A new blood test developed by University of Alberta physician Peter Hwang promises to eliminate the guesswork in diagnosing apparent heart attacks. By analyzing fragmented troponin levels, clinicians can better determine the extent of cardiac damage and make informed decisions about treatment options.
Researchers identified an overabundance of calnexin protein in MS brain tissues, leading to resistance in mice models. This finding offers a promising target for developing new therapies to combat the disease.
Researchers found a 'stop sign' protein that prevents healthy cells from sorting material, leading to unregulated growth in cancerous cells. This discovery opens the door to designing drugs that block PIP-stop formation by kinase enzymes, targeting difficult-to-treat cancers.
University of Alberta researchers have found the Ebola polymerase enzyme, which may lead to more effective research and better treatments for the often fatal infection. The discovery allows for the study of Ebola inhibitors in any lab environment, accelerating the search for antiviral medicines.
A new study found that C-section deliveries and changes in gut bacteria increase the risk of childhood obesity. Overweight mothers who gave birth via C-section had children who were three times more likely to be overweight or obese by age three.
A new medical guideline from the University of Alberta suggests that the benefits of medical cannabis for pain treatment may be outweighed by its harms. The guideline recommends considering medical cannabinoids only in specific cases with adequate evidence and after standard therapies have been tried.
A $5-million gift will help develop a new CASA Research Chair in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Alberta. This initiative aims to improve front-line care for children and youth with mental health and addictions issues, and will focus on community-focused research and evidence-based findings.
Researchers at the University of Alberta discovered that injecting a drug called chondroitinase ABC into the spinal cord can enhance recovery in stroke victims. The therapy, combined with rehabilitative training, showed significant improvements in sensorimotor deficits and allowed subjects to perform tasks at pre-stroke levels.
UAlberta researchers created a synthetic horsepox virus that can provide vaccine protection against smallpox. The discovery demonstrates the potential of synthetic DNA technology in advancing public health measures.
A breakthrough study by University of Alberta researchers found that fat cells near the skin shrink when exposed to blue light from the sun, reducing fat storage. This discovery may contribute to a new understanding of how our bodies regulate fat production and metabolism.
University of Alberta researchers found that the RYBP protein prevents DNA repair in cancer cells, including breast cancer. This discovery could lead to precision medicine by tailoring treatment to individual patients' DNA.
A University of Alberta study found that infant boys born to mothers with asthma have a reduced gut microbiome, particularly lower levels of Lactobacillus, which could lead to a preventative approach to reduce the risk of asthma. The study also suggests sex-specific differences in the impact of maternal asthma on infant gut microbes.
A Canadian-led study found that perioperative aspirin can prevent heart-related complications after major noncardiac surgery in patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). For every 1,000 patients with PCI, giving them aspirin at the time of noncardiac surgery would prevent 59 heart attacks and cause eight major bl...
A new clinical trial has shown that the generic drug Dichloroacetate (DCA) can decrease blood pressure in lung vessels and improve walking ability in PAH patients, without significant side effects. DCA works by activating mitochondria, which are suppressed in PAH, leading to cell growth and overgrowth of cells narrowing vessel lumen.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience reveals that imbalances in the regulation of GABA, a crucial neurotransmitter, can lead to developmental brain disorders such as autism and seizure disorders. The research offers new hope for developing treatments by identifying a potential molecular switch controlling GABA production.
Researchers have created two new imaging agents that can visualize the formation of tumour-associated blood vessels and track tumour growth. These agents could provide personalized treatment options by identifying patients most likely to respond to therapies targeting new blood vessel growth, leading to more effective cancer treatment.
Researchers found that peroxisomes are essential for cells to detect and destroy bacterial infections, releasing signals to other organs. This discovery highlights the organelle's role in innate immunity and could inform strategies to combat bacterial infections.
A recent University of Alberta study found that irradiation of breast fat can trigger an inflammatory response in cancer patients, enabling cancer cells to survive. The research team is developing an experimental autotaxin inhibitor to counteract this effect and improve radiotherapy's effectiveness.
Scientists at UAlberta and McGill University have discovered a direct link between calcium and cholesterol, finding that a lack of calcium can hide cholesterol from the cell's machinery. This discovery could pave the way for new treatments for high blood cholesterol and heart disease.
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) affect approximately one in four people living with HIV, causing symptoms such as memory loss and cognitive decline. Researchers have found elevated levels of microRNAs affecting brain development, providing a potential biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.
A University of Alberta study found that patients receiving 24/7 intensivist physician care had a lower risk of major complications and readmission compared to those cared for by resident physicians. Patients also experienced less time on mechanical ventilation and fewer surgical postponements.
A University of Alberta pilot program taught important lessons in maintaining good mental health to over 6,000 youth in Red Deer schools. The EMPATHY program significantly lessened cases of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
The EV-FPS test correctly identifies men with aggressive prostate cancer 40% more accurately than current PSA tests. It has the potential to eliminate up to 600-thousand unnecessary biopsies and reduce hospitalizations annually in North America.
A study by UAlberta researchers found that 70% of home blood pressure monitor readings are unacceptably inaccurate, which could lead to serious implications for people relying on them. The team advises comparing measurements with clinical readings and taking multiple readings.
A study published in Pathogens and Global Health found that maternal education significantly reduces the risk of childhood malaria. Children whose mothers received primary education had a 17% prevalence rate, while those with higher levels of education had even lower rates.
A University of Alberta study found that women with atrial fibrillation have a 40% higher risk of dying within a month of hospital discharge compared to men. The study analyzed data from 21,062 Albertans and controlled for factors such as age and health-related variables.
A University of Alberta study found that babies from pet households had higher levels of microbes linked to lower allergy and obesity risks. Exposure to pets in the womb or after birth increased abundance of bacteria Ruminococcus and Oscillospira, which have been linked to reduced childhood allergies and obesity.
Researchers at U of A have identified a potential target for treating multiple sclerosis by discovering an underlying defect in brain cells. The study found that two sub-components within a cell are miscommunicating in patients with MS, triggering dysfunction and toxicity for brain cells.
Tom Hobman's lab has been awarded $500,000 to investigate how the Zika virus changes host cells during infection and develop antiviral therapies. The team aims to understand the virus's persistence in the body and potentially block it to prevent transmission.
Researchers at the University of Alberta found that feeding obese mice with resveratrol altered their gut microbiome, improving glucose tolerance. Fecal transplants from healthy mice also showed rapid and dramatic effects on blood sugar levels in obese mice.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a molecule that works to restore balance to pathways responsible for chronic and acute heart failure. The new drug, developed through genetic mapping technology, has shown safety and efficacy in phase II clinical trials.
Scientists at the University of Alberta have developed synthetic DNA motors that can be used for improved disease detection and drug delivery. The nanomachines demonstrate the potential for early diagnosis and targeted release of drugs within patients, resulting in fewer side effects.
A UAlberta study found that AC253 improves memory and learning in mice with Alzheimer's-like symptoms, reducing amyloid levels and inflammation in the brain. Further studies are needed to optimize dosage and effectiveness.
The new e-tool has strong potential to encourage parents to make healthy lifestyle changes for their children, improving their diet and activity habits. Almost half of participating parents said they used the resources they selected from the tool.
A University of Alberta study found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) decrease capecitabine's effectiveness in gastric cancer treatment, reducing progression-free survival by over a month and overall survival by two months. PPIs can also affect colorectal cancer treatment efficacy.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new technique that uses focused ultrasound and nanoparticles to enhance cancer biomarker detection in blood samples. This non-invasive method has been shown to be as accurate as traditional biopsies, with potential applications for personalized medicine.
A team of scientists at the University of Alberta has discovered a protein marker, PDGFRA, that can help diagnose and treat aggressive papillary thyroid cancer. This finding could lead to more targeted treatments and reduce the need for unnecessary surgeries.
A pivotal Phase III clinical study is exploring the impact of vericiguat on patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The trial aims to assess whether adding vericiguat to standard treatment can improve heart and vascular function, reducing the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization.
A new study identifies a previously unknown 'off-switch' for cancer based on the protein TMX1, which can slow down tumor growth and promote resistance to cell death mechanisms. This breakthrough offers hope for developing new therapeutic approaches and improving chemotherapy efficiency.
Scientists at the University of Alberta have identified the structure of the infectious prion protein, a misfolded protein causing BSE, Chronic Wasting Disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. The breakthrough study uses electron cryomicroscopy technology to reveal how infectious prions replicate and propagate.
A Canadian study discovered that a specific kind of bile acid can prevent cardiac fibrosis, a condition leading to heart failure. Researchers are now exploring the therapeutic effect in humans and aiming to understand the molecular mechanisms behind this breakthrough.
A new solar-powered oxygen delivery system, developed by UAlberta, is providing concentrated oxygen to children with severe pneumonia in Ugandan hospitals. The system, which uses solar energy and batteries, has shown to be as effective as conventional oxygen delivery methods.
A historic $54.5M donation from hospital foundations will propel women's and children's health research, improving outcomes through peer-reviewed grants, researcher recruitment, and incubator services. The University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is a key partner in this transformative gift.
A recent review by University of Alberta researchers found little evidence to support the benefits of vitamin D supplementation for various health conditions. Strongest effects were seen in reducing falls and fractures among the elderly. Moderate supplementation is unlikely to cause harm but will not lead to significant health benefits.
The Alberta Diabetes Institute has awarded $600,000 in funding to support diabetes research projects with high commercialization potential. The funding will accelerate the development of healthcare technologies in Alberta, a province known for life-changing research on diabetes.
A recent study found that mothers who consumed more fruit during pregnancy gave birth to children with better cognitive development. The study, led by University of Alberta researcher Piush Mandhane, discovered that increased prenatal fruit intake was associated with higher IQ scores in one-year-old infants.
The four-week intervention program significantly reduces psychological impacts of child sexual abuse, with a 25% reduction in PTSD scores and fewer children experiencing depression and anxiety. The Be Brave Ranch offers comprehensive treatment to child survivors, providing individual and group therapies alongside peer support.
Dr. Harissios Vliagoftis has been appointed as the GSK-CIHR Chair in Airway Inflammation, focusing on protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) research to help patients with asthma breathe easier. His work aims to develop biomarkers and treatments that can minimize discomfort and side effects.
Researchers found that cancer cells can regulate the body's lipid metabolism to increase production of lipids. Minimizing liver production of LDL can deprive tumors of their constant supply and reduce growth. The study aims to test existing medications for hypercholesterolemia on patients undergoing cancer treatment.
A University of Alberta researcher has been awarded a $2.1 million grant to study the molecular pathways of cancer therapies causing heart complications. The goal is to develop new, novel therapies to prevent cardiotoxicity while maintaining cancer treatment effectiveness.