Vaccine would be a huge win for young people and adults alike An international collaboration involving researchers at the University of Alberta and Griffith University in Australia has launched the first phase of human clinical trials for a potential strep A vaccine. Group A streptococcus bacteria, more commonly known as strep A, kills more than…
Mask mandates have reduced children’s immunity to common viruses Hospitals are experiencing an influx of young children with serious respiratory illnesses. Out of concern for their well-being, some health professionals are pushing to bring back mask mandates for schools. In other words, students would be required, once again, to wear masks while in school buildings.…
Early diagnosis can lead to better treatment A University of Alberta engineering professor has designed a portable ultrasound system that can detect scoliosis in adolescents without the risks associated with frequent X-rays. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a deformity of the spine that occurs in two to four per cent of those between the ages of…
Families are the front line of child care, elder care, and financial stability Schools, travel plans, and work schedules aren’t the only things that need to return to normal after almost three years of COVID disruptions. Marriage needs to get back on track too. Canadian marriages hit a historic low in 2020, with 33 per…
Learning from the pros Learning from the Pros interviews professional entrepreneurs who are currently in the trenches growing their businesses. Through insightful conversations, we unpack their common business challenges and identify the lessons every business owner needs to learn so they can accelerate their own business growth. Learning from the Pros is produced by Amplomedia…
More family time can foster resilience in children affected by the disruptions The survey results were considered a loud and clear “cry for help” from high school students suffering from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, more than a third reported poor mental health, and about 44…
A new approach to school-based social, emotional, and academic intervention needed
As children, families, and school staff settle into another school year, there is growing concern about the impact of COVID-19 on the development of children and youth and the subsequent increase in the need for specialized assessment and intervention services. Perhaps it is time to consider an alternate approach to school-based social, emotional, and academic…
Here are a few psychological risks parents should look for
When people ask me what I think about youth sports today, I often say there’s “too much adult in youth sports.” When adults are heavily involved in youth sports, ego-and-greed-based decisions and activities are sure to be part of the environment. Win-at-all-costs (WAAC) and profit-at-all-costs (PAAC) mentalities and policies are increasingly part of the youth…
Students with daily activity requirements are physically and emotionally healthier and perform better academically
Josh Fullan is the executive director of Maximum City, a national education and engagement organization based in Toronto. He recently wrote a compelling opinion piece on the need for more physical education in schools for The Globe and Mail. Fullan outlines the physical, mental and academic benefits of regular exercise. He emphasizes the academic and…
Banning junk food advertising may have little effect on reducing obesity
A new study from the University of Alberta challenges the notion that advertising junk food is at the root of the obesity epidemic. Growing up in a low social-economic environment is more of a precursor to obesity later in life than junk food advertising, according to the report, with adults who grew up in a…