Health & Wellness
Latest physical activity survey reveals screen time at bedtime and too much sitting affecting quality of sleep.
14
January
2019
Albertans are getting enough sleep every night but the soundness of that sleep could be much better, according to the latest survey from the University of Alberta’s Centre for Active Living.
The 2019 Alberta Survey on Physical Activity revealed Albertans average better than 7.5 hours of sleep per weekday and more than eight each night on the weekend. However, avoidable pre-bed rituals and a propensity for sitting might be affecting the quality of that sleep.
“People underestimate the importance of sleep as part of a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Nora Johnston, director of the centre in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation.
“If we look at children, we’re looking at (poor sleep affecting) neurodevelopment and learning. For adults it could be memory, emotional regulation, metabolic health, cardiovascular health. O...
Headlines
22
January
2019
Should children lift weights?
U of A biomechanist debunks myth that weightlifting is dangerous for kids and suggests it might be a necessary piece to combat an increasingly sedentary lifestyle.
Lifting weights is not the invitation to injury and developmental issues in young people that it was once thought to be—in fact, it might even be necessary in some cases, contends a University of …
17
January
2019
New U of A laser technology shows promise to treat leading causes of blindness
Nir Katchinskiy launches startup to bring new treatment technique to market.
A platform that combines cutting-edge diagnostic tools and ultra-fast laser technology developed at the University of Alberta could usher in a new era of non-invasive medical interventions for eye …
16
January
2019
Films look at therapeutic value of sentimental objects in seniors’ lives
“Objects hold memories and can link to past experiences, can remind a person and others of who they are.”
Many people have cherished items they hold dear—a grandmother’s ring or scarf, a teddy bear, even a song—but for the elderly, these objects are especially precious, and a new series of short films by …
15
January
2019
How runners handle fatigue could help cancer patients, study suggests
U of A researcher finds similarities between different groups who experience extreme fatigue.
Identifying variations in how populations prone to extreme fatigue experience it might hold the key to better management of exhaustion, especially in cancer patients, according to research out of the …
14
January
2019
Mutual appreciation key to saving marriage after a stroke, study shows
Sudden role reversal can be hard on both partners, says U of A researcher who offers tips to help couples adapt to their new reality.
Laurel Sproule knew something in her 18-year marriage was changing when she came into the kitchen and found her husband Fred just standing there.
He’d suffered a recent heart attack and then a …
11
January
2019
U of A family doctor offers evidence-based mom blog
Life of Dr. Mom aims to feel like Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, with one notable exception—it’s rooted in fact, says Stephanie Liu.
In light of the overabundance of mom blogs with questionable content, one University of Alberta family physician decided to offer women an alternative and start up her own mom blog called Life of Dr. …
10
January
2019
Researchers discover a hidden culprit in heart failure
Discovery unlocks potential new target for personalized treatment.
An international research team led by scientists at the University of Alberta have pinpointed a hidden culprit that leads to dilated cardiomyopathy—a dangerous condition that accounts for 20 per cent …
09
January
2019
COMMENTARY || How weight bias is harming us all
Fat shaming is everywhere, and research shows it's bad for our health, say experts.
People who live in large bodies find themselves the target of fat-phobic and body-shaming messages on a daily basis.
Ellen Maud Bennett died of cancer on May 11, 2018, and she used her obituary to …
09
January
2019
COMMENTARY || In an era of misinformation, alternative medicine needs to be regulated
As misleading medical claims spread faster than truth, governments need to step up to protect the public, argues health-trend skeptic Timothy Caulfield.
Alternative medicine is big business. One estimate suggests that by 2025, the global market will be worth nearly US$200 billion. That’s a lot of money for an industry that, to put it kindly, is built …
07
January
2019
What to wear to keep warm in winter
4 tips on how to layer up to keep cold weather at bay.
Whether you’re waiting at the bus stop or going for a run, dressing for the conditions and level of outdoor activity is key to staying safe and warm in bitter temperatures, say University of Alberta …
24
December
2018
The top 10 stories of 2018
A critical look at NAFTA, the fate of Scientology and an alarming sign of climate change topped this year’s most-read headlines.
1. COMMENTARY || Should Canada give up on NAFTA? Yes.
Political economist Gordon Laxer argued that NAFTA amounted to little more than a “corporate rights agreement” that was preventing Canada from …