Staying Healthy

Trust and social support important to heart health among Canadian First Nations: Study

A major study has found that Canadian First Nations communities with greater socio-economic advantages, educational opportunities, social support of family members and greater trust between community members have lower cardiac risk factors.

Long-term study finds faster breast cancer radiation treatment as effective as longer course

A shorter course of higher-dose radiation treatment to part of the breast is showing promise in women with early-stage breast cancer who undergo breast conserving surgery, says a study led by Hamilton researchers.

Cannabis found not to be a substitute for opioids, say McMaster researchers

There has been interest in cannabis being used as a replacement drug for people with opioid use disorder, but research at McMaster University has found it doesn’t work.

Project to answer last wishes spreads successfully

New McMaster research has found a program that honours dying patients by fulfilling end of life wishes can be powerful, affordable and sustainable in many settings.

More romantic partners means more support, polyamorous couples say

Polyamorous family provide great support for each other, especially when it comes to raising kids, but they experience marginalization within the health-care system and fear of judgment by health-care providers.

Diet detectives

Researchers at McMaster have identified several chemical signatures, detectable in blood and urine, that can accurately measure dietary intake, potentially offering a new tool for physicians, dieticians and researchers to assess eating habits, measure the value of fad diets and develop health policies.

More electronic device use tied to more sugar and caffeine in teens

Do young teens who spend more time with TV and electronic devices drink more sugared or caffeinated drinks than others? Yes, they do, says a study of U.S. teens led by McMaster University researchers.

New study may have the reason why heart medication gives muscle pain

A study from McMaster University has found a potential mechanism explaining why some people who take drugs to lower their cholesterol develop sore, aching muscles.

Study finds polyamorous families face stigma during pregnancy and birth

Polyamorous families experience marginalization during pregnancy and birth, but with open, nonjudgmental attitudes from health-care providers and changes to hospital policies, this can be reduced, says research from McMaster University.

No need to cut down red and processed meat, says study

Most people can continue to eat red and processed meat as they do now. A major study led by researchers at McMaster and Dalhousie universities has found cutting back has little impact on health.

Five take highest honour in Canadian health sciences

Five professors of the Faculty of Health Sciences have been elected fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, considered one of the highest honours for members of the country’s health sciences community.

New online course offers fun, simple hacks to help you get fitter and stronger

A new online course designed by McMaster researchers and leading exercise physiologists, Martin Gibala and Stuart Phillips, features tools and techniques to help even the most inexperienced exercisers get fit and strong, while exploring the cutting-edge science behind cardio fitness and strength-building.

Cardiovascular disease leading cause of death world-wide, but cancer rising cause in rich countries: Study

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death among middle-aged adults around the world; however, in high-income countries deaths from cancer have become twice as frequent as those from CVD.

Study finds most risks for heart attacks, strokes, deaths around world could be improved

More than 70 per cent of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and deaths around the world may be attributed to a small number of common but modifiable risk factors.

It takes a community to lower cardiovascular risk

Concerted effort by friends, family and non-physician health workers can make a dramatic difference in reducing the risk factors for heart problems in patients with hypertension, an international study by Hamilton researchers has found.

Home births as safe as hospital births: McMaster leads international study

The study, published in a Lancet journal, found no difference in risk between home and hospital births for women with low-risk pregnancies.

Recent cannabis use may slow memory

Recent cannabis users may be more likely to experience memory problems or difficulties with cognitive function than those who don’t use the drug, says a study led by McMaster University researcher James MacKillop.

Get them moving before kindergarten

Researchers find physical activity in preschool years can affect future heart health.

Major study finds one in five children have mental health problems

A new study has found that one in five Ontario children has a mental disorder, but less than one-third have had contact with a mental health provider.

Kids’ concussion recovery like snakes and ladders game

CanChild, a McMaster research centre, has developed new guidelines that reduce the amount of rest required for children recovering from concussion.

Exercise ‘snacks’ make fitness easier: Researchers find short bouts of stairclimbing throughout the day can boost health

A few minutes of stair climbing, at short intervals throughout the day, can improve cardiovascular health, according to new research from kinesiologists at McMaster University and UBC Okanagan.

Research finds opioids may help chronic pain, a little

Use of opioids for patients with chronic, non-cancer pain may help, but not a lot.

Finding sleep’s sweet spot for heart health

How much you sleep is linked to your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and death, according to a McMaster University-led study of more than 116,000 people in seven regions of the world, published in the European Heart Journal this week.

Federal health minister announces research on gender-based violence

Researchers with McMaster’s Offord Centre for Children at Child Studies will lead the $3.4 million study over the next five years.

Big news about big muscles

"There’s definitely a genetic blueprint that determines how much muscle a person has and how much muscle they can put on," says kinesiologist Rob Morton.

What you need to know about the EpiPen shortage

Pfizer has said it will not have new stock of the life-saving epinephrine autoinjector until the end of August - and Pfizer’s the only such needle available in the country.

Study suggests cannabis does not increase suicidal behaviour in psychiatric patients

The study findings contrast with pre-existing data that shows the drug is linked to an increased chance of suicidal behaviour in the general population.

Playing Pokémon Go improves sense of well-being

Trying to catch ’em all could have mental health benefits, according to McMaster researchers.

High-intensity interval training could help women battle breast cancer

HIIT boosts both the number and activity of "natural killer" cells, which help the body fight cancerous tumours.

McMaster research tops global list of buzzworthy findings

McMaster researchers led three of the year's top 100 papers, and contributed to an additional one, according to the Altmetric Top 100.

“No time” is no excuse when it comes to exercise

A perceived “lack of time” is one of the most commonly-cited barriers to engaging in regular physical activity.

Building a stronger body through strength-promoting exercise

Focusing on building strength just twice a week is part of the blueprint for optimal health, says Kinesiology professor Stuart Phillips says.

Can exercise help improve memory and promote brain health?

Jennifer Heisz is working to understand how exercise alters the brain.

McMaster to host major conference on health and exercise

Just the Facts Please: An Exercise in Achieving Optimal Health will take place Wednesday, December 6th from 7 – 10 p.m. at the McMaster Innovation Park.

New book provides guide to evidence-based practices in addiction treatment

A new book will provide a definitive guide to the findings from cutting-edge clinical research on addiction to front-line clinicians.

Student wins Food and Beverage Ontario contest with refreshing product idea

Angie Ibrahim, a fourth year student in McMaster’s Biology and Pharmacology Program, won a Food and Beverage Ontario contest with her beverage concept ICI, a drink that tastes cold and yet has not been refrigerated.

McMaster to host 10th annual Canadian National Brain Bee

High school students from across Canada will converge on McMaster University Saturday, May 27^th, 2017, to compete for the 10^th Annual Canadian National Brain Bee championship.

McMaster’s early researchers earn nearly $1M in funding

Seven researchers from across the disciplines have earned Early Researcher Awards to advance their work – a collective investment of nearly $1 million from the Province of Ontario.

McMaster scientist awarded inaugural national prize for excellence in health research

Gregory Steinberg, a professor of medicine of McMaster's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, has been awarded a new national prize for outstanding accomplishments early in his career.

Nine researchers named Vanier Scholars, Banting Fellows

Nine grad students and post-doctoral fellows have been have been recognized as some of Canada’s most promising young researchers.

Three researchers recognized for work to improve women’s health

Three McMaster researchers working to improve the lives of women around the world have been recognized by the Council of Ontario Universities.