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Brain waves help severely impaired interact with environment
Original broadcast date: January 4, 2009 Although it seems to be a device out of Star Trek, for people with severe neurological impairment that prevents them from communicating or moving, it is a device that can literally expand their world and reduce unfathomable frustration. The system uses patients’ brain waves and eye and muscular movements…
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Improving the odds to quit smoking
Original broadcast date: January 4, 2009 New Year’s resolutions involve commitments to make positive changes, whether it’s to sort out money matters, enjoy life more or finally get in shape before swimsuit season. For many Canadian smokers, quitting permanently would be one of their greatest accomplishments in life, but successful quitting requires a plan. Getting…
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New biochemical pathway discovered that controls DNA repair
Despite exposure to many cancer-causing agents or carcinogens in our environment, the human body has a way to repair damaged DNA that can prevent the development of tumours. A new study published November 11, 2008 in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS), scientists have identified a…
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Expanded Prevnar vaccine in the works
Amongst the myriad of childhood vaccine success stories, the introduction of Prevnar 6 years ago to guard against infections stemming from the bacterium streptococcal pneumonia, has protected countless children from bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, and middle ear infections; this form of pneumococcal disease is the number one vaccine-preventable cause of death in children younger than five…
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Efficacy of HPV vaccine in boys and men
Although the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and women to prevent and reduce the risk of genital warts and cervical cancer, it is unknown how well it works on the other half of the population, that is boys and men. Data, presented at the European Research Organization on Genital Infection…
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Improving accuracy of asthma diagnosis
Findings published in the November 18, 2008 edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggest that approximately 30 per cent of Canadians diagnosed with asthma may not have the disease. The question is how the diagnosis was determined in the first place and what can be done to improve diagnostic accuracy. Dr. Shawn Aaron, Senior…
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Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions for the management of mild to moderate dementia
It can be a difficult task for both the patient and physician when trying to formulate an evidenced-based approach to treat dementia. Guidelines exist to help in this area but practising physicians frequently seek advice on the most effective interventions for dementia. A study in the November 4, 2008 edition of the Canadian Medical Association…
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Vitamin D Awareness Month
Sunday House Call has focused on the promising research and a greater understanding on the effects of Vitamin D. We have had principle investigators discuss its effects on reducing the rate of falls in the elderly, reducing the risk of colon and breast cancer recurrence, reduction of stress fractures in young women, its effects on…
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Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
A majority of people are unaware of the difference between high blood pressure or hypertension and a condition known as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. November is PAH Awareness Month and a recent Ipsos Reid survey shows that there is a lot of work to do to raise awareness about a condition that will claim the lives…
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