Novel protocol captures autism voices across the spectrum Neuro “Visual aids and other strategies make it possible to interview young autistic people with communication challenges and to draw out valuable responses for research purposes” TAGS: autism, Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University Health Centre New study shines light on Dravet syndrome, a form of epilepsy UHN “It wasn’t until 2020, at the age of 23, that Jayde was finally diagnosed with Dravet syndrome under the care of Dr. Danielle Andrade, a neurologist and the Director of the Krembil Brain Institute Adult Genetic Epilepsy (AGE) Program.” TAGS: diagnosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, University Health Network Broad Approaches to Psychotherapy for Individuals with FASD CanFASD Blog “When mental health needs aren’t met, individuals with FASD may experience additional adversity which has significant personal, social, and economic costs for the individual, their family, and the wider community.” TAGS: mental health, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, CanFASD A first promising use of CRISPR-Cas-Editing technology in silencing human PCSK9 gene expression IRCM “The single-AAV-ABE systems described yield robust editing efficiencies in vivo, facilitating therapeutically relevant levels of editing in liver, heart, and muscle tissue at moderate doses of AAV.” TAGS: CRISPR-editing, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Medicine McMaster clinical medicine ranks among the best in the world McMaster Daily News “McMaster’s clinical medicine program ranked 47th in the world, and 2nd in Canada.” TAGS: medicine, clinical research, McMaster University

Should parents delay kids’ second COVID vaccine? Here’s what the research says Nature “Canada and the United States have approved mRNA vaccines for children as young as six … But the vaccines, made by Pfizer–BioNTech and Moderna, …” TAGS: mRNA-vaccine, pediatric health, Pfizer Snyder Institute researchers discover new approach to healing skin infections and wounds UCalgary News “Findings offer new insight into why patients with diabetes and obesity may have difficulty healing …” TAGS: metabolic hormones, tissue repair, University of Calgary Single-patient gene therapy clinical trial at SickKids carves a path for Precision Child Health SickKids News “A SickKids team of doctors and researchers conducted a gene therapy clinical trial for a child with SPG50, one of the first examples of individualized genetic medicine.” TAGS: gene therapy, clinical trial, SickKids Research chair in vascular and metabolic inflammation awarded to Heart Institute scientist University of Ottawa Heart Institute “In addition to concurrent sources of external funding, the chair will receive $125,000 over five years.” TAGS: heart health, Research Chair, University of Ottawa Heart Institute Mood Disorders Society of Canada announces their 2022 National Awards Program MDSC “Nominations for awards will open Monday, August 15, 2022 and submissions will be accepted up to Monday, October 3, 2022.” TAGS: mental health, anti-stigma activities, Mood Disorders Society of Canada

Study: medical equipment shown to provide inaccurate readings for non-white patients PortageOnline.com “University of Manitoba professors are making headlines around the world for a recent discovery that a frequently used medical care device provides …” TAGS: supplemental oxygen, medical care devices, racial bias, University of Manitoba Old drug, new trick: Researchers find combining antiviral drugs and antibody therapy could … Brighter World – McMaster University “Researchers at McMaster University have found a class of well-known antiviral drugs could be part of a one-two punch to treat seasonal influenza …” TAGS: antiviral drugs, universal flu vaccine, McMaster University New study further demonstrates COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are safe during pregnancy BC Children’s Hospital RI “… found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are safe to use in pregnancy, and that pregnant people experienced lower rates of health events post-vaccination than similarly aged, non-pregnant vaccinated people.” TAGS: COVID-19, Provincial Health Services Authority, BC Children’s Hospital, University o British Columbia Quest to deliver — Memorial a partner in accelerating precision medicine in Atlantic Canada Eastern Health’s Storyline “Atlantic researchers – including those at Memorial University – are receiving $3.6 million in new provincial and national funding focused on cancer research.” TAGS: cancer research, Eastern Health, Memorial University Saskatchewan waste water teams consider testing for polio, monkeypox | The Star Phoenix The Star Phoenix “The University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina began testing programmes for COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic, …” TAGS: polio, monkeypox, University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina

Killing two birds with one stone: Eliminating tuberculosis while saving money MUHC “A study led by a team at the RI-MUHC suggests that expanding the use of preventive tuberculosis treatments would be economically viable, particularly in low-income countries where there are also many people living with HIV.” TAGS: tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre Disrupted gender roles – Traumatic brain injury recovery UHN “A new study led by researchers at UHN’s KITE Research Institute explores how gender shapes the experiences of individuals and their caregivers after traumatic brain injury.” TAGS: traumatic brain injury, brain injury rehabilitation, gender roles, University Health Network UM researchers to develop COVID-19 resources related to kids coming to Emergency UM Today – University of Manitoba “A University of Manitoba project aimed at providing emergency department health-care professionals with the latest information about conditions …” TAGS: emergency health-care, COVID-19, University of Manitoba New online hub designed to be a lifesaver for Albertans experiencing domestic abuse Folio “First-of-its-kind tool uses research and artificial intelligence to constantly improve users’ search for resources and information.” TAGS: artificial intelligence, innovative research, domestic abuse, University of Alberta A passion for providing the best care for patients and enhancing access to health care Nova Scotia Health “Our Innovation Hub leads research, innovation, and discovery within Nova Scotia’s healthcare system to deliver high-impact solutions for patients and providers.” TAGS: nursing, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health

Toronto boy whose parents raised $3M to treat his rare genetic disorder starts clinical trial CBC “This past March doctors at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto began a one-dose therapy in part of a groundbreaking clinical trial where …” TAGS: neurodegenerative disorder, clinical trial, Hospital for Sick Children Saliva-based COVID-19 test approved by Health Canada could reduce discomfort of nasal swab CBC “Dr. Santiago Perez, an infectious diseases physician and assistant professor at Queen’s University, said he could see the test being incredibly …” TAGS: saliva-based PCR, COVID-19, Health Canada, Queen’s University Baycrest to launch innovative new care delivery model for people living with dementia Baycrest “… Pamela & Paul Austin Centre for Neurology and Behavioural Support to help the estimated 430,000 Ontarians who will be living with dementia and other degenerative brain conditions by 2038, and their caregivers.” TAGS: dementia research, predictive neuroscience, Baycrest New funding supports national kidney research group The Daily Scan “A Canadian kidney research organization that has strong ties to Providence Health Care has received a new $11.8 million investment to support its work through 2027.” TAGS: kidney health, Providence Health Care, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Polio is back on the radar of Canadian health officials. Here’s why Toronto Star “… disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic that has led to children missing routine immunizations, or vaccine hesitancy fuelled by pandemic misinformation, could leave some vulnerable …” TAGS: immunization, COID-19, polio, McMaster University COVID-19 vaccine side-effects less likely in pregnant people, says study CTV News “The researchers asked participants to report “significant health events” that were serious enough to make them miss school or work, seek medical …” TAGS: pregnancy, COVID-19, BC Children’s Hospital, Canadian National Vaccine Safety Network

New study testing whether virtual groups can improve well-being in older adults Lawson Health Research Institute “Online meaning-centered groups are a promising approach developed by a research team led by Dr. Marnin Heisel, a Lawson Scientist, Clinical Psychologist and Professor at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University.” TAGS: mental health, COVID-19, Lawson Health Research Institute, Western University Patient says ‘I’m still here’ thanks to lung cancer screening UHN “To be referred for Ontario’s Lung Screening Program for people at high risk, applicants must be aged 55 to 74, and have smoked cigarettes daily for at least 20 years, though not necessarily consecutively.” TAGS: lung cancer, Ontario Lung Cancer Screening Program, University Health Network Study shows annual screening before age 50 leads to lower proportions of advanced breast cancer OHRI “Researchers from the University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital show earlier routine mammograms impact health outcomes in women aged 40 to 59.” TAGS: breast cancer screening, Canadian Cancer Registry, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Hamilton General Hospital ED shows `Epic’ ability to rise to the challenge Hamilton Health Sciences “It was trial by fire for the emergency department (ED) team, who had just gained access to the new Epic hospital information system for the first time when these two patients came through their doors.” TAGS: emergency department, patient safety, Hamilton Health Sciences New U of C study aims to help kids beat COVID-19 vaccine needle fear MSN “A new University of Calgary study aims to arm parents with tools to help … New U of C study aims to help kids beat COVID-19 vaccine needle fear.” TAGS: pediatric vaccinations, COVID-19, University of Calgary People with Autoimmune Arthritis at Greater Risk of Severe COVID Newswire.CA “Arthritis Research Canada is leading research aimed at arthritis prevention, early diagnosis, new and better treatment, and improved quality of life.” TAGS: autoimmune rheumatic diseases, rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada

Going for gold: Researchers open the blood-brain barrier for better drug delivery ALS Canada “One of the most important safeguards in our bodies is the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Created by tightly interlocked vessel wall cells, the barrier prevents viruses and other microscopic…” TAGS: drug delivery, innovative research, ALS Canada, Sunnybrook Research Institute Michener’s Clinical Education team innovates with new health care strategies Michener “Climate change toll on Canadians’ health to cost hundreds of billions of … While the new Pfizer-Valneva vaccine also targets the OspA protein, …” TAGS: MRI machine, clinical placements, Michener Institute of Education at UHN, Pfizer Almost A Third Of Patients Don’t Take Drugs As Directed Pocket PC Medicine “In a study that examined more than 200,000 patients and 91,000 unique prescriptions, overall nonadherence rates ranged from 13.7% for patients prescribed antidepressants to …” TAGS: prescription medications, Pharmacare, University of Manitoba Major test of first possible Lyme vaccine in 20 years begins – CTV News CTV News “Climate change toll on Canadians’ health to cost hundreds of billions of … While the new Pfizer-Valneva vaccine also targets the OspA protein, …” TAGS: antibodies, Lyme disease vaccine, Pfizer Studying the power of inclusive language in health care Brighter World “In reproductive care, gendered language is quite common and can serve as a barrier to accessing help and healing for some people, says Beth Murray-Davis.” TAGS: midwifery, reproductive health, McMaster University BD, Labcorp Collaborate to Develop Flow Cytometry-Based Companion Diagnostics for Matching Patients with Treatments BD “Companies combine key capabilities to advance flow cytometry as an essential companion diagnostic modality for cancer and other diseases …” TAGS: flow cytometry, cancer, diagnostics, BD