Inhibiting the process that causes resistance in these cells improves the efficacy of immunotherapy, could mean better outcomes
New research at the University of Alberta has revealed a way to increase the sensitivity to immunotherapy of a rare type of cells within a tumour that are responsible for treatment resistance and breast cancer progression. The study, recently published in the journal Cancer Letters, could pave the way to better treatment outcomes for patients. The researchers…
Krista Chiponski is building relationships with 63 First Nations communities to help gather vital data for 2021 Census
To get a snapshot of the country’s population, a national census focused on gathering household information is held every five years. The resulting data from Statistics Canada helps businesses, associations, community organizations and governments – including Indigenous leadership – shape their policies and programs. In preparation for the May launch of the 2021 Census, University of Alberta…
New findings an important step toward developing potential new treatments for mental health disorders
A groundbreaking new study has shown that traumatic or stressful events in childhood may lead to tiny changes in key brain structures that can now be identified decades later. The study is the first to show that trauma or maltreatment during a child’s early years – a well-known risk factor for developing mental health conditions such as…
Transit users are part of a six-month pilot project assessing a new and surprisingly simple method of killing dangerous bacteria on touch surfaces – door push plates made of compressed salt. The pilot project, conducted by Edmonton biotechnology startup Outbreaker Solutions with Edmonton Transit, involves compressing sodium chloride (the chemical name for salt) into moulds to…
Seasoned pro players offer insights into early lessons that helped them stick around in the big leagues
If, as an old adage suggests, the National Hockey League is the hardest professional league to make but the easiest to stay in, the staying part might come courtesy of lessons learned back when the players played for fun, according to a University of Alberta study looking at the acquisition of psychological skills and characteristics of players…
Great-granddaughter of an early settler, Debbie Beaver is preserving a vital part of a province’s history
Every time someone asks Debbie Beaver where she’s from, she has to shake her head. When she answers, “I’m Canadian,” there’s the inevitable followup question: “OK, but where are you really from?” “It still irritates me to this day,” said the administrative assistant in the University of Alberta’s Department of Psychology, who co-founded the Black Settlers of…
Surest way to restore free movement across borders and reboot ailing economies
As the world looks to a post-pandemic future, a global COVID-19 vaccine certification program might be the surest way to restore free movement across borders and reboot ailing economies, according to University of Alberta political scientist Andy Knight. “We need to develop an international protocol – especially for small, more vulnerable states – that will allow…
Annual fundraising effort to support clinical trial of precision drug developed at U of A
As 40 local hockey players brave the elements on an outdoor rink just outside Sherwood Park, Alberta for the World’s Longest Hockey Game, they’ll be making a difference in the lives of cancer patients in Edmonton. Over the course of more than 10 days and nights of non-stop shinny, the game, which began on Feb.…
Project will provide training and mentorship to help emerging scholars from Canada and Africa diversify their knowledge and skills
The University of Alberta is partnering with three West African universities to mentor and build tomorrow’s diverse community leaders and global intellectuals through a new project. Powered by a $300,000 grant from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (QES) Advanced Scholars West Africa program, the initiative supports research-focused exchanges for doctoral researchers, post-doctoral fellows and early career academics…
U of A biologists track the migratory birds over 10,000 km with GPS to study their route – and the cause behind their declining numbers
A new study by University of Alberta biologists has created a comprehensive picture of the 10,000-km migratory route of common nighthawks using GPS data. The study is the first step in analyzing where and why the birds’ population numbers are declining. “Like many migratory bird species, common nighthawks are declining, but the rate of those…