Health & Wellness
Evidence reviews of masks, goggles and shoe covers suggest individual pieces of personal protective equipment aren’t enough by themselves to protect health workers.
21
May
2020
|
14:00
America/Tegucigalpa
There is no evidence to suggest that simple surgical masks aren’t as effective as the reinforced yet scarce N95 respirator masks in protecting health-care staff during routine primary care, according to an international research team conducting literature reviews of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the context of COVID-19.
University of Alberta occupational medicine specialists Sebastian Straube and Quentin Durand-Moreau are collaborating with international colleagues on this and a number of other rapid evidence reviews just published by the University of Oxford’s Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.
“These are reviews of a moving target, which means we will not have any evidence on the virus of COVID-19 exactly,” said Durand-Moreau.
“And while having no evidence does not mean there is no effect, our research has conclude...
Headlines
04
June
2020
|
13:55
America/Tegucigalpa
Chemical messenger in brain could point to better treatments for anxiety
Neuropeptide Y, a chemical that signals the brain to stand down after a threat, may help restore an anxious brain back to a healthy one, U of A neuroscientists find.
New research by a University of Alberta neuroscientist reveals more about how the mechanism the brain uses to regulate our response to stress could lead to better treatments for anxiety.
Bill …
03
June
2020
|
17:02
America/Tegucigalpa
Respiratory virus builds ‘doorbell’ to trick its way into cells, researchers find
Study led by U of A microbiologist shows how the common respiratory syncytial virus manipulates two gene receptors in our cells to gain entry and infect us.
New research from University of Alberta microbiologists has shed new light on how the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—one of the most common viral infections—breaks into our cells to cause …
03
June
2020
|
13:45
America/Tegucigalpa
Bell ringing ritual to mark end of cancer treatment builds community, gives patients a sense of control: U of A study
Even those who will never finish treatments may find hope when others ring the bell.
The worldwide ritual of ringing a bell at the end of radiation or chemotherapy treatments has a positive impact on the transition to post-treatment life for cancer patients and their caregivers, …
02
June
2020
|
13:55
America/Tegucigalpa
Pandemic increasing likelihood of depression and anxiety in new and expecting mothers: study
U of A researchers find staying active has physical and mental health benefits for mothers and children, including toddlers and preschoolers.
New moms and moms-to-be have an increased likelihood of maternal depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to preliminary research from one of two University of Alberta studies …
29
May
2020
|
14:00
America/Tegucigalpa
You likely won’t get COVID-19 from your pets—but you could give it to them
U of A veterinary disease expert offers tips to help protect pets and livestock from possible infection.
Worried about catching COVID-19 from your cat or dog? You shouldn’t be, says a University of Alberta expert.
While COVID-19 is believed to have originated from some type of animal, the risk of …
28
May
2020
|
17:00
America/Tegucigalpa
COMMENTARY || Four strategies to help avoid the next pandemic
U of A virus expert offers recommendations that would be easier to implement and enforce than other public health measures.
New viruses emerge every few years that threaten humanity: HIV, swine flu, SARS, Ebola, Zika, MERS, and now, COVID-19. Unfortunately, the only drugs that can combat a viral pandemic are antiviral …
28
May
2020
|
14:00
America/Tegucigalpa
DIY diabetics create artificial pancreas, push health-care industry, regulators to develop better treatments
U of A PhD candidate studies and participates in grassroots movement to hack diabetes equipment.
People with Type 1 diabetes—including U of A graduate student Jonathan Garfinkel—are using free instructions from the internet to build an artificial pancreas.
The patient-led movement is pushing …
28
May
2020
|
13:45
America/Tegucigalpa
Two paths better than one for treating patients with heart stents, study shows
Rivaroxaban plus aspirin better than aspirin alone to reduce major adverse events and mortality rates in patients with chronic coronary disease who have had an angioplasty.
Pairing a blood-thinning drug with aspirin daily for patients who have an angioplasty with a stent can contribute to better health outcomes, including lower risk of death, than aspirin alone, …
27
May
2020
|
17:00
America/Tegucigalpa
Student-built dashboard gives insight into global COVID-19 picture
U of A computing science grad students build interactive tool for displaying and interpreting ever-changing data as pandemic unfolds.
Three graduate students at the University of Alberta developed a new, interactive tool to help provide insight into the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The goal is to transform the dynamic big data to charts …
27
May
2020
|
14:00
America/Tegucigalpa
U of A spinoff company developing simple blood test to predict severity of COVID-19 in patients
Nanostics using diagnostic technology to help health professionals intervene more quickly and efficiently with patients who are likely to need hospital care.
A University of Alberta spinoff company focused on creating and commercializing non-invasive diagnostic tests is developing a simple blood test to predict the severity of COVID-19 in positive …
27
May
2020
|
13:50
America/Tegucigalpa
Researchers aim to find out whether COVID-19 can spread through ventilation systems
U of A buildings to serve as “living lab” for study on whether HVAC systems can help viruses spread, and how to improve filtration to prevent it.
In the early days of the coronavirus outbreak, it was the Diamond Princess cruise ship, not a country, that trailed only China in the number confirmed COVID-19 cases. While the ill-fated trip dragged …