Latest science news in Health & Medicine
North Korea stepping up ‘emergency quarantine’ policy to combat COVID-19
North Korea is calling for the strengthening of "emergency quarantine measures" even as its health ministry continues to claim no confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
Dexamethasone, other corticosteroids help hospitalized COVID-19 patients, research finds
The corticosteroid dexamethasone reduces the need for ventilator support in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, according to a study published Wednesday by JAMA.
Steroids cut death rates among critically ill COVID-19 patients, studies suggest
Treating critically ill COVID-19 patients with corticosteroid drugs reduces the risk of death by 20 per cent, an analysis of seven international trials found on Wednesday, prompting the World Health...
How to remove unwanted components from the cell nucleus
The organization of cells into specific compartments is critical for their function. For instance, by separating the nucleus from the cytoplasm, the nuclear envelope prevents premature translation of immature RNAs.
Engineers reprogram yeast cells to become microscopic drug factories
Since antiquity, cultures on nearly every continent have discovered that certain plant leaves, when chewed or brewed or rubbed on the body, could relieve diverse ailments, inspire hallucinations or, in...
To Treat Frontotemporal Dementia, Treat the Brain’s Immune Cells
The neurodegenerative disease known as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) causes untold suffering. As neurons die in regions of the brain important for maintaining our personalities and living a purposeful life, patients...
Female Chromosomes Offer Resilience to Alzheimer’s
Women with Alzheimer’s live longer than men with the disease, and scientists at UC San Francisco now have evidence from research in both humans and mice that this is because...
Risk factors for mortality in diabetic patients discharged from hospital identified
When patients are discharged from hospital, those with diabetes are at an increased risk of readmission and early mortality. There are guidelines for discharging patients with diabetes to reduce these...
Possible blood-clotting mechanism in COVID-19 found
Why so many COVID-19 patients get blood clots (thrombosis) remains uncertain. But scientists have now identified a mechanism they believe to be implicated. A particular protein triggers a part of...
Kidneys infected with hepatitis C can be safely transplanted into healthy recipients
Kidneys from deceased donors with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can be safely transplanted into noninfected recipients when a regimen of direct-acting antiviral therapies is initiated as early as two...
Victoria hospital offers innovative same-day hip and knee replacement surgery
Dan Kelly, 71, says he was in disbelief when he left the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria three hours after a total hip replacement.
New method of detecting illnesses including coronavirus and cystic fibrosis
A new and quicker method of diagnosing diseases in patients has been created by researchers at the University of Leeds.
Virus in the blood can predict severe COVID-19, researchers find
A blood test on hospital admission showing the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 can identify patients at a high risk of severe COVID-19, according to researchers. Admitted patients without virus...
Finding cortisone alternatives with fewer side effects
Researchers are examining the beneficial effects of cortisone in order to lay the groundwork for the development of similar drugs with fewer side effects.
Japan’s top diplomat accused of discriminating against foreign journalist
Japan's foreign minister is being accused of discrimination following a curt exchange at a recent press conference that included foreign-born reporters residing in Japan.
Handgrip strength shown to identify people at high risk of type 2 diabetes
A simple test such as the strength of your handgrip could be used as a quick, low-cost screening tool to help healthcare professionals identify patients at risk of type 2...
Long sick leave after low-grade brain tumor
One year after the diagnosis of low-grade malignant brain tumor, a study shows, just under three people in ten were in full-time employment. Another year later, the proportion remained below...
Coronavirus: What's happening around the world on Wednesday
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday issued a sweeping nationwide order temporarily preventing millions of U.S. renters from being evicted, in a bid to reduce the...
L.A.'s dance crisis: Studios fight to survive the pandemic
Dance studios including Edge Performing Arts Center and Ryan Heffington's Sweat Spot have closed or gone virtual. Goodbye for now or goodbye forever?
U.S. COVID-19 cases, deaths rise; Dr. Anthony Fauci says vaccine could come early
There was an increase in both COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States on Tuesday, according to updated data from researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
Venom from honeybees found to kill aggressive breast cancer cells
Honeybee venom induces cancer cell death in hard to treat triple-negative breast cancer with minimal effect on healthy cells, new research finds.
Attacking tumours directly on identification
Theranostics, the combination of "therapy" and "diagnostics," refers to drugs that are used not only to treat tumors but also to render them visible. The principle is as simple as...
Overwhelmingly strong results could end COVID-19 vaccine trials early, Fauci says
A COVID-19 vaccine could be available earlier than expected if ongoing clinical trials produce overwhelmingly positive results, Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
Overwhelmingly strong results could end COVID-19 vaccine trials early, Fauci says
A COVID-19 vaccine could be available earlier than expected if ongoing clinical trials produce overwhelmingly positive results, Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
A closer look at the vaccines Canada is betting on to stem the spread of COVID-19
The federal government has announced that it has signed deals with four companies to reserve millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines under development. The candidate vaccines represent a variety of...
Editorial: Coronavirus 'herd immunity' is just another way to say 'let people die'
If President Trump is moving toward a "herd immunity" strategy, he should be honest that it means accepting that millions of Americans may die before their time.
Letters to the Editor: Don't shame people for not wearing masks outdoors. Indoors is where the problems are
It's easy to count people who aren't wearing masks in public, but the state says that staying six feet away from others while outdoors is enough.
Here's what happens when there are COVID-19 cases in Ontario schools
With two million students, teachers and other education workers returning to Ontario schools this month, cases of COVID-19 will almost undoubtedly be confirmed. What happens then?