While vitamin waters and energy drinks sold in Canadian supermarkets are promoted as being healthy because they provide additional nutrients (vitamins B6, B12, C and niacin) to buyers, new research shows that young Canadian adults are already consuming enough of these supplements. The study’s authors also found that product labels on the drinks also promoted […]
Tag: health
How does the media report on vitamin D?
News articles linked vitamin D to a wide range of health benefits for which there was no conclusive scientific evidence, while downplaying limitations and overlooking risks of supplementation, according to a new study shows. Lead author Tim Caufield will launch a book on popular culture and health titled Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything? When Celebrity […]
For sleeping children, quality is more important than quantity
For young children, the quality of sleep may be more important than the duration of sleep when it comes it academic performance, according to a new study. The researchers found that a high percentage of time in bed spent sleeping influenced positively a child’s grades in math, English, and French as a second language, while […]
Over fifty new potential drugs against Ebola
Researchers have identified 53 existing drugs that could prevent the entry of Ebola virus into human cells. To achieve this result, they screened 2816 drugs that are already approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the US. These drugs are already used as antibiotics, antihistamines (against allergies), antipsychotics or against cancer. They now need […]
Promising antibody found against dengue virus
An international team of scientists has discovered an antibody capable of neutralising all four forms of Dengue Virus (DENV). Dengue is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes. No vaccine or medication to protect against this emerging disease currently exist. Researchers hope this finding could lead to the development of a vaccine against the disease. The […]
A new kind of stem cell
Scientists have observed a new class of stem cell with the capacity to turn into nearly any cell type. Called F-class cells for the fuzzy appearance of its colonies, these cells could potentially be used in regenerative medicine and drug discovery. In a second related paper, researchers with the Project Grandiose Consortium announce a new […]
No apparent correlation between HPV vaccine and risky sexual behaviour
Vaccinating teenage girls against the human papilloma virus (HPV) does not appear to increase risky sexual behaviour. There was concern that receiving the vaccination would cause an increase in such behaviour, however this study shows the concern is unfounded and should not prevent vaccinating girls at a young age. The study followed over 260,000 girls […]
Obesity may shorten life expectancy by 8 years
Individuals who are obese or overweight may be shortening their lives by up to eight years, according to a new study. In addition to this new decrease in life expectancy, obese and overweight individuals have a higher chance of developing diabetes or cardiovascular disease earlier in life. The study found that individuals who are overweight to […]
Hospital deaths dropping in Canada
Hospital deaths continue to decrease across Canada, new data shows. Nearly 60 per cent (47 out of 83) of hospitals in Canada achieved a decrease in hospital deaths over the last five years. Hospitals have made strides in reducing mortality related to heart attack (down 19 per cent), sepsis (down ten per cent) and heart failure (down five […]
Researchers identify genetic mutation responsible for a serious disorder common in Inuit people
Inuit will now be able to be quickly diagnosed with a blood test for a genetic disorder that prevents the absorption of sucrose, causing severe diarrhea. Researchers have identified the genetic mutation responsible for the disorder, called congenital sucrose–isomaltase deficiency (CSID), which affects up to one Inuit out of ten. They have isolated DNA from the […]
Fighting malnutrition with ‘stronger’ chickpeas
Researchers have determined which genetic variations influence the iron and zinc concentrations in chickpea seeds, a finding that could help fight malnutrition in developing countries. The study examined 94 varieties of chickpea and found eight genetic variations – known as single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs – that are associated with the iron and zinc concentration. Breeding […]
Treatment for Type 1 diabetes shown to work on human pancreas cells transplanted into mice
An amino acid produced by pancreas was shown to prevent and even reverse Type 1 diabetes in mice injected with human pancreatic cells, a new study shows. Type 1 diabetes is a disease that cause the immune system to destroy insulin-producing cells, called Beta cells. Researchers had already shown back in 2011 that the amino […]
Playing by EAR – how acoustics could help study proteins
A new technique called electronic acoustic Raman (EAR) spectroscopy could improve the way we study proteins, which in turn could help fight diseases like cystic fibrosis. The technique involves using a laser to excite small molecules like proteins; when excited they vibrate and give off sound at a specific frequency. By analysing the sound, researchers […]
Only half of patients take their medications as prescribed
A new comprehensive review shows that only about half of all patients who are prescribed medication actually take their medication as prescribed. Interventions such as support from family members or pharmacists, education and text messaging were not found to improve the situation in a reliable manner. The authors are now encouraging collaboration between researchers so […]
Silver nanoparticles could upset gut bacteria
Silver nanoparticles that leak from water filters could alter the community of bacteria in the human gut, according to a new study. Silver nanoparticles are meant to kill harmful bacteria in portable water filters, but if they leak into drinking water they could also kill beneficial bacteria in our digestive systems. A simulated gut bacterial […]
Self-harm on the rise among girls in Canada
New statistics about hospitalizations due to intentional injuries in children and youth aged 10 to 17 – including both assault and self-harm – show that self-inflicted injuries have risen significantly in the last five years, especially among girls: Over the past 5 years, the rate of intentional self-harm–related hospitalizations in girls has increased by more than […]
