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
Global News: University of Alberta podcast aims to get curious kids listening
The University of Alberta's Surgery 101-the free surgery podcasts that have garnered huge followings over the past 10 years-is aiming to spark career interest much earlier with its new podcast series, Surgery ABCs. The Department of Surgery's Jenni Marshall and medical student Natalie Marsden are interviewed.
The New York Times: Women at Breast Implant Hearing Call for Disclosure of Safety Risks
Women with illnesses linked to breast implants challenged plastic surgeons, regulators and implant makers at an emotionally charged meeting at the Food and Drug Administration, demanding more information about the risks of the implants and calling for a ban on one that is associated with an unusual type of cancer. Jan Willem Cohen Tervaert, a professor of medicine at the U of A, gave expert testimony at the meeting. Coverage also appears in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, MedTech Dive and SurvivorNet.
The Conversation: Why sleep training will not hurt your child
Stephanie Liu, a clinical lecturer in the Department of Family Medicine, pens a column about why sleep training for a baby isn't a bad thing.
RESEARCH
Moms.com: How Well Your Baby Sleeps Might Be Linked To Your Education, And Birth Experience
A new U of A study analyzing data from Canadian parents has found that babies sleep less at 3 months of age if their mothers do not have a university degree, experienced depression during pregnancy, or had an emergency cesarean-section delivery. Coverage also appears in Sleep Review.
Medgadget: Tea Bag Implant Protects Islet Cells While Letting Insulin Flow Out
Researchers at University of Arizona working with collaborators at Novo Nordisk and the U of A, are perfecting a new device that can generate insulin from within the body. Greg Korbutt, a professor of surgery at the U of A, is a member of the team. Coverage also appears in KGUB News.
World Health: Saliva Test Showing Promise For Early Detection Of AD
Three biomarkers that indicate Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment have been identified by researchers from the U of A, findings which may be groundbreaking if proven worthy of use in clinical settings. Liang Li, a professor of biochemistry at the U of A, is quoted.
Ladders: How you can improve your emotional well being with this one activity
In this story noting the health benefits of light exposure, a U of A study is referenced that showed increased instances of weight gain during the winter months, in part due to the absence of light.
Wired: Synthetic biology could bring a pox on us all
Many health officials and researchers believe there's a pressing need for a better smallpox vaccine. It's this mission that possesses David Evans, a veteran virologist at the U of A.
CTV Edmonton: CTV News at Five
Experimental combined drug therapy shows promise in preventing tumours from growing and spreading. Armin Gamper, assistant professor of oncology at the U of A, is interviewed. Story runs in Edmonton and Calgary (at 18:50 in the video). Coverage also appears in World Pharma News.
EXPERT
Spectrum: Does vitamin use in pregnancy alter autism risk? Maybe, maybe not
Younger siblings of children with autism are less likely to be diagnosed with the disorder if their mothers take prenatal vitamins during the first month of pregnancy, a new study suggests. U of A pediatrics professor Lonnie Zwaigenbaum gives expert comment.
StarMetro Edmonton: Edmonton needs a dedicated health clinic for refugees, advocates say
Stan Houston, an infectious disease specialist at the U of A and a member of the refugee coalition, said refugees have unique and complicated needs that require special attention and care.
CTV News Edmonton: Mandel makes vaccines promise
Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel has promised to make vaccinations of school children mandatory if elected premier in the upcoming provincial election. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious disease specialist at the U of A, gives expert comment.
660 News: Why you shouldn't ignore bleeding gums
Liran Levin, a professor of dentistry at the U of A, comments that bleeding gums may be a sign of inflammation that can lead to bone loss, tooth loss and even cardiovascular disease. No link.
Neuroscientist Vivian Mushahwar and neurosurgeon Richard Fox discuss an experimental technique called epidural stimulation implant, which injured Humboldt Broncos player Ryan Straschnitzki will undergo in hopes of walking again.
Good Times Magazine: Is Cannabis for You?
Researchers know something about the risks and benefits of medical cannabis, but there remains a great deal they don't know. Mike Allan, a professor of family medicine at the U of A, gives expert comment.
Can breast implants trigger chronic illness and even cause cancer? Advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration were to revisit the debate during hearings in late March. The FDA panel was slated to hear from Jan Willem Cohen Tervaert, a professor of medicine at the U of A.
CBC News: Guggenheim no longer accepting money from Sackler opioid manufacturing family
The New York museum is latest to reject billionaire family's patronage due to prescription drug connection. Hakique Virani, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the U of A, says it's taken a lengthy period of time for cultural institutions to "connect the dots."
Edmonton Journal: Letters to the Editor: Warnings about laser therapy
Cathy Flood, Jane Schulz and Momoe Hyakutake with the U of A's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology express concern about an earlier article promoting laser therapy to treat vaginal atrophy.
CBC Radio: Is it fair to restrict patients to one issue per clinic visit?
Lee Green, professor and chair of the U of A's Department of Family Medicine, offers his thoughts on the topic. (No link)
The List: Why the perfect 'body type' is always changing
What's considered "perfect" today might not be seen that way tomorrow, as trends come and go over the years, with specific body traits rising and falling in popularity. Arya Sharma, a professor of medicine at the U of A, is interviewed.
PEOPLE, PARTNERSHIPS AND EDUCATION
Edmonton Journal: Doctor suspended six months, must pay $28,000 for inappropriately touching student
Subrata Chakravarty, a clinical associate professor and anesthesiologist who had been working in both Westlock and at the Sturgeon Hospital in St. Albert, has lost his licence for six months after admitting to professional misconduct for inappropriately touching a medical student and inviting her to sleep in his bed. Coverage also appears in The Gateway.
The Peninsula: Stroke-related mortality rate down by 50% in Qatar
Maher Saqqur, a clinical professor of neurology and medicine at the U of A is quoted in a story about the improved care of stroke patients at Hamad General Hospital in Qatar. Saqqur is the director of neurology at the hospital.
Everything Grande Prairie: GPRC honours community members at President's Award Luncheon
U of A medical student Joren Manz was a recipient of the Steps to the Greater Alumni Award in Grande Prairie.
Edmonton Journal: Full House lottery dollars to help fund Alzheimer's research, cancer surgery
This year's lottery dollars will help researchers at the University of Alberta get closer to developing a treatment to help restore memory in Alzheimer's patients.
The Barrhead Leader: Barrhead welcomes 56 University of Alberta health profession students
Over the weekend of March 9-10, 56 U of A health profession students visited Barrhead to learn new skills from health professionals and get a taste of what small-town life is like. The visit was hosted by Barrhead's physician attraction and retention committee, along with the Rural Health Professions Action Plan.
Star Metro Edmonton: New book celebrates 81-year history of Al Rashid, Canada's oldest mosque
A new book by the Department of Family Medicine's Earle Waugh chronicles the history of the mosque and Edmonton's Muslim community. Waugh said he hopes to change the prevalent narrative of Muslim migration in the media, which paints the community as closed off to wider Canadian society.
Times Colonist: Pharmacare criticism doesn't stand up
In a letter to the editor, Edwin Daniel, professor emeritus in pharmacology at the U of A, disputes claims made in a previous letter by Kristina Acri from the Fraser Institute that pharmacare would hurt more patients than it helps.
Graduate students from the University of Alberta are on a mission to improve the lives of Edmonton's homeless community, with a focus on health care and easing pressure on emergency rooms. U of A professor of emergency medicine Louis Francescutti and grad student Sadaf Ekhlas with the School of Public Health are interviewed.