Some hospitals already may test patients’ DNA to find out which medications might be more effective to treat them, but now companies are marketing genetic tests directly to consumers to help them choose drugs. The principle is that different people… »
Highlights / Environment and Health
Environment & Animal Life, International, Society
Canada’s ‘failure to prosecute Volkswagen’ denounced
It has been three years since the discovery that Volkswagen rigged its vehicles’ emissions controls and Canada has laid no charges, notes the advocacy group Environmental Defence. By contrast, the U.S. has fined the car company $12 billion and arrested… »
Health, International, Society
Some drugs may be more expensive, less accessible due to trade deal
A provision in the recent trade agreement between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. may delay competition and make it more difficult for Canadians to get access to an important class of drugs called biologics. These medications are made with living… »
Cannabis effects may differ for seniors, doctor urges caution
The recreational use of cannabis becomes legal in Canada on October 17, 2018 and doctors say seniors should inform themselves before consuming the drug. Dr. Mona Sidhu says seniors need to understand different strains of cannabis have different effects. “Often… »
Health, Indigenous, International
Tuberculosis fight to get $13B USD a year
The World Health Organization says TB is the world’s deadliest infectious disease which infected 10 million people in 2017 and killed 1.6 million. The disease is caused by bacteria, is contagious and predominantly affects the lungs. World leaders meeting at… »
Health, Internet, Science & Technology
Limits on dairy product consumption should be relaxed: study
Eating dairy products has been thought to increase the risk of death because of their high levels of fat, but analysis of several studies contradicts some of that. This research conducted at the Medical University of Lodz in Poland found… »
Breakfast emphasized for back to school
Children are now heading back to school after a couple of months of summer vacation and dietitians are reminding people how important it is for them to have a nutritious breakfast. Often both parents work and mornings are very rushed,… »
Environment & Animal Life, International
Birth of pygmy hippo at Toronto Zoo bolsters species survival efforts
On August 10, 2018, 12-year-old Kindia gave birth to her first baby, a 5.48- kilogram female pygmy hippo at the Toronto Zoo. The baby is nursing regularly and has already put on 3.2 kilograms. “This is a first-time mom raising… »
Low-carb diet may increase mortality risk: study
Over 60 per cent of Canadians are overweight or obese and many try to lose weight with diets that severely limit the intake of carbohydrates. But new research suggests adopting a low-carb diet is associated with increased mortality. The study… »
Climate change could turn earth into a ‘hothouse,’ say scientists
A new report by an international team of scientists says that even if current emission targets are met, warming could trigger an irreversible domino effect raising temperatures 4-5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. Currently, global average temperatures have increased just… »
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