What arguably began with the Fitbit has evolved into a technological space where runners can choose from a variety of wearables to monitor training progress with every stride.
It is here — at the intersection of ease of use and reliability — that Dr. Chris Napier, a sports physiotherapist and principal investigator at the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), is studying wearable technology.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) have received $1 million from Canada’s Stem Cell Network to conduct research and a clinical trial for one of the world’s first genetically engineered cell replacement therapies for type 1 diabetes.
The researchers say the study is an important step toward developing a potential functional cure for type 1 diabetes.
May is Vision Health Month. With screens ever-present — and the time we spend staring at them ever-increasing — eye fatigue is a common occurrence. The inability to focus, intermittent mild blurry vision, tension headaches and dry or itchy eyes are all signs that you may need to see your optometrist for a checkup. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. David Albiani answers a few common questions related to eye strain and screen time.
In the first study of its kind, a global team of researchers are investigating the safety and effectiveness of the CorNeat KPro synthetic cornea in people with corneal blindness. The fully artificial cornea could be a game-changer for patients with corneal blindness, replacing the need for human donations and providing a much-needed alternative for patients who did not respond to current technology.
Researchers from the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) and University of British Columbia (UBC) have found a ‘silver bullet’ to kill bacteria and keep them from infecting patients who have medical devices implanted.
The team has developed a silver-based coating that can easily be applied to devices such as catheters and stents. Their novel formulation, discovered by screening dozens of chemical components, overcomes the complications of silver that have challenged scientists for years.
Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) facilitates clinician-scientists in their efforts to make new discoveries to improve the health and well-being of patients across their lifespan. Supported by the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, the peer-reviewed Investigator Awards provide salary support to leading health research investigators in order to allow them to reduce their clinical commitments and expand their capacity for innovation-driven research that creates new health care knowledge.
The 2022 VCHRI Investigator Awards recipients are:
Music can transport us to times gone by and distant locales, awakening feelings of joy and calm even in the face of challenging circumstances. For seniors with dementia who participated in a recent study led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Lillian Hung, the power of music positively impacted both the care experience and delivery.
