December 16, 2009
New institute to drive brain research
Dr. Urs Ribary, CFRI Consultant and Simon Fraser University's B.C. Leadership Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience in Early Childhood Health and Development, will head up the new Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Institute (BCNI), funded by a $500,000 CFI grant. [more...]
December 1, 2009
New $19.5-million national research network to study child brain development
Today the federal government announced a new national research network focused on cerebral palsy, autism and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Called NeuroDevNet, the network will be hosted by the University of British Columbia and led by Dr. Daniel Goldowitz of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at CFRI. NeuroDevNet will receive $19.5 million over five years from the Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada (NCE). [more...]
[UBC news release] [NCE news release] [NCE backgrounder]
[CBC.ca story]
November 30, 2009
Misunderstood skin disease can disfigure, isolate victims
The Canadian Press interviewed CFRI scientist and UBC professor of medical genetics Dr. Jan Friedman about a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis. [Canadian Press story]
November 15, 2009
Normal synaptic activity in nerve cells protects the brain from misfolded proteins associated with Huntington's disease
Reporting in Nature Medicine on November 15, investigators at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham), the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at CFRI and the University of California, San Diego also found that excessive extrasynaptic activity enhances the misfolded proteins’ deadly effects. [more...]
November 11, 2009
Youth on antipsychotics at increased risk of metabolic side effects such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes
Youth taking certain types of anti-psychotic medications have 3x the risk of developing abnormally high blood sugars (pre-diabetes) or Type 2 diabetes and 2x the risk of becoming overweight or obese, according to results of a new study published today in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. [more...]
[Vancouver Sun story about research]
[Vancouver Sun story about family's experience]
November 8, 2009
Variants in two genes predict deafness from chemotherapy, shows new research published in Nature Genetics
Canadian researchers have identified variations in two genes that predict with high specificity which children will likely become deaf as an adverse effect of cisplatin, a lifesaving anti-cancer drug that's used to treat over one-million patients worldwide each year. [news release] [backgrounder]
[Nature Genetics abstract] [Globe and Mail story] [CBC.ca story]
November 6, 2009
Parents of patients on surgical ward surveyed to identify adverse events or errors that could, or did, compromise their kids' safety and well-being
The Vancouver Sun interviewed Dr. Mark Ansermino about the ongoing Bedside Observer Study at BC Children's Hospital. [Vancouver Sun]
October 28, 2009
Dr. David Scheifele on the development of the H1N1 vaccine
Dr. David Scheifele, head of the Vaccine Evaluation Centre at CFRI, was interviewed by the Ottawa Citizen about clinical trials of the H1N1 vaccine. [Ottawa Citizen story, Oct. 28]
October 19, 2009
Dr. David Scheifele comments on the H1N1 vaccine
The Ottawa Citizen interviewed Dr. David Scheifele, head of the Vaccine Evaluation Centre at CFRI, in a story about the H1N1 vaccine and a question and answer article. [Ottawa Citizen story, Oct. 17] [Ottawa Citizen Expert Opinion]
October 14, 2009
Get the facts from health experts on
Pandemic H1N1 Flu (Oct. 28) and Childhood Cancer (Nov. 18)
For the first time, Mini Med School is available live across the province. Mini Med School presents leading edge research in a way that is accessible and interactive. The public is invited to take part through live streaming video at www.cfri.ca/minimed or in person at CFRI. [more...]
[Kamloops Daily News story]
October 6, 2009
Dr. Liisa Holsti talks about her research to reduce pain in preterm infants
Global BC interviewed CFRI Clinician Scientist Dr. Liisa Holsti about The Comfort Study, which is currently recruiting study participants. The study is evaluating breastfeeding as a way of reducing pain from procedures such as blood tests. Dr. Holsti's research is supported by BC Children's Hospital Foundation.
[Global BC story]
October 6, 2009
Prenatal exposure to BPA might explain aggressive behavior in some 2-year-old girls
Daughters of women exposed to a common chemical found in some plastics while they were pregnant are more likely to have unusually aggressive and hyperactive behaviors as 2-year-olds, according to a new study by lead by Dr. Bruce Lanphear with researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
[SFU Media Release] [University of North Caroline Media Release] [USA Today story] [Globe and Mail/Canadian Press story] [CBC.ca story] [CTV.ca story]
October 5, 2009
New treatment more than doubles survival for high risk type of childhood leukemia
Results of a phase two clinical trial led by Dr. Kirk Schultz show that adding continuous daily doses of a targeted drug called imatinib mesylate to regular chemotherapy more than doubled three-year survival rates for children with a high risk type of blood cancer called Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). [more...]
[Vancouver Sun story] [CBC.ca story] [Montreal Gazette story] [UPI story] [Global News story]
September 23, 2009
Dr. Stefan Taubert appointed as a Canada Research Chair
Dr. Stefan Taubert was appointed to UBC as the Canada Research Chair in Transcriptional Regulatory Networks. He is Scientist Level 1 with CFRI, and Scientist with the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics. [UBC media release]
September 22, 2009
National survey of over 2500 Canadian maternity care providers on attitudes towards birthing practices
Led by Dr. Michael Klein, the survey shows agreement on reducing episiotomies and continuous electronic fetal monitoring during childbirth. However, maternity care providers disagree on the use of epidural analgesia, elective Cesarean sections and in their opinions about the safety of home births. [more...]
[CanWest story]
September 15, 2009
Dr. Michael Hayden awarded the Order of British Columbia
Health researcher Dr. Michael Hayden received the Order of British Columbia on September 16, 2009. Dr. Hayden is the Director of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at CFRI. [more...]
[The Province story]
August 31, 2009
Outcomes of planned home birth versus hospital birth
The debate about the safety of home births continues in the literature, professional policy and practice. Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, this study looks at one health region in British Columbia and compared outcomes of planned home births attended by registered midwives to planned hospital births attended by midwives or doctors. Co-authors Dr. Patricia Janssen, Dr. Michael Klein, and Dr. Robert Liston are CFRI scientists.
[Globe and Mail] [CBC.ca story] [CTV.ca story] [National Post] [Vancouver Sun story] [News 1130 story] [U.S. News and World Report] [L.A. Times] [Toronto Star story]
August 26, 2009
Runaway girls reap strong benefits from nurse interventions: UBC-Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota study
A nurse intervention program that helps sexually exploited runaway girls reconnect to family, school and health care reduces trauma and restores healthy behaviors, according to a new study led by University of British Columbia researcher Elizabeth Saewyc and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota nurse practitioner Laurel Edinburgh. Dr. Saewyc is a Scientist at CFRI. [more...]
August 19, 2009
Dr. Bruce Carleton comments in a Canadian Press story about the risk codeine poses to young children
Codeine is not a safe pain medication for kids with sleep apnea who have been sent home after having their tonsils out, warns a report by Canadian researchers in the New England Journal of Medicine. CFRI Senior Clinician Scientist Dr. Bruce Carleton comments in the Canadian Press story.
August 12, 2009
CFRI welcomes new Board Member
CFRI is pleased to welcome Dr. Jane Ingman-Baker to the Board of Directors. [more...]
July 20, 2009
Study reveals that infants with fever are treated differently in emergency departments
Differences in testing and treating infants with fever were highlighted in a study published in the August issue of Pediatrics. The study was led by Dr. Ran Goldman. [more...]
June 18, 2009
CFRI and UBC receive $4.9 million from Canada Foundation for Innovation for new Child & Family Research Imaging Facility
The funding will support a new 3-Tesla MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner and an imaging analysis and neuro-informatics lab with high tech computing and software systems. The new MRI will be located near the existing 1.5-Tesla MRI clinical scanner and the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units at BC Children’s Hospital, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
Dr. Steven Miller is the facility's principal investigator. [more...]
[CFI news release] [UBC news release] [Vancouver Sun story]
[Global TV BC story]
June 17, 2009
BC researchers receive national funding for targeting youth obesity
CFRI investigators have been awarded $449,857 over three years to study how home and school environments influence the attempts of overweight adolescents to lose weight, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced today. Dr. Louise Mâsse is the principal investigator. [more...]
[CIHR news release] [The Province story]
June 16, 2009
Researchers Gear Up for 10-day bike ride from Vancouver to Banff on behalf of children with cystic fibrosis
CFRI's Dr. James Zlosnik, Christoph Blohmke and Trevor Hird are taking part in GearUp4CF, a grueling 1200-kilometer bike ride over the Selkirk, Purcell and Rocky Mountains to raise money for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Foundation is a major supporter of CF research at CFRI. [more...] [donate to GearUp4CF]
July 13, 2009
Early-life experience linked to chronic diseases later in life, shows new research
People’s early-life experience sticks with them into adulthood and may render them more susceptible to many of the chronic diseases of aging, according to a new study co-led by Dr. Michael Kobor of the University of British Columbia's Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, which is situated at CFRI. [more...]
June 9, 2009
People at risk for Huntington’s disease suffer genetic discrimination
The first study of genetic discrimination in Canada shows that Canadians at risk of developing Huntington’s disease frequently experience unfair treatment based on genetic information. The research was conducted by Dr. Yvonne Bombard while a University of British Columbia doctoral candidate at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT) at the Child & Family Research Institute, in the lab of Huntington’s disease researcher Dr. Michael Hayden, a principal author of the study. [more...]
[Globe and Mail story] [CTV.ca story] [Toronto Star story]
June 5, 2009
CFRI researchers to lead rapid vaccine trials and data management for new national influenza research network
CFRI's Dr. David Scheifele will lead rapid vaccine trials to determine the safety, effectiveness, and dosing schedule for a pandemic vaccine and Dr. Jean-Paul Collet will lead data management for a new $10.8-million national Influenza Research Network announced today by the federal Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq. [more...]
[Global TV BC story] [Government of Canada news release]
June 4, 2009
Dr. Michael Hayden receives honorary Doctor of Science degree from University of Alberta, awarded June 4th
Head of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at CFRI, Dr. Michael Hayden is one of Canada's more prominent clinical geneticists and is best known for his work on Huntington's disease. His diverse research program reflects his desire to improve the human condition and his deep concern for people affected with often forgotten genetic diseases. [University of Alberta backgrounder]
June 2, 2009
“It won’t happen to me” attitude leads to 400,000 preventable injuries in B.C. each year
The Community Against Preventable Injuries (The Community), was established to raise awareness, transform attitudes and behaviours, and reduce the number and severity of preventable injuries. Dr. Ian Pike, spokesperson for The Community, is the Director of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit at CFRI. [http://preventable.ca]
[The Province article series] [Victoria Times Colonist article]
May 22, 2009
Safe Kids Week - May 25-31, 2009
Safe Kids Week is Canada's largest annual public awareness program, designed to help reduce the frequency and severity of preventable childhood injuries. Dr. Shelina Babul-Wellar and Dr. Ran Goldman are featured. [more...]
[Canada.com article]
May 22, 2009
CFRI Scientists Nominated for Women of Distinction Awards
Congratulations to Dr. Sheila Innis and Dr. Adele Diamond on their nominations for a YWCA Vancouver Women of Distinction Award in the category of Technology, Science & Industry. Dr. Innis heads the Nutrition & Metabolism research program at CFRI and is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UBC. Dr. Diamond is a Canada Research Chair and Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at UBC and a scientist with CFRI’s Developmental Neuroscience & Child Health research cluster. [Visit the YWCA Vancouver website]
May 21, 2009
CFRI/CMMT/UBC scientists key contributors to national research network on aging
Identification of the ‘longevity gene’ and better understanding of the interaction between genes and the environment will be some of the key contributions CFRI/CMMT/UBC researchers and their teams at partner institutions make to the Canadian Longitudinal Survey on Aging (CLSA). [more...]
May 4, 2009
New study identifies a protein that makes breast cancer cells more invasive
Scientists at BC Cancer Agency and the Child & Family Research Institute, in collaboration with international researchers, have identified the important role that a specific protein plays in breast cancer metastasis (spread of cancer cells to distant tissues or organs in the body), which may lead to new treatment targets in the future. [more...]
April 17, 2009
CFRI/CMMT/UBC researchers link Huntington depression to genetics
The depression experienced by people with Huntington disease may have nothing to do with the emotional stress of knowing you have a devastating, incurable disorder, according to a CFRI/CMMT/UBC study published in the journal Brain. [more...]
April 8, 2009
CFRI welcomes new Board members
CFRI is pleased to welcome Ms. Nicola Sutton and Mr. Christopher Carty to the Board of Directors. Ms. Sutton is an associate with the Labour, Employment and Human Rights Department at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. Mr. Carty is a consultant with extensive experience in the areas of strategy, operations, finance and business development. [more...]
April 1, 2009
First study of its kind reveals educational outcomes of childhood cancer survivors in British Columbia
A new population-based study by researchers from the BC Cancer Agency, Child & Family Research Institute at BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia (UBC) shows that some childhood cancer survivors, in particular those diagnosed with brain tumours, experience learning difficulties in school. [more...]
[Vancouver Sun article] [Canadian Press article] [CTV story]
March 2, 2009
Research shows "Period of PURPLE Crying" educational materials increase knowledge and behaviours linked to preventing shaken baby syndrome
The study of American mothers is published in the March 2nd issue of Pediatrics and the study of Canadian mothers is also published March 2nd in an early online issue of The Canadian Medical Association Journal. The education program, based on research led by Dr. Ron Barr and Ms. Marilyn Barr, is now being implemented across the U.S. and Canada. [more...]
[CBC.ca article]
March 2, 2009
Universal vaccination is associated with decreased Canadian cases of most deadly strain of meningitis
Universal childhood vaccination against meningococcal C appears to reduce Canadian incidence of the most deadly strain of bacterial meningitis, reports new research led by Dr. Julie Bettinger and published in the March issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. [more...]
February 19, 2009
Dr. Bruce Verchere comments on stem cells and diabetes research
The Georgia Strait interviews Dr. Bruce Verchere, head, diabetes research at CFRI, and Ms. Kate Potter, PhD student, for two articles on stem cell research. [Georgia Strait article by Gail Johnson] [Georgia Strait article by Charlie Smith]
February 5, 2009
Congratulations to Dr. Peter Leung on receiving a Killam research award from the University of British Columbia
Dr. Leung, scientist level 3 at CFRI and associate dean of graduate and postdoctoral education in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC, received a Killam Research Prize in the senior science category. [Announcement from the UBC Faculty of Medicine]
January 23 , 2009
Genome British Columbia announces funding to CFRI research
When a child is fighting a life-threatening illness such as a brain tumour, the last thing they need to deal with is a serious adverse reaction to the very drugs that are meant to be saving their lives. Today Genome BC announced funding to a CFRI project led by Dr. Michael Hayden and Dr. Bruce Carleton. [Media Release] [Backgrounder]
[CBC.ca news article] [Genome Web article]
January 9, 2009
Congratulations to Dr. Ross Petty on being named a member of the Order of Canada
Dr. Petty, professor emeritus in the Division of Rheumatology at UBC, is a founding researcher on the Oak Street campus. As a physician, administrator and researcher, he has improved the lives of countless children with rheumatic disease.
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