December 16, 2008

New Appointment - Dr. Rémi Quirion as McGill University's Vice-Dean for Science and Strategic Initiatives and Senior University Advisor on Health Sciences Research

Dr. Rémi Quirion, Scientific Director of both the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute Research Centre, has been appointed to the newly created position of Vice-Dean for Science and Strategic Initiatives and Senior University Advisor on Health Sciences Research at McGill University. This appointment will begin April 1, 2009. Dr. Quirion has been with McGill University for more than 20 years in the Departments of Psychology, Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Pharmacology, as well as in the Centre for Studies in Aging.

December 1, 2008

• World AIDS Day Message

November 6, 2008

• Dr. Harvey Chochinov awarded the 2008 Dr. O. Harold Warwick Prize
  
  Dr. Harvey Chochinov, a member of the CIHR Governing Council, Chair of the CIHR Standing Committee on Ethics, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba, and Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care, has been awarded the prestigious Dr. O. Harold Warwick Prize by the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society. The award recognizes Dr. Chochinov's significant research contributions to cancer control in Canada.

October 23, 2008

• Cancer Stem Cell Consortium and California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to collaborate with Disease Team Research Awards

  One of the first initiatives of the international partnership between Cancer Stem Cell Consortium (CSCC) and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) will be to launch a Disease Team Research Awards program that supports multi-disciplinary teams of scientists who conduct research that results in cell-based therapy or a therapy derived from stem cell assays for a particular disease or serious injury. Canadian scientists who plan to collaborate with Californian colleagues in a joint Disease Team application must register with the CSCC prior to November 17, 2008.

• Diane Finegood receives award from Canadian Diabetes Association

  Dr. Diane Finegood, inaugural Scientific Director for CIHR's Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, received the 2008 Frederick G. Banting Award from the Canadian Diabetes Association. The award recognizes Dr. Finegood's significant research contributions to the prevention of diabetes and her efforts to improve the quality of life for those who live with the disease.

October 21, 2008

• CIHR joins the International Human Microbiome Consortium

  The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has joined forces with research funding agencies in the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan, Korea and China to support the new International Human Microbiome Consortium (IHMC), a coordinated global effort that will help researchers investigate the role of microbes in human health and disease. Through this effort, researchers around the globe will be able to share data and access funding for research projects. Canada's participation in this effort is being led by CIHR's Institute of Infection and Immunity.

October 10, 2008

• Open Access Day planned for October 14, 2008
  
  The goal of this day is to help broaden awareness and understanding of open to research results, including recent mandates and emerging policies, within the international higher education community and the general public.

October 3, 2008

• Dr. Roderick McInnes to be President of the American Society of Human Genetics

  Dr. Roderick McInnes, Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Genetics, has been elected to the post of President-elect for the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG). The ASHG is made up of 8,000 members who are international professional human genetics specialists, including researchers, academicians, clinicians, laboratory practice professionals, genetic counselors and nurses. Dr. McInnes will begin his term at ASHG as President in 2010. As head of the Executive Committee during his tenure, he will share in leading the Society's collective mission to advance genetic research by advocating for research support, enhancing the genetics education of future professionals and the public, promoting genetic services and supporting responsible social and scientific policies related to genetics and genetic research.

September 19, 2008

• CIHR research scam alert
  
  The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has been informed of fraudulent advertisements being posted on online classifieds web sites such as Craigslist.com and Kijiji.com, as well as on posters in the Vancouver area. In these advertisements, the author claiming to be a CIHR employee named "Chelsea" invites people to participate in a research study. She promises a generous payment after the completion of the study, but requires a "refundable" fee of $50 at the time of registration.
  Please be advised that this is a SCAM, and not a legitimate research study.
  
  The advertisements are not from CIHR. The message's author is neither a CIHR employee, nor a CIHR-funded researcher. Do NOT respond.
  
  We have already notified appropriate law enforcement authorities about this situation. If you see or receive the advertisement, we encourage you to contact your local RCMP Detachment or the police service of jurisdiction in your area to inform them this type of scam may be occurring in their region.
  
  You may also contact the RCMP's Phone Busters (The Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre) toll-free at 1-888-495-8501 to obtain more information about consumer fraud.
  
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

September 17, 2008

• Gene discovered that may contribute to Alzheimer's
  
  A new CIHR-funded study has discovered a gene that is vital for protecting the brain during the aging process. A team of researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children found that reduced levels of the gene p73 might increase the risk of Alzheimer's or similar neurodegenerative disorders. Published in the September 2008 issue of "Neuron", these findings could eventually lead to genetic tests and the development of drugs that could potentially halt or delay the progression of neurological diseases.

September 8, 2008

• Dr. Miriam Stewart receives awards from the RSC and CNA
  
  Dr. Miriam Stewart, former inaugural Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Gender Health (IGH) has been recognized with awards from the Royal Society of Canada: Academy of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (RSC) and Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) for her research efforts in nursing. As one of 72 newly elected fellows, Dr. Stewart's induction into RSC is the highest honour a scholar can achieve in the Arts, Humanities and Sciences. The CNA presents Dr. Stewart with a Centennial Award as one of 100 exceptional registered nurses whose personal and professional contributions have made an outstanding and significant impact on the nursing profession.

September 4, 2008

• Obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease: In search of the missing link - International research project involving Pfizer Canada, the CIHR and Université Laval launched in Quebec City
  
  Quebec City, Sept. 4 - Pfizer Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Université Laval are today announcing the creation of an international research chair aimed at understanding and explaining insulin resistance and the risk of cardiovascular complications in diabetic obese patients. Pfizer Canada is injecting $1.05 million, and the CIHR close to $600,000, both over a 5-year period, into this innovative research project headed by Dr. André Marette. A first in Canada, the Pfizer-CIHR Research Chair on the Pathogenesis of Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Disease is being set up in the Cardiology Unit of Hôpital Laval, a Université Laval-affiliated hospital, in Quebec City. Photo

September 2, 2008

• Federal Government Announces Implementation of Prestigious Research and Scholarship Programs
  
  The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, today announced the launch of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program and the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Program (Vanier CGS). These two new programs will position Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and education in support of "Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage", the Government of Canada's 2007 Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy. Both programs are a tri-agency initiative of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

• Minister of Industry Accepts S&T Strategy's Sub-priorities Recommended by the Science, Technology and Innovation Council
  
  

  The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, today accepted recommendations made by the Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) on sub-priorities within the four research priority areas announced in "Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage", the Government of Canada's 2007 Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy. The four research priorities, in areas where Canada can leverage research strengths to achieve a competitive advantage, include health and related life sciences and technologies and environmental science and technologies.

August 27, 2008

• Kraft Dinner comfort not always available to the poor

  New CIHR-funded study shows that while Kraft Dinner may be considered a comfort food, low-income Canadians cannot always afford the basic ingredients like milk and butter needed to make it. Led by Dr. Melanie Rock from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, the study suggests a need to monitor the problem of food insecurity. The results are published in the August 27^th issue of the international journal "Agriculture and Human Values".

August 26, 2008

• Five cents of every dollar spent on cancer research
  
  The Canadian Cancer Research Alliance (CCRA) estimates that 5 cents of every $1 spent by the federal government on all extramural science and technology R&D went to cancer research in 2006. In that same year, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research financed cancer research for an amount of $121.8M.

• Study finds that blood thinners may not be the best way to prevent blood clots in women
  
  A CIHR-funded study led by Dr. Marc Rodger, a Hematologist and Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Health Research Institute; has developed a rule that may allow many women who have suffered from blood clots to stop taking blood thinners. The study, published in the August 26, 2008 edition of the "Canadian Medical Association Journal", is the largest international study to ever examine the risk factors for recurrent unexplained blood clots.

August 14, 2008

• Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai wins CMA 2008 Medal of Service
  
  Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai, a retired pediatrician, current chief medical officer for Valens Pharma Ltd. and a founding member of governing council for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), will receive the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) 2008 Medal of Service. The award, which recognizes Dr. Collins-Nakai's distinguished record of service to the medical profession, her devotion to medical and research organizations, her dedication to the Canadian health care system and her commitment to the care of patients from around the world, will be presented to her on August 20^th at the CMA's 141^st annual meeting in Montreal.

August 13, 2008

• Same drug, different results

  A CIHR-funded researcher, Dr. Rima Rozen, discovered that minor genetic differences between individuals change the effect of the common medication, Methotrexate (Methotrexate is used to inhibit the metabolism of folate). This suggests that genetic testing would allow physicians to modify treatment for cancer or auto-immune diseases based on each patient's personal genetic makeup, limiting potential side effects. The study has been published in the June 18 edition of the journal "Pharmacogenetics and Genomics".

August 8, 2008

• Early treatment key to combating Hep C virus

  A CIHR-funded study, led by Drs. Naglaa Shoukry and Julie Bruneau from the Centre de Recherche du CHUM in Montreal, shows that early treatment with the antiviral drug interferon restores an effective immune response in patients infected with the Hepatitis C virus. This helps them eliminate the virus, preventing chronic infection and the progression of liver disease. These findings were published online and are scheduled for publication in the October issue of the "Journal of Virology".

August 6, 2008

• Minister of Health names Michael Sabia chair of Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative Implementation Advisory Board

  Canada's Minister of Health, the Honourable Tony Clement, named Michael Sabia, former CEO of Bell Canada Enterprises, as the chair for the new Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) Implementation Advisory Board at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. The purpose of the CHVI is to make a significant contribution to the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, whose mission is to accelerate the global development of preventative HIV vaccines.

  For more information on the conference visit: Government of Canada at AIDS 2008.

August 1, 2008

• Question & Answer: HIV/AIDS, What's Next?

  Dr. Bhagirath Singh is the Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Infection and Immunity. He is also a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Western Ontario's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry in London, Ontario. In the following Q&A he shares his thoughts on the need to recommit to the crusade to find a vaccine, despite the failures experienced so far.

July 29, 2008

• Pandemic research receives $1.6M funding boost
  
  Densely populated cities and increased air travel can be factors which create and spread pandemic disease. But a McMaster University researcher is working with isolated Hutterite communities to understand the transmission of pandemic diseases like influenza. Dr. Mark Loeb and his research team have received $1.6 million in funding to carry out the research from the Rx&D Health Research Foundation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

July 18, 2008

• Sexual health among adolescents is changing for the better
  
  Results of a CIHR-funded study published in the "Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality" revealed that contrary to popular assumptions when it comes to sexual health, adolescents are acting more responsibly than before. Lead by Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc at the University of British Columbia, the study used province-wide surveys from 1992, 1998, and 2003, to compare and document trends in sexual health and risk behaviours among BC adolescents.

July 15, 2008

• CIHR-funded researcher awarded a $1.7 million grant to fight bioterrorism
  
  Donald Woods, a CIHR-funded researcher at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, has been awarded $1.7 million for research into vaccines against agents of bioterrorism. The grant, presented to Dr. Woods by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, will be put towards Dr. Woods' current research- studying and testing vaccine preparations for the prevention of widespread bacterial diseases, some which are considered to be emerging infectious diseases worldwide, and have a high death rate.

• CIHR funds the world's largest cardiac surgery clinical trial

  A CIHR-funded study, led by Drs. Andre Lamy and Salim Yusuf and a team of researchers at McMaster University, will investigate the differences in outcomes of using on-pump versus off-pump techniques during open-heart surgery, to document and compare the short- and long-term benefits of each. The trial will take place in 100 surgical centres across 16 countries, will span over 7.5 years and include 4,700 patients. The results of this study will help determine which technique is best suited to individual patients and help develop best practices in patient care.

July 4, 2008

• Data Users Conference 2008: Linking the Health Information Chain

  Hosted by the Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) and Statistics Canada, this year's conference, which takes place September 21-23, focuses on the linkages between the use of data for analysis in health services research and the use of data for planning and decision making. Building off this theme, this year's program will be comprised of two tracks, each reflecting a different set of data use activities: Track 1 - Innovation in Data Analysis and Track 2 - Applying Data in Planning and Decision-making.

July 3, 2008

• CIHR-funded study identifies when - and how - good stem cells turn bad

  Results from a CIHR-funded study conducted at the BC Cancer Agency may have found new ways to identify and shut down stem cells that produce breast tumours. Lead author, Dr. Afshin Raouf, says that these findings will help determine what turns a normal breast stem cell into a cancerous one. These findings could ultimately help to find ways to stop a tumour from growing or returning. The findings were published in the July 3 issue of the journal "Cell Stem Cell".

• Sugar used to treat pain in newborns

  A CIHR-funded study has established that common table sugar can be effectively used as a treatment to manage pain in newborns undergoing painful medical procedures. The results of the study, published in the July 1 issue of the "Canadian Medical Association Journal", demonstrated a decrease in the level of pain experienced by newborns when they were given a sugar solution prior to all painful medical procedures.

June 26, 2008

• Minister Clement Reappoints a Member to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Governing Council

  The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, announces the reappointment of Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Governing Council for a three-year term.

June 25, 2008

• How to Protect Older Adults Physical Health

  A new CIHR-funded study shows that the more elderly people face their physical challenges head-on, the better the long-term outcome. Those who did not face their challenges developed approximately one additional chronic health problem and one additional functional limitation two years later. In contrast, no physical health declines were observed among older adults who were actively engaged in overcoming their health challenges. This study, conducted by Carsten Wrosch from Concordia University, is appearing in the June issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

June 25, 2008

• CIHR in the latest issue of "Healthcare Quarterly"

  The latest issue of "Healthcare Quarterly" highlights the five exceptional graduate students who were recognized by CIHR for their work in the field of health services and policy research. The five, all honoured with the inaugural 2008 IHSPR Rising Star Award, are: Katie Dainty, Randy Fransoo, Gillian Hanley, Paul Kurdyak and Sylvia Reitmanova.

June 24, 2008

• Heart failure patients to receive simpler, more effective treatment

  A major international clinical trial funded by CIHR, and coordinated by the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), has found a simpler approach to treating a cardiac rhythm disorder in heart failure patients. The results of the study, directed by Dr. Denis Roy along with Dr. Mario Talajic, both cardiologists at MHI, and a team of Canadian researchers and international experts, were published in the June 18 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine".

• Gene discovery may help cure victims of rare nerve disease

  Dr. Guy A. Rouleau, a CIHR-funded researcher from Université de Montréal, and his team, have identified a gene found in the nervous system, critical to the sensation of pain. This major discovery establishes a link with the role of proteins that are involved in the perception of pain. The discovery will help improve our understanding of hereditary neuropathy type II, a severe disorder that starts early during childhood, characterized by a loss of perception to pain, touch and heat. The findings were recently published in the "Journal of Clinical Investigation".

June 23, 2008

• Healthy Aging? Not Just the Stuff of Dreams

  While Canadians struggle to go green, one thing's certain: as a society we're going grey. In fact, we're on the cusp of a historical first in Canada - in two decades almost a quarter of us will be "old." In an opinion piece Dr. Anne-Martin Matthews, Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Institute of Aging, discusses how health research is creating the opportunity for healthy aging.

June 19, 2008

• A CIHR-funded researcher, first Canadian scientist to win $470,000 Kyoto Prize: Mount Sinai's Dr. Tony Pawson wins Japan's Nobel Prize for lifetime achievement
  
  Dr. Tony Pawson, a distinguished scientist at Mount Sinai Hospital's Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute in Toronto and a CIHR distinguished investigator, is one of two Canadians awarded the prestigious Kyoto Prize, Japan's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Dr. Pawson was cited for his groundbreaking work on how human cells communicate with another. His work has improved our understanding of many diseases, including cancer, diabetes and immune disorders. The Kyoto Prize is the latest in a long list of honours that Dr. Pawson has received for his work, including CIHR's Michael Smith Prize and the Gairdner International Research Award. The other Canadian winner was Dr. Charles Taylor, a professor emeritus of philosophy at McGill University. The Kyoto Prizes are administered by the Inamori Foundation established in 1984 by Japanese businessman Kazuo Inamori.

June 9, 2008

• Hypothermia therapy might not treat traumatic brain injury patients

  Dr. Jamie Hutchison, a CIHR-funded researcher and a team of researchers have discovered that the common practice of cooling paediatric patients after traumatic brain injury does not improve the neurological outcome of patients and may actually increase mortality. The results are published in the June issue of "The New England Journal of Medicine".

• Finding clues for nerve cell repair

  A new CIHR-funded study found a key mechanism involved in normal development of motor nerve cells (motor neurons) - cells that control muscles. This finding is crucial to understanding and treating a range of conditions involving nerve cell loss or damage. The study conducted by Dr. Stefano Stifani, neuroscientist at the Montreal Neurological Institute, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

May 29, 2008

• Boys as likely as girls to be exploited

  A CIHR-funded study shows that among British Columbia youth who were street-involved or in custody, more than one in three have been sexually exploited. Contrary to popular stereotypes, the results demonstrate that males were just as likely to be sexually exploited as females. This study was led by Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc, associate professor in the School of Nursing at the University of British Columbia.

May 27, 2008

• Stem Cells That Can Divide Indefinitely and Stay Undifferentiated

  A CIHR-funded study discovered a new mechanism to allow embryonic stem cells to divide indefinitely and remain undifferentiated. This discovery may also be important in understanding how to control tumour cell growth. The results of the study conducted by Qi-Long Ying, Ph.D. from the University of Southern California are published in the May 22 issue of the journal "Nature".

May 26, 2008

• CIHR-funded researcher named 2008 University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Researcher

  Wei Xiao, a University of Saskatchewan (U of S) CIHR-funded researcher has been named the 2008 U of S Distinguished Researcher for his breakthrough in cancer research that could lead to better cancer diagnosis through targeting defective genes. Dr. Xiao has found a way to trigger a protein combination called 9-1-1 that sends an SOS signal for cells to fight cancer-causing agents such as industrial toxins, ultraviolet radiation, and X-rays. The results of his study were recently published in "Cell".

• Trial of the Year Award goes to CIHR-funded researcher

  Dr. Barbara Schmidt, a CIHR-funded researcher from McMaster University was honoured last week as the recipient of the first annual "SCT/ImpACT Trial of the Year" award for her study on caffeine treatment for premature infants that was published in NEJM last year. This prestigious award was given to Dr. Schmidt on behalf of the Society for Clinical Trials and Project ImpACT. The award was announced on International Clinical Trials Day on May 20th, at the Society's annual meeting.

May 20, 2008

• Drug used to prevent blood loss increases risk of death

  A CIHR-funded study found that Aprotinin, a drug routinely used to prevent blood loss during heart surgery, is associated with a 50% increase in the relative risk of death. The Blood Conservation using Antifibrinolytics in a Randomized Trial study or BART was conducted by Dr. Dean A. Fergusson and Dr. Paul C. Hébert and was published in the May 14 edition of the "New England Journal of Medicine".

May 14, 2008

• Beta-blockers increase the risk of death and stroke

  A new CIHR-funded study demonstrates that a beta-blocker given around the time of surgery decreases a patient's risk of a heart attack but increases their risk of major stroke and death. The results of a study led by Dr. P.J. Devereaux at McMaster University and Dr. Homer Yang at the University of Ottawa are published in the May 12 edition of "The Lancet".

May 13, 2008

• Multinational research initiative for autism

  CIHR's Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction is collaborating with South and Central America on a multinational initiative on autism. This partnership will help leverage expertise and resources to better coordinate research on autism with a common goal of improving diagnosis and treatment across the Americas.

May 7, 2008

• Child abuse may lead to change in brains of suicide victims

  A team of McGill University scientists funded by CIHR has discovered that child abuse might change genes in the brains of suicide victims. The study compared the brains of suicide victims and so-called normal brains. The results showed differences in their genes. All suicide victims in the study had experienced abuse as children.

May 5, 2008

• Gairdner Foundation reception on Parliament Hill celebrates health research

• CIHR-funded researcher elected to National Academy of Sciences

  Dr. Janet Rossant, CIHR-funded chief of research and senior scientist at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, has been elected as a Canadian foreign associate member with the National Acacemy of Sciences in the United States. Established in 1863, thanks to legislation signed by Abraham Lincoln, the Academy is an organization of scientists and engineers that acts as an official adviser to the American government on issues related to science/technology.

April 30, 2008

• Two CIHR-funded researchers win Killam awards 
   
  Dr. Peter St George-Hyslop and Dr. Michael Sefton, CIHR-funded researchers based at the University of Toronto, have each won 2008 Killam Prizes. Founded in 1981, a total of five of these annual awards, valued at $100,000 respectively and named in memory of Izaak Walton Killam, honour outstanding career achievements in engineering, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences and health sciences. 

April 29, 2008

• CIHR celebrates the election of two new Canadians to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences

  On April 28, Dr. John H. Dirks, President of the Gairdner Foundation and Professor Medicine Emeritus at the University of Toronto (U of T), and Dr. Ernest Weinrib, Cecil A. Wright Chair with the Faculty of Law at U of T, were both elected as Canadian Foreign Honorary Members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the oldest and most prestigious honorary societies and independent policy research centers in the United States (US). On an annual basis, the Academy, which was founded in 1780 by John Adams, James Bowdoin, John Hancock and other US patriots, elects Fellows and Foreign Honorary Members who are leaders in various fields (from science to politics to arts and humanities) in a concerted effort to conduct interdisciplinary, long-term research that leads to practical policy solutions to issues of the day.

April 21, 2008

• A review of depression research
  
  Dr. Scott B. Patten from the University of Calgary completed a review of research on depression. The review examined many studies and gathered results on the effects of clinical depression, its causes and how it is treated in Canada. The studies used in the review were retrieved from Canada's Research Data Centre (RDC) Network, funded by CIHR.

April 15, 2008

• Three Canadians are among the prestigious Gairdner Awards winners

  The Gairdner Foundation has awarded the 2008 Gairdner Awards for medical research to three CIHR-funded researchers. Among the awardees are Dr. Nahum Sonenberg whose work discovered the important mechanisms that control the synthesis of proteins in human cells, Dr. Samuel Weiss whose work discovered that the adult brain produces stem cells than can be used to re-grow damaged neural tissue and Dr. Alan Bernstein who has made an outstanding contribution to Canadian health research as a scientist, a research institute director and as the inaugural President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The Gairdner awards are meant to recognize outstanding contributions by medical scientists worldwide whose work has significantly improve the quality of life.

April 14, 2008

• Discovery of gut-brain-liver circuit may lead to new diabetes drugs

  Researchers at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute have discovered a new signalling pathway between the gut, the brain and the liver which lowers blood sugar when activated. The CIHR-funded study, led by Dr. Tony Lam, may lead to the development of drugs that will lower glucose or blood sugar levels in people who suffer from obesity or diabetes. The study was published in the April 9, 2008 issue of "Nature".

• Study shows a link between premature babies and autism

  A preliminary study led by Dr. Catherine Limperopoulos showed that one-quarter of babies born very prematurely had signs of autism on an early screening test. The CIHR-funded preliminary study suggests that extreme prematurity may be a contributing factor for autism. The study also underscores the need for early autism screening for youngsters born prematurely. The study was published in the April issue of the journal "Pediatrics".

April 8, 2008

• Antidepressant warning may have contributed to a rise in youth suicides

  A new study shows that there was a twenty percent increase in youth suicides after a warning was issued to doctors about prescribing antidepressants to youth. The CIHR-funded study, led by Dr. Laurence Katz from the University of Manitoba, suggests that health warnings may have unintended consequences. The study was published in the April 8, 2008 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

April 2, 2008

• Researchers identify a gene responsible for Lou Gehrig's disease (French only)

  A team of Canadian and French researchers has identified a gene responsible for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, an incurable neuromuscular disorder that leads to paralysis and death within one to five years. The study was partly funded by CIHR.

April 1, 2008

• Women risking their lives at work

  In an opinion article published in "Le Devoir" on March 8, 2008, Dr. Joy Johnson outlines the significant risks faced by many women in their workplace. Dr. Johnson is the Scientific Director of the Institute of Gender and Health at CIHR.

March 19, 2008

• CIHR workshop for journalists explains why fighting obesity is not simply a question of diet and exercise

  The complexity of Canada's obesity epidemic feeds both public interest in media articles on obesity and challenges the journalists who write about the subject. With that in mind, Dr. Finegood, Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, welcomed more than a dozen journalists to a workshop entitled "To be or not to be? Is obesity really a question of choice?"

March 17, 2008

• A deficiency in Omega-3 fatty acids may contribute to poor infant development

  A study led by Dr. Sheila Innis from the Child & Family Research Institute in British Columbia shows that pregnant women who do not consume enough Omega-3 fatty acids may pose a risk to the neurological development of the infant. The CIHR-funded study suggests that women can obtain Omega-3 fatty acids through supplements or foods such as fish. The study was published in the March 7^th, 2008 edition of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition".

March 14, 2008

• Canadian long-term-care workers suffer violence on the job

  A CIHR-funded study from York University found that long-term-care workers in Canada are seven times more likely to experience daily violence from patients than workers in Nordic countries. The study found that Canada's staffing pressures result in poor relationships between patients and workers and an increase in violence.

March 13, 2008

• Women are less likely to be referred for knee surgery than men

  Canadian doctors were two times more likely to recommend knee replacement surgery to male patients than to female patients. The results of the CIHR-funded study show that doctors may unconsciously discriminate female patients. The study was published in the March 11, 2008 edition of the "Canadian Medical Association Journal".

March 10, 2008

• Head injuries result in brain tissue loss one year later
  
  CIHR-funded researchers affiliated with the University of Toronto have found that there is a direct correlation between the severity of a traumatic brain injury and the loss of volume in brain tissue. The study was published in the March 4, 2008 issue of "Neurology".

March 6, 2008

• Major discovery in HIV research

  Stephen Barr, a CHIR-funded researcher at the University of Alberta, has recently identified a gene that blocks the late-stage AIDS virus from multiplying or spreading. This major discovery represents a significant advancement in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The study was published in the "Public Library of Science Pathogens".

March 4, 2008

• Gene discovery may lead to cure for hereditary heart problem

  CIHR-funded researchers at Memorial University have discovered a gene that is responsible for a genetic heart condition highly prevalent in Newfoundland and Labrador. Those afflicted with the fatal condition rarely have symptoms. As a result of this discovery, life-saving interventions have already been taken by doctors. The study was published in the February 28th online edition of the American Journal of Human Genetics.

February 26, 2008

• Dr. Reading Receives National Aboriginal Achievement Award

  The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) congratulates Dr. Jeff Reading, Mohawk Tyendinaga, Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health, for receiving a 2008 National Aboriginal Achievement Award.

February 22, 2008

• Dr. Pierre Chartrand, Acting President of CIHR, and Dr. Colleen Flood, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research, contributed opinion pieces to "The Hill Times Health Policy Briefing" published on January 21, 2008.

  • Partnering our Way to Effective Health Research - Dr. Pierre Chartrand

    Partnerships give life to health research - they stimulate new ways of thinking, connect policymakers with researchers and make the most out of scarce resources. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) places tremendous value on partnerships, says Dr. Pierre Chartrand, Acting President of CIHR.

  • Canadian Medicare: Careful Comparison Required - Dr. Colleen Flood

    The Canadian health-care system has been the source of concern and rigorous debate over the last decade. Some recent international surveys suggest that Canada might need to fundamentally rethink its health-care system, says Dr. Colleen Flood, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research.

• Ingredients in yellow curry can reduce heart enlargement and may prevent heart failure

February 13, 2008

• Canadian stroke expert wins American Stroke Associations highest honour

  Dr. Antoine Hakim received the coveted Thomas Willis Award, the American Stroke Association's highest honour, for his outstanding leadership in stroke research. He was also named Officer of the Order of Canada for his significant contribution to the field of stroke. Dr. Hakim is the Scientific Director of the Canadian Stroke Network, a health base Networks of Centres of Excellence that receives funds from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research through Fellowships in Stroke.

February 11, 2008

• Message from Dr. Jeff Reading about IAPH's Transition

February 7, 2008

• Message from Dr. Diane Finegood about INMD's Transition

February 6, 2008

• Extension of Term for Acting President and Appointments to Governing Council

January 31, 2008

• New therapeutic target for treatment of multiple sclerosis

  An international research team, led by a CIHR-funded scientist, has identified new therapeutic targets for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). In the February 2008 issue of Nature Immunology, the team provides fresh answers concerning the role of cells in the causes of MS.

January 31, 2008

• Scientists Identify New Genes that Help Plants Resist Stress

  Results of a study by a team of scientists from the University of Saskatchewan could lead to agricultural and forestry crops that are more tolerant to environmental stresses such as ultra-violet light. The CIHR-funded research could also have long-term application for human and animal medicine in fighting cancer and infections. The study was published in the January edition of The Plant Cell.

January 30, 2008

• Does Canadian research investment relate to cancer burden?

  Dr. Phil Branton, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Cancer Research, has published an article in the February 2008 edition of one of the world's leading scientific journals, "The Lancet". Dr. Branton's article questions the relationship between levels of funding devoted to research on certain types of cancers compared with the prevalence of these cancers in society. Research investments in 2005 for 24 cancer types were reviewed against new cancer cases and deaths in 2003. Dr. Branton concludes that the incidence of cancers should be an important consideration when planning cancer research programs, particularly in the cases of lung and colorectal cancer.

January 28, 2008

• Study supports low glycemic index foods for people with diabetes

  A new CIHR-funded study on the effect of diet in diabetes found that people with a low glycemic index diet had a reduction in the C-reactive protein. The C-reactive protein is an important indicator of the risk of cardiovascular disease. This large dietary clinical trial, led by Dr. Thomas Wolever, compared the effects of altering the intake of carbohydrates in 164 people with diabetes for one year. The study was published in the January 7, 2008 edition of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition".

January 22, 2008

• Study finds frequent structural changes of chromosomes in autism
  
  In addition to having potential clinical diagnostic importance, results from a new CIHR-funded study might further unlock the biological mysteries of autism. The Canadian team led by scientists at The Hospital for Sick Children published their results in the "American Journal of Human Genetics".

January 16, 2008

• Warning Against Fraudulent Conference Invitation
  
  Please be advised that fraudulent invitations to a conference are being circulated on the Internet. The event in question is entitled: "2008 Conférence annuelle de la Fondation pour La Coopération et Du Développement" [sic]. The invitation implies that the Canadian Public Health Association, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canadian Institute for Health Information, GeoConnections and the Ontario Public Health Association are partners and that GlaxoSmithKline is a sponsor. Most of the information contained in the invitation was copied directly from the 2007 Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) Annual Conference website.
  
  Please be advised that this invitation is fraudulent and the organizations named have no affiliation with the purported event. CPHA does not ask that money to register for conferences be sent via Western Union transfer.

January 9, 2008

• The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Call For Nominations
  
  The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame has begun the nomination process for their next induction ceremony. Individuals can nominate any Canadian citizen who has made a meritorious contribution or has achieved a lifetime of outstanding accomplishments in medicine and the health sciences. The deadline to submit a nomination is June 16, 2008. The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame holds an induction ceremony every 18 months. The next ceremony will be held in Montreal, Quebec in April 2009. For more information on the nomination process, go to The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame website or call 519-488-2003.

January 7, 2008

• Study links folic acid supplementation with reducing risk of preeclampsia
  
  A new CIHR-funded study suggests an association between folic acid dose and risk of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia, characterized by high maternal blood pressure and urine protein is a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death worldwide. A team of researchers followed approximately 3,000 pregnant women and found that preeclampsia occurred in 2.2 per cent of women who took multivitamins containing folic acid compared to 5.1 per cent of women who did not. The study is featured in the January 2008 edition of the "American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology".