Juravinski Research Institute projects aim to transform the health system

October 24, 2021 by McMaster Daily News

The Juravinski Research Institute has funded five new research projects centred around health system transformation across Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

World Mental Health Day

October 7, 2021

Sunday, October 10 marks the 29th World Mental Health Day, an international day for mental health education, awareness and advocacy.

Virtual care with remote monitoring catches drug errors and reduces patient pain

September 30, 2021

Patients using take-home technology following non-elective surgery resulted in significantly greater detection and correction of drug errors, and reduction in patients’ pain, says a national study led by McMaster University researchers.

Cardiac specialist takes up new chair named for Hamilton cardiology pioneer

September 23, 2021

A new research chair at McMaster University has been created honouring Douglas Holder, Hamilton’s pioneer in interventional cardiology, and the first chair holder is Shamir Mehta one of his protégés.

Best medications for chronic sinusitis identified, says study

September 21, 2021

Patients struggling with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps can greatly benefit from dupilumab, a biologic drug whose effectiveness was evaluated by researchers at McMaster University.

McMaster community works together to send $750,000 in PPE and gear to Uganda

September 19, 2021 by McMaster Daily News

Agarwal becomes first McMaster Family Medicine Levitt Scholar

September 15, 2021 by Casey Irvin

Gina Agarwal, a physician renowned as a leader in building systems of primary care for vulnerable people, has been recognized as the inaugural McMaster Family Medicine Levitt Scholar.

HEI community members named Canadian Academy of Health Sciences fellows

September 14, 2021

Congratulations to Maureen Markle-Reid, Mitch Levine, Alfonso Iorio and Maureen Dobbins.

Major study finds convalescent plasma doesn’t help seriously ill COVID-19 patients

September 9, 2021

A major study has found that convalescent plasma does not reduce the risk of intubation or death for COVID-19 patients.

Medical cannabis may give modest benefits for chronic pain

September 8, 2021

A minority of people living with chronic pain who try medical cannabis may experience important relief and the risk of side effects is typically small, says an international study led by McMaster University scientists.

Combo therapy cuts risk of heart attacks and strokes in half

August 29, 2021

A combination therapy of aspirin, statins and at least two blood pressure medications can cut the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) in half.

Anti-depressant can save COVID patients, says McMaster-led study

August 13, 2021

An inexpensive oral anti-depressant can save the lives of COVID-19 patients and cut hospital admissions by up to 30 per cent, says a study co-led by McMaster University.

Major investment renews national research platform on aging

August 12, 2021 by Laura Lawson/CLSA

Grants totaling $61.5 million were announced today by the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, to support the next phase of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) hosted at McMaster University.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

August 9, 2021

August 9 marks International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Join the entire HEI community today and every day in honouring Indigenous Peoples’ rights, distinct traditions and way of life.

McMaster project to improve access to palliative care for Indigenous Ontarians

July 20, 2021

With support of $1.24 million in funding and the partnership of Indigenous Services Canada, McMaster University researcher Hsien Seow is planning a large education intervention aimed at improving access to community-based palliative care for Ontario’s Indigenous communities.

Vanier and Banting scholars recognized for their innovative research

July 15, 2021

Seven graduate students have been awarded the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Each will receive $50,000 a year, for up to three years. Learn more about the recipients of this prestigious award below.

McMaster researchers identify how VITT happens

July 7, 2021

A McMaster University team of researchers has found how, exactly, the COVID-19 vaccines that use adenovirus vectors trigger a rare but sometimes fatal blood clotting reaction called vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia or VITT.

Faculty’s town halls outline Return to Mac status ​

June 30, 2021

Two virtual town hall sessions held this week for faculty and staff of the Faculty of Health Sciences heard questions that ranged from a hybrid work model and ventilation of campus buildings to guidelines for fully-vaccinated people and whether the health sciences library will be open.

Faculty of Health Sciences gains four new Canada Research Chairs

June 15, 2021

Four Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) researchers have been named Canada Research Chairs, a prestigious honour created to promote Canada’s world class research and development

HEI remembers Dr. Murray Enkin

June 11, 2021

The McMaster University community is remembering Murray Enkin, professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology and long-serving member of the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), who passed away on June 6, 2021.

Lehana Thabane named president-elect of the Society for Clinical Trials

June 9, 2021

Lehana Thabane has been elected as the next president of the Society for Clinical Trials (SCT), the world’s foremost organization dedicated to the development and dissemination of optimal methods and practices in clinical trials.

HEI leadership issues statement on Kamloops Indian Residential School

June 8, 2021

It is with profound sadness that we recognize this knowledge was not new, but like other stories of injustice toward Indigenous peoples, has gone unacknowledged for too long.

McMaster-led study investigating COVID-19 immune response in South Asian communities

June 3, 2021

McMaster researchers are leading a pan-Canadian study investigating the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine within the South Asian community.

Research Day video presentations now published

May 28, 2021

HEI's new YouTube channel now includes videos from this year's Research Day, including individual, keynote and plenary presentations.

Triple-drug therapy safely cuts serious asthma flares

May 19, 2021

Hamilton researchers have found that the inclusion of a third drug to commonly used dual-drug inhalers can reduce asthma exacerbations and improve control over the disease in children, adolescents, and adults with moderate-to-severe asthma.

Simple surgery prevents strokes in heart patients

May 15, 2021

A simple surgery saves patients with heart arrhythmia from often-lethal strokes, says a large international study led by McMaster University.

Size, location, key factors behind COVID outbreaks in retirement homes

May 10, 2021

Researchers say the increased risk was likely because of more staff coming in and out of a home when providing care. Homes that provided nine or more services had a 2.5-fold increased risk of an outbreak, while those co-located with a long-term care facility had a 1.6-fold increased risk.

Chan, Gonzalez and Whitlock become University Scholars

May 6, 2021

Three Faculty of Health Sciences professors have been named 2021 University Scholars by McMaster University. Teresa Chan, Andrea Gonzalez and Richard Whitlock are three of seven who have been given the university’s top award for mid-career researchers who are considered global leaders.

CSI Hamilton: scientists on decades-long trail of tiniest blood cell

May 6, 2021 by Fram Dinshaw

John Kelton sees the McMaster Platelet Immunology Laboratory as CSI Hamilton, studying a tiny, mysterious clotting cell once called ‘blood dust’. It’s an ongoing detective story that’s wonderfully fun, except there’s no good-looking actors. No murder and mayhem. And no high-priced talent. Otherwise, almost identical.

Bhandari named Distinguished University Professor

April 25, 2021

Mohit Bhandari, professor and chair of the Department of Surgery is one of two professors who has been named Distinguished University Professor.

Julia Abelson to lead group awarded funding by the Future of Canada project

April 15, 2021 by Laura Ramsay

Researchers work with new technology to sense COVID-19 on the breath ​

April 13, 2021 by Rafik El Werfalli

MyLinh Duong and Tim O’Shea are leading a proof-of-concept study with Picomole Inc. to develop and assess its proprietary breath analytics screening technology, which will serve as an additional testing and screening method to identify COVID-19 in the population.

Province’s doctors lack direction on medical cannabis

April 13, 2021

A new McMaster study shows Ontario doctors are still hesitant to prescribe medical cannabis to patients suffering long-term pain 20 years after it was first introduced.

Are you using antihistamines properly?

April 6, 2021

If you are one of the millions of people worldwide suffering from allergies, you may take an antihistamine pill to ward off hives, sneezing and watery eyes. But you may be taking your medications incorrectly, says Derek Chu, a McMaster University allergy expert and clinical scholar

Worldwide study ratifies link of processed meat to cardiovascular disease and death

March 31, 2021

A global study led by Hamilton scientists has found a link between eating processed meat and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The same study did not find the same link with unprocessed red meat or poultry.

Researchers seek to know how vaccination works in residents of long-term care homes

March 18, 2021

McMaster University researchers are beginning one of the largest single studies focusing on long-term care home in Canada to find out how well vaccination works in residents in long-term care, and which features of these homes may be directly linked with outbreaks.

CIHR grant shows importance of evidence-based decisions

March 16, 2021

Canada invests approximately $25.2 million in research projects to further improve understanding of COVID-19 and tackle persistent evidence gaps linked to this disease.

Nearly two-thirds of middle-aged and older adults in Canada report adverse childhood experiences

March 15, 2021 by Laura Lawson

New research from McMaster University has found that roughly three in every five Canadian adults aged 45 to 85 have been exposed to childhood abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence or other household adversity.

New chair in autism sets roadmap for enhanced collaboration

March 11, 2021

By building ongoing collaboration, Stelios Georgiades will spend the next decade in a new chair, working with his team to improve care for children with autism and other neurodevelopment conditions in Hamilton and across Canada.

Five days of antibiotics fine for children with pneumonia

March 8, 2021

New research from McMaster University has proven that a five-day course of high-dose amoxicillin will do just as well for children six months to 10 years old with common pneumonia.

Study finds two servings of fish per week can help prevent recurrent heart disease

March 8, 2021

An analysis of several large studies involving participants from more than 60 countries, spearheaded by researchers from McMaster University, has found that eating oily fish regularly can help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in high-risk individuals, such as those who already have heart disease or stroke.

$9.6M federal investment renews Canada’s largest study of aging

March 5, 2021

A $9.6-million investment by the Government of Canada in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) will renew the infrastructure of its research platform, ensuring its progress in generating knowledge that promotes the health and well-being of older adults and informs the development of programs and policies for Canada’s aging population.

Study finds diet high in poor quality carbohydrates increases heart disease and death

February 24, 2021

A large study of people living on five continents, led by researchers at McMaster University and the University of Toronto, has found a diet high in poor quality carbohydrates leads to a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death.

New study to test drugs for early COVID-19 infection

February 9, 2021

McMaster University researchers are leading a large international study to test drugs to treat COVID-19 patients. The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of ivermectin, metformin and fluvoxamine on preventing COVID-19 disease progression, and the researchers say the results could be known in as short a time as two to three months.

McMaster awarded $1M to address undiagnosed dementia gap

February 1, 2021

More than 432,000 Canadians over the age of 65 are living with dementia, but there is no current estimate of undiagnosed dementia in Canada. A new investment in a flagship research initiative led by McMaster University will change that by addressing the knowledge gap around undiagnosed dementia and improving understanding of known and emerging risk factors related to the disease.

Study highlights the power of social movements for community health as pandemic continues

January 29, 2021

Social movements, fuelled by social media, can be an important public health tool to support vulnerable community members, particularly during a pandemic, according to new research from McMaster University.

Mohit Bhandari becomes chair of the Department of Surgery

January 28, 2021

Mohit Bhandari, a McMaster professor who has pioneered evidence-based research in surgery, is taking the chair of the Department of Surgery at McMaster University on Feb. 1. Pending final approvals by the university, he will also hold the John A. Bauer Chair in Surgery.

McMaster receives $1M to lead COVID-19 evidence network

January 13, 2021

To ensure decision-makers have access to the best COVID-19 science in a timely manner, the federal government is investing $1 million to support the COVID-19 Evidence Network to support Decision-makers (COVID-END) hosted at McMaster University.

COVID-19 Recommendations Map: Turning evidence into policy and practice

December 17, 2020

An international collaboration led by HEI's Holger Schünemann has developed a living map of recommendations for the prevention and care of COVID-19.

The David L. Sackett Scholarship: Q&A with Arrti Bhasin

December 15, 2020

Arrti Bhasin, HRM PhD candidate, is one of two recipients of the 2020 David L. Sackett Scholarship.

The David L. Sackett Scholarship: Q&A with Jillian Halladay

December 15, 2020

Jillian Halladay, HRM PhD candidate, is one of two recipients of the 2020 David L. Sackett Scholarship.

Study finds pandemic impacts retirement homes differently

December 14, 2020

Research from McMaster University shows the Ontario retirement homes impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are those with more residents, those connected to a nursing home, owned by large corporations, or offering many on-site services.

World’s most cited researchers includes 16 from Faculty of Health Sciences

December 7, 2020

Sixteen Faculty of Health Sciences researchers are among 18 McMaster University affiliated scientists who have been recognized as among the top one per cent of scientists in the world according to their citations.

Interim report shows results of COVID-19 tests for arriving international travellers

November 18, 2020

A study of international air travellers arriving in Toronto has released an interim report, showing encouraging results from airport-based COVID-19 testing followed by home-based collection during quarantine and offering insights that could help shape policy surrounding COVID-19 safety.

International study shows polypill along with aspirin cuts heart attacks and strokes by up to 40%

November 13, 2020

An international study of people with no previous heart disease or stroke, but at intermediate risk, found the polypill alone may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, revascularization procedures (such as angioplasty or heart surgery) or other cardiovascular incidents by about 20 per cent, and the combination of the polypill and aspirin may reduce those cardiovascular events by up to 40 per cent.

Indigenous peoples and communities have protective factors against COVID-19

November 3, 2020

Indigenous knowledges, practices and community strengths are helping protect Indigenous families and communities around the world from COVID-19.

Government of Canada awards $2.5M to McMaster University to support the COVID-19 border study with McMaster HealthLabs

October 30, 2020

McMaster University has been awarded $2.5 million by the Government of Canada to support the McMaster HealthLabs Canadian International COVID-19 Surveillance Border Study at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Juravinski Research Institute projects aim to transform the health system

October 24, 2021 by McMaster Daily News

The Juravinski Research Institute has funded five new research projects centred around health system transformation across Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

Virtual care with remote monitoring catches drug errors and reduces patient pain

September 30, 2021

Patients using take-home technology following non-elective surgery resulted in significantly greater detection and correction of drug errors, and reduction in patients’ pain, says a national study led by McMaster University researchers.

Best medications for chronic sinusitis identified, says study

September 21, 2021

Patients struggling with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps can greatly benefit from dupilumab, a biologic drug whose effectiveness was evaluated by researchers at McMaster University.

Agarwal becomes first McMaster Family Medicine Levitt Scholar

September 15, 2021 by Casey Irvin

Gina Agarwal, a physician renowned as a leader in building systems of primary care for vulnerable people, has been recognized as the inaugural McMaster Family Medicine Levitt Scholar.

HEI community members named Canadian Academy of Health Sciences fellows

September 14, 2021

Congratulations to Maureen Markle-Reid, Mitch Levine, Alfonso Iorio and Maureen Dobbins.

Major study finds convalescent plasma doesn’t help seriously ill COVID-19 patients

September 9, 2021

A major study has found that convalescent plasma does not reduce the risk of intubation or death for COVID-19 patients.

Medical cannabis may give modest benefits for chronic pain

September 8, 2021

A minority of people living with chronic pain who try medical cannabis may experience important relief and the risk of side effects is typically small, says an international study led by McMaster University scientists.

Combo therapy cuts risk of heart attacks and strokes in half

August 29, 2021

A combination therapy of aspirin, statins and at least two blood pressure medications can cut the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) in half.

Anti-depressant can save COVID patients, says McMaster-led study

August 13, 2021

An inexpensive oral anti-depressant can save the lives of COVID-19 patients and cut hospital admissions by up to 30 per cent, says a study co-led by McMaster University.

Major investment renews national research platform on aging

August 12, 2021 by Laura Lawson/CLSA

Grants totaling $61.5 million were announced today by the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, to support the next phase of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) hosted at McMaster University.

McMaster researchers identify how VITT happens

July 7, 2021

A McMaster University team of researchers has found how, exactly, the COVID-19 vaccines that use adenovirus vectors trigger a rare but sometimes fatal blood clotting reaction called vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia or VITT.

Faculty of Health Sciences gains four new Canada Research Chairs

June 15, 2021

Four Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) researchers have been named Canada Research Chairs, a prestigious honour created to promote Canada’s world class research and development

McMaster-led study investigating COVID-19 immune response in South Asian communities

June 3, 2021

McMaster researchers are leading a pan-Canadian study investigating the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine within the South Asian community.

Triple-drug therapy safely cuts serious asthma flares

May 19, 2021

Hamilton researchers have found that the inclusion of a third drug to commonly used dual-drug inhalers can reduce asthma exacerbations and improve control over the disease in children, adolescents, and adults with moderate-to-severe asthma.

Simple surgery prevents strokes in heart patients

May 15, 2021

A simple surgery saves patients with heart arrhythmia from often-lethal strokes, says a large international study led by McMaster University.

Size, location, key factors behind COVID outbreaks in retirement homes

May 10, 2021

Researchers say the increased risk was likely because of more staff coming in and out of a home when providing care. Homes that provided nine or more services had a 2.5-fold increased risk of an outbreak, while those co-located with a long-term care facility had a 1.6-fold increased risk.

CSI Hamilton: scientists on decades-long trail of tiniest blood cell

May 6, 2021 by Fram Dinshaw

John Kelton sees the McMaster Platelet Immunology Laboratory as CSI Hamilton, studying a tiny, mysterious clotting cell once called ‘blood dust’. It’s an ongoing detective story that’s wonderfully fun, except there’s no good-looking actors. No murder and mayhem. And no high-priced talent. Otherwise, almost identical.

Julia Abelson to lead group awarded funding by the Future of Canada project

April 15, 2021 by Laura Ramsay

Researchers work with new technology to sense COVID-19 on the breath ​

April 13, 2021 by Rafik El Werfalli

MyLinh Duong and Tim O’Shea are leading a proof-of-concept study with Picomole Inc. to develop and assess its proprietary breath analytics screening technology, which will serve as an additional testing and screening method to identify COVID-19 in the population.

Province’s doctors lack direction on medical cannabis

April 13, 2021

A new McMaster study shows Ontario doctors are still hesitant to prescribe medical cannabis to patients suffering long-term pain 20 years after it was first introduced.

Are you using antihistamines properly?

April 6, 2021

If you are one of the millions of people worldwide suffering from allergies, you may take an antihistamine pill to ward off hives, sneezing and watery eyes. But you may be taking your medications incorrectly, says Derek Chu, a McMaster University allergy expert and clinical scholar

Worldwide study ratifies link of processed meat to cardiovascular disease and death

March 31, 2021

A global study led by Hamilton scientists has found a link between eating processed meat and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The same study did not find the same link with unprocessed red meat or poultry.

Researchers seek to know how vaccination works in residents of long-term care homes

March 18, 2021

McMaster University researchers are beginning one of the largest single studies focusing on long-term care home in Canada to find out how well vaccination works in residents in long-term care, and which features of these homes may be directly linked with outbreaks.

CIHR grant shows importance of evidence-based decisions

March 16, 2021

Canada invests approximately $25.2 million in research projects to further improve understanding of COVID-19 and tackle persistent evidence gaps linked to this disease.

Nearly two-thirds of middle-aged and older adults in Canada report adverse childhood experiences

March 15, 2021 by Laura Lawson

New research from McMaster University has found that roughly three in every five Canadian adults aged 45 to 85 have been exposed to childhood abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence or other household adversity.

Five days of antibiotics fine for children with pneumonia

March 8, 2021

New research from McMaster University has proven that a five-day course of high-dose amoxicillin will do just as well for children six months to 10 years old with common pneumonia.

Study finds two servings of fish per week can help prevent recurrent heart disease

March 8, 2021

An analysis of several large studies involving participants from more than 60 countries, spearheaded by researchers from McMaster University, has found that eating oily fish regularly can help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in high-risk individuals, such as those who already have heart disease or stroke.

$9.6M federal investment renews Canada’s largest study of aging

March 5, 2021

A $9.6-million investment by the Government of Canada in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) will renew the infrastructure of its research platform, ensuring its progress in generating knowledge that promotes the health and well-being of older adults and informs the development of programs and policies for Canada’s aging population.

Study finds diet high in poor quality carbohydrates increases heart disease and death

February 24, 2021

A large study of people living on five continents, led by researchers at McMaster University and the University of Toronto, has found a diet high in poor quality carbohydrates leads to a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death.

New study to test drugs for early COVID-19 infection

February 9, 2021

McMaster University researchers are leading a large international study to test drugs to treat COVID-19 patients. The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of ivermectin, metformin and fluvoxamine on preventing COVID-19 disease progression, and the researchers say the results could be known in as short a time as two to three months.

McMaster awarded $1M to address undiagnosed dementia gap

February 1, 2021

More than 432,000 Canadians over the age of 65 are living with dementia, but there is no current estimate of undiagnosed dementia in Canada. A new investment in a flagship research initiative led by McMaster University will change that by addressing the knowledge gap around undiagnosed dementia and improving understanding of known and emerging risk factors related to the disease.

Study highlights the power of social movements for community health as pandemic continues

January 29, 2021

Social movements, fuelled by social media, can be an important public health tool to support vulnerable community members, particularly during a pandemic, according to new research from McMaster University.

McMaster receives $1M to lead COVID-19 evidence network

January 13, 2021

To ensure decision-makers have access to the best COVID-19 science in a timely manner, the federal government is investing $1 million to support the COVID-19 Evidence Network to support Decision-makers (COVID-END) hosted at McMaster University.

COVID-19 Recommendations Map: Turning evidence into policy and practice

December 17, 2020

An international collaboration led by HEI's Holger Schünemann has developed a living map of recommendations for the prevention and care of COVID-19.

Study finds pandemic impacts retirement homes differently

December 14, 2020

Research from McMaster University shows the Ontario retirement homes impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are those with more residents, those connected to a nursing home, owned by large corporations, or offering many on-site services.

World’s most cited researchers includes 16 from Faculty of Health Sciences

December 7, 2020

Sixteen Faculty of Health Sciences researchers are among 18 McMaster University affiliated scientists who have been recognized as among the top one per cent of scientists in the world according to their citations.

Interim report shows results of COVID-19 tests for arriving international travellers

November 18, 2020

A study of international air travellers arriving in Toronto has released an interim report, showing encouraging results from airport-based COVID-19 testing followed by home-based collection during quarantine and offering insights that could help shape policy surrounding COVID-19 safety.

International study shows polypill along with aspirin cuts heart attacks and strokes by up to 40%

November 13, 2020

An international study of people with no previous heart disease or stroke, but at intermediate risk, found the polypill alone may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, revascularization procedures (such as angioplasty or heart surgery) or other cardiovascular incidents by about 20 per cent, and the combination of the polypill and aspirin may reduce those cardiovascular events by up to 40 per cent.

Indigenous peoples and communities have protective factors against COVID-19

November 3, 2020

Indigenous knowledges, practices and community strengths are helping protect Indigenous families and communities around the world from COVID-19.

Government of Canada awards $2.5M to McMaster University to support the COVID-19 border study with McMaster HealthLabs

October 30, 2020

McMaster University has been awarded $2.5 million by the Government of Canada to support the McMaster HealthLabs Canadian International COVID-19 Surveillance Border Study at Toronto Pearson International Airport.