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In Case You Missed It
 Here, kitty, here: Canada's first sabre-toothed cat fossil found in Alberta
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
Published October 2019
Fossils collected in the 1960s from Alberta’s Medicine Hat area and stored at the Royal Ontario Museum have been confirmed as the only documented case in Canada of the sabre-toothed cat, Smilodon fatalis, Read more>
Lead author: Ashley Reynolds, University of Toronto and Royal Ontario Museum - ashley.reynolds@mail.utoronto.ca
Head and neck melanomas up 51 per cent in young Canadians
JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
Published October 3, 2019
From 1995 to 2014, the number of head and neck melanoma cases in kids, teens and young adults increased by 51.1 per cent in both Canada and the U.S. Read more>
Corresponding author: Haley Bray, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri - haley.bray@health.slu.edu
Climate change could pit species against one another as they shift ranges
PNAS
September 30, 2019
When it comes to surviving climate change, species can genetically adapt to new conditions, shift their ranges, or both. But this study indicates that conflicts between species as they adapt and shift ranges could lead experts to underestimate extinctions, and underscores the importance of landscape connectivity. Read more>
Lead author: Patrick Thompson, University of British Columbia - patrick.thompson@zoology.ubc.ca
Ancient sediments show Mars once had salty lakes
Nature Geoscience
Published October 7, 2019
Salt-bearing sediments within the Gale crater on Mars, detected by NASA’s rover Curiosity, suggest that salty lakes were once present at this location. The findings confirm previous inferences from satellite observations that the red planet underwent a transition to arid climates in this time frame, around 3.5 billion years ago. Read more>
Canadian co-author: Lucy Thompson, University of New Brunswick - Lucy.Thompson@unb.ca
Antidepressants may increase pregnancy-related diabetes risks
BMJ Open
October 1, 2019
Taking antidepressants while expecting a baby is linked to a heightened risk of developing gestational diabetes, a kind of diabetes specifically related to pregnancy. The risk was greatest among mums to be who were taking venlafaxine and amitriptyline. The kids of these pregnancies may be more vulnerable to developing obesity and diabetes, while the mums are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Read more>
Corresponding author: Anick Bérard, CHU Sainte Justine, Montreal - anick.berard@umontreal.ca
More people take their meds when the meds are free
JAMA Internal Medicine
Published October 7, 2019
Distributing essential medicines at no charge to patients could lead to a 44 per cent increase in people taking their medications. The study also found that participants experienced a reduction in systolic blood pressure and that free distribution of essential medicines led to a 160 per cent increase in the likelihood of participants being able to make ends meet. Read more>
Lead author: Navindra Persaud, St Michael’s Hospital - nav.persaud@utoronto.ca
Orca preying on young bowhead whales in Arctic
Arctic Science
Published September 25, 2019
Researchers confirm that prcas attacked and killed a healthy young bowhead whale, an at-risk Arctic marine species, in Nunavut’s Cumberland Sound in 2016. With decreasing summer sea-ice opening up the Arctic, the incursion and presence of orca in the Arctic is expected to increase, with as yet unknown consequences on Eastern Canada–West Greenland bowhead population and other prey.
Lead author: Brent Young; Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg - Brent.Young@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
New global catch database exposes dangerous fishing trends
Fisheries Research
Published September 21, 2019
A new database of tuna catches reveals that global tuna catches have increased over 1,000 per cent in the past six decades, fuelled by a massive expansion of industrial fisheries. These fisheries have been catching nearly six million tonnes of tuna annually in recent years and are operating substantially over capacity. Read more>
Corresponding authors: Angie Coulter, University of British Columbia - a.coulter@alumni.ubc.ca; Daniel Pauly, University of British Columbia - d.pauly@oceans.ubc.ca
Upfront transparency makes carbon pricing palatable to air travellers
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Published December 2019
Travellers are willing to pay a little more for flights if they know the extra money will be used to address carbon emissions, according to this study. The key to consumer acceptance is how the fees are presented at the time of ticket purchase. Read more>
Lead author: David Hardisty, University of British Columbia - david.hardisty@sauder.ubc.ca
Stop taking aspirin to prevent first heart attack, stroke
Canadian Family Physician
Published July 2019
This review of three large, randomized, placebo-controlled studies published in 2018 shows the risk of major internal bleeding associated with taking an aspirin a day is greater than any preventative benefits. One of the studies showed an increase in deaths from all causes – in particular cancer deaths – among the patients who took aspirin. Read more>
Corresponding author: Michael Kolber, University of Alberta - mkolber@ualberta.ca
New CRISPR method makes designer microbiomes possible
Nature Communications
Published October 4, 2019
A new method of delivering the DNA-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 into microorganisms in the lab opens the door to efficiently targeting specific bacteria. It would allow the human microbiome to be personalized, and presents a potential alternative to traditional antibiotics to kill harmful and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Read more>
Corresponding authors: Gregory Gloor, Western University - ggloor@uwo.ca; David Edgell, Western University - dedgell@uwo.ca
Glacier sediments soak up contaminants
Scientific Reports
Published August 29, 2019
Sediments on the surfaces of a glacier in eastern B.C. and elsewhere in the world are acting as a sponge and absorbing large amounts of contaminants that are contained in glacial meltwater. Read more>
Lead author: Philip Owens, University of Northern British Columbia - philip.owens@unbc.ca
Digital addiction's growing costs
Journal of Public Policy and Marketing
Published October 1, 2019
Digital addiction is increasing in North America. According to this analysis, social and economic costs linked to digital addiction include increased obesity, sleeplessness, anxiety, and relationship issues, and decreased productivity, as well as increased physical risks related to distracted driving and walking. The researchers recommend several public policy changes to help combat the problem. Read more>
Canadian co-author: Leyland Pitt, Simon Fraser University - lpitt@sfu.ca
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News Tips
Author of red-meat study did not disclose industry relationship
The Dalhousie University author of a recent study that challenged longstanding nutritional guidelines failed to report his ties to a powerful food industry trade group, The New York Times reports. SMCC Heads Up featured the research last week. Read more>
Canadian climate scientists assess the federal parties’ climate plans
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Of Interest
Knowing how the news media operates inoculates against disinformation
Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media
Published September 20, 2019
Analysis of responses to two national U.S. surveys reveal that the more people know about the media, the better they are able to identify and resist online disinformation efforts, including fabricated headlines and covert advertising attempts. Read more>
Job opening: Associate Producer, Quirks & Quarks, CBC Radio
Information>
Application deadline: October 16
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