A new study found married women experience less intimate-partner violence, substance abuse and post-partum depression compared to cohabitating women. Married couples tend to have fewer psychosocial problems regardless of their relationship duration.
Research found that people with glaucoma show delayed eye movement reaction times by about 15 per cent, even in early stages of the disease. This delay may affect daily activities such as reading, driving, or navigating, highlighting the need for new vision pathways and approaches to measuring vision loss.
A study by Dr. George M Yousef at St. Michael's Hospital identified 29 proteins associated with kidney tumor metastasis. These biomarkers can help physicians recognize which tumors are more likely to spread, enabling targeted treatment and improved patient outcomes.
Dr. Sean B. Rourke, head of the Neurobehavioural Research Unit at St. Michael's Hospital, has received $1.5 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to establish a community-based HIV/AIDS research centre across Canada.
A new study found that mandatory rules, such as restrictions on body checking, can decrease penalties and injuries in ice hockey, particularly among young players. Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital recommend combining rule changes with educational strategies to promote sportsmanship and reduce brain injuries.
A new research paper by Dr. Sharon Straus identified five key ingredients necessary for a successful mentoring relationship: reciprocity, mutual respect, clear expectations, personal connections, and shared values. Good mentors are honest, trustworthy, and active listeners who help their mentees achieve work-life balance.
A team of researchers at St. Michael's Hospital has discovered multiple ways kidney tumours can achieve the same result – namely, grow. By examining chromosomal changes, methylation, and gene expression, they identified specific regions where genetic alterations occur in kidney cancer.
A new trauma program at St. Michael's Hospital has shown significant improvements in outcomes for elderly patients admitted for trauma. The program, which provides geriatric consultations within 72 hours of admission, has reduced the risk of delirium by 10% and decreased the likelihood of discharge to long-term care facilities.
A recent study found that nearly one-third of Toronto bike accidents involve streetcar tracks, with cyclists at risk from slipping tires or getting caught in the tracks. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing safety in transportation system design.
Endothelial cells, not muscle cells on the outside of blood vessels, are responsible for sensing low oxygen levels and triggering pulmonary hypertension. Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that blocking communication between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells could potentially prevent right heart failure.
Research by Dr. Joel Ray found that infants are 28 times more likely to die if both they and their mother are admitted to ICUs around delivery time. Maternal death rate is 330 times higher in co-ICU situations compared to non-co-ICU scenarios. Researchers attribute increased mortality risk to diseases of the placenta.
A study led by Dr. Najma Ahmed found that lack of control over resources and work-life balance contribute to dissatisfaction among general surgeons. Surgeons cite enjoying patient interactions and resolving problems quickly as key sources of satisfaction.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that living in less walkable neighborhoods increases the risk of developing diabetes by 50% compared to those living in more walkable areas. The study highlights the importance of neighborhood design on health outcomes, particularly for new immigrants.
MicroRNA-145-based gene therapy reduces plaque size and increases stability in mice, providing new insights into atherosclerosis treatment. The approach also makes the fibrous cap area more resilient to rupture, a key event in heart attacks.
A national study shows inconsistency in how and when incentives are used for research participants under criminal justice supervision. The study highlights the need for a standardized approach to equitable incentive practices for offenders across all correctional jurisdictions.
A new study found that many heterosexual men with HIV in Canada feel existing programs and services don't meet their needs, due to stigma and lack of support. The study emphasizes the need for more inclusive health care and service initiatives specifically tailored to these men's unique experiences.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that surgical residents trained in a simulated environment outperformed those with conventional training, scoring significantly higher on technical performance and multiple-choice tests. This innovative approach aims to reduce preventable medical errors and improve patient safety.
Hospitals in Canada can save millions by prescribing the cheapest version of medications for patients, according to a new study. The study found that substituting the least expensive version of proton pump inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers could save taxpayers $1.6 million, $162,000, and $14,000 respectively.
Fetuses under the 10th percentile of weight account for 19% of stillbirths, with those below the 1st percentile facing a 9.5 times higher risk. Severe underweight and overweight states confer the highest risk of stillbirth.
A comprehensive review of 142 clinical trials found that strategies targeting patients and the healthcare system are effective in improving diabetes outcomes. Programs aimed at physicians were only successful for diabetics with poor health control, while patient-targeted interventions showed promise regardless of HbA1c levels.
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital researchers found that fructose significantly improved blood sugar control in participants with Type 1 and 2 diabetes, comparable to oral antidiabetic drugs. The study also showed no negative effects on body weight, blood pressure, or cholesterol levels.
Research by Dr. Avery Nathens found that seriously injured car accident victims are 30% more likely to survive at least 48 hours if taken directly to a trauma centre. However, fewer than half of those injured in Ontario are taken directly to a trauma centre.
A new study by Dr. Chaim Bell at St. Michael's Hospital has revealed huge variations in the charges ophthalmologists impose on specialty lenses used in cataract surgery. Most surgeons charge less than the maximum recommended rate, while others charge significantly more, potentially representing predatory pricing.
A study led by St. Michael's Hospital researchers found that doctors are more reluctant to start patients on insulin due to amplified concerns about side effects. However, the study suggests that better insulin regimens and smart injection methods can make treatment safer and more manageable.
Asthma action plans are developed by experts without patient input, leading to poor understanding and adherence. A new approach using wikis empowers patients to co-create their own plans, improving engagement and outcomes.
A recent study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital reviewed over 40 published studies on fructose and its link to obesity. The findings suggest that it may not be the fructose molecule itself causing weight gain, but rather consuming too many calories from any food source.
A new study found that fructose intake over seven days does not increase blood pressure, but rather leads to a decrease in diastolic blood pressure in some individuals. Researchers aimed to determine whether fructose itself raises blood pressure or if the apparent harm is due to excessive calorie consumption.
A Canadian-led research team has developed a new model to anticipate disease outbreaks at mass gatherings like the Olympics. By integrating global and local surveillance, they can create a more effective approach to preventing infectious disease risks.
Researchers discovered a biological pathway that increases the level of chemokine SDF-1, which stimulates cells to move and migrate. The study found that higher levels of this protein can predict who is most likely to develop HUS, allowing for closer monitoring.
A study of over 1,300 paramedics in Ontario found that two-thirds have experienced verbal, physical or sexual abuse while working. Verbal abuse was the most common form, followed by intimidation and physical abuse.
A study of 205,000 patients found significant variation in pre-surgery exam rates among hospitals, suggesting a lack of standard guidelines. The findings highlight potential risks of over-testing and under-testing, which may increase healthcare costs and harm patients.
Research reveals that women at risk for breast cancer are also at a higher risk for heart disease due to mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The study found that these genes regulate heart function and can lead to increased mortality rates after a heart attack.
St. Michael's Hospital has received funding to develop a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) vaccine that could eliminate latent HIV reservoirs. The project aims to target persistent viruses hiding in the body, with the goal of eliminating HIV from infected individuals.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital have identified a potential new cause for unexplained miscarriages in mice, finding that massive clotting in the placenta can destroy the placenta and block blood flow to the fetus. The study suggests two possible treatments to prevent these miscarriages and has broader implications for heart attac...
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital and ICES found that nearly half of Ontario seniors do not see dentists regularly, increasing their risk of chronic diseases and a reduced quality of life. The researchers highlight the importance of prevention and health promotion to help older women remain active and independent as they age.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that bilingual individuals have twice as much brain damage as unilingual people before they exhibit symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. This delay may be due to the constant activation and compensation of brain networks in bilingual individuals.
Between 2000 and 2009, 606 Canadian physicians were disciplined by their provincial medical licensing authorities. The majority were men practicing independently for long periods, with sexual misconduct being the most frequent violation.
A new oral drug, teriflunomide, has been shown to significantly reduce the relapse rate of people with multiple sclerosis and slow the progression of the disease. The drug was found to be effective in increasing the time between relapses and reducing disease progression by almost 30%.
A review of eight studies found an association between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and multiple sclerosis, but poor study quality and inconsistencies hinder definitive conclusions. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital have identified a new mechanism that may protect against organ injury and death from anemia. This discovery could lead to new treatments and approaches for patients with anemia.
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto found that hearing dietary advice twice is enough to lower cholesterol levels significantly. The study included 345 participants who received either routine or intensive dietary advice, resulting in similar reductions in LDL 'bad' cholesterol.
A new study published in JAMA found that patients who spend time in an intensive care unit (ICU) are less likely to renew their prescriptions for chronic medications after discharge. The research examined data from nearly 400,000 Ontario residents and found that ICU patients had a higher rate of prescription non-renewal compared to tho...
A new study published in BMJ Open found no evidence that patients who underwent a heart ultrasound before major surgery had improved survival rates one month or one year after their operation. In fact, some groups of patients may have worse survival rates if they had undergone an echocardiogram.
A study by St. Michael's Hospital found that nearly half of homeless people with chronic pain use street drugs to treat their condition, highlighting the need for improved approaches to managing chronic pain in this population. The study also highlights the importance of community outreach programs and education for healthcare provider...
New research from St. Michael's Hospital suggests that consuming two ounces of nuts daily can effectively control glycemic and serum lipid levels for people with Type 2 diabetes. The study found that nut consumption reduced HbA1c levels by two-thirds, a clinically meaningful improvement without weight gain.
Researchers found that patient outcomes improve when fracture clinics have a dedicated person to screen for and treat osteoporosis. The study also shows that testing and treatment within the program leads to better outcomes, rather than referring patients elsewhere.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital discovered that GABA injections prevented and reversed Type 1 diabetes in mice by regenerating insulin-producing cells and decreasing the immune system's attack on them. This breakthrough finding offers new avenues for prevention and treatment of Type 1 diabetes.
A new theory suggests sepsis may be caused by leaking blood vessels, rather than just a symptom. This idea has the potential to lead to novel treatments and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that cells protecting blood vessels work better in patients undergoing nighttime home dialysis than those on standard hospital dialysis. This suggests that frequent nighttime dialysis might be beneficial for some patients with blood vessel damage, improving overall health outcomes.
A new study found that using a defibrillator less than 10 seconds after CPR pause significantly increases survival rates. The study examined 815 patients who suffered cardiac arrest outside hospital and found a 53% drop in survival rate for pauses over 20 seconds.