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Medical Research Stories

Medical Research Stories

Read stories about initiatives in medical education taking place at Canada’s 17 Faculties of Medicine.

  • summary statistics worldwide
    Newly launched SeroTracker will monitor global antibody testing efforts
    By Ashley Rabinovitch |
    As the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic passes its peak, clinicians, public health officials, and policymakers around the world have a growing need to understand antibody patterns and potential immunity. To better inform their decision-making efforts, Canada’s COVID-19 Immunity Task Force recently supported the development of SeroTracker, a web platform that synthesizes findings from serological (antibody) testing efforts worldwide. [available in English only]
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  • Image of COVID-19
    Genome sequencing key to tracking, combatting COVID-19 virus: U of A researchers
    By GILLIAN RUTHERFORD |
    University of Alberta researchers are leading a project to sequence virus genomes from COVID-19 patients in Alberta, in hopes of learning more about how the deadly virus spreads and how it can be stopped.
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  • COVID-19 geotyping tool
    Canadian Scientists Develop Platform to Track Changes in Genetic Structure of COVID-19 Virus
    By University of Toronto |
    Researchers from the University of Toronto and University Health Network have designed an innovative tool for quickly tracking changes in the genetic structure of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
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  • jogger running on a path
    Study explores online misinformation around immune boosting and COVID-19
    By University of Manitoba |
    Anyone who spends time surfing the net knows it is commonplace to see online advertisements making dubious health claims. Now, with the arrival of COVID-19, misinformation related to the pandemic has proliferated.
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  • pregnant women looking out the window
    Pregnancy and birth in the time of a pandemic
    By Kerry Blackadar |

    When it comes to COVID-19 and pregnancy, there’s a lot we don’t know. UBC’s Dr. Deborah Money, professor in the faculty of medicine’s department of obstetrics and gynecology, is trying to fill that knowledge gap. She is leading a national surveillance study examining maternal and infant outcomes among pregnant women with COVID-19.

    [available in English only]

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  • nurse injecting patient
    La quantité d’anticorps capables de neutraliser le virus diminue après six semaines
    By Université de Montréal |
    Si les anticorps neutralisants sont à la base de la mise au point de futurs vaccins contre le SRAS-CoV-2, il faut néanmoins rester prudent, affirment des chercheurs et chercheuses du Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM). [available in French only]
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  • people discussing looking at computer
    La perte de l’odorat et du goût associée scientifiquement à la COVID-19
    By Université de Sherbrooke |

    Une équipe de recherche de l’Université de Sherbrooke et du CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS, dirigée par le Pr Alex Carignan, a observé qu’environ 2/3 des usagers atteints du nouveau coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 présentaient comme symptômes une perte d’odorat et/ou de goût, de manière partielle ou complète. [available in French only]

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  • Professor Marceline Côté
    Speed dating begins between COVID-19 and drug hopefuls
    By Jessica Sinclair |

    In the fight against COVID-19, we may be sitting on the right weapons and not even know it. That’s the hope of a uOttawa-led three-lab team that just received rapid-response research funding from the Government of Canada. 

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  • Dr. Marc-André Langlois
    Virologist leads attempt to develop coronavirus nasal spray vaccine
    By Jessica Sinclair |

    A team of nine labs, led by uOttawa virologist Dr. Marc- André Langlois, has secured $1-million in CIHR funding to pursue a combination of tools against COVID-19, including therapeutic and diagnostic antibodies and a nasal spray vaccine.

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  • Image of medical technician working behind a glass
    Toronto Research Ramps up on Blood Test to Screen for COVID-19 Immunity
    By Amanda Ferguson |

    A team of researchers at Sinai Health and the University of Toronto is in the early stages of developing a blood test that can identify who is immune to COVID-19 on a mass scale.

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