Double hand transplant patient can 'wiggle fingers' The recipient of a rare double hand transplant says he feels "fantastic" and can wiggle fingers on both his new hands. Richard Edwards made his first appearance on Thursday, about a week after he underwent a nearly 18-hour transplant procedure at a hospital in Louisville. 9/2/2010 3:56:07 PM
Defiant Saskatchewan refuses to bend on clinical trials for MS treatment Saskatchewan is not backing down from its plan to start clinical trials on a controversial new treatment for multiple sclerosis, even though the federal Health Minister, the MS Society of Canada and the health-research community insist it’s too risky. (Ed: Good for Saskatchewan showing political courage.) 9/2/2010 8:03:35 AM
Organic strawberries tops in taste, nutrition The most comprehensive study of its kind into the quality of organic food and soil has concluded organically grown strawberries are more flavourful and nutritious. Researchers found that strawberries grown on organic farms had significantly higher antioxidant, ascorbic acid and polyphenol levels. 9/2/2010 6:47:07 AM
TB test could revolutionize care: WHO A new test can reveal in less than two hours, with very high accuracy, whether someone has tuberculosis and if it's resistant to the main drug for treating it. The test could revolutionize TB care and replace the 125-year-old process used now, which is slow and misses more than half of all cases. 9/2/2010 6:45:10 AM
When Texting Becomes an Addiction We seem to be slaves to technology these days. We have our blackberries, our cell phones, our iPods. It's gotten so bad that, for some people, it's an unhealthy obsession, reports CBS News Correspondent Michelle Miller. And teenage girls lead the charge. 9/1/2010 4:46:17 PM
Health minister rejects MS therapy trial The Canadian government will not fund a clinical trial of liberation therapy for multiple sclerosis, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq says. This comes a day after a panel of experts recommended against a clinical trial. (Ed: Bad move, we should be supporting a trial. How would you like to live with MS?) 9/1/2010 12:36:28 PM
Some U.S. cities sink boozy float parties on public waters Floatopia, beer floating, float-a-palooza — there are many names, but the key ingredients stay the same: Sun, a public body of water, inflatable rafts — and booze. In some cases, lots of booze. And just last month, a California man drowned in the Colorado River during the Bullhead City-Laughlin River Regatta. 9/1/2010 12:13:04 PM
Russians urged to smoke, drink more RUSSIA'S finance minister Alexei Kudrin has urged his fellow citizens to smoke and drink more, explaining that higher consumption would help lift tax revenues for spending on social services. "People should understand: Those who drink, those who smoke are doing more to help the state," he said. 9/1/2010 11:22:33 AM
U.S. appeals order blocking stem cell research The Obama administration asked a federal judge to lift a restraining order that it says could undercut U.S. government funded embryonic stem cell research. The Justice Department filed its request with U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth only days after he blocked government funding of embryonic stem cell research. 9/1/2010 8:05:03 AM
Heavy Drinkers Outlive Non-Drinkers: Cheers to That Drink up... that is if you want to live a few years longer. That's the highly unusual conclusion of a new study which suggests that non-drinkers die sooner than heavy drinkers. Moderate drinkers fair the best. Moderate drinking, according to Time, was defined as one to three drinks per day. 8/31/2010 8:06:19 PM
Paralyzed computer engineer helps develop technology for kids with disabilities Eric Wan sways his head from side to side and the sound of tinkling ivories radiates throughout the room. The pace of the melody accelerates in tandem with the rhythm of his movements, as colourful shapes twirl in sync on a monitor. With each bob of the head, the computer engineering graduate is crafting his own little music composition. 8/31/2010 6:24:22 PM
Cleanliness linked to moral judgment, U of T study finds A University of Toronto researcher has found a connection between cleanliness – real or imagined – and an ability to pass harsh moral judgments on issues and people. Chen-Bo Zhong has been examining the links between morality and cleanliness for a number of years. 8/31/2010 6:13:25 PM
J.K. Rowling gives $15.4 million to MS research "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling has donated $15.4 million to set up a new clinic to carry out research into multiple sclerosis, the disease which killed her mother. The clinic, based at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, will be named after Rowling's mother Anne. 8/31/2010 9:22:47 AM
Penticton Transit accessibility for disabled questioned James Ludvigson has been in a wheelchair since 1957, which gives him an up close and personal view about the word accessibility. He was so upset when he read a story quoting Mayor Dan Ashton and others about the improved accessibility on the city’s fleet of new buses that he issued a public challenge. 8/31/2010 6:51:25 AM
Pot lowers chronic pain even without the high: Study The new study, the first clinical trial in the world to allow patients to take marijuana home with them and "self-dose," found that for people with neuropathic pain — a common and dreaded condition that causes electric, stabbing pain — smoking cannabis reduced pain, improved mood and helped them sleep. 8/29/2010 11:19:06 PM
Will tortured spuds reveal their antioxidants? Potatoes can be made healthier, simply by zapping them with ultrasound or electricity, say scientists who say they could one day become a new "superfood." "We knew that drought, bruising and other stresses could stimulate the accumulation of beneficial phenolic compounds in fresh produce." 8/28/2010 11:54:51 AM
Black rice beats blueberry antioxidants Blueberries are a well-known source of antioxidants, but black rice bran is better, according to scientists. Black rice is rich in iron, high in fibre and packed with anthocyanin antioxidants. Anthocyanin antioxidants have shown promise in fighting heart disease, cancer and other diseases. 8/28/2010 8:31:34 AM
Use of opiate doda spreading in B.C.: experts Consumption of the opiate doda, an illegal and addictive concoction made from dried poppy pods, is out of control in Metro Vancouver's South Asian community, say experts in Surrey. Dr. Gulzar Cheema said doda is currently sold under the counter in many pawnshops, video stores and other retail outlets. 8/28/2010 7:42:55 AM
Ontario targets OxyContin abuse Ontario plans to launch a new tracking system to curb the abuse of the highly addictive painkiller oxycodone and other prescription drugs. The system would track all prescription drugs dispensed in Ontario, from painkillers such as OxyContin, morphine and codeine, as well as Ritalin, Valium and phenobarbital. 8/28/2010 7:40:30 AM
Down Syndrome group slams Emmys The National Down Syndrome Congress of the U.S. is taking Emmy organizers to task for nominating the song Down Syndrome Girl for an award for outstanding original music and lyrics. The song was sung by baby Stewie on the satirical animated show Family Guy. 8/28/2010 7:37:30 AM
Doctors 'shocked' at 56-pound tumour Argentine doctors were shocked when they looked into a woman's uterus searching for an orange-size tumour but found something that resembled a giant rock instead. Surgeons ended up removing a 56-pound tumour from the 54-year-old woman. It was 22 inches across. 8/28/2010 7:35:29 AM
New cancer drug will prolong lives, Vancouver scientists say Vancouver researchers have developed a new cancer-fighting drug that will prolong the life of patients with advanced prostate cancer, doubling their life expectancy compared with a decade ago. A report on the findings, written by a team of scientists led by Dr. Martin Gleave. 8/28/2010 6:59:30 AM
Launch MS clinical trials immediately, researcher urges Clinical trials of the controversial liberation treatment for multiple sclerosis should happen immediately, says a former University of Saskatchewan researcher who proposed an eerily similar theory more than a decade ago. Bernhard Juurlink published a hypothesis in 1998. 8/27/2010 6:42:33 PM
No more 'War on Drugs' in Toronto, it's harm reduction Toronto has become the first city in the world – and the first government in North America – to formally endorse a declaration that advocates harm reduction over the war on drugs. The Vienna Declaration called on policy-makers around the world to refocus their approaches to illegal drugs and HIV-AIDS prevention. 8/27/2010 5:46:11 PM
Ottawa research making waves with fake corneas Artificial corneas developed by a University of Ottawa scientist have shown promising results in early trials. The results — based on 10 experimental transplants performed in Sweden — were published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine. 8/26/2010 8:51:14 AM
New drug for advanced melanoma shrinks tumors An experimental targeted cancer drug shrank advanced melanoma tumors in 81 percent of patients with the deadly and hard-to-treat cancer, doctors said Wednesday. The findings were part of an early phase study used to determine the best dose of the experimental drug PLX4032. 8/26/2010 8:34:11 AM
Researchers tackle nausea, the most common disorder of pregnancy Any pressure on her body — jewelry, snug clothes, even the spray from the shower — was unbearable. She would start gagging on the hour-long drive to work and was sometimes so nauseous, all she could do was sit at her desk taking slow deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. 8/26/2010 8:21:07 AM
**Worth Reading: Gene researchers find key role for Vitamin D in range of diseases Vitamin D has long presented something of an enigma when it comes to the wide variety of diseases it might prevent. Research has linked not having enough of the sunshine vitamin to ailments as unalike as colon cancer, multiple sclerosis and rickets. 8/25/2010 8:39:53 AM
White Rock mayor rejects move to chlorination Six days of boiling water in an E. coli outbreak has not been enough to persuade White Rock’s mayor that the city should turn to chlorination. Mayor Catherine Ferguson said residents have a long history of resisting chlorine in their water. 8/25/2010 7:11:21 AM
Paralyzed computer engineer helps develop technology for kids with disabilities Eric Wan sways his head from side to side and the sound of tinkling ivories radiates throughout the room. The pace of the melody accelerates in tandem with the rhythm of his movements, as colourful shapes twirl in sync on a monitor. With each bob of the head, the computer engineering graduate is crafting his own little music composition. 8/25/2010 6:48:37 AM
Ban tanning bed use by minors: CMA Canadians under 18 should be banned from using indoor tanning beds because of the skin cancer risk, the country's doctors say. The Canadian Medical Association approved a motion calling for the ban at its annual meeting in Niagara Falls, Ont., on Tuesday. 8/25/2010 6:39:13 AM
Digital Devices Deprive Brain of Needed Downtime It’s 1 p.m. on a Thursday and Dianne Bates, 40, juggles three screens. She listens to a few songs on her iPod, then taps out a quick e-mail on her iPhone and turns her attention to the high-definition television. As Ms. Bates multitasks, she is also churning her legs on an elliptical machine. 8/24/2010 9:32:26 PM
World Hockey Summit: Concussion, safety issues dominate proceedings This is how it should go at an event like the World Hockey Summit: Somebody unexpectedly emerges as the star of the show, with an interesting story to tell and a practical solution to one of the primary issues facing the game – in this case, the prevalence of concussions and what to do about them, particularly at the youngest ages. 8/24/2010 6:12:20 PM
Cold War weapons expert warns Wi-Fi could cause birth defects A British scientist and former naval microwave weapons expert has waded into the debate over the safety of wireless networks in Canadian schools, warning if left unchecked, generations could face genetic disorders. Barrie Trower said there are no scientific studies that categorically state there is no harm from prolonged exposure. 8/24/2010 6:09:36 PM
BC Government Ambulance service cutbacks means sick gets sicker Recent cuts to the Lower Mainland's fleet of transfer ambulances have created an added burden to Christine Stirman's health care and caused her husband and daughter a lot of grief. Stirman has a severe case of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, first diagnosed 16 years ago. 8/24/2010 1:25:17 PM
White Rock residents will have to boil their water until Friday White Rock residents will be boiling their water at least until Friday after E. coli was found in another water sample, and that’s sure to trigger debate about the possibility of using chlorine to disinfect the city’s water. Unlike most of the Lower Mainland, White Rock’s water is not disinfected. 8/23/2010 7:47:09 PM
Fewer (or none) healthy antioxidants in bottled tea: study Many commercial bottled tea drinks contain little or no healthful antioxidants. Scientists measured the level of polyphenols - a group of natural antioxidants linked to anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties - in six brands of tea purchased from supermarkets. 8/23/2010 5:13:07 PM
Water can flush away pounds? Perhaps, suggests study Imagine an appetite suppressant that requires no prescription, offers no side effects, and costs almost nothing. That wonder elixir may already exist and flows freely from your taps. Scientists have found that dieters who drink two 250-mil glasses of water right before their meals tend to lose more weight. 8/23/2010 4:43:31 PM
Lose those love handles: new cold treatment destroys fat cells Got a stubborn love handle or pregnancy pouch? A new procedure painlessly “freezes” the fat away with no surgery, needles or down time. The device has Health Canada approval for non-invasive fat reduction and is used off-label in the U.S. while awaiting FDA approval. 8/23/2010 4:25:51 PM
Doctors call for patients' charter of rights Canada's doctors are calling for the health-care system to be reformed so it better serves patients and are supporting the idea of a charter to enshrine patient rights. Patient-centred care was the overarching theme at the annual meeting where doctors passed several motions related to the concept. 8/23/2010 3:54:47 PM
German politician steps down to donate kidney to save his dying wife The leader of Germany’s opposition has temporarily stepped aside so that he can donate a kidney to his critically ill wife. The life-saving gift by Frank-Walter Steinmeier has deeply moved the German public and won praise from his bitterest political foes. 8/23/2010 11:39:35 AM
School time coming, How to reset your child's sleep schedule You’ve let your kid obey his natural tendencies for the past two months: sleep in past noon and stay up past midnight. But summer vacation is nearly over. We explain how to help your child get back into a school-year sleep schedule. 8/23/2010 8:14:00 AM
Guys, these 7 quick health checks could save your life "Guy walks into a doctor's office..." That's not the start of a joke — that is the joke. Men don't go to doctors unless they're in serious pain or really spooked about something. We have our reasons, as squishy as they may be. 8/23/2010 7:51:54 AM
Survey finds most fear boomers will cripple health-care system Four in every five Canadians believe that the demands placed on the health system by aging Baby Boomers will result in reduced access and lower quality care, a poll commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association reveals. 8/23/2010 7:02:04 AM
'Magic drug' gives hope to bipolar patients A new antidepressant being tested in Canada appears to do what no other drug can -- increase connections between brain cells within hours to swiftly improve symptoms. The finding may explain how one dose of ketamine can reduce symptoms of depression within 40 minutes among the hardest-to-treat cases. 8/22/2010 8:55:47 PM
Baring my sole: putting barefoot running to the test The fear is the worst part. Millions of years of evolution may have turned humans into the world's greatest runners, but 20-odd years of wearing sneakers and mom's warnings about glass and needles, have me terrified for my own bare feet. 8/22/2010 1:14:13 PM
Hotel shampoo infected with bacteria Anyone fond of collecting soap and shampoo from hotel rooms may want to check their travel bags as some shampoo has been found to contain bacteria. Ora and Lilac conditioning shampoos were stocked in motels and inns throughout Western Canada and Ontario. 8/22/2010 7:30:15 AM
Cancer faker released by court A 23-year-old Burlington, Ont., woman accused of faking terminal cancer and keeping money she raised, saying it was for cancer groups, was released Friday on the understanding she will pay $5,000 if she violates the conditions of her release. 8/22/2010 7:23:58 AM
Dementia case found to be treatable A 70-year-old woman with signs of early Alzheimer's disease turned out to have a treatable condition, French doctors say. In July 2007, the then 70-year-old came to hospital with a four-month history of confusion and episodes of memory loss but not previous medical history. 8/22/2010 7:23:05 AM
Common acne treatments linked to bowel problems Acne is a difficult enough burden for a young person to bear. Now there's evidence that antibiotics commonly prescribed to help control severe breakouts may, in a very small number of patients, lead to inflammatory bowel disease. 8/22/2010 7:02:56 AM
B.C. toddler painfully waits 10 months for hernia surgery Three-year-old Ruby Gittens does her best to keep up with her older brother and sister, but sometimes the discomfort of her hernia means she lags behind. Watching her daughter struggle and be unable to sleep is frustrating for her mom, Tess Barlow, who is baffled by a delay in Ruby’s treatment. 8/22/2010 6:59:58 AM
When East meets West, cancer patients win An ancient four-herb formula used in China for 1,800 years might one day be available as a prescription pill to treat side effects caused by cancer chemotherapy. The Chinese medicine has long been used for diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and cramps, which happen to be side effects associated with certain chemotherapy drugs. 8/21/2010 7:41:04 PM
Most dangerous trucks and SUVs There's good news for automakers this summer: Domestic sales of cars and trucks were up almost 15 per cent in July, and are on track to reach 11.8 million units by the end of the year. The biggest gains came in the truck and luxury SUV segments. But some trucks and truck-based SUVs still posted declines. 8/21/2010 5:20:03 PM
U.S. Egg Recall: More than half a Billion, 1,000+ sickened A half-billion eggs have been recalled in the nationwide investigation of a salmonella outbreak that Friday expanded to include a second Iowa farm. More than 1,000 people have already been sickened and the toll of illnesses is expected to increase. 8/21/2010 5:09:46 PM
Vernon: Women’s centre seeks donations Demand has spiked at the Vernon Women’s Centre, forcing a plea for public assistance. More than 217 women have sought out the services at the centre during the past month. “By taking action now, your contribution will make a difference in the life of a woman in your community.” 8/21/2010 7:58:40 AM
Medical Tourism: NDM-1 'superbug' found in Ontario hospital Ontario's first case of the so-called superbug NDM-1 has been identified at the William Osler Health Centre in Brampton, CBC News has learned. NDM-1 is found in South Asia, and the Ontario patient picked it up while undergoing a medical procedure in India, the hospital said. 8/21/2010 6:42:11 AM
Penticton: This fundraising walk takes a different approach Most charity walks emphasize the need for funding – asking for pledges and donations, but this weekend‘s Kidney Walk is a little different. “The focus is the awareness of organ donation and the importance of registration,” said Teresa Atkinson, Okanagan representative of the Kidney Foundation of Canada. 8/21/2010 6:37:35 AM
Public warned as B.C. smoke rolls into Saskatchewan The Saskatchewan Health Ministry is warning the public about smoke from British Columbia forest fires. People in western and central areas of the province woke up Friday morning to haze in the sky and the smell of smoke. And southern regions got hazier as the day wore on. 8/20/2010 5:20:19 PM
Walk, cycle to fight obesity: study People who walk or cycle for transport tend to be slimmer than those who rely on a car to get around, according to a new study of 15 countries. The study looked at the relationship between "active travel" — bicycling or walking instead of driving — and physical activity, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. 8/20/2010 5:18:16 PM
Certain pesticides linked to attention problems in kids Children exposed to organophosphate pesticides while still in the womb are more likely to exhibit attention and behavioural problems by kindergarten age, researchers suggest. Scientists found that prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides was significantly linked to attention problems at age five. 8/20/2010 4:44:43 PM
N.S. premier supports clinical trial on MS treatment Nova Scotia's premier has added his voice to a growing chorus of support for a national clinical trial for a controversial treatment for multiple sclerosis. He says the province owes it to those with the disease to fully consider the merits of the treatment. 8/20/2010 6:24:22 AM
Okanagan: Helping pregnant women a click away The Okanagan Valley Pregnancy Care Centre is looking for your support, and it won‘t cost a cent. The centre provides moral and material support to single, pregnant women and mothers. But organizers have always wanted to do more. 8/20/2010 6:15:54 AM
Tai Chi Reported to Ease Fibromyalgia A clinical trial at Tufts Medical Center found that after 12 weeks of tai chi, patients with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, did significantly better in measurements of pain, fatigue, physical functioning, sleeplessness and depression than a comparable group. 8/19/2010 1:27:44 PM
Size and gender are big factors in success of heart transplants When it comes to heart transplants, size and gender are major factors, a study on survival rates after such surgery shows. The 20-year German study on 1,000 transplants showed that men who receive donor hearts from women have worse survival rates than women receiving male hearts. 8/19/2010 8:27:39 AM
Wait for transplants may be cut as study finds kidneys from dead donors are viable THOUSANDS of patients waiting for a kidney transplant will be offered new hope today by research that could vastly increase the number of donor organs available in Britain. More patients could receive kidneys from recently deceased donors after a study found that they perform just as well. 8/18/2010 8:58:43 PM
Patient outraged by masturbating roommate A Sault Ste. Marie woman is outraged after she witnessed a man masturbating in the bed across from her in a mixed-gender hospital ward last month while she was recovering from a heart attack. The man in the bed across from her masturbated and the man in the bed beside her gave her "the eye." 8/18/2010 8:06:05 PM
Tories Isotope Screw-up: Fallout to last years The president of the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine searches for the words he will use with patients with advanced cancers and cardiovascular diseases because of the Chalk River nuclear reactor shutdown. "The bottom line is there is no excuse,” said Dr. Jean-Luc Urbain. 8/18/2010 7:03:40 PM
TV Show: The blind leading the sighted There’s a lot more to portraying a blind person than walking with a white cane. That’s what actor Christopher Gorham found out when he reached out to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind for tips on playing sightless CIA agent Auggie Anderson on the USA Network show Covert Affairs, which is filmed in Toronto. 8/18/2010 4:41:03 PM
Low income, education tied to diabetes in women: StatsCan Low income and education levels are linked to the onset of Type 2 diabetes in Canadian women, says new data released Wednesday by Statistics Canada. These factors are independent of other well-established diabetes indicators, including excess weight, the federal agency says. 8/18/2010 4:30:45 PM
Decriminalize heroin and cocaine, says top U.K. doctor A debate over the decriminalization of heroin and cocaine has erupted again in Great Britain after a private statement by the one-time head of the Royal College of Physicians. He called for a change in tactics, decriminalizing illicit drug use and treating addiction as a health problem not a criminal problem. 8/18/2010 1:37:15 PM
Scientists suggest fresh look at psychedelic drugs Mind-altering drugs like LSD, ketamine or magic mushrooms could be combined with psychotherapy to treat people suffering from depression, compulsive disorders or chronic pain. (Ed: The War against drugs gang has tried to keep this research from happening for years.) 8/18/2010 1:05:04 PM
Update: Poor planning by Interior Health delays Penticton Hospital CT scanner “They knew they were in trouble … then they went back and figured out they would need another $300,000,” Janice Perrino said. Service clubs, organizations, companies and individuals who donated funds have been waiting for months to see the new scanner installed at PRH. (Ed: We don't hear anyone apologizing.) 8/18/2010 6:52:26 AM
Hearing loss on the increase among U.S. teens As many as one in five U.S. teenagers have some degree of hearing loss, according to researchers who said the problem is growing. "Often the individual won't notice it, but even slight hearing loss may lead to differences in language development and learning," said Dr. Josef Shargorodsky. 8/17/2010 5:27:34 PM
Princess culture turning girls into overspending narcissists Sheri Shuler has a four-year-old daughter who is into princesses. Or, rather, Disney princesses and their accoutrements. The dresses, the hair, the tiaras. This has Shuler concerned. So she decided to take a sabbatical to study what academics are starting to call "princess culture." 8/17/2010 5:04:16 PM
Cancer is world's costliest disease, report shows Cancer is the world's top "economic killer" as well as its likely leading cause of death, the American Cancer Society contends at a global cancer conference in China. Cancer costs more in productivity and lost life than AIDS, malaria, the flu and other diseases that spread person-to-person. 8/17/2010 2:18:58 PM
Does Wi-Fi make you sick? Living wirelessly could come with a price. But it depends on who you ask. With parents in Barrie arguing that Wi-Fi in elementary schools is making their children sick, it appears the jury is still out among scientists on whether electromagnetic radiation from wireless routers can harm your health. 8/17/2010 7:29:11 AM
Canadian scientists discover pattern of DNA mutation in 40 diseases Canadian scientists could hold the key to improving health conditions for or even curing patients suffering from several progressive diseases after locating where DNA "slips" and mutates, causing the sicknesses to worsen. "This is a big breakthrough for the medical community." 8/16/2010 9:00:25 PM
Tyra Banks responds to 'Top Model' promo controversy "America's Next Top Model" has featured some skinny girls over the years, but Ann, who auditioned for Cycle 15, might take the cake. The 6-foot-2 stick-thin girl has such a small waist that judge J. Alexander can span his hands around it. The promo clip featuring Ann is causing controvers. 8/16/2010 8:45:21 PM
Statscan survey finds BPA present in bodies of 91 per cent of Canadians The vast majority of Canadians – more than nine out of 10 – have detectable levels of bisphenol A in their urine, according to the first large scale survey for the amount of the estrogen mimicking chemical in the population. The highest concentration of the chemical, used to make polycarbonate plastic, were in teens aged 12 to 19. 8/16/2010 7:47:16 AM
Teen sex doesn't cause bad grades, but beware 'hook ups' There's good news for parents who worry that their teenagers' sex lives are affecting their school performance: A provocative new study has found that teens in committed relationships do no better or worse in school than those don't have sex. The same isn't true for teens who "hook up." 8/15/2010 1:45:00 PM
Childhood stress leads to adult ill health, studies say Adversity and stress early in life leads to long-term ill health and early death, a group of psychologists warn. A series of studies suggest that childhood stress caused by poverty or abuse can lead to heart disease, inflammation, and speed up cell ageing. 8/15/2010 1:30:44 PM
Ontario: Families criticize move of mental health patients from North Bay to Sudbury Every day Gwen Size loses another piece of her husband as he drifts deeper into the dementia he's been fighting for a decade. Now the 79-year-old fears she'll lose him altogether, with a plan underway to move 31 mental health patients from North Bay, Ont., to another facility in Sudbury, Ont., about two hours away. 8/15/2010 10:18:06 AM
Parents at 14 Ontario schools say Wi-Fi is making their kids sick A group of central Ontario parents is demanding their children's schools turn off wireless Internet before they head back to school next month, fearing the technology is making the kids sick. Some parents in the Barrie, Ont., area say their children are showing a host of symptoms ranging from headaches and dizziness to nausea and even racing heart rates. 8/15/2010 10:04:18 AM
Edmonton toddler finally returns home after latest facial surgery Maddox Flynn is back in Edmonton after a month-long trip to New York for his second major facial surgery. The two-and-a-half-year-old arrived home Saturday morning along with parents Mike and Nicole. “Maddox is doing great and we’re happy to be home.” 8/15/2010 6:58:19 AM
Organ donation a fine idea — in theory: poll Canada's relatively low rate of organ donation doesn't seem to be due to a lack of public support for the idea, a poll suggests. Canadians are strong supporters of both organ and tissue donation, with 95 per cent of respondents approving. 8/14/2010 6:29:25 AM
Interior Health crowing over first West Nile bird Kelowna made West Nile history Wednesday when a dead crow tested positive, a first in B.C. It‘s also the first evidence of any West Nile activity in the province this year. To date this year, there have been no human cases or positive mosquito pools reported or identified in 1,200 pools in higher-risk areas. 8/14/2010 6:07:24 AM
Interior Health screw-up: New CT Scanner for Penticton is delayed The long-awaited replacement CT Scanner for Penticton Regional Hospital is going to arrive several months later than expected. The new scanner was expected to be installed and operational by October but now won’t be ready until spring 2011, according to Janice Perrino. 8/13/2010 5:59:51 PM
Eat an Apple (Doctor’s Orders) Doctors at three health centers in Massachusetts have begun advising patients to eat “prescription produce” from local farmers’ markets, in an effort to fight obesity in children. Now they will give coupons amounting to $1 a day for each member of a patient’s family to promote healthy meals. 8/13/2010 5:18:59 PM
Superbug is proof of medical tourism consequences: Alberta Doctors in Alberta are warning people that there are risks involved in travelling to foreign lands to get medical help, and they're citing a new antibiotic-resistant superbug emerging in southern Asia as a prime example. The individual had been in a hospital in India before being infected and was discharged after being treated back in Canada. 8/13/2010 5:07:46 PM
Go ahead and argue, it's good for your health A little arguing now and then is good for you, if done for the right reasons, a new study suggests. The results show when people experience tension with someone, whether their boss, spouse, or child, sidestepping confrontation could be bad for their health. 8/13/2010 5:03:10 PM
Doctors calling for ban on mixed martial arts "Ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls; children of all ages! In this corner, weighing in at a staggering mass of popularity, we have the blood sport known as mixed-martial arts!" Pause for applause. "And, in our other corner, sporting a stethoscope and look of genuine consternation, we have . . . Canadian doctors!" 8/13/2010 4:54:39 PM
Census change will undermine planning: Alberta Health Services Alberta's health services boss says the federal government's decision to scrap the long-form mandatory census will undermine the department's ability to plan. Stephen Duckett said the province needs "good information" about how Alberta's population is changing to effectively plan how health care will be delivered. 8/13/2010 4:53:14 PM
Pea plant grows inside man's lung A Massachusetts man who was rushed to hospital with a collapsed lung came home with an unusual diagnosis: a pea plant was growing in his lung. Ron Sveden had been battling emphysema for months when his condition deteriorated. He was steeling himself for a cancer diagnosis when X-rays revealed the growth in his lung. 8/13/2010 11:14:44 AM
The secret to healthier grocery shopping: duct tape A simple piece of duct tape can double the amount of healthy food shoppers buy at the grocery store. Collin Payne and his team stretched some yellow tape across the middle of a shopping cart, with a sign telling shoppers to put fruits and vegetables in one half and the other groceries in the other. 8/13/2010 10:31:46 AM
Chalk River reactor to resume isotope production The troubled Chalk River nuclear reactor is poised to resume isotope production after a 15-month hiatus. Atomic Energy of Canada says it expects to have the Ontario reactor back up and running this month. The 53-year-old National Research Universal reactor supplied a third of the world's isotopes. 8/13/2010 9:54:54 AM
Study links acetaminophen use with higher risk of teenage asthma Teenagers who take acetaminophen — one of world's most popular painkillers — even once a month may be at double the risk for asthma, new research suggests. Even yearly use of acetaminophen may increase asthma risk by 50 per cent. 8/13/2010 6:52:57 AM
Town issues Water Warning for Oliver In what is believed to be the first time in its history, the town has issued a water quality advisory.
Residents affected by the advisory include everyone within the municipal boundaries. This includes people on the Osoyoos Indian Band land. 8/13/2010 6:32:21 AM
Claims Chinese milk powder makes babies grow breasts A panel of nine experts will investigate claims that a milk powder fed to babies in China was causing the girls to grow breasts. China’s Health Ministry announced Thursday that endocrine, pediatric and food-safety experts will study the cases and make the results public as soon as possible. 8/12/2010 5:39:11 PM
West Nile virus confirmed in the Okanagan The Provincial Animal Health Centre has confirmed that a dead crow from the Central Okanagan area has tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the first positive case of WNV in a crow ever in B.C. and the first evidence of any WNV activity in the province this year. 8/12/2010 5:00:21 PM
Give the gift of life by walking Giving the gift of life can be, in some cases, as simple as taking a walk. With that idea planted, Teresa Atkinson and Annick Lim hope the community will consider support and participating in the third annual Penticton Kidney Walk on Aug. 22, starting at Gyro Park. 8/12/2010 2:53:56 PM
Dangerous new superbug has cropped up in Vancouver A new drug-resistant superbug that can render common infections like E. coli untreatable recently appeared in Vancouver. NDM-1, the superbug is not itself a bacteria but, perhaps more dangerously, it is a gene common to and transferrable among many different bacteria. 8/12/2010 9:33:11 AM
Stem cells used to treat lung disease DOCTORS have used stem cells from bone marrow to help heal children with a killer skin disease, and to repair injured lungs, two groundbreaking studies published today reveal. Researchers used bone marrow stem cells to treat children with a rare genetic skin disorder. 8/11/2010 7:53:42 PM
Health Canada survey suggests nutrition labels confuse consumers Consumers are utterly confused by the nutrition facts table on the back of prepackaged foods meant to help shoppers make healthier food choices, a new Health Canada survey has found. (Ed: Many believe that Health Canada made them that way on purpose. They are notoriously pro-the-processed-food-industry.) 8/11/2010 7:14:29 PM
Our foot woes start with ugly toes Diane Mapes writes: Some look like sausages, some look like Space Needles and others are just plain scary. “My toenails have the dreaded fungus,” says Ann Wendell, a 51-year-old consultant from Seattle. “They grow in gnarly shapes and at odd angles like the petrified forest. My daughter is completely afraid of them." 8/11/2010 11:47:32 AM
New superbug spreading from India, U.K. A new superbug could spread around the world after reaching Britain from India — in part because of medical tourism — and scientists say there are almost no drugs to treat it. 8/11/2010 9:55:47 AM
Cyclists should be forced to wear helmets: study A new study is calling on provincial governments to pass laws that force cyclists to wear helmets. The study suggests cyclists are much more likely to wear helmets and avoid injuries if they live in a province with a mandatory helmet law. There is little consistency across Canada in terms of helmet use legislation. 8/10/2010 4:03:54 PM
Alzheimer's predicted by spinal-fluid test Alzheimer's disease can be accurately predicted by analyzing biomarkers in spinal fluid, Belgium researchers have found. A protein signature was found in the cerebrospinal fluid of 90 per cent of people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and 72 per cent of people with mild cognitive impairment or MCI. 8/10/2010 3:50:44 PM
Pathologist Dr. Charles Smith's victims to be compensated Ontario will offer payments of up to $250,000 for each person whose life was directly affected by Dr. Charles Smith's flawed pediatric forensic pathology. The decision announced Tuesday comes almost two years after the Goudge inquiry's report on 45 criminally suspicious children's deaths. 8/10/2010 3:42:19 PM
Brain works more like internet than 'top down' company The brain appears to be a vastly interconnected network much like the Internet. That runs counter to the 19th-Century "top-down" view of brain structure. A novel technique to track signals across tiny brain regions has revealed connections between regions associated with stress, depression and appetite. 8/10/2010 5:55:46 AM
B.C. hospitals failing high-risk mothers, anesthetists warn The B.C. Anesthesiologists’ Society warns that three out of four hospitals in the province charged with caring for high-risk expectant mothers are not meeting safety recommendations. Facing some of the lowest pay and highest hours in Canada, anesthetists have been fleeing the province for decades. 8/9/2010 9:03:15 PM
Fido's food could be making kids sick, report says Fido's food may be making kids sick, a government report warns, detailing the first known salmonella outbreak in humans, mostly young children, linked to pet food. The outbreak sickened 79 people in 21 mostly eastern states, between 2006 and 2008. Almost half of the victims were children aged 2 and younger. 8/9/2010 12:40:13 PM
Growing up too soon? Puberty strikes 7-year-old girls The changes in Kiera’s body scared her parents. Though the 8-year-old seemed her usual chipper self, she’d started to develop headaches and acne. More alarming to her mom, Sharon, were the budding breasts on Kiera’s thin little chest. “I thought, she’s too young,” remembers the Pittsburgh mom. 8/9/2010 9:28:10 AM
Canada 15th most popular for plastic surgery Canadian physicians performed the 15th most cosmetic surgery procedures in 2009, according to the first detailed survey of international plastic surgery. The United States remains the top spot. China, Brazil, India and Mexico rounded out the top five. 8/9/2010 9:12:15 AM
Chrétien up and about after brain surgery Former prime minister Jean Chrétien was up and walking Sunday and in good spirits at the Jewish General Hospital, his longtime aide Bruce Hartley said. He is expected to be released from the hospital early this week but will have to rest for several weeks, doctors say. 8/9/2010 6:42:03 AM
Family 'ashamed' woman lied about cancer A woman accused of pretending to have cancer so she could raise money for herself is to appear in an Ontario court Monday to face charges, but her father says she won't have the support of her family. "She was pleading for me to be there because she doesn't have anybody else," a weary Mike Kirilow said. 8/9/2010 6:39:18 AM
B.C. used penile teen sex test for decades Young B.C. sex offenders were subjected to controversial testing with a genital measuring device for more than two decades, despite regular concerns from within government.
Government officials, clinicians and researchers were often at odds over the continued testing over the continued testing with a genital sensor device. 8/9/2010 6:34:42 AM
Tons of fun: More than 500 NFL players at 300 pounds plus Ten or 20 years ago, Nate Newton and William “The Refrigerator” Perry were on a short list of larger-than-life rarities in the NFL. The 300-plus-pound behemoths made headlines simply for existing. Their every move shook the field and made people take notice. These days players their size hardly make a dent. 8/8/2010 12:06:03 PM
Sears recalls girls' underwear sets Sears Canada is recalling thousands of young girls' Joe Boxer underwear sets sold over the past four years because they're not safe to be worn to bed as pyjamas. The clothing meets Health Canada's flammability tests for underwear, but not if worn as sleepwear. 8/8/2010 11:06:14 AM
New signs outline better route to Penticton hospital You are sitting in your car on Lakeside Road near the west part of Skaha Beach with a child in the back who is bleeding slowly because he just sliced his finger open playing with your fishing knife. Which route do you take to Penticton Regional Hospital? 8/8/2010 7:16:39 AM
Our personalities may be set as early as 1st grade Our personalities stay pretty much the same throughout our lives, from our early childhood years to after we're over the hill, according to a new study. The results show personality traits observed in children as young as first graders are a strong predictor of adult behavior. 8/7/2010 7:42:27 AM
Penticton: Region lands air ambulance trial An eight-week pilot project launched late last month by the B.C. Ambulance Service now has a designated air ambulance helicopter, dedicated to providing air transport for critically ill or injured patients in the Southern Interior. The BCAS only has three dedicated helicopter air ambulances in the province. 8/7/2010 7:27:25 AM
Cold beer, hot dogs can bring on headaches? You've stuck your toes in the sand and fired up the grill. The burgers are sizzling. An ice-cold Corona and a panoply of toppings awaits. Sounds like the recipe for a perfect summer afternoon. And the formula for a killer headache, it turns out. 8/7/2010 6:56:26 AM
Premiers to build bulk-buy drug program Canada's premiers and territorial leaders say they will work to establish a pan-Canadian purchasing alliance to bulk-buy prescription drugs, medical supplies and equipment. Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger said provinces must continue to find innovative ways to offer health-care services to Canadians. 8/7/2010 6:41:57 AM
Kelowna's Beaches closed by toxic fire, now open Effective immediately, two Okanagan Lake beaches are open again and available for swimming. Hot Sands Beach and the beach area from five road ends south of Mill Creek are no longer closed. “We apologize for any inconvenience the isolated beach closures may have had for residents and visitors to the area." 8/7/2010 5:57:28 AM
Penticton Penticton Cops call for lifejackets for Channel Floaters In the opening paragraph of Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide the second line reads, “If you remember one thing found between these covers, it should be to always wear your lifejacket when on the water. It could save your life!” 8/7/2010 5:12:45 AM
New liquor licence rules worry municipalities New rules proposed by the provincial government to streamline how it deals with liquor licences will mean less consultation with local government officials, who worry that could result in more neighbourhood noise and nuisance complaints. The UBCM wrote to Minister Rich Coleman protesting the lack of consultation. 8/6/2010 5:51:36 AM
Aspirin a day doesn’t keep doctor away: study Taking an Aspirin a day to keep first heart attacks away has been a common practice for years, recommended by many doctors to middle-aged or older patients. But a new B.C. study shows the benefits are slight and are outweighed by the risk of ulcers and bleeding. 8/6/2010 5:46:53 AM
Cancer patients lack access to new drugs: lobby A British report said that of 14 countries studied, Canada ranked 13th in usage of cancer drugs launched in the last five years. "I think this means that many cancer patients, many Canadians, aren't getting the treatments that might help them for their cancer," Dr. Kong Khoo said from Kelowna. 8/6/2010 5:44:30 AM
Kelowna Toxic fire: Nearby businesses breathing sigh of relief It‘s business as usual for many people who work near an industrial centre destroyed by fire, but some Interior Health employees have an extra week off with pay. Privately-owned firms in the Kirschener Road district re-opened Tuesday after the Saturday night fire at the Stewart Centre, 8/5/2010 6:23:39 AM
Kids’ fitness tax breaks benefit wealthy: Analysis Low income kids, the ones who need the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit most, are disproportionately missing out. Analysts found 55 per cent of parents at the high end of the income scale had claimed the credit for the 2007 tax year, while only 28.2 per cent of lowest income parents had. 8/4/2010 5:15:12 PM
Scientists zero in on genetic origins of heart disease A massive genome sweep of 100,000 people has uncovered dozens of gene variants that can boost two types of blood lipids, or fat, known to contribute to heart disease. The findings, published as two studies in Nature, open up multiple paths for the design of drugs that could help tame "bad" cholesterol. 8/4/2010 5:06:09 PM
FDA declares Gulf seafood safe to eat Seafood from some parts of the oil-fouled Gulf of Mexico has been declared safe to eat by the government, based in part on human smell tests. But even some Gulf fishermen are questioning whether the fish and shrimp are OK to feed to their own families. 8/4/2010 11:09:32 AM
Having a sister might make you a better person Though siblings can sometimes be a pain, having a sister might be good for kids' emotional health, according to a new study. The results show young adolescents who had sisters either younger or older were less likely to experience negative feelings, such as loneliness and guilt. 8/4/2010 10:22:07 AM
Experimental MS treatment suffers setback That doesn’t discourage Perry Goodyear of Grand Bank, Nfld., who is heading to the United States in October for treatment. “They’re going to do whatever they can to run it down anyway. It doesn’t discourage me, not a bit, because I’ve done a lot of research on it. I know that it works. I’ve had a lot of friends that have had amazing results,” the 37-year-old said. 8/4/2010 6:35:26 AM
Fraser Health region received most complaints in B.C. The Fraser Health region received the most patient complaints in the province, according to the first report of a new agency set up to improve accountability and transparency in the health care system. 8/4/2010 6:27:11 AM
Botched Surgery: Windsor surgical chief quits ahead of report The findings of an intense investigation into a hospital in Windsor, Ont., where two women underwent unnecessary mastectomies will be released Wednesday, amid reports the hospital's chief of surgery has resigned. (Dr. Barbara Hartwell, surgeon, pictured.) 8/4/2010 6:02:34 AM
Rare Oliver ‘Boil’ Water Advisory Oliver’s municipal water system serving customers inside town boundaries rarely has problems with coliform counts but today (Tuesday) is the exception with an advisory being prepared for users. This boil water advisory could last two weeks until the quality improves for at least three days of testing. 8/4/2010 5:35:58 AM
'Just Say Now': Left-Right Coalition Launches Campaign To Legalize Pot A transpartisan coalition of prosecutors, judges, cops, students, bloggers and political operatives on both sides of the aisle launched a campaign Tuesday to bring an end to marijuana prohibition, focusing on ballot initiatives in 2010 and 2012. 8/3/2010 7:19:12 PM
Exercise bulimia sufferers struggle with guilt when they miss a workout As a sophomore at Monte Vista High School in Danville, Calif., Brett Zorich was a record-setting track star who left rivals in her dust. Ultimately, however, her fiercest opponent turned out to be herself. While experiencing a 5-inch growth spurt at age 15, she fought to maintain the 100 pounds she carried as a 5-foot-2 freshman. 8/3/2010 5:30:11 PM
Canada's doctors prescribe treatment for our failing health system According to the wide-ranging policy document from the Canadian Medical Association, the underlying principles of the Canada Health Act — which include universality and accessibility — are not being met and also need to be updated to match the realities of today's health-care system. 8/3/2010 4:35:39 PM
Low-carb diet better at boosting 'good' cholesterol Over the long term, a low-carb diet works just as well as a low-fat diet at taking off the pounds -- and it might be better for your heart, new research suggests. Both diets improved cholesterol, but those on the low-carbohydrate diet got a bigger boost in their so-called good cholesterol, nearly twice as much. 8/3/2010 9:39:21 AM
Poverty plays role in cancer death rates: study Cancer patients from poorer communities in Ontario have a greater chance of dying prematurely than those from wealthier backgrounds, but the stage of cancer at time of diagnosis made little difference, researchers have found. 8/3/2010 6:50:38 AM
Banned chemical coats 40% of store receipts Bisphenol A, the controversial chemical that Canada banned from baby bottles, may be coating the sales receipt you take at a store’s cash register. In a study, 40 per cent of receipts collected from major U.S. retailers, supermarkets, food chains and gas stations contained BPA, known as a hormone-disrupting chemical. 8/3/2010 6:33:35 AM
Can texting be addictive? Question? - Is it possible to be addicted to texting? Our 14-year-old daughter has become so attached to her phone, we are beginning to worry about her. Although her marks are still excellent, she shows little interest in things she used to enjoy, such as reading and spending family time. 8/3/2010 5:54:12 AM
Horses have a way with people Alley Kat is a super-sensitive palomino. When people approach her with bravado in their voice but fear written in their tight shoulders, shallow breaths and jittery legs, Alley Kat bolts. She can read the smallest incongruous body language that tells her to be wary. 8/2/2010 6:19:11 PM
Calgary psychiatrist now faces 21 sex assault charges A Calgary psychiatrist who frequently provided expert opinions in court now faces 21 charges of sexual assault, most of which allegedly took place during court-ordered visits. Dr. Aubrey Levin, 71, was first arrested and charged in Calgary in March after allegations that he repeatedly assaulted a 36-year-old patient. 8/2/2010 4:42:31 PM
Cancer cells slurp up fructose, U.S. study finds Pancreatic tumour cells use fructose to divide and proliferate, U.S. researchers said Monday in a study that challenges the common wisdom that all sugars are the same. Tumour cells fed both glucose and fructose used the two sugars in two different ways, the team found. 8/2/2010 4:10:51 PM
Mill Creek hazardous waste flows into Okanagan Lake Containment and clean up efforts are underway in connection with the spill of hazardous chemicals earlier Sunday into Mill Creek. Work crews will be removing contained hazardous materials collected at the site of Saturday night’s fire on Kirschner Road, the source of the contaminants. 8/2/2010 9:59:03 AM
'Winter tire' boot aims to thwart icy falls Despite the summer weather outside, researchers at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute are donning parkas and heading into a frigid lab to design a winter boot that helps prevent slips and falls on ice. At the institute's climate-controlled laboratory, student researcher Jennifer Hsu is trying to determine how and why winter falls occur. 8/2/2010 7:07:08 AM
Cancer test urged for B.C.'s South Asian women A group of South Asian students at Simon Fraser University gathered at a park in Surrey on Saturday to raise awareness about cervical cancer. "Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancer killers of women, especially in the South Asian community," said Chantelle Chand of South Asians for Change. 8/2/2010 6:14:46 AM
Seven hours the magic number for sleep: study People who sleep more or fewer than seven hours a day, including naps, are increasing their risk for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. The most at-risk group was adults under 60 years of age who slept five hours or fewer a night. 8/1/2010 3:55:07 PM
Again!: 'Ready-to-eat' meat products recalled over food-poisoning fears The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume a number of ready-to-eat cooked meat products because they may be contaminated with food-borne pathogens. The affected products from G. Brandt Meat Packers Ltd. of Brampton, Ont., have been distributed nationally. 8/1/2010 11:33:51 AM
12 secrets to staying young The mythical fountain of youth discovered? No, even better! We’ve found proven ways to live a longer, fuller life with help from antiaging guru Henry S. Lodge, M.D., author of "Younger Next Year for Women" (Workman Publishing). Complete this checklist to see if a few new habits could add years — and fun — to your life. 8/1/2010 10:07:52 AM
Alcohol can lessen the pain of arthritis Lots of studies have suggested that drinking alcohol – in moderation, of course – can bestow certain health benefits, most notably a reduced risk of heart disease. Now, new research indicates it may also lessen the pain and disability of rheumatoid arthritis. 7/31/2010 7:15:54 AM
Antioxidants all about getting back to nature There's no great secret to getting your antioxidants, home economist Mairlyn Smith says. "People are confused about antioxidants because it sounds like a mysterious group of things in stuff," the Vancouverbased Smith says. "But it's an umbrella word like vitamins. There are all sorts of different kinds." 7/31/2010 6:26:02 AM
Sex charge prompts expanded probe of youth-offender penile test Although B.C.’s minister of children and families permanently shut down a controversial testing method on youth sex offenders Thursday, the province’s advocate for children’s rights says she will intensify her review of the program. The testing has been conducted by the government’s Youth Forensic Psychiatric Service for the past 25 years. 7/31/2010 6:13:47 AM
Apple announces Magic Trackpad, great for Disabled I’ve had “wireless multi-touch trackpad” at the top of my person Apple wishes for several years now, so I was thrilled at Apple’s announcement announcement of the Magic Trackpad yesterday. The announcement itself was somewhat hidden, but the Magic Touchpad is of special interest to users with disabilities. 7/31/2010 5:28:00 AM
No fence at hospital where Vince Li, the Greyhound killer, will take walks There will be more guards, but no fence at a Winnipeg-area mental health facility where bus beheader Vince Li has been granted escorted walks. Li is being held at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre after being found not criminally responsible for stabbing and beheading Tim McLean on a Greyhound bus in July 2008. 7/30/2010 1:18:54 PM
Canadian lab successfully re-grows brain cells Researchers at the University of Lethbridge will announce Friday they are the first in the world to successfully re-grow brain cells in adult mammals, which could be a critical step in the drive to find a treatment for such neurological ailments as Alzheimer's. 7/30/2010 5:56:47 AM
Shameful: Salt-reduction targets shaken off by health minister The food industry tried to dampen expectations that companies will be able to reach the voluntary sodium-reduction targets in foods blamed for playing a big part in dangerously high sodium consumption of Canadians. (Ed: It's criminal that authorities know this is deadly but are still lying to the public.) 7/30/2010 5:55:45 AM
Staffer's sex-offence charge prompts axing of controversial B.C. program A sex-offense charge against a staff member involved in a controversial testing program for teenage sex offenders has helped convince B.C’s minister of children and family development to cancel the program. The testing tactic has been employed for about 20 years. (Ed: Gov't is trying to avoid blame on this one.) 7/29/2010 4:21:14 PM
Ottawa gives $110 million to fight diabetes in aboriginals The federal government is giving aboriginal people a $110-million boost to help fight diabetes in their communities, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced here Wednesday. The money will go toward the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative which provides diabetes-related education and health resources. 7/29/2010 1:23:15 PM
Food industry urged to pinch sodium from products Canadians need to break their addiction to salt, and food manufacturers need to help. The Sodium Working Group released six general and 27 specific recommendations in its report Thursday that call for manufacturers to voluntarily lower the sodium content of their products over time. 7/29/2010 12:58:55 PM
Can a vasectomy kill a guy's sex drive? By Brian Alexander: - Can a vasectomy dim a guy's enjoyment of sex? Also, how does a young woman in a rural area without any resources find a safe way to come out and enter the "lesbian scene"? Sexploration answers your most intimate queries. Got a question? E-mail us . We'll post answers to select questions. 7/29/2010 12:49:04 PM
Hands-only CPR enough to save a life, studies say More bystanders are willing to attempt CPR if an emergency dispatcher gives them firm and direct instructions — especially if they can just press on the chest and skip the mouth-to-mouth, according to new research. The two new studies conclude that "hands-only" chest compression is enough to save a life. 7/29/2010 6:34:27 AM
B.C. should help fund clinical trials of experimental MS therapy: MLA B.C. should take Saskatchewan up on its invitation to help fund clinical trials of a promising but untested therapy for multiple sclerosis patients, New Democrat MLA Adrian Dix said Wednesday. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall announced his province will fund Canada’s first clinical trials of the therapy. 7/29/2010 6:12:38 AM
B.C. woman calls for aboveground pool regulations A Greater Victoria woman, whose home was badly damaged when a neighbour's above-ground pool collapsed last year, is calling for the industry to be regulated. "We just heard it. It was like a whoosh," recalled Caron Somers who watched as 50,000 litres of water poured into the basement. 7/29/2010 5:11:06 AM
Slow down and move over – a safety reminder to all drivers Emergency workers often risk their lives to protect and save the lives of others. Between 2001 and 2007, 21 emergency workers were killed or injured on B.C. roads. When an emergency vehicle is operating on the side of the road, that area becomes a workspace. Slowing down and moving over improves worker safety. 7/28/2010 5:23:02 PM
B.C. suspends penile sex tests on young offenders Comments The B.C. government has suspended a controversial test called a penile plethysmograph, which it was using to assess young sex offenders to determine their risk of reoffending after treatment. On Wednesday, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association demanded the government intervene after it learned of the tests. 7/28/2010 4:05:31 PM
B.C. in dire need of colorectal cancer screening program, survivors say Vancouver colorectal cancer survivors Ruth Tremblay and Doug Shirlaw joined NDP health critic Adrian Dix on Tuesday in calling for a provincial screening program that would reduce deaths by either preventing such cancers or catching them earlier. 7/28/2010 6:38:06 AM
Keremeos: Reservoir construction would not trigger automatic chlorination The Keremeos Irrigation District would like to clarify the information with regards to the proposed reservoir project. The reservoir is not only required for fire protection but an adequately sized reservoir is an integral part of a water system that has to meet the domestic, irrigation and fire flow needs of a community. 7/28/2010 6:01:58 AM
Grand Forks: Slain boy's family blasts B.C. Health Ministry The family of a slain autistic boy has condemned B.C.'s mental health system, saying the boy's death was "completely avoidable." Speaking publicly for the first time, the family of 12-year-old John Fulton has written a scathing letter, making it clear they believe the Ministry of Health Services let their son down. 7/28/2010 5:31:54 AM
Feeling some aches and pains? Have a drink, British scientists say British researchers have good news for Canadians suffering from rheumatoid arthritis — new research, published in the journal Rheumatology, suggests drinking alcohol may decrease symptoms such as joint pain, swelling and inflammation. 7/27/2010 7:01:09 PM
Japanese women have longest life expectancy Japanese women are expected to live almost 86 ½ years, topping the world longevity ratings for the 25th straight year. The statistics for 2009 showed both Japanese women and men extended their average life expectancy to new records — 86.44 years for women and 79.59 years for men. 7/27/2010 4:18:36 PM
Preemie-care flip at Surrey Memorial bewilders donors The Fraser Health Authority has made a closed-door decision to cancel care for the most needy of premature newborns at Surrey Memorial Hospital — just months after the much-needed service was launched. And the move has left residents who worked tirelessly to raise millions of dollars angry and bewildered. 7/27/2010 3:07:02 PM
Saskatchewan premier calls for clinical trials of MS treatment Saskatchewan is ready to help pay for clinical trials of the so-called liberation treatment for multiple sclerosis sufferers, despite a lack of scientific evidence that it might work, says Premier Brad Wall. Saskatchewan has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis among provinces. 7/27/2010 2:57:07 PM
He conquered his sweet tooth, lost 220 lbs.! “Food used to control me,” said 46-year-old Fran DiVecchio. “I would eat because I felt sad and frustrated … I was in denial.” The newest member of the Joy Fit Club used food as an emotional crutch, indulging in fatty carbohydrates like french fries, grilled cheese or turkey sandwiches covered in gravy. 7/27/2010 9:17:22 AM
The Net can be good for your Health I can download a new episode of my favourite TV show on the night it shows in the US. I can email a movie of my son to his grandparent overseas. I can find a long-lost friend on Facebook in less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee. 7/26/2010 7:52:09 PM
Royal Inland Hospital is testing grounds for Airevac program Royal Inland Hospital is the testing grounds for an air-ambulance pilot project. For the next two months, a specially equipped Bell 412 helicopter will be based out of Kamloops and will respond to emergency calls of more than 30 minutes away and execute patient transfers of more than one hour in length. 7/26/2010 7:06:55 PM
B.C. scientists begin trials on cancer vaccines B.C. scientists hope that a serendipitous discovery about human cells and a brain-wasting disease affecting deer and elk may lead to a cure for common cancers such as melanoma and lymphoma. Simultaneous animal trials are starting at the University of B.C. and the BC Cancer Agency Research Centre. 7/26/2010 6:47:23 PM
Vancouver Island doctor convicted of sexually assaulting teen patient A Vancouver Island doctor has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy at a medical clinic after the physician made incriminating comments during phone calls taped by RCMP. The boy was an avid mountain biker and had frequently been treated for minor injuries by Dr. Farrokh Rohani at the clinic. 7/26/2010 6:26:24 PM
Energy drinks a sugary drug for kids: MDs The Canadian Medical Association Journal is voicing alarm over the increasing popularity of highly caffeinated energy drinks among kids and teens. "Caffeine-loaded energy drinks have now crossed the line from beverages to drugs delivered as tasty syrups." 7/26/2010 4:50:43 PM
Chilliwack: Ultrasound anxiety for MS patient An Italian researcher has taken research in a whole new direction and developed what appears to be a revolutionary new approach. Worldwide, people with MS are clammoring for access to his ‘Liberation Treatment.’ Tracie Welsh is one of those people, and she has agreed to have her quest for a cure chronicled. 7/26/2010 4:16:15 PM
Full face transplant Spaniard displays new look A Spanish man who underwent the world's first full face transplant appeared before TV cameras Monday for the first time since his surgery, thanking his doctors and the family of the donor. Identified only as Oscar, the 31-year-old spoke with considerable difficulty at a news conference at Barcelona's Vall d'Hebron hospital. 7/26/2010 9:36:56 AM
Disabled Accessibility: iPhone, iPad and VoiceOver Several years ago, I looked at the Apple VoiceOver screen reader and found it wanting. Last week, I returned to VoiceOver and, at the risk of further inflaming the hyperbolic passion of the Apple Fan boys/girls, I must say it is amazing how much difference a few years can make. 7/26/2010 8:52:28 AM
Disabilities debate rages 20 years later When President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990, he addressed concerns the sweeping civil rights law would be ''too vague or costly, or may lead endlessly to litigation.'' Since then, "The ADA has broken down barriers, created opportunities and transformed lives." 7/26/2010 7:17:56 AM
‘Probably people died’ from excitement as Canada won gold: expert While most jumped for joy after Canada won Olympic hockey gold, others may have died from the excitement, an expert says. Dr. Martin A. Samuels calls such deaths “voodoo deaths,” caused by fright or high stress, a phenomenon he has been studying for 40 years. 7/26/2010 7:12:50 AM
Fat carried in blood increases risk of strokes, heart problems Canadian researchers have discovered key genetic "misprints" or typos behind a common condition that leaves blood so loaded in fat it looks pink and milky, increasing the risk for heart attack, stroke and life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. 7/26/2010 7:04:59 AM
Scientists taking vitamin D in droves The hype around vitamin D is intense, with new medical research almost weekly linking insufficiencies to everything from cancer to osteoporosis and childhood diabetes. So the big question for the health-conscious is: how much to take? Health Canada is currently studying the medical claims about vitamin D. 7/25/2010 9:49:12 AM
Life Jackets: Water safety sense lacking In the wake of several drownings in B.C., including one Monday in Okanagan Lake, the biggest issue in boating safety is life-jackets, according to Kelowna police. "Nobody plans to drown when they get on a boat. They‘re not thinking of that," said Const. Steve Holmes. 7/25/2010 7:27:05 AM
What 'clinically proven' means for a beauty product Science doesn't just help to invent new products, it can push existing ones. Look at the beauty industry. It does lots of testing and flaunts products with scientific terms like microbeads, enzymes and rejuvenating serums. But what are the data behind them? And what if the company selling the product did the tests? 7/25/2010 7:11:53 AM
Smokers urged to butt out before hitting the beach Soaking up the sun, Sandra relaxedly brushes her hand through the warm sand when she comes across a cigarette butt. Using her thumb and pointer-finger as a tong, she holds the butt away from her like a dirty diaper, tossing it into a makeshift garbage bag. 7/25/2010 5:36:16 AM
NY Times: There’s Only One Way to Stop a Bully Research on child development makes it clear that there is only one way to truly combat bullying. As an essential part of the school curriculum, we have to teach children how to be good to one another, how to cooperate, how to defend someone who is being picked on and how to stand up for what is right. 7/24/2010 7:09:36 PM
U.S. Veterans Affairs easing medical marijuana rules The Department of Veterans Affairs will formally allow patients treated at its hospitals and clinics to use medical marijuana in states where it is legal, a policy clarification that veterans have sought for several years. Veterans can be denied pain medications if they are found to be using illegal drugs. 7/24/2010 1:18:49 PM
Disciplinary hearing shows the ugly side of cosmetic surgery It figures that the very week that a cab driver asks if anyone has ever told me that I look like Camilla Parker Bowles and a reader advises a facelift is in order, I also should be writing about cosmetic surgery, albeit one gone wrong in the worst way. At issue is the conduct of a family doctor-turned-cosmetic surgeon. 7/24/2010 12:24:54 PM
Missouri: State took Blind Parents baby after birth (Video) A blind couple who had a baby two months ago say that the State of Missouri violated their constitutional rights by taking their newborn away. Erika Johnson and Blake Sinnett say they were not able to bond or care for their baby girl for 57 days because social workers were blinded by ignorance. 7/24/2010 5:53:25 AM
Osoyoos: Fruit pickers illegally camping causing big issues Seasonal fruit pickers are an integral part of the local agricultural industry but for some communities they are becoming a hindrance to the tourism industry. “Dollar wise and tax-wise it really impacts our tourism industry and what happens in our public spaces,” said Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells. 7/23/2010 5:04:25 AM
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Fraser Health: Patient data lost with stolen laptop
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Don't judge a cookie by its packaging, says CFIA after testing
