water main network. […]
Anti-smoking legislation reduced children’s hospital admissions in Britain
Smoking legislation reduced child hospital admissions by 11,000 each year in England. Researchers analyzed the the British Hospital Episode Statistics database to analyze over 1,500,000 general hospital admissions for children aged from 0 to 14 years, between 2001-2012 from across England. They found that the legislation resulted in an immediate decline in admissions for lower […]
Cancer killing cells captured on film
Researchers have captured video of immune cells hunting and destroying cancer and virally-infected cells. The footage was captured using high-resolution 3D time-lapse multi-colour imaging. T cells, a type of white-blood cell, can recognize antigens on the surface of certain cancerous and infected cells. The video shows these T cells (seen in orange or green) moving […]
Rejuvenating old bones
A molecule secreted from young blood cells can speed up fracture healing in elderly mice, reports a new Canadian study. Researchers showed that a specific molecule, either a chemical or a small protein,which is only secreted from young blood cells increased the regenerative capacity of bone cells. The study could help explain why fractures take […]
