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 STORY
A study by Carmen Young, assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the U of A, found that although the number of women with a previous cesarean delivery increased from 2003 to 2014, rates of attempted vaginal birth after cesarean section and rates of success after a trial of labour were essentially unchanged. Coverage also appears in the Edmonton Journal, CBC News, The Journal (Ireland), Mid-Day, Deccan Chronicle, Hindustan Times, MedicalResearch.com, MedicalXpress, DoctorsLounge, Romper, Ummid.com and others.
University of Alberta scientists believe they've taken an important step towards supplying Alberta with medical isotopes. Story also runs on Global News, CTV News, CBC News, St. Albert Gazette, Radiology Business, Technostalls and others.
St. Albert Gazette: The guts of a cure?
Bradley Kerr, co-director of the U of A's MS Centre, is quoted in a story about how recent research has shown bacteria in the gut have a large influence on the nervous system. The topic was a focus of this year's MS Symposium which was held at the U of A on May 4. Related coverage also appeared on CBC Radio Edmonton and Global Edmonton.
RESEARCH
Healio: Intervention may speed transition to adult congenital heart disease care
Adolescents with congenital heart disease who received a nurse-led intervention were less likely to have a delay in adult care and had improved knowledge of their condition and self-management skills compared with those who received usual care, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study was led by Andrew Mackie, an associate professor of pediatrics and program director of the pediatric cardiology residency training program at the U of A.
630 CHED: Using bionics for human limbs
Interview with Patrick Pilarski, a Canada Research Chair in Machine Intelligence for Rehabilitation and an assistant professor in the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the U of A, on artificial intelligence and bionics for human limbs. No link.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. today announced that the Company and Mitacs, a national, not-for-profit research and training organization, have partnered to fund a U of A research program studying the health outcomes associated with cannabis use. Researchers will be supervised by University of Alberta researchers Dean Eurich (School of Public Health) and Jason Dyck, a professor of pediatric cardiology. Related coverage also appears in the Edmonton Journal.
Specialty Pharmacy Times: Breakthrough Technique Improves Precision of Gene-Editing Technology
Researchers from the U of A recently discovered a way to improve the accuracy of gene-editing technology, which could potentially lead to new therapeutic uses, according to a study published in Nature Communications. Basil Hubbard, Canada Research Chair in Molecular Therapeutics and assistant professor of pharmacology at University of Alberta, led the study.
ScienceAlert: Scientists Find Half The Advice on Dr Oz Is Wrong or Has No Evidence to Back It Up
Researchers have tallied up the "scientific" advice offered by popular U.S. TV programs The Dr Oz Show and The Doctors, and found that half of it was wrong or was lacking evidence. In 2014, the team of researchers from the U of A came up with the number after watching random episodes and investigating recommendations given by the programs. Their research showed that, on average, the shows gave their viewers around 12 different recommendations per episode but only half of them were supported by research.
New York Times: As D.I.Y. Gene Editing Gains Popularity, 'Someone Is Going to Get Hurt'
Story explores the risk of genetic tinkering. The most pressing worry is that someone somewhere will use the spreading technology to create a bioweapon. Story notes that a research team led by virologist David Evans at the U of A has recreated horsepox.
A University of Alberta program is aiming to provide relief for smokers who are undergoing surgery at the U of A Hospital. The program was led by Barry Finegan, a professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine. Coverage also appears on CTV Edmonton, CBC Edmonton and StarMetro Edmonton.
EXPERT
CTV National News: Why are more and more Canadian adults getting shingles?
Lynora Saxinger, an associate professor of medicine at the U of A says it's important that younger adults in their 30's, 40's and 50's are aware that they too are at risk of shingles.
National Post: 'There is a calm that takes over': How first responders are trained to handle violent attacks like Toronto
Louis Hugo Francescutti, a professor with the U of A's Department of Emergency Medicine, said the kind of force from a vehicle striking a pedestrian can lead to devastating and fatal injuries, and of the critically injured, those who are taken to a trauma centre within the "golden hour" (the first 60 minutes of the injury) have the greatest chance of recovery. Story runs in other Postmedia papers.
The Globe and Mail: Controversial venture capitalist sues BCSC and B.C. government, seeking $480million
A B.C. venture capitalist who bluffed his way into the world of neuroscience last year will face off against the securities regulator in a Vancouver courtroom on Friday. Partnering with venture capitalists to conduct research was unheard of two decades ago, said Douglas Zochodne, the director of the U of A's Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute.
Global News: Alberta woman believes breast implants made her sick
A Calmar woman who says she started feeling ill a few months after she got breast implants in 2007, is speaking out about how she thinks the symptoms are related to her procedure. U of A assistant clinical professor of surgery Feng Chong gives expert comment.
Good Times Magazine: Your health questions
Jason Dyke, a professor of pediatrics and Alberta Diabetes Institute member at the U of A, gives expert comment on the use of the medication metformin in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
Good Times Magazine: Keeping Your Lungs Healthy
Brian Rowe, professor of emergency medicine at the U of A, gives expert comment on how people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can prevent the condition from worsening.
The Globe and Mail: Medical marijuana is a mirage
Margaret Wente pens a column questioning marijuana's medical benefits and includes comments made in a CBC interview by Mike Allan, a professor of family medicine at the U of A.
Sherwood Park News: Seniors overrepresented in crashes
A statistical over-representation of seniors involved in vehicle collision injuries and fatalities in Strathcona County is raising questions. Bonnie Dobbs, director of the U of A's Medically At-Risk Driver Centre, noted the higher rate of senior involvement may not be so unusual.
National Post: Doctors see remarkable progress in the battle against HIV/AIDS
New treatments discovered in the mid-1990s set the stage for more advances. Stephen Shafran, a professor of infectious diseases at the U of A, is interviewed. Story runs in several Postmedia papers across the country.
A child's chances of receiving a potentially life-saving treatment may depend on whether he or she lives in the province where a clinical trial is taking place. David Eisenstat, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist and chair of oncology at the U of A, is interviewed.
PEOPLE, PARTNERSHIPS AND EDUCATION
CBC News Edmonton: Edmonton's new mental health court offers real-time help for accused
Peter Rodd, a clinical lecturer with the Department of Psychiatry, is quoted in a story about Edmonton's new Mental Health Court. It is an initiative by Alberta Justice to better address the needs of individuals with mental health concerns who are encountering the criminal justice system.
Sturgeon County region approved for pilot seniors' transportation projects
The Sturgeon County and West Yellowhead regions will undertake pilot projects over the next year that will test ways to provide senior-friendly transportation for those who have chosen to stop driving, or can no longer do so for medical reasons. Bonnie Dobbs, director of the U of A's Medically At-Risk Driver Centre made the announcement with Minister Lori Sigurdson. Coverage also appears on Global News Edmonton and in the St. Albert Gazette.
Global News Edmonton: Health Matters: April 26
CASA has received an anonymous donation of $500,000 plus $50,000 from the Edmonton Public School Board. The money will go towards a new research chair position at the U of A to study child and adolescent mental health. Story found at 3:07 of the video.
Global News Edmonton: Health Matters: May 3
A new app developed by a dental specialist in Alberta may help save your smile. Liran Levin, head of the Division of Periodontology at the U of A's School of Dentistry, has helped develop ToothSoS, an app that provides step-by-step advice if anything in your mouth gets injured.
About 115 Canadian medical school grads didn't get into provincially-sponsored residency positions in one of the country's 17 university-run medical programs. The military is more than doubling the number of family residency spots it funds at Queen's University and universities of Alberta, Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto and Manitoba.