Health & Wellness
U of A dermatologist says most people know the risks, but still get caught out.
03
July
2019
When University of Alberta dermatologist Robert Gniadecki was growing up in Denmark, getting a sunburn was part of every family holiday.
“The first day at the seaside you would go out in the sunshine, and the next day you would have a bonfire, peel your skin off and throw it in the fire,” he said.
“It’s so disgusting, when you think about it today, but 40 years ago this was a normal thing.”
RELATED: U of A dermatologist discusses whether sunscreen causes cancer, and provides sun safety tipsGniadecki said these days most of us know that even a tan is a sign of skin cell damage, but sunburn still sneaks up on us from time to time. He shared four surprising ways people can get burned:
Foods that increase your UV sensitivity
Turns out “margarita sunburn” isn’t just a reference to what happens when snowbirds roast on ...
Headlines
11
July
2019
VR app gives students a new way to see inner workings of cells
Virtual reality learning tools point to future of post-secondary education, says U of A cell biologist.
An educational app created at the University of Alberta is giving cell biology students a brand new perspective on their subject and may also offer a glimpse into the not-so-distant future of …
10
July
2019
COMMENTARY || Misinformation about CBD can be life-threatening
Misleading headlines about recent study falsely claim the cannabis compound can replace proven treatments for opioid addiction, argue experts.
Hyperbole can be rampant in health news, particularly with respect to cannabis. One recent headline declared, "CBD is effective in treating heroin addiction." Another proclaimed, "New …
08
July
2019
COMMENTARY || Cancelling superlab undermines foundation of patient care
Lab physicians may work behind the scenes, but equipping them properly to provide fast and accurate test results is vital to health care, argues U of A physician.
You don’t know me, but I’m your doctor. I am one of hundreds of physicians trained in laboratory medicine who work to provide you with accurate and timely test results that help your “real” doctor …
04
July
2019
‘Father of nuclear magnetic resonance’ named to Order of Canada
U of A biochemist Brian Sykes has had profound influence as medical researcher and mentor.
When biochemist Brian Sykes came back to the University of Alberta in 1975 after stints as a PhD student at Stanford and a chemistry professor at Harvard, he had the goal of creating a world-class …
04
July
2019
Discovery of mechanism behind precision cancer drug opens door for more targeted treatment
Research explains how the drugs work, who else might benefit from their use.
New research that uncovers the mechanism behind the newest generation of cancer drugs is opening the door for better targeted therapy.
PARP inhibitors are molecular targeted cancer drugs used to …
02
July
2019
Medical researchers developing tool to make end-of-life care more effective
New tool will standardize care while ensuring it remains patient-specific.
A new U of A project is hoping to provide patients and health-care providers with a roadmap for treating the final stages of chronic illnesses that will boost standards of care and help more patients …
02
July
2019
U of A research informs proposed new Canadian drug pricing rules
Health economists help determine trade-offs when approving costly new drugs.
If proposed new regulations are adopted this summer as expected, Canadians could be paying much less for drugs within about a year, with or without pharmacare, thanks in large part to research by …
02
July
2019
U of A researchers create ‘encyclopedia of milk’
New online database lists more than 2,000 chemical compounds in one of the world’s most popular drinks—including 168 never before reported.
What’s in that glass of milk you’re drinking? Now you can find out, thanks to a new database created by University of Alberta researchers.
The newly launched, one-of-a-kind Milk Composition …
27
June
2019
U of A eye specialist warns parents about dangers of Nerf guns
Toy guns can fire projectiles much faster than they used to, says ophthalmologist who treated patient nearly blinded by dart.
A University of Alberta ophthalmologist wants safety rules put in place for Nerf toys, after a patient was shot in the eye and nearly lost her vision.
The 43-year-old woman was accidentally struck …
27
June
2019
Diets of nearly half of South Asian immigrants are unhealthy, study suggests
Despite eating more fruits and vegetables than average Canadians, South Asian populations in Alberta are getting too many daily calories from processed food, U of A nutrition experts find.
A significant percentage of new immigrants to Alberta from some South Asian countries are struggling with unhealthy eating habits, according to new research from the University of Alberta.
The …
26
June
2019
Injury expert recommends roll bars, driver training for quad riders
Goal to prevent death by crushing or suffocation.
A controversial new law proposed in Australia to make roll bars mandatory on all quads is a model Canada should consider, according to the University of Alberta's Injury Prevention Centre.
“We …