Researchers at McMaster University have developed a promising new cancer immunotherapy that uses genetically engineered natural killer cells to find and destroy malignant tumors. The modified cells can differentiate between cancer cells and healthy cells, bringing new promise to this branch of immunotherapy.
Researchers at McMaster University developed a hand-held rapid test for bacterial infections that can produce accurate results in under an hour. The test distinguishes between treatable and resistant bacteria, helping to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Scientists at McMaster University have developed a new treatment approach for people suffering from VITT, combining anti-clotting drugs with high doses of intravenous immunoglobulin. The treatment's effectiveness was shown in three Canadian patients who received the AstraZeneca vaccine and developed VITT.
A novel study on young adults' heavy drinking during the pandemic reveals a reduction in problematic drinking among men and women. However, women showed significant increases in depression and anxiety symptoms compared to men.
Researchers found that adding a third drug to dual-drug inhalers can reduce severe asthma exacerbations and improve asthma control in children, adolescents, and adults with moderate-to-severe asthma. The study included data from 20 randomized controlled trials involving almost 12,000 patients.
A new study assesses the complex role of peatlands in wildfires and finds that their smouldering potential is often underestimated. The researchers warn that peat fires can be devastating and have significant feedback with climate change.
Researchers found that premature boys age more quickly than their normal weight counterparts, with a biological age gap of 4.6 years by age 30-35. This accelerated aging may be influenced by prenatal stress and hospital care after birth, emphasizing the need for monitoring and healthy aging strategies.
A team of McMaster University researchers found that stair-climbing routines provide significant cardiovascular and muscular benefits for heart patients. Brief, vigorous stair-climbing and traditional moderate-intensity exercise both changed fitness levels, which is a key predictor of mortality after a cardiac event.
A large international study led by McMaster University found that removing the left atrial appendage significantly cuts the risk of strokes by more than one-third in patients with atrial fibrillation. The procedure is simple, quick, and safe for the majority of heart surgery patients with this condition.
Researchers have found that the gut microbiome of babies is established during and after birth, not before. The study suggests a person's relationship with their own gut bacteria is most important in early life.
The guidelines recommend training staff on food allergies, having epinephrine available, and promoting handwashing to reduce the risk of reactions. Research has found little evidence that food bans work in reducing allergy-related bullying and anxiety.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a new approach to training immune cells to fight cancer, which has shown promising results in overcoming the hostile conditions found inside solid tumours. The modified natural killer cells were able to destroy advanced ovarian and lung cancer with high effectiveness.
Despite growing demand, Ontario doctors are hesitant to prescribe medical cannabis due to potential ill-effects and limited knowledge about its effectiveness as a painkiller. The study highlights the need for more evidence, education, and guidance to help physicians better assist patients seeking this treatment.
A study from McMaster University found that while people want to improve their mental health through exercise, stress and anxiety often get in the way. The researchers discovered that individuals who reported higher psychological stress and moderate levels of anxiety were less motivated to engage in physical activity.
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights the need to rethink antihistamine use, as millions worldwide take these medications incorrectly. The study emphasizes that newer generation antihistamines are safer and more effective than first-generation antihistamines.
A study led by McMaster University identified adherent-invasive E-coli (AIEC) as a strong potential trigger for Crohn's disease. AIEC bacteria are often found in the intestines of people with Crohn's, and research suggests that they can cause the condition by allowing them to freely colonize the gut lining.
A global study of 134,297 people from 21 countries found that consuming 150g or more of processed meat per week increased the risk of cardiovascular disease by 46% and mortality by 51%. Moderate consumption of non-processed meats had a neutral effect on health.
Nearly two-thirds of Canadian adults aged 45-85 reported adverse childhood experiences, including physical abuse, intimate partner violence, and emotional abuse. The research found that exposure to these experiences varied by demographic factors, such as age, sex, education, and socioeconomic status.
A study led by McMaster University aims to understand how well vaccination works in residents of long-term care homes and identify factors linked to outbreaks. The research, involving over 2,000 participants, will inform health policy and help keep residents safe and healthy.
A five-day course of high-dose amoxicillin is an effective treatment for children six months to 10 years old with common pneumonia. The study found that 85.7% of those who received the short course were cured two to three weeks later.
A study led by McMaster University found that consuming oily fish regularly reduces the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes by about a sixth in high-risk individuals. The critical ingredient is omega-3 fatty acids, which provide significant protection against cardiovascular disease.
A team of genetics researchers found that evolutionary forces drive a gender imbalance in health conditions, with men being more vulnerable to physical and mental health issues. This imbalance is due to the human genome's favoring of different characteristics in males and females, making men more susceptible to various conditions.
A global study of over 137,000 people found that a diet high in poor quality carbohydrates increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death. Those consuming diets with high glycemic index were 50% more likely to have cardiovascular events if they had a pre-existing heart condition.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a dopamine receptor pathway that becomes abnormally activated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cancer stem cells. This led to the clinical investigation of thioridazine as a new therapy for adult AML patients, revealing encouraging results.
A large international study is testing the effectiveness of ivermectin, metformin, and fluvoxamine on preventing COVID-19 disease progression. The trial aims to identify promising therapies for reducing COVID-19 severity in patients with mild to moderate disease.
A study published in Child Development has linked children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) to difficulties with auditory time perception, crucial for basic skills like walking and processing speech. The research suggests that music with salient beats could be used as a therapy to help treat children with DCD.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a novel combination of two immunotherapies that induces robust tumour destruction against lung cancer. The new treatment uses one form of therapy to kill cancer cells and triggers changes that enable the second therapy to finish the job.
New research from McMaster University found that treating mothers with postpartum depression with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) results in healthy changes in the brains of their babies. The study also showed that these changes lead to improved infant behavior and reduced risk of emotional problems later in life.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a new form of cultivated meat by stacking thin sheets of muscle and fat cells grown in a lab setting. The technique allows for the creation of slabs of meat with customizable fat content and marbling, making it a promising alternative to traditional meat production.
A new nasal spray delivery method promises relief from antipsychotic medication's adverse side effects by delivering medication directly to the brain. This approach could reduce required doses by as much as three quarters, sparing patients from debilitating side effects and improving treatment efficacy.
A recent study found that seventy percent of participants lacked understanding of palliative care, while forty-four percent believed it conflicted with their values. Despite this, many agreed that better quality of life was crucial when dealing with a serious illness. The study highlights the need for culturally competent palliative ca...
Smallpox epidemics showed significant changes in frequency and seasonality over three centuries, with the introduction of vaccination and control measures leading to eradication. The analysis provides new insights into infectious disease ecology.
Researchers have discovered a gene mutation that protects against liver disease and may offer a 'fountain of youth' for French-Canadian families. The PCSK9Q152H mutation has been found to lower bad cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular diseases, allowing individuals to live longer and healthier into their late 80s and mid-90s.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that tryptophan, an amino acid present in turkey, combined with certain probiotics, can help individuals with celiac disease heal and manage symptoms. The research suggests targeting tryptophan metabolism in the gut may offer a potential therapy for better symptom control.
Researchers found distinct effects of adversity early in life on the genomes of extremely preterm-born individuals, particularly males. The study suggests that extreme perinatal adversity may elicit wide-ranging epigenetic changes that remain detectable years later.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a surface that repels all components of human blood except for the critical cytokine Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which can be measured with high accuracy and sensitivity.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a prototype for a hand-held device that can read the levels of a cancer biomarker, similar to a blood-sugar monitor. The device simplifies cancer testing by allowing patients to collect samples at home and providing accurate results in minutes.
Researchers at McMaster University analyzed historical documents and found that plague outbreaks in London sped up four times between the 14th and 17th centuries. The disease spread from doubling every 43 days to every 11 days, suggesting a shift from pneumonic transmission to bubonic plague.
A portable device has been created to mimic the placenta's oxygenation role for pre-term newborns in respiratory distress. The artificial lung uses a fine membrane to release carbon dioxide and uptake oxygen while protecting blood from infection, improving survival rates and reducing brain damage.
A recent study by McMaster University found that only 28% of new Canadian drugs have clear pediatric data, and many critical diseases lack approved treatments. This absence perpetuates 'off-label' drug use, which can lead to inadequate treatment or increased side effects.
American mastodons moved north from southern ranges in response to warming climate conditions and melting ice sheets. Genetic analysis suggests that these massive increases in territory made northern populations more vulnerable to extinction.
Researchers at McMaster University have identified a small molecule compound that can activate the Wnt pathway in non-Wnt subtypes of medulloblastoma, making these aggressive forms of cancer more responsive to therapies. The study found that activating the Wnt pathway can function as a tumour suppressor in certain contexts.
Two new evidence reviews from McMaster University suggest that alternative treatments are as effective as opioids in managing acute musculoskeletal injuries like strains and sprains. The studies found that opioids have a higher risk of harms to patients, particularly those with past or current substance use disorders.
A team of researchers at McMaster University has discovered that the ACE2 receptor is present in very low levels in human lung tissue, suggesting alternative infection pathways. This finding challenges existing knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells and may lead to better diagnostic devices and treatment strategies.
Researchers at McMaster University isolated genes that cause some people to gain muscle while others don't through a novel experiment. A set of 141 genes regulates skeletal muscle growth, and isolating these genes may help target lifestyle and drug therapies to prevent muscle loss in older individuals.
A review by McMaster University found that children under 10 are less likely to transmit COVID-19, while adults are more likely to be the transmitter of infection. Family stress, particularly among female caregivers and children, is also a significant concern.
Researchers at McMaster University have traced the origins of old virus strains used as vaccination strains during the American Civil War, contributing to the eradication of smallpox. The study highlights the importance of understanding the history and evolution of viruses in vaccine development.
A systematic review led by McMaster University found that electronic cognitive behavioral therapy is more effective than face-to-face sessions in treating depression. The study revealed no difference in patient satisfaction or function between the two methods.
Researchers at McMaster University found nearly 90% of sounds used in auditory experiments have no connection to the natural world. This discovery raises questions about the use of artificial tone beeps in testing the auditory system, highlighting their limitations and potential impact on real-world applications.
Researchers are testing virtual care and remote monitoring technology to reduce unplanned hospitalizations and emergency department visits after surgery. Patients use tablet computers to record vital signs at home, which are sent instantly to nurses for review.