A study found that brain structure and function changes persist even after athletes receive medical clearance to return to play. The researchers used advanced MRI to measure brain changes in athletes with concussions compared to uninjured varsity athletes.
Researchers found progressive differences between the brains of athletes in non-contact, contact, and collision sports, including reduced communication between brain areas. The study suggests that participation in contact sports may affect the brain, but does not reflect significantly impaired day-to-day functioning.
Researchers found that 77% of patients referred to an income security health promotion service needed assistance with increasing income, including filing taxes and applying for social services. The service acts as a bridge between health and social care, helping patients navigate financial and social support systems.
A study in mice reveals how natural killer cells can cause a fetus to fail to grow or lead to miscarriages. Researchers identified potential treatments, including IVIG and targeted therapies, to prevent FNAIT-related miscarriages.
A study found that wealthier, long-term residents in Ontario are more likely to get screened for colorectal cancer through colonoscopies rather than non-invasive tests. This gap is driven by the higher number of advantaged residents who prefer colonoscopies over fecal occult blood tests.
A systematic review found that too-restricted hours may reduce continuity of care, impact recognition of patient complications, and decrease observation skills. Researchers emphasize the need for more research into the impact of restricted hours on resident training.
A new study reveals that a small group of physicians in Ontario prescribe the majority of medications used to treat opioid addiction. High-volume prescribers see large numbers of patients daily and bill the province hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
A new study published in JAMA found that giving healthy children high doses of vitamin D during the winter did not reduce the number of colds they got. The study, led by Dr. Jonathon Maguire, involved 700 children who received either a standard or high dose of vitamin D, with no difference in cold frequency between the two groups.
Researchers found that new opioid use among older adults with COPD is associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease-related death. The study suggests that opioids may have negative effects on the heart, including lower blood oxygen levels and increased inflammatory factors.
Research found that health-care personnel assessed players in only 15 percent of head collisions during the last World Cup and for average 107 seconds. The study highlighted inadequate concussion assessment and player safety during the tournament.
Children who drink non-cow's milk are shorter than those who drink cow's milk, with each daily cup of non-cow's milk resulting in a 0.4-centimeter height difference. The study found that children drinking three cups of non-cow's milk per day were 1.5 centimeters shorter than average.
A Canadian cardiologist has successfully used a new MitraClip device to treat severe mitral regurgitation through the jugular vein for the first time in the world. The procedure was performed on an 86-year-old patient with no complications, allowing her to improve and be discharged home.
Research found that women exposed to colder temperatures during pregnancy had a lower rate of gestational diabetes compared to those exposed to hotter temperatures. The study also discovered that for every 10-degree Celsius rise in temperature, women were six to nine percent more likely to develop gestational diabetes.
A new study found that people with organ transplants are at higher risk of developing and dying from cancer than the general population, yet their rates of cancer screening do not meet existing guidelines. The study examined 6,392 patients who had organ transplants in Ontario between 1997 and 2010.
A study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology found that patients with rectal cancer who undergo chemotherapy and radiation have excellent survival rates and low rates of cancer recurrence. These 'complete responders' may not benefit from surgery, raising questions about the safety of a watch-and-wait approach.
Research found a skewed ratio of male to female babies born to Indian-born women, particularly among Punjabi-speaking mothers. The study suggests that the practice of sex selection through abortion may be driving this imbalance and that it will not correct itself without interventions.
South Asian countries may benefit from implementing higher tobacco taxes, which could reduce consumption by at least one-third, according to a new analysis. The study also highlights the need for strengthened non-price interventions to control smoking, including bans on advertising and smoking in public places.
A new study estimates that traumatic brain injuries in emergency departments had a total cost of $945 million over the lifetimes of those patients. Medical treatments and lost productivity accounted for $292 million and $653 million, respectively.
A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that people with cystic fibrosis are living longer in Canada than in the United States, with a median age of survival being 50.9 years in Canada compared to 40.6 years in the US. The study found that after accounting for factors such as age and disease severity, the ri...
Research suggests that people with a history of incarceration are more likely to experience unstable housing or homelessness. A study of 1,200 vulnerably housed and homeless single adults found that only 34% were housed during the two-year study period.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that people who spend time in jails and prisons are more likely to develop certain types of cancer than the general population in Ontario. The study also revealed that these individuals have a higher mortality rate from cancer, particularly for men.
A new study published in PLOS ONE raises doubts about the effectiveness of Diclectin, a widely prescribed medication for nausea in pregnancy. The study's flaws, including incomplete data and flawed scoring methods, cast uncertainty over its benefits.
A study published in Journal of Psychiatric Research found that homeless adults with mental illness and a history of traumatic brain injury are more likely to experience adverse health conditions, increased use of emergency departments, and suicidal risk. The research highlights the need for specialized services such as clinical treatm...
A literature review of over 19,000 residents in general surgery programs found an overall attrition prevalence of 18 percent. Uncontrollable lifestyle and switching specialties were the most common reasons for leaving.
A new study found that opioid prescribing rates in Canada decreased by 13.7% following the release of national guidelines for chronic non-cancer pain management in 2010. However, rates of opioid-related hospital visits rose 13% between 2010 and 2013, possibly due to high-dose prescriptions increasing overdose risk.
A new study found that people with traumatic brain injury are approximately 2.5 times more likely to be incarcerated in a federal correctional facility in Canada than those without a history of TBI. The study, which included nearly 1.42 million adults aged 18-28, highlighted the association between TBI and incarceration rates.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that combining dabigatran with two commonly prescribed statins, lovastatin and simvastatin, increases the risk of bleeding. The risk is higher than other statins, suggesting a clinically important drug interaction.
A study found that African-American and Latina women have a higher accumulated stress level than Caucasian women, but less than half the difference can be explained by expected factors. The study's results suggest that more social determinants of health, such as employment and housing status, need to be studied.
A study of 2,745 children found that those who consumed whole-fat milk had lower body mass index scores and higher vitamin D levels compared to those consuming low-fat or skim milk. The researchers hypothesize that feeling fuller from drinking whole milk may lead to healthier eating habits.
A new study published in The Annals of Family Medicine reveals that Ontario patients not attached to new primary care practices receive lower quality care. These patients are more likely to be poor, urban, and new immigrants, with gaps in cancer screenings and diabetes testing widening over time.
A study by Dr. Aisha Lofters and her team found that Muslim women were more likely to be up-to-date on breast cancer screening, despite living in low-income neighborhoods. This suggests that religious beliefs may play a role in health behaviors like cancer screening.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that oat fibre can reduce LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B, providing an accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk. The study suggests increasing oat consumption, particularly oat bran, as a healthy dietary option.
A new study suggests health-care providers support routine testing of colorectal tumors to identify individuals with Lynch Syndrome. However, there is a lack of consensus on whether patients should be allowed to opt out of the test, which could determine their risk of developing cancer.
A new study finds that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can prevent up to 99% of new HIV infections among high-risk gay men in Toronto. By engaging these individuals with healthcare, PrEP also reduces costs and increases health outcomes.
A systematic review of 10 international studies suggests that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) may be an effective diagnostic tool for identifying and predicting the likelihood of post-concussion syndrome (PCS). DTI scans can detect micro abnormalities in the brain not picked up by routine imaging methods, potentially leading to earlier ...
A study found that parents want to know if they're carriers of genetic diseases, despite international guidelines against identifying infant carriers through newborn screening. Many parents don't use the information or use it inappropriately, sharing news with extended family members without consent.
A new study published in JAMA found that performing an MRI on a woman in the early part of pregnancy does not increase the risk of stillbirth, death after birth, or birth defects. The study also found no association between first-trimester MRIs and vision loss, hearing loss, or cancer in children's first four years.
A new study identifies India, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as high-risk countries for local Zika virus transmission. The research team analyzed airline passenger traffic data to determine which countries are at greatest risk due to climate conditions and limited health resources.
LifeVest, developed to assist newborns breathe, won the competition based on market opportunity and competitive advantage. The technology uses NAVA signal to trigger ventilator breath assistance, greatly improving infant breathing.
A new study found that cancer screening guidelines for organ transplant recipients are inconsistent, varying in recommendations for skin and other types of cancer. Researchers highlight the need for more studies to inform guidelines involving transplant patients, oncologists, and cancer specialists.
A small study found that people with disabilities were more likely to use emergency departments even when they had access to primary health care. The researchers suggest that increased access to mobility clinics with specialized support staff and equipment may be part of the solution.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital discovered brain shrinkage, reduced blood flow, and white matter damage in college athletes with a history of concussion. These findings suggest that even young, healthy adults may be affected by repeated head injuries.
Researchers found that new opioid use among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a significantly increased risk of respiratory-related complications and death. The study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, suggests that even lower-dose opioids may pose risks for this population.
A recent study found that adults released from provincial correctional facilities have a 9% overdose death rate in the first two days and 20% within the first week. The majority of these deaths involve opioids and can be prevented with education and access to naloxone, according to researchers.
A new study found that simple activities such as playing cards or throwing a foam ball can help patients regain strength and coordination after a stroke. The study showed improvements in motor performance of up to 40% with these activities compared to virtual reality games.
A new study by Dr. Joel Ray found that women born in the Caribbean or Africa are two times more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit at the time of their delivery than Canadian-born women. The risk is higher for mothers from Jamaica and Ghana, with rates up to 2.7 times higher than Canadian-born women.
A review of clinical trials found that barley lowers levels of both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL), two types of 'bad cholesterol'. The study suggests that barley has similar cholesterol-lowering effects as oats, making it a valuable alternative for those looking to reduce cardiovascular risk.
A new study found that highly walkable Ontario neighborhoods experienced a drop in diabetes cases, while less walkable areas saw a rise in obesity rates. The research, led by Dr. Gillian Booth, analyzed 9,000 neighborhoods over a decade and involved 3 million people.
A comprehensive review found that refugee children can perform similarly to their peers academically with adequate support, despite experiencing behavioral and emotional issues. Key factors for success include high academic ambition, parental support, and language proficiency.
A study by Dr. Joel Ray found a 7.8 times higher risk of ambulance calls for trauma in areas with high-density bars and restaurants. EMS calls for assaults peak at 2 a.m. when alcohol sales stop, nearly tripling at the end of the month.