A McMaster University study found that switching to non-opioid painkillers after surgery can significantly reduce opioid consumption and improve patient outcomes. The six-week study enrolled 193 patients who received either standard opioid-based painkillers or a combination therapy of naproxen, acetaminophen, and pantoprazole.
A study found that most people with long COVID (persistent symptoms) recover within 12 months. However, some patients still experience symptoms and may benefit from seeing a rheumatologist for autoimmune disorder assessment.
A large international study of 156,000 people from 21 countries found that women have lower CVD risk than men, especially at younger ages. However, diet was more strongly associated with CVD risk in women than men, while high cholesterol and depression were more common risk factors for men.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a previously unknown bacteria-killing toxin that targets essential RNA molecules in other bacteria. This breakthrough discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics by exploiting this vulnerability.
A new study challenges long-held ideas about what drove major changes in ancient Greek society on the island of Crete. Researchers found that the population remained local, with significant continuity in daily practices despite Mycenaean influence.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a combination of antiviral drugs and antibody therapies that is more effective than either approach alone. The combination boosts the virus-fighting properties of antibodies, which work by binding to infected cells and triggering the immune system to kill them.
A new device replicates short sections of human blood vessels allowing for variable flow conditions that mimic the body. Researchers can now watch what's happening inside treated grafts down to individual cells.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism that some bacteria use to evade rifamycin antibiotics, showing antimicrobial resistance is more complex and evolved than previously recognized. The discovery has implications for finding new antibiotics and combating the growing global health threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers discovered a specific gut bacterial strain, Klebsiella aerogenes, that produces histamine and triggers abdominal pain in IBS patients. The study found that reducing histamine production by colonizing mice with low fermentable carbohydrates led to decreased pain.
A recent study found regional variations in iodine status across Canada, with higher deficiency rates in Vancouver and Quebec City. The researchers identified dietary sources of iodine, including seaweed, seafood, and dairy products, as well as environmental factors that may contribute to lower iodine intake.
A study found that South Asian communities in the GTA suffered disproportionately from COVID-19, with a higher seropositivity rate due to sociodemographic factors. The region's South Asian community was identified as a hotspot before local vaccine rollout, highlighting inequities in healthcare access.
Researchers found that Candida auris can reproduce through sexual activity, enabling it to generate new genetic variants. This process could lead to the creation of more drug-resistant and virulent strains.
Researchers found that medical industry-funded studies are more likely to conclude new treatments are cost-effective than independent research. This can lead to biased cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) and potentially higher prices for new drugs and technologies in insurance plans, affecting low- and middle-income countries.
The study reveals that the 16th-century E. coli acquired novel genes and antibiotic resistance over time, posing a significant threat to human health despite not causing pandemics. The reconstructed genome provides valuable insights into its evolution and potential role as an opportunistic pathogen.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a rapid test to detect deadly diarrheal infections in pigs and other animals. The saliva-based test can identify pathogens with high accuracy and speed, enabling veterinarians to isolate infected animals quickly and limit the risk of animal-to-human transmission.
Scientists have proven that inhaled aerosol vaccines provide stronger immune responses and better protection from respiratory infections compared to nasal sprays. This method delivers vaccine droplets directly into the airway, inducing a broader protective response.
Researchers at McMaster University found that older adults with Type 1 diabetes are at a higher risk of reduced muscle strength and cardiovascular complications. They discovered abnormally low diastolic blood pressure in these patients, which may indicate early increased cardiovascular disease risk.
A recent study by McMaster University researcher Timothy Whelan and his team has identified a specific group of patients with early stage breast cancer who can effectively treat their disease with just surgery and endocrine therapy. The study found that the recurrence of cancer in these patients was just 2.3% without radiotherapy.
A McMaster University research team found that Type I interferon regulates the immune response to target infected tissues, preventing bystander damage. The study used mice and COVID-19 patient data to investigate IFN's role in regulating a potentially dangerous immune response.
A new mathematical model suggests that wearing masks could drastically slow the spread of COVID-19, reducing severe cases and pressure on healthcare systems. The study's findings are potentially applicable to any respiratory infection transmitted by inhaling infectious particles.
A new type of cardiac defibrillator implanted under the skin has been found to significantly reduce patient complications, including lead-related complications and blood clotting. The subcutaneous ICD has shown promising results with an average age of patients included in the study ranging from 18 to 60 years old.
A study at McMaster University found that brown adipose tissue (BAT) is less active in boys with obesity compared to their normal-weight peers. The research team used MRI scans to measure BAT activity in response to a cold stimulus, revealing reduced activity in obese boys.
A study at McMaster University found that cycling for 35 minutes three times a week increased overall fitness in people with myotonic dystrophy by 32%. Patients also saw significant gains in muscle mass and reductions in body fat.
Scientists have successfully modified red blood cells to transport viral agents that trigger the immune system against SARS-CoV-2. The new method, described in PLOS ONE, shows promise as a safe and effective vaccine delivery platform with potential for rapid adaptation to emerging variants.
A large international study assessed patients undergoing heart surgery and measured troponin levels before and after surgery. The findings showed that higher troponin levels are associated with an increased risk of death within 30 days, enabling healthcare teams to monitor patients more effectively.
New research confirms RepelWrap sheds both viruses and bacteria, increasing its utility for interrupting infection transmission. The technology has been filed for patents and is moving towards scaled-up production.
Researchers have confirmed an inhaled vaccine provides long-lasting protection against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants by targeting the lungs and upper airways. The vaccine induces broad respiratory mucosal immunity, outperforming traditional injected vaccines in terms of efficacy and dose requirements.
Children who receive repeated seasonal flu vaccines develop antibodies that provide broader protection against new strains, including pandemic viruses. This finding informs the design of a universal influenza virus vaccine for children.
A new study found that excess body fat is a risk factor for reduced cognitive function in adults, including processing speed. The association remained even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Maintaining healthy weight and physical activity may help preserve cognitive function and prevent dementia.
A study found that sleep and biological rhythm variables are associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in women during the peripartum period. Changes in circadian quotient, nighttime activity, and rest fragmentation were linked to higher depressive and anxiety symptoms.
Researchers have discovered ancient DNA in soil samples from the Yukon, revealing that mammoths and North American horses persisted until as recently as 5,000 years ago. The findings provide new insights into the population dynamics of megafauna and challenge previous beliefs about their extinction.
A new study is investigating the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine hesitancy among three First Nations communities in Canada. The study aims to explore the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in these communities, with a focus on addressing historical and colonial health disparities.
A new test has been developed to reveal bacterial contamination in dairy products, using a biosensor that triggers a change in a tasteless patch when pathogens are detected. The technology can be adapted to detect common food pathogens and is expected to significantly reduce food waste.
The study found that 43% of adults aged 50 or older experienced moderate or high levels of depressive symptoms at the beginning of the pandemic, which increased over time. Loneliness was the most significant predictor of worsening depressive symptoms.
Researchers developed an AI predictive algorithm called BiLSTM to improve sepsis predictions, reducing false positives and increasing accuracy. The study found that focusing on recent datapoints can increase predictive accuracy.
A McMaster University-led study found that stress hormones suppress the innate immune system, which normally protects the gut from harmful bacteria like E. coli linked to Crohn's disease. Removing stress hormones restored proper function to immune cells and epithelial cells, blocking invasion of microbes.
Researchers compared milvexian with enoxaparin for prevention of blood clots in knee replacement surgery patients. Milvexian resulted in better clot protection without increased bleeding risk. The study suggests a safer oral anticoagulant alternative for preventing blood clots.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that monthly alcohol sales increased by an average of 5.5% over expected sales, while cannabis sales surged by 25% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadians bought $1.86 billion more alcohol and $811 million more cannabis than predicted based on pre-pandemic trends.
A promising new antimalarial compound has been discovered in a collaboration between McMaster University and the University of Hamburg. The compound, duocarmycin PDE-I2, shows potent malaria-killing properties without the adverse effects of previously known compounds.
A study co-led by McMaster University found that fluvoxamine can save the lives of COVID-19 patients and reduce hospital admissions by up to 30%. The treatment was effective in preventing COVID-19 from becoming a life-threatening illness when administered early.
Researchers at McMaster University have found a simple tweak in medical device tones can significantly lower annoyance caused by alarms. The study suggests changing the amplitude envelope of existing sounds to make them sound more musical, without harming efficacy or affecting patient recovery.
A national study led by McMaster University researchers found that patients using take-home technology following non-elective surgery had significantly greater detection and correction of drug errors, and reduction in patients' pain. The study also showed a reduction in acute-hospital care as the result of virtual care and remote autom...
Researchers have developed a sophisticated new tool to detect and identify rare and unknown viruses and potentially deadly bacterial pathogens. The algorithm helps isolate DNA sequences shared among related organisms, enabling faster detection and identification of pathogens in clinical or wildlife settings.
A one-day online therapy session has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers. The study found that women who participated in the workshop were four times more likely to experience a clinically meaningful improvement in PPD compared to those in the control group.
A combination therapy of aspirin, statins, and at least two blood pressure medications cuts the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease by over half. The treatment strategy, known as a polypill, is consistent in benefits across different blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and diabetes status.
A study led by McMaster University scientists found that chlorpyrifos slows down the burning of calories in brown adipose tissue of mice, leading to weight gain and obesity. This process, known as diet-induced thermogenesis, is critical for regulating calorie storage and metabolism.
A McMaster University researcher suggests that understanding biochemical pathways controlling gene expression can unlock the secrets of 'missing heritability' in precision medicine. The study reveals how hidden variations in these pathways contribute to disease development, providing a new approach to personalized care.
A McMaster-led study found that abelacimab prevents blood clots for up to a month after surgery, reducing the risk by about 80% compared to enoxaparin. The treatment also has potential to treat other cardiovascular conditions, such as stroke and deep-vein thrombosis.
Researchers discovered the molecular mechanism behind vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), a rare but fatal blood clotting disorder. The findings will enable the development of rapid diagnostic tests and new strategies to prevent VITT, making vaccines safer.
Immunologists at McMaster University have identified a 'spider web' mechanism that traps pathogens like influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in neutrophils, creating a sticky tangle to kill viruses. This discovery could lead to new aerosol and nasal spray vaccine technologies to prevent infections before they spread.