Humans often connect with each other through lived experiences, which is why not being able to remember important recent events, such as a birthday party or wedding, can be particularly hard on patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and their loved ones. The work of Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Jeff Small examines an intervention that could support AD patients’ recall of important life events.

Vancouver, BC — A home-based exercise program reduces injury and falls by improving cognitive abilities, according to new research published in the Journal Gerontology: Medical Science in November 2020.

“There is a strong brain-body connection when it comes to falls, such that reduced cognitive function puts one at greater risk for falls. Evidence also suggests exercise reduces falls and is good for your brain,” says study principal investigator, Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose. 

Mariko Sakamoto was completing her master’s degree in nursing and working as a transition nurse in a local hospital when she kept noticing older adult patients waiting around in hallways on and off for weeks, either by themselves or with their families. Part of Sakamoto’s job was to ensure access to adequate care and services for soon-to-be discharged patients once they arrived back home. The patients in the hallways did not fall under her purview even though they no longer needed acute care services. She learned that they were designated as alternate level of care, or ALC. 

An analysis of COVID-19 cases at six greater Vancouver health centres has revealed a link between A or AB blood group patients and more severe COVID-19 outcomes than O or B patients. The study, led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Mypinder Sekhon, points to two main factors that seem to have a protective effect against COVID-19. 

Scientific research into the double- and single-helix linear structures of DNA and RNA has revealed a mystery in the form of circular RNA (circRNA). As interest grows in these strands of RNA that are continuous loop shapes, a new computational tool called CircMiner, developed by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute scientist Dr. Faraz Hach and his team at the Vancouver Prostate Centre (VPC), is helping researchers identify circRNA and better understand their role in conditions like prostate cancer. 

Shortly after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, Dr. Mina Park and other members of the COVID-19 Research and Knowledge Translation (KT) Group jumped into action. 

The group of almost a dozen researchers, clinicians, librarians and students from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), the University of British Columbia (UBC) and beyond was tasked with combing through and interpreting the constant and ever-evolving flow of evidence on how to contain the virus. 

Something that can keep pharmacists like Dr. Karen Dahri up at night is the possibility that a patient might not be taking his/her medication regularly and properly. This concern prompted the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher to investigate how pharmacists are screening for low health literacy.

“In Canada, approximately 60 per cent of adults and 80 per cent of seniors have low health literacy, which can impact such things as whether or not they take their medication properly.” 

When it comes to mapping and predicting the behaviour of gynecologic cancers, the more information researchers have at their fingertips, the better. Headed by a team of three OVCARE and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researchers, the new Big Data Solutions Lab is poised to become a leader in high-tech research for women’s health care.