Newcomers to Canada report significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression, study finds The Globe and Mail “The report, released Monday by Mental Health Research Canada, found that up to 20 per cent of newcomers reported high levels of depression; the figure is 14 per cent for non-newcomers.” KEYWORDS: health equity, mental health, Mental Health Research Canada Patients Deserve Faster Access to Innovative New Medicines Health Insight “Long wait times for new medicines in Canada, averaging two years, hinder patient access and limit life sciences investments …” KEYWORDS: patient perspective, rare diseases, Innovative Medicines Canada Making pharmacies a stigma-free zone Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) “As someone who is prescribed opioid-based medications to deal with a lifetime of chronic pain due to a genetic condition, Kylie Payne has made going to the pharmacy a part …” KEYWORDS: patient perspective, pain management, pharmacy, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) First-of-its-kind study quantifies the impact urban and architectural design features have on adolescent mental health University of Waterloo “While the findings may not be surprising to most people, what’s significant is that for the first time, we’re able to specifically say this is how much anxiety is reduced when kids are by a park as opposed to by a city centre …” KEYWORDS: mental health, University of Waterloo ALS Canada and Brain Canada invest in future leader of ALS research with 2023 Career Transition Award HRI Portal “This award aims to develop the next generation of scientists across various disciplines within basic and clinical sciences, advance knowledge generation and translation in ALS research, and support …” KEYWORDS: Canadian research, funding, ALS Canada, Brain Canada, Université Laval

Genetic testing and treatment prevent coronary heart disease early in life Alberta Health Services “What he did not expect is to be diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic disorder that increases the likelihood of having coronary heart disease or a heart attack at a young age …” KEYWORDS: heart disease, patient perspective, Alberta Health Services May I have a quick word? Study shows talking faster is linked to better brain health as we age Baycrest “This suggests that talking speed should be tested as part of standard cognitive assessments to help clinicians detect cognitive decline faster and help older adults support their brain health as they age …” KEYWORDS: aging, Canada Research Chair, neuroscience, Baycrest, University of Toronto Arthritis Society Canada and Creative Destruction Lab partner to accelerate arthritis innovations Arthritis Society Canada “This partnership opens vast new opportunities for innovators in the arthritis space to accelerate and scale their companies, and ultimately, bring impactful solutions to the six million people …” KEYWORDS: arthritis, health innovation, Arthritis Society Canada, University of Toronto Training next-gen cancer researchers – Advancing precision therapies for tumours Canadian Cancer Society “I became really intrigued by the concept of drug resistance and learning about why and how it happens. And at the same time, I was equally interested in gaining a deeper understanding of how cancer …” KEYWORDS: cancer, early career researcher, Canadian Cancer Society, McGill University New approach to robotic mastectomy can preserve full breast and nipple sensation Breast Cancer Canada “… but most approaches still result in full sensation loss in the nipple and breast due to nerve damage from stretching and cutting the breast tissue. Until now, that is.” KEYWORDS: cancer, medtech, Breast Cancer Canada

Early trial shows efficacy of drug CFI-400945 in treating a challenging form of leukemia Princess Margaret Cancer Centre “A study from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM) has found a potential treatment for patients with relapsed or treatment-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic …” KEYWORDS: cancer, clinical trial, University Health Network Results of the 2023 Canadian Cancer Society Challenge Grants Competition Canadian Cancer Society “The grants provided through the 2023 Challenge Grants Competition support cancer research projects across the cancer continuum and across disciplines, with an ultimate goal of solving a …” KEYWORDS: cancer, Canadian research, funding, Canadian Cancer Society The Liberals and NDP say they have a pharmacare deal — so what’s left on their to-do list? CBC “The parties have reached agreements on several fronts but there are several items on the list that have yet to be completed …” KEYWORDS: pharmacare, federal budget, government Investing in the business of health research generates benefits The Hill Times “Health research is not just a funding demand, rather it is a vibrant industry worth investing in … in the fields of aerospace and electric vehicles because we nurtured innovation in those fields.” KEYWORDS: health innovation, Genome Canada, IRICoR Beyond treatment: online wellness program ‘a game-changer,’ say patients University of Alberta “Participants living with chronic conditions adopt new daily coping and movement habits after taking the 12-week EMPOWER program.” KEYWORDS: chronic illness, health care, online program, University of Alberta

Brains on a dish: Revolutionizing Parkinson’s Disease research with brain organoids McGill Reporter – McGill University “Led by Thomas Durcan, Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill and Director of the Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery …” KEYWORDS: brain health, Parkinson’s Disease, McGill University, The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) New technique can quickly detect fentanyl and other opioids University of Waterloo “University of Waterloo researchers have developed a new blood testing method that can detect potent opioids much faster than traditional approaches and potentially save lives.” KEYWORDS: addiction and substance use, fentanyl, University of Waterloo Wrist-worn heart rate monitor readings are less accurate for people with darker skin tones Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) “Wearable health monitoring devices have become omnipresent in the lives of Canadians. However, many questions have been raised about how accurate they are at measuring the vital signs and activity levels of wearers.” KEYWORDS: health equity, medtech, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), University of British Columbia Western study finds women more likely than men to suffer from long COVID Western University “A new study by Western researchers has drawn a link between higher body mass index (BMI) in women and the likelihood of long COVID, but did not find the same link in men …” KEYWORDS: long COVID, women’s health, Western University World Health Organization extends Global Strategy Lab collaboration York University “A World Health Organization Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) at York University’s Global Strategy Lab (GSL) – specializing in the global governance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) …” KEYWORDS: antimicrobial resistance (AMR), York University, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) Cancer Centre Receives Innovation Award for Remote Treatment Planning Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) “It is important to have health care services, like treatment planning, available in our region to avoid having to send our patients to other sites for treatment …” KEYWORDS: award, cancer, health care, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC)

JDRF Canada and Sanofi Canada partner to raise awareness about autoimmune type 1 diabetes and the critical role of screening in its early detection Sanofi Canada “JDRF and Sanofi Canada are announcing a partnership aimed at amplifying awareness around type 1 diabetes (T1D), a chronic autoimmune condition, and the role screening could play in the early detection of this disease.” KEYWORDS: diabetes, JDRF Canada, Sanofi Canada Lori Burrows: A microbiologist who has closely studied bacteria and antibiotic resistance McMaster University “There is really no good to way to treat these patients other than with conventional antibiotics and because these infections are never completely resolved, people with CF are repeatedly …” KEYWORDS: antimicrobial resistance (AMR), artificial intelligence, cystic fibrosis, McMaster University Breakthrough in managing liver-related autoimmune disease University Health Network “A UHN-led clinical trial is making important waves in the fight against primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), offering hope to those living with this progressive and often debilitating condition with no known cure.” KEYWORDS: Canadian research, clinical trial, University Health Network Researchers seek clues to how monkeypox virus may infiltrate brain cells University of Alberta “University of Alberta team first to examine possible pathway for neurological symptoms associated with global outbreak of mpox disease …” KEYWORDS: brain health, monkeypox virus, University of Alberta Stress is higher for women in long-term relationships Université de Montréal “In long-time couples, women are more affected than men by the cumulative effects of stress as measured by the physiological indicator known as allostatic load, a U.S.-Canada study suggests …” KEYWORDS: mental health, women’s health, Université de Montréal UPCOMING Virtual Event: Rare Diseases in Canada Hosted by the Honourable Senator Marie-Françoise Mégie | February 27, 2024 Research Canada “This gathering, held in celebration of Rare Disease Day 2024, brings together leading researchers, health innovation stakeholders, and policy makers to shine a spotlight on the impact sustained research and innovation can have. With the event host the Honourable Senator Marie-Françoise Mégie and special guest the Honourable Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia, this promises to be an engaging event you won’t want to miss.”  

Federal Minister of Health tables the 2022 Annual Report of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board Government of Canada “The Honourable Mark Holland, Federal Minister of Health, today tabled the 2022 Annual Report of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) with the Clerks of the Senate and the House of Commons.” KEYWORDS: Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB), Government of Canada uOttawa scientists develop novel radiotracer for earlier detection of disease University of Ottawa “For the first time, we can see where fructose, a common dietary sugar, is used in the body. Outside of the kidneys and the liver, fructose metabolism in any other organs may point to a sinister problem …” KEYWORDS: cancer, Canadian research, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Heart Institute Researchers are using RNA in a new approach to fight HIV University of Waterloo “This is the first research to develop a combination nanomedicine that can reactivate autophagy and prevent HIV entry into cells, allowing our body to re-initiate its defence system.” KEYWORDS: HIV, innovative research, University of Waterloo Preventing Cervical Cancer Starts Here Roche Canada “With self-sampling, an individual with a cervix can now privately collect their vaginal sample following instructions provided by a healthcare worker. This option helps reduce various burdens for cervical screening.” KEYWORDS: cancer, women’s health, Roche Canada FUNDING OPPORTUNITY Canadian Nuclear Research Initiative: Health (CNRI-H) | Deadline March 11, 2024 Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) “The CNRI-H program was developed by CNL to further the realization of its mission by making its expertise, experience and capabilities available and accessible to the healthcare community to advance new life saving radiopharmaceutical therapies. On Thursday, February 22, 2024, CNL will be hosting a live webinar to provide an overview of CNRI-H for organizations interested in applying. To register for the webinar, visit www.cnl.ca/RSVP.”  

Sinai Health team enlists AI to untangle cellular diversity Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute “Sinai Health researchers have developed a novel computational workflow that promises to streamline the identification of cell types, potentially accelerating advances in personalized medicine …” KEYWORDS: artificial intelligence, Canadian research, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health McMaster and ALK researchers discover new cell that remembers allergies McMaster University “We’ve discovered a type of memory B cell that had unique characteristics and a unique gene signature that has not been described before …” KEYWORDS: allergy, Canadian research, genetics, McMaster University Study aims to rehab stroke rehabilitation programs University of Windsor “According to the study, while patients are in rehabilitation, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists are key members whose services are measured in such outcomes.” KEYWORDS: rehabilitation and recovery, stroke, University of Windsor Locally developed platform improving access to patient care Nova Scotia Health “In order for us to accelerate the development of new treatments, technologies and solutions that ensure Nova Scotia is able to lead in world-class care, we must move quickly to identify potential solutions …” KEYWORDS: health care, primary care provider, Nova Scotia Health MS drug boosts cancer-fighting virus in lab models Ottawa Hospital Research Institute “Cancer-fighting viruses have shown promise in laboratory models and clinical trials, but researchers are still working to optimize these innovative therapies …” KEYWORDS: cancer, clinical trial, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute ELREXFIO™ is authorized by Health Canada for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in Canada Pfizer Canada “When it comes to treating myeloma, each case must be assessed individually. What works for one patient may not work for another. This is why it’s so important that people living with the disease have …” KEYWORDS: cancer, drug discovery, Pfizer Canada