How a churro-inspired device could change bypass surgery
A researcher from University of Ottawa Heart Institute took inspiration from a food truck when he was thinking of ways to make bypass surgery safer.
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CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
'Alarmingly low' monarch butterfly population calls for international conservation strategy: Guelph professor
Social Sharing To save the "alarmingly low" population of monarch butterflies in North America, a University of Guelph professor and ecologist says Canada, the U.S., and Mexico need to co-operate on a wide-scale conservation plan. Ryan Norris and his colleagues have studied monarch butterflies in North America and developed a conservation strategy outlined in a paper recently published in the journal Current Biology. "In the last 15 years, [monarch butterfly populations have] been at alarmingly low numbers," Norris told CBC K-W's The Morning Edition guest host Josette Lafleur. "We really need a conservation plan that we can enact now that's coordinated, and gives us the best return on our investment." Monarch butterflies are known for undertaking the longest migration of any known insect species. The butterflies spend the winter in the mountains of central Mexico. Afterwards, they migrate through the U.S. and into Canada, breeding multiple generations along the way. The cycle restarts when the offspring that reach southern Canada head back to Mexico around the end of summer. Role in the ecosystem Monarch butterflies, like most butterflies, are pollinators, Norris says. Pollinators play an important part in the food chain by allowing pollen-producing plants to reproduce effectively. They are also an important food source for a wide variety of animals, which is why Norris says if the butterfly's population dwindles even further, then "we're in big trouble." In 2016, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife designated the monarch butterfly as endangered. Then in 2023, the Canadian government listed the monarch butterfly as an endangered species under the Species at Risk Act. These designations were given to the butterfly because of declining populations in North America in the last several years. But it's different in the U.S., where the monarch butterfly doesn't have the same designation. Last December, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed that the monarch butterfly be added to the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. As of today, it remains a proposal. Wendy Caldwell is executive director at Monarch Joint Venture, a partnership of U.S. federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses and academic programs working together to protect the monarch migration across the country. Caldwell says protocol calls for a public comment period of around one year before a ruling can be finalized. Since the proposed rule was issued in December 2024, Caldwell is anticipating a finalized rule around December of this year. With the ruling still pending, she told CBC News they're doing everything in their power including working with "state and federal agencies, non-profits, businesses, communities, and individuals" in conservation efforts. The proposed strategy In their study, Norris and his fellow researchers tried to answer the question: "Given a set time frame of five years, and a set pot of money that we can use, what's the best course of action to conserve monarch butterflies?" Norris' team developed a five-year plan after inputting everything they knew about monarch butterflies and any constraints they identified. The answer the researchers found was simple — restoring milkweed across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico at specific times of the butterfly's annual cycle. "In the first four years of a plan, the best thing to do is invest money into restoring milkweed, the monarch's host plant, in the U.S. midwest," he said. "Then in the fifth year, allocate some of those resources to restoring milkweed in Ontario and the Canadian provinces, and then some resources into protecting habitat in Mexico for their overwintering sites." Milkweed, as the name suggests, is a type of weed that people and farmers often try to remove from their farms. However, milkweed is the only food source for the monarch butterfly caterpillars, which is why the conservation plan focuses on planting milkweed in areas where monarchs lay eggs during specific times of the year. This strategic investment is something that Donald Davis, a member of the Toronto Entomology Association and chair of the Monarch Butterfly Fund, wholeheartedly agrees with, especially here in Canada. "[The proposal] is correct to focus on priority areas, which for Canada would include southern Quebec and Ontario," he said. Davis has been tagging monarch butterflies since 1967, and continuously since 1985. He says that by focusing on areas where monarchs actually pass through during their migration, it's like getting "the biggest bang for the buck." Now, despite the proposal focusing on strategic planting of milkweed along the monarchs' migration path, Norris said that pulling off such a plan will still require significant finding — a minimum funding of $30 million a year, or $150 million for five years. He says the steep price tag is because the plan spans three countries. International co-operation and co-ordination Caldwell says that since the 1980s, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have been working together to protect monarch populations throughout their migratory range. She says the Monarch Joint Venture recognizes the reality that the survival of monarch butterflies "depends on healthy habitats across all three countries." In the U.S., efforts to preserve and improve monarch butterfly populations are taking place across the country, and Caldwell says the Monarch Joint Venture is in the middle of many of these efforts — from conducting community science and research programs to tracking populations and habitat conditions. "We also engage the broader public in every aspect of this work — from participating in community science to planting native milkweed and nectar plants across backyards, communities, working lands, and larger landscapes," she said. But trying to coordinate a multi-country conservation plan between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico is more complicated than it looks. Norris says there are "some troubling things" happening in the U.S. that's going to prevent conservation efforts from being administered effectively. Throughout 2025, the U.S. government has cut billions of dollars in funding from scientific research as part of sweeping cost-cutting measures. "It's going to set back conservation … a number of decades, unfortunately," Norris said. Still, Norris believes there is an existing structure for collaboration, referring to the Commission on Environmental Co-operation, which has been around for a number of years. Monarch butterflies have been listed as an endangered species in Canada due to the growing decline in their population over the years. Ryan Norris, an associate professor and ecologist at the University of Guelph, says there is a way to save them but it would require the help of the U.S. and Mexico to do so. According to the commission's website, its objectives include "facilitating cooperation and public participation to foster conservation, protection and enhancement of the North American environment for the benefit of present and future generations, in the context of increasing economic, trade and social links between the three countries." "I mean it's not a great time (for collaboration) ... but maybe somewhat ironically, it is a good time at something we can co-operate on and do," Norris said. What you can do Davis has good news amidst the monarch's bleak situation. He says many residents of Ontario have shown interest in monarch butterflies, and that they are "already contributing to the population recovery." Similarly, Norris says he's been seeing more properties planting milkweed and native flowers, which he calls "a really valuable tool to maintain urban biodiversity." He's urging people to continue doing this because it not only benefits the monarchs, it also benefits other native pollinators. This effort seems to be growing across the country. In New Brunswick, several municipalities have put up milkweed plants or gardens. The goal of these gardens is to help "young caterpillars prepare for their more than 4,000-kilometre overwintering journey to Mexico." Caldwell says a lot more effort is needed to secure a sustainable future for monarch butterflies. "Expanding large-scale habitat restoration and long-term monitoring — especially on working and public lands — is critical," she said. "Stronger collaboration across sectors and borders is essential, as monarchs rely on healthy habitats throughout their migratory range." Norris says he believes all countries involved have the ability to do it. "Do we have the will to do it? I'm not sure."
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Why it's funny/not funny that I have to jump through hoops to get medical equipment
Social Sharing This First Person article is the experience of Alex Lytwyn, who lives with cerebral palsy and is a disability advocate, writer and small business owner of Willpower Media. For more info rmation about CBC's First Person stories, please see this FAQ. You can read more First Person articles here. For people who have mobility issues, it seems counterintuitive — and almost comical — that physically disabled citizens often have to jump through a lot of governmental hoops to access things that could improve their lives. When a person who has a physical disability and is on income assistance needs a medical device, it is an extremely long process to get one. Any medical equipment you may need has to be requested through a branch of government called DHSU (disability and health supports unit). That's not as easy as it sounds. First, an OT (occupational therapist) has to meet with you and evaluate your need for the equipment. Then, they have to make a report about how this piece of equipment will benefit your life and send it to the DHSU. It's important to keep in mind that the person reviewing the equipment request has no real idea why or how this piece of equipment will enhance your life. I think they're concerned with how much it will cost. After that, it can take months for the department to make a decision. If the equipment request gets denied, it's damaging on multiple levels. It hurts because you do not get the much-needed equipment and it hurts because you know that life — instead of getting a little bit easier — will continue to remain difficult. I have been denied what I consider life-improving equipment, because the person reviewing the file does not think it will be useful to me. How the heck does that person have any idea about my life or the equipment? For example, when I get a new power chair, it does not come with a backrest or seating. Both of these items need to be applied for through DHSU, which means I actually have to make a special request for them. Naturally, my occupational therapist applies for the backrest and seating that is best for me and my posture habits. But if my application is denied, the only option for me is to get something that's not suitable for me or my posture, meaning the 12 to 13 hours a day that I spend in the power chair will be much, much more uncomfortable. Clear and concise request writing is key when it comes to asking for medical equipment. The OT has to write a report that will make the person who's reading the request feel the need for the equipment. Over the years, all my occupational therapists have been awesome. They go back and forth, often writing multiple reports for the same item. They have countless phone conversations with the provincial department, arguing on my behalf. This all takes a ton of time and a lot of back and forth. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. Now sure, there are times when the written word can go a long way in understanding a need. But when it comes to disabilities and medical equipment, seeing how the equipment would benefit the individual would help. This could be done in person or virtually. They need to see for themselves — first-hand — why this equipment is needed. Living with a complex disability comes with enormous challenges. It's a shame that sometimes it feels like the government seems intent on adding to these challenges, instead of helping clear a path to a successful life.
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
Palliative care unit in Lunenburg still not open 4 years after it was announced
Social Sharing Four years after it was announced, a palliative care unit at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg, N.S., has still not opened its doors due to staffing challenges. The five-bed unit to serve Lunenburg and Queens counties was scheduled to open in the fall of 2021 with "home-like environments" that would accommodate patients receiving end-of-life care and their families. Nova Scotia Health says it hired a medical director in June to prepare for the opening and operation of the unit. But there is no opening date yet, even though the physical space is ready. CBC News requested an interview with a representative of the health authority, but it could not accommodate one and instead sent an emailed statement. "Staffing a new unit with a specialized area of care has its own unique challenges," a spokesperson for the authority said in the statement. "We are working to add doctors, nurses and other staff before these beds can be populated." For people like Mahone Bay resident Christopher Heide, the delay made an already painful situation more difficult. His terminally ill wife, Deborah Hickman, died in the hospital's emergency department on May 26, 2022, without access to the care the unit was meant to provide. Heide said his partner of almost 50 years developed a sudden cough and was diagnosed with pneumonia shortly before her death. He had heard from a friend that the Lunenburg hospital had a palliative care unit, so he decided to ask about it. "The doctor wasn't able to make that happen. And we ended up in a room just as part of the emergency ward in Fishermen's," he said. Hickman was placed in a room near the hospital entrance, where Heide said they constantly heard the wail of ambulance sirens, the clatter of stretchers, and the bustle of nurses and doctors coming and going. They also had to share the room with another patient, and only two visitors were allowed at a time. Heide said staff were kind and attentive, but he missed the comfort, privacy and family-oriented space that palliative care offers — something he experienced when his mother died in another province. He said it's disheartening to see that, three years later, the unit is still not open. "I feel very frustrated for all the people who are going through it now," said Heide. "There's a great need out there." When CBC News asked the health authority how many people are needed to have full coverage of the unit, the spokesperson said the hiring of Dr. Patricia Caldeira as medical director was a positive first step. "Efforts are focused on continuing to work on securing the rest of the team needed to open the beds. Beyond that, I don't have anything else," the spokesperson said. Marlene Wheatley-Downe, vice-chair of the South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society, says she knows of other cases in her community similar to Hickman's. Her organization has been advocating for more palliative care beds, and says it has been in communication with the health authority regarding the unit. However, Wheatley-Downe said it is "frustrating" and "disappointing" not knowing when the unit will open or how many people they need to hire. "We toured the unit last September, and everything was there and ready to go. But they were empty," she said. Wheatley-Downe hopes the hiring of a medical director means the rooms will open sooner rather than later. Lunenburg County has the oldest median population in the province, so she says it's important to have those five beds up and running.
