Researchers have uncovered intriguing potential in kombucha tea, suggesting it might replicate the benefits of fasting without the need for actual fasting. Kombucha, a fermented tea containing a SCOBY (Symbiotic Cultures of Bacteria and Yeasts), was found to alter fat metabolism when its probiotic microbes colonized the gut of test subjects.  The study, led by scientists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, focused on Caenorhabditis elegans, a microscopic worm. The researchers observed that the microbes in kombucha directly influenced gene expression in the worms’ intesti ..read more

In a comprehensive meta-analysis spanning 13 longitudinal studies across high-income countries, researchers scrutinized the effects of healthcare privatization on patient care quality. Covering nations including Canada, Croatia, USA, and others, the analysis assessed changes before and after privatization, focusing on indicators like staffing, patient mix, and health outcomes.  The meta-analysis revealed a concerning trend: privatization often resulted in deteriorating care quality, without any clear positive impact on health outcomes. Hospitals transitioning to private ownership tended t ..read more

Today the Team at JoinAStudy.ca would like to acknowledge the dedicated work of one of our Investigators, Dr. Sabeen Anwar. Dr. Anwar and her team have played a key part in gathering new data to advance the knowledge of patient care for the condition of Psoriatic Arthritis.  The APPRAISE study, a prospective observational investigation conducted in Canadian rheumatology clinics, aimed to evaluate the 12-month effectiveness, tolerability, and patient satisfaction with apremilast treatment for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in real-world settings. Enrolling 102 patients between July 2018 and Mar ..read more

A recent study conducted by the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai has uncovered a significant gender gap in the cardiovascular benefits derived from exercise. The findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), reveal that women can achieve greater gains in heart health with less frequent exercise compared to men. Dr. Martha Gulati, director of Preventive Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute and co-lead author of the study, highlighted the historical disparity in exercise engagement between men and women. The research, based on data from 412,413 U.S. ad ..read more

In a recent randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, researchers in the United States investigated the impact of a modest daily intake of 4g of cinnamon supplements over four weeks on blood glucose levels. The study, extended with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) data, focused on participants with obesity and prediabetes. Contradictory findings from previous research on cinnamon’s effects on blood glucose levels prompted this well-controlled investigation. Participants were given either 4 grams of cinnamon or a placebo capsule, and their food intake ..read more

A recent study conducted by researchers from Stanford Medicine, published in JAMA Network Open, reveals that adopting a vegan diet can lead to significant improvements in cardiovascular health within just eight weeks. The study, unique for its focus on identical twins, aimed to eliminate genetic and lifestyle variations that often complicate diet research.  Involving 44 participants from 22 pairs of identical twins, the trial compared the effects of a vegan diet to an omnivore diet. Both diets emphasized healthy foods such as vegetables, legumes, fruits and whole grains while avoiding sug ..read more

Merck & Co. has presented data from a phase 3 trial showcasing the potential of its pneumococcal vaccine candidate, V116, to rival Pfizer’s current market dominance in vaccines of this nature. In the United States, Prevnar 20 (Pfizer’s vaccine) currently commands a dominant 95% share. However, Merck contends that V116 offers broader protection, making it a strong competitor.  JoinAStudy investigator Dr. Peter Dzongowski was involved in this series of trials, and we would like to extend a massive thank you to him and his clinic patients. They have played an important role in collecting ..read more

A study led by researchers from the University of Queensland has revealed that children who engage in regular sports activities from an early age are more likely to enjoy better long-term mental health. The study, led by Associate Professor Asad Khan from UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, analyzed data from over 4,200 Australian children spanning eight years as part of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. The study found that consistent participation in sports, whether team-based (e.g., football, cricket, or netball) or individual (e.g., karate, tennis, or gymnastics ..read more

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi have announced positive results from their phase 3 trial, titled NOTUS, evaluating Dupixent (dupilumab) for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The trial demonstrated that Dupixent significantly reduced COPD exacerbations by 34% (compared to placebo) in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD who also show evidence of type 2 inflammation of the lungs. These findings confirm the results from the previously completed BOREAS trial.  We are highlighting the results of this study to acknowledge the contributions of JoinAStudy.ca Inv ..read more

JoinAStudy.ca is proud to offer heartfelt congratulations to Principal Investigator Dr. Anil Gupta for being awarded the prestigious Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) “Award of Excellence“. His contributions to patient care, advocacy, and education have not only made a significant impact on the healthcare landscape in Ontario, but have also set a commendable standard for excellence. This recognition is a testament to his unwavering commitment and leadership in advancing family medicine.   Dr. Gupta is being recognized for conducting ground-breaking research on sotrovimab as ..read more