Older women with urinary tract infections who are taking the commonly prescribed antibiotic nitrofurantoin are more likely to experience treatment failure, resulting in a second antibiotic prescription or a hospital visit, than if they received another antibiotic, according to research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). More than 25% of older adults have low … [Read more...]
Weight loss in obese adults can reduce severity of asthma: A Study
A Canadian study published in the June issue of the journal CHEST found weight loss reduced asthma severity as measured by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in obese adults. The incidence of asthma is 1.47 times higher in obese people than nonobese people, and a three-unit increase in body mass index is associated with a 35% increase in the risk of asthma. The study supports the … [Read more...]
New treatment for Lou Gehrig’s disease: A Canadian Study
A previously unknown link between the immune system and the death of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, has been discovered by scientists at the CHUM Research Centre and the University of Montreal. The finding paves the way to a whole new approach for finding a drug that can cure or at least slow the progression of such … [Read more...]
Researcher finds treatment of cancer pain: A Canadian Study
A new study led by University of Toronto researcher Dr. David Lam has discovered the trigger behind the most severe forms of cancer pain. Released in the journal Pain this month, the study points to TMPRSS2 as the culprit: a gene that is also responsible for some of the most aggressive forms of androgen-fuelled cancers. Head of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Faculty … [Read more...]
Ginkgo biloba, an herbal dietary supplement de-mystified: A Canadian Study
Dr. Damon Little, Associate Curator of Bioinformatics in the Cullman Program for Molecular Systematics at The New York Botanical Garden, has just published a new study in the journal Genome investigating the use of DNA barcoding to test the authenticity of Ginkgo biloba (G. biloba), an herbal dietary supplement sold to consumers that is purported to boost cognitive capacity. … [Read more...]
Link between Infant gut bacteria and food sensitization: A Canadian Study
A new study from Canadian researchers at the University of Alberta and University of Manitoba is shedding new light on changes in intestinal bacteria of infants that can predict future development of food allergies or asthma. The research, published in the February edition of the journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy and highlighted as the publication's "Editor's … [Read more...]
Food allergies can be transmitted from blood products to children in rare cases: A Canadian Study
In rare cases, children can develop anaphylactic allergies to previously tolerated foods after receiving blood products via transfusion, report the authors of a case study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). "It is very unusual to identify someone who experienced passive transfer of allergy from blood products," says Dr. Julia Upton, The Hospital for … [Read more...]
Exposure to air pollution in the first year of life increases risk for allergies: A Canadian Study
New research from the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) study shows that exposure to outdoor air pollution during the first year of life increases the risk of developing allergies to food, mould, pets and pests. The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, showed that the sensitivity to allergens was associated with exposure … [Read more...]
Researchers develop world’s most sensitive test to detect infectious disease, super-bugs: A Canadian Study
Infectious diseases such as hepatitis C and some of the world's deadliest superbugs--C. difficile and MRSA among them--could soon be detected much earlier by a unique diagnostic test, designed to easily and quickly identify dangerous pathogens. Researchers at McMaster University have developed a new way to detect the smallest traces of metabolites, proteins or fragments of … [Read more...]
Effect of marijuana on weight gain: A Canadian Study
While cannabis alters the functions of neurobiological circuits controlling appetite, its effect on weight gain is complex since several factors appear to be involved, says Didier Jutras-Aswad, University of Montreal professor and researcher at the CHUM Research Centre. "It is known -- and often reported by users -- that cannabis causes temporary increase in appetite. As to … [Read more...]
Witnessing parental domestic violence as a child linked to Migraines as an adult: A Canadian Study
A study has confirmed that children who witnessing parental domestic violence as a child may have migraines when they grow old as an adult. Adults who were exposed to childhood adversity, including witnessing parental domestic violence, childhood physical and sexual abuse have higher odds of experiencing migraine headaches in adulthood, according to a new study from researchers … [Read more...]
Aerobic exercise, weights best for obese older adults: Study Canada
The combination of moderate aerobic exercise and resistance training offers the best results as a strategy to lower the risk of diabetes while increasing mobility and functional capacity in obese older adults, a new study says. The work, by researchers from Queen's University in Kingston, showed seniors who followed the exercise regime while eating a healthy diet saw … [Read more...]