This is a round-up of relevant news and media stories involving the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. We appreciate you relaying information which is relevant to faculty members in your respective areas.
TOP STORIES
New research by U of A pediatrician and Alberta Respiratory Centre clinical co-director Piush Mandhane suggests that infants who have poor sleep habits are more likely to experience developmental delays. Coverage also appears on Global News, CityNews and in CBC News, Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Sun.
Health Imaging: Machine learning IDs schizophrenia via MRI with 78% accuracy
A machine-learning algorithm trained to analyze MRI images identified schizophrenia patients with 78 per cent accuracy, according to a recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry. The research was led by Bo Cao, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the U of A. Coverage also appears in New Kerala, Science Daily, PsychCentral, MedicalResearch.com, Technology Networks, Healio, BGR, News Medical and others.
CBC News: Edmonton doctors, nurses help children with heart disease make summer camp memories
Several children with congenital heart disease attended the first-ever Little Heart Heroes camp, a day camp for children aged four to seven who have recently been discharged from the Stollery. The camp was created by U of A pediatric resident Devin Chetan.
RESEARCH
Business Standard: New compounds identified to treat Zika virus
A new chemical compound has shown promising antiviral activity that has a major potential for treating Zika virus. Fred West, chemistry professor in the U of A's Faculty of Science and co-director of the Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta (CRINA) led the study with collaborators Tom Hobman and David Marchant from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. Story also appears in Star Edmonton and on CityNews and Global News.
St. Albert Gazette: Researchers learn more about anxiety
The University of Alberta has made a breakthrough in the field of anxiety. William Colmers, a professor of pharmacology at the U of A, is interviewed.
Arkansas News: How to stay healthy in a public pool
Public pools and swim parks offer hours of affordable summer fun. Unfortunately, sometimes densely populated pools can equal germs galore. A University of Alberta study is referenced. Story also runs in other U.S. newspapers. Related coverage appears on AccuWeather and Bustle.
Researchers at the U of A are studying the relationship between perimenopause and fluctuating brain chemical levels in women experiencing depression in hopes of finding an effective treatment plan. Professor of psychiatry Jean Michel Le Melledo is directing the research team and grad student Jessica Luki is interviewed.
Home Preparedness News: Report outlines biological and chemical dangers to United States
In this story on how the U.S. government can create the infrastructure needed to counteract the threat of chemical or biological attacks, U of A research is mentioned in which scientists outlined in a publication how they synthetically assembled horsepox.
Edgy Labs: U.K. Bioethics Organization says Gene Editing the DNA of Babies is OK
A renowned U.K. ethics council has deemed that gene-editing the DNA of unborn babies is not unethical. Many researchers today believe that they would be able to get around the accuracy problems associated with gene editing and that someday, successful human DNA editing would become a reality. The story notes a recent study conducted by researchers from the U of A that details how the accuracy of CRISPR/Cas9 can be improved.
A pouch that's implanted under the skin has the potential to 'cure' diabetes, say researchers. Research from a 2011 study at the U of A is discussed.
Edmonton Journal: Maternal blood clues may help end stillbirth: University of Alberta researchers
New biomarkers found in maternal blood may help doctors prevent stillbirth, shows new research at the U of A. Using a mass spectrometer to examine maternal blood, David Wishart, a professor of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, and colleagues identified four chemicals that showed up consistently in mothers who experienced stillbirth.
EXPERT
Chatelaine: What Can Your Poop Tell You About Your Digestive Health?
U of A gastroenterologist Karen Kroeker provides answers in a service piece about what your bowel movements can reveal about your digestive health.
Why do foot cramps happen? Scott Garrison, as associate professor with the U of A's Department of Family Medicine, explains.
Global News: Routine dental exam uncovers life-threatening disease for Alberta girl
An Athabasca girl is alive and well thanks to a trip to the dentist. The teenager was in horrible pain and no one could figure out why.
Reader's Digest - Best Health: How to help a loved one with an eating disorder
U of A assistant clinical professor of psychiatry Lara Ostolosky says women who are in danger of serious health issues due to their eating disorders need immediate medical assistance.
Edmonton Journal: Opinion: Latimer pardon request stirs up nightmare for disabled
Op-ed by Heidi Janz, an assistant adjunct professor with the John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, on what Robert Latimer's seeking of a re-trial or pardon means for Canadians with disabilities. Also runs in The Province.
The Globe and Mail: Children are being harmed by food additives, U.S. pediatric association warns
A major U.S. pediatrics association is warning that many chemicals used to colour, preserve or package food pose dangers to children and that the regulatory system must be overhauled to protect young people. Irena Buka, a clinical professor of pediatrics at the U of A, comments in the article.
CBC News: Why there's finally a drug for smallpox even though the disease no longer exists
In a story about why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced approval of a new drug for smallpox-a disease which has supposedly been eradicated-David Evans, a professor of immunology at the U of A, gives expert comment saying a big concern is the advent of synthetic viruses. Evans' own research has shown it's possible to re-create the horsepox virus-which is closely related to smallpox.
PEOPLE, PARTNERSHIPS AND EDUCATION
630 CHED: Program seeks to increase preventive behaviour in patients
U of A Family medicine physician and professor Donna Manca discusses BETTER, a joint U of A / U of T-designed program to train health-care professionals for prevention and screening of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and their associated lifestyle factors, and on developing a personalized chronic disease screening and prevention plan for each patient. Interview also broadcast on AM770 Calgary. No link.
630 CHED: Starlight Performance Camp
U of A medical student Morgan Penrod speaks about the Starlight Performance Camp, a free event put on for kids living with chronic illness or disability. Throughout the camp kids will gain confidence in themselves as they learn various performing arts and skills in the areas of gymnastics, dance, cheerleading and fashion. Coverage also appears in the St. Albert Gazette and on Global News Edmonton, Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, News i880 and CBC Radio.
Philly.com: Johnson and Johnson picks Penn for research node
Work is underway on a "JLABS POD" telecom "networking hub" connecting University of Pennsylvania researchers and area start-ups to funders and scientists at Johnson & Johnson, the New Jersey-based drug and medical-supply giant. The Penn JPOD, and another at the U of A, are a step below the nine JLABS research and startup centers that J&J has opened in venture capital hotbeds such as the San Francisco and Boston areas, New York, Austin and Shanghai. Related coverage appears on Business Insider and Healthcare IT News.
Sundre Roundup: Moose and Squirrel welcomes new full-time physician
Anthony Willmot, the newest general practitioner at a Sundre medical clinic, became convinced during the course of his student residency in the town that it's a community to call home. The opportunity to pursue a residency in Sundre came to his attention in 2016 during a presentation by Dr. Rob Warren in Red Deer, where Willmot was at the time enrolled in the University of Alberta's rural family medicine two-year training program.
CBC News: Indigenous elder mentorship program leads to healthier babies in Wetaskiwin area
The Elder's Mentoring Program is a community-based program organized through a partnership between the Maskwacis community and the U of A. It was developed over several years of community engagement led by Richard Oster, an adjunct assistant professor with the U of A's Department of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.