A major study has found that spinal anesthesia is not safer or more effective than general anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures. The study, involving 1,600 patients, showed similar outcomes and risks between the two types of anesthesia, contradicting accepted wisdom.
A new study sheds light on the molecular interactions between remdesivir and various viruses, revealing why it works against SARS-CoV-2 but not others like influenza. The findings aim to develop broad-spectrum therapies for future pandemics.
Researchers found that urinary incontinence can distract from balance and stability, increasing the risk of falling in older adults. The study showed that the feeling of having to pee acts as a distracting factor, leading to changes in gait patterns similar to those caused by other distracting tasks.
Researchers found that activated neutrophils release proteins like galectin-9, triggering chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Early screening for HIV is crucial, and finding ways to reduce negative effects of the infection could be key to improving outcomes.
High air pollution exposure worsens COPD patients' quality of life, while living far from green spaces also reports negative effects. Access to blue and green spaces improves mental and physical health through increased physical activity.
Researchers identified a clear-cut seasonal pattern in respiratory viruses, with peaks in January and lows in June, affecting hospital admissions. The study found that babies born in severe peak years were more likely to be infected and hospitalized, highlighting the importance of planning ahead for high seasons of illnesses.
A recent study has called for reduced forceps use in Canada and better education for both clinicians and mothers on how to avoid injury during childbirth. The researchers analyzed nearly two million birth records from Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Austria, finding that five percent of women had third or fourth degree tears to the perineum.
A University of Alberta-led study found that anemia can generate different immune responses in males versus females, making females more prone to infections. The research highlights the importance of considering sex as a variable in prevention, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies for immune-related conditions.
Researchers have discovered a way to bring cancer-killing T cells to bear against a specific type of colorectal cancer, showing promising results. The findings may represent a therapeutic strategy to target other types of cancers, and the next step is to further explore how T cells become activated in the tumor environment.
Researchers have identified a molecule called fractalkine that can boost the production of brain cells producing myelin, a key factor in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The study's findings suggest that fractalkine could be used to treat certain neurodegenerative disorders by restoring lost myelin.
A genetic variant in the TCERG1L gene has been identified as a risk factor for cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children with cancer, increasing the risk by three times. The finding could lead to predictive tests to inform treatment decisions and advance pediatric cancer care.
A University of Alberta research team found that firefighters dealing with the massive 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire suffered from long-term lung damage, including increased bronchial reactivity and thickening. The risk of developing asthma was more than doubled compared to the general population.
A University of Alberta study found that infant boys with a high Bacteroidetes gut bacterial composition scored higher in cognition and language skills. The researchers believe this association may be due to the production of metabolites called sphingolipids, which are instrumental for neuron formation and structure.
A double-blind, randomized trial found that patients with severe obesity and metabolic syndrome had improved insulin sensitivity after receiving a fecal microbial transplant followed by daily fibre supplements. The study, led by Professor Karen Madsen, suggests that the microbiome can be targeted to improve human health.
A rare parasitic infection is spreading rapidly in Alberta, with over 17 human cases diagnosed between 2013 and 2020. The disease, known as alveolar echinococcosis, causes serious health complications and can be deadly if left untreated.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 infects immature red blood cells, leading to reduced oxygen levels and impaired immune response. The study also shows why dexamethasone has been an effective treatment for COVID-19 patients.
A clinical trial found an implantable device is more than three times more effective in detecting atrial fibrillation in ischemic stroke patients. The device could prevent disabling strokes by almost 70% if detected early.
University of Alberta scientists have identified Toll-like receptor 4 as a potential target for preventing permanent hearing loss caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. By inhibiting this receptor, they may be able to eliminate toxic side effects from the drug that cause hearing loss in childhood cancer survivors.
Researchers discovered molnupiravir works by causing polymerase to make sloppy copies of viral genome, rendering them useless. The drug has shown promising results in eliminating SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in newly diagnosed patients after five days of treatment.
A team of University of Alberta researchers has discovered a way to use 3-D bioprinting technology to create functional cartilage in just four weeks, which can be used to restore nasal features in skin cancer patients. This method reduces the risk of complications and provides a more precise solution for reconstructive surgery.
Researchers have found a causal link between caesarean section birth and peanut sensitivity in infants, with effects more pronounced in children of Asian descent. Infants born by C-section were eight times more likely to develop peanut allergy by age three compared to those born vaginally.
Experts recommend a more nuanced approach to COVID-19 vaccine prioritization, taking into account job site and neighborhood risks. At least 75% of Canadian adults have at least one risk factor for severe illness, highlighting the need for targeted vaccination strategies.
A team of University of Alberta researchers has identified a protein that blocks the body's ability to clear low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the blood. This discovery paves the way for developing a new drug to boost existing statin drugs and prevent heart disease.
A new pediatric heart transplant procedure has been shown to be at least as effective as the traditional approach, with similar survival rates and fewer infections. The method, pioneered by Canadian doctors, has enabled twice as many organs to be available for type O infants born with heart defects.
Researchers have confirmed histoplasmosis, a fungal infection transmitted through bat and bird droppings, is now found in Alberta, extending its known range northwest from the central United States and southern Ontario. Locally-acquired cases were primarily found in rural areas in central Alberta.
Researchers found that limiting fat release from fat cells during heart failure can reduce inflammation and improve cardiac function. In a study, mice treated with a drug blocking fat release showed better outcomes than control groups.
A recent study by University of Alberta cardiologists shows that patients with stable ischemic heart disease and high-risk cardiac anatomy benefit from revascularization with stents or bypass surgery. This approach leads to better health outcomes, including reduced risk of death or heart attack.
A new study from University of Alberta researchers shows that childhood traumatic or stressful events can lead to tiny changes in key brain structures decades later. These changes may increase the risk of developing mental health disorders as adults during times of stress.
Researchers developed a machine learning tool to analyze brain scans and identify risk for earlier diagnosis and treatment. The tool accurately identified individuals with schizotypal personality traits at high risk of developing schizophrenia.
Vericiguat, a first-of-its-kind treatment, reduces rates of death or hospitalization due to heart failure by 10% in patients with worsening chronic heart failure. The drug works by stimulating an enzyme that enhances heart function and helps blood vessels relax.
A new drug targeting enzymes involved in myristoylation has shown promise in treating both breast and blood cancers. Researchers found that patients with specific enzyme NMT2 were more likely to die, and the drug slowed tumour growth by 90% in mice with human breast cancer.
University of Alberta researchers found that chromatin is neither solid nor liquid but rather a gel-like substance. This discovery could lead to better understanding of diseases like cancer and improve gene regulation.
A recent study found that female COVID-19 patients experience less severe complications due to stronger immune responses triggered by their X chromosome-linked genes. Women's immune systems are enhanced by the presence of Toll-like receptor seven, allowing them to better tolerate virus infections.
A new study from University of Alberta researchers found that women are at a 20% higher risk of dying or experiencing heart failure after a heart attack compared to men. The study examined data on over 45,000 Canadians who were hospitalized for their first heart attack between 2002 and 2016.
A University of Alberta study found that 35.9% of children diagnosed with COVID-19 showed no symptoms, raising concerns about school safety programs. The researchers also found that common symptoms like cough and runny nose were not reliable indicators of infection in children, emphasizing the need for vigilance and precautions.
Researchers found that nearly all insulation materials, except aerogels, were associated with chest infections. Insulators are also at risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from exposure to asbestos.
A machine learning framework developed by University of Alberta researcher Kai On Wong fills a gap in Canadian public health data by predicting ethnicity from names and locations. The tool has shown improved accuracy for Aboriginal classification when geographic information is included.
A review of academic studies found that nearly 20% of COVID-19 patients exhibit only gastrointestinal symptoms. Radiologists should be aware of signs such as bowel inflammation and air within the bowel wall, which could indicate advanced disease or COVID-19 infection.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified a new precision cancer drug for blood cancers that targets enzymes modifying proteins for cell signalling. The treatment, PCLX-001, has shown promising results in killing various types of cancer cells while leaving non-cancerous cells unharmed.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered that an anti-inflammatory drug, VX-765, can slow disease progression in a preclinical model of multiple sclerosis when delivered intranasally. This new therapy approach has shown promise in preserving myelin and glucose metabolism.
A new study has identified autopsy, airway suctioning, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as aerosol-generating procedures that require enhanced personal protective equipment. The research aims to prevent healthcare workers from becoming infected with COVID-19, protecting them from severe disease and maintaining staffing levels during t...
Researchers found caesarean section and prolonged labour influence infant gut microbiome, linked to childhood obesity and allergic sensitization. The study identified specific bacteria and metabolic pathways involved in these health outcomes.
Scientists have documented all cell types and genes in healthy human hearts, paving the way for targeted treatments. This single-cell atlas will help understand heart disease and develop new therapies by correcting genetic mutations.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a novel mechanism of action by remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2, which affects the viral replication machinery. This finding is crucial for improving treatments and building on the existing antiviral drug.
A new study found that a protein called BIK triggers failed apoptosis, leading to DNA damage and mutations in ER-positive breast cancer cells. This process makes the cancer cells more aggressive and evasive of therapy.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a protease inhibitor that effectively inhibits viral replication in cells with SARS-CoV-2. The drug has already shown little to no toxicity and is poised for human clinical trials.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have found a way to accelerate nerve regrowth in trauma patients by three to five times, leading to better outcomes. The treatment, known as conditioning electrical stimulation (CES), involves electrically stimulating nerves before surgery, causing them to regenerate faster.
A new study found that vitamin D supplementation is associated with a decrease in Megamonas bacteria and C. difficile colonization in infants, suggesting potential benefits for childhood health.
The study's lead researcher found that using a graphics processing unit (GPU) increased the speed of real-time tumor tracking by five times, improving accuracy over previous methods. This breakthrough could lead to safer and possibly fully automated radiation therapy in the future.
A new diagnostic test for heart failure patients has been found to also predict COVID-19 patient outcomes, highlighting the connection between cardiovascular disease and COVID-19. The test measures a balance of beneficial and harmful peptides in the blood, suggesting that targeting this pathway could improve treatment for both conditions.