Clinical Trials & Research

A study of the benefits of intermittent fasting comparing male and female mice suggests intermittent fasting for women may have different results. With the global obesity epidemic, a search for a simple but effective solution continues. Diets can be hard to follow, trying to figure portion size, macros, and calories. While exercise is great for

Eating a moderate amount of fish per week, while pregnant, may improve child’s metabolic health, according to a new study. Fish is a significant dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids that may have cardiometabolic benefits. Several studies support that fish consumption can help reduce the risks of heart and metabolic diseases, such as high blood

In the first step toward developing effective COVID-19 treatments, scientists successfully identify receptors that allow the virus to enter cells. Every new confirmed case of COVID-19 adds to the mounting pressure to develop a treatment or vaccine. But how are treatments or vaccines created, and why does it take so long?  What do we know

A small study discusses the risk of COVID-19 transmission from asymptomatic carriers.  As scientists continue to work on slowing the spread of COVID-19, examining patterns of person to person disease transmission is crucial. However, the transmission of COVID-19 from asymptomatic carriers, with a normal chest computed tomography (CT), has not been investigated. Published in the Journal

A new drug compound, known as NLX-112, has been discovered as a potential treatment for levodopa-induced dyskinesia in an animal model of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder caused by the loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra region of the brain, for which there is currently no cure. Loss of these

Researchers used a promising new therapy called antisense oligonucleotide therapy to control the expression of a mutant SCN8A gene, resulting in delayed seizure onset and survival in mouse models of SCN8A encephalopathy and Dravet syndrome.  What is SCN8A encephalopathy? Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies are a group of rare epilepsy syndromes that are characterized by early-onset

Scientists investigate how cells regulate the proteins that are on the outside of their membranes. This research could provide important clues to help develop treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Proteins are the complex molecules that play a critical role in cell biology. They are made up of a chain of amino acids that fold up to

Researchers use computer analysis of the latest coronavirus sequences and find targets that may help develop a successful SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Are we close to developing a vaccine to protect the general population from the latest coronavirus infection that we hear about every day in the news?  Researchers in Hong Kong believe that they have taken

A new clinical trial is being launched and researchers are currently recruiting patients to be included in the autism risk study. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects one out of every 59 children.  Children with ASD generally exhibit symptoms by the age of two, and the

Researchers recently compared the nutrient value of non-fried potatoes with that of refined grains, addressing the question, are potatoes bad carbs? In many popular diet plans, such as keto and paleo, the plain white potato gets a bad rap. Deemed as a “starchy” vegetable, they are either prohibited in these diet plans altogether or are

Smartphones are more useful than wearables in collecting physical data, but more research is needed on the potential use of remote devices for monitoring other health behaviors. Are you reading this article from your computer, tablet, or smartphone? If you are reading from the latter, then you are one of the estimated 3.5 billion smartphone

Botox has been investigated as a potential treatment for pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In addition to its well-known use as an aesthetic treatment, increasing research has focused on the potential for Botox to be used in various pain conditions, such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic patients often experience muscle cramps, typically in the

A recent study interviewed women to determine their perceptions of daily cannabis use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. As more and more states legalize marijuana, more and more people are using it. Use in pregnant women and women who breastfeed is also on the rise. This can be concerning since studies have demonstrated daily cannabis

Difficulty waking up in the morning? The best alarm sound to wake up to is a melodic alarm tone, recent research suggests. What sound do you wake up to? Is it the harsh, monotonous tone of beep, beep, beep? Is it your favourite tune? Clock radio? According to a new study, published in PLoS One,

An Australian study shows that a person’s ability to approach and pay attention to energy drink cans can be modified using brain training games. Energy drinks are readily found at local markets, pharmacies, gas stations, and vending machines.  Their caffeine content means you can get addicted to them.  So, can someone fight such an uphill

Locomotion, the ability to move from one place to another, is something that we rarely think about in our day to day lives. Locomotion is a highly complex human function that requires properly functioning electrical circuits in the brain and the spinal cord. One key component of these circuits are motor neurons, which are nerve

Recent research shows risks associated with cannabis exposure during pregnancy. Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is used for medicinal and recreational purposes. A new study, published in Scientific Reports reported that exposure to Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a principal psychoactive component in cannabis, during pregnancy can lead to substantial effects on fetal development. The researchers incorporated human

A recent study determined particular risks that could be associated with inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy. Over 25% of patients diagnosed with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) become pregnant and face certain risks during pregnancy and delivery. A recent analysis of 53 previous studies was published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics and outlined increased

Study suggests that rotavirus vaccine may be protective against type 1 diabetes. The Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of severe diarrhea in infants and children aged 6 to 24 months. Symptoms usually begin with a fever and vomiting, and children start experiencing severe diarrhea within 24 to 48 hours. A major consequence

Zinc lozenges may be good for a cold, but more research is needed to promote their use. Stuffy nose? Sneezing? Sore throat? These major three culprits are symptoms of the common cold. The common cold usually peaks during early fall, mid-winter, and early spring. A few studies have shown that zinc is beneficial against the

The benefits of fish oil supplements for men remain unclear, but a recent study finds that fish oil supplements may improve sperm quality among young healthy men. Health Canada states that about 16% of Canadian couples experience infertility, which has increased since the 1980s. Infertility can occur in both men and women. Male infertility is

A new study models an improved bariatric surgery care pathway to estimate the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery. For many obese patients, surgery is a key treatment option that can provide long-term health improvement. Evidence over the years has established the positive outcomes of bariatric surgery in suitable patients. Bariatric surgery has been associated with better

Researchers have found evidence that fetal lungs have a microbiome as early as 11 weeks of gestation. Babies are born with a bacterial microbiome already present in the lungs. When, and how, bacteria colonized the lungs was previously unknown. During gestation? Before birth? This led researchers at the University of Alabama to consider the possibility

A comprehensive study of clinical trials on the health benefits of quercetin highlights the effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Quercetin is a plant-derived chemical compound that is found in many fruits, vegetables, and herbs including raspberries, red onions, kale, and fennel. Taking quercetin supplements is thought to improve health due to its anti-inflammatory

Working with a mouse model, researchers have shown relief of endometriosis symptoms using THC as a pain reliever. Pain is complicated.  Many things can cause pain, such as injury, disease, inflammation (swelling), pressure applied to body parts and nerve damage.  There are also many types of medications that attempt to help relieve pain – everything

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition discovers that walnuts may benefit the gut microbiota and the heart. Our digestive system is colonized by a complex ecosystem of more than 100 trillion microorganisms, both good and bad, commonly referred to as the gut microbiota.  The gut microbiota is critical for digesting food, metabolizing

Recently researchers compared virtual physical therapy after a total knee replacement surgery to traditional in-person physical therapy. Total knee replacement surgeries have doubled in recent years and are not expected to decrease. After surgery, physical therapy is necessary to allow patients to fully recover and use their new knee. However, physical therapy is expensive and

Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence, where a computer system performs a specific task by relying on patterns and inferences, rather than a fixed set of instructions. These patterns and inferences are made based on large amounts of data and information that the computer is presented. Therefore, the more data that the computer