Halifax's Hope Blooms goes solar
Crystal Garrett visits Hope Blooms in Halifax to check out their new solar tracking system.
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CTV News
7 hours ago
- CTV News
Modern day humans with neanderthal genes are suffering from rare but fatal condition: SFU study
Neanderthals went extinct around 40,000 years ago, about the same time that modern humans migrated out of Africa. (Getty Images via CNN) The last Neanderthals are believed to have lived around 40,000 years ago and yet there is an element of their DNA still lingering in some modern day humans, and it's causing a rare, but sometimes fatal, medical condition. According to a new study led by researchers at B.C.'s Simon Fraser University, interbreeding between humans and their ancient cousins is the reason behind a neurological condition believed to be affecting up to one per cent of the population, named Chiari Malformation Type 1. The study, published in June in the journal Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, describes how the rare condition occurs when the human skull is too small, and the cerebellum – a crucial part of the brain located at the back of the head responsible for co-ordination, balance and posture – is pushed through a small hole in the skull. 'Part of the brain herniates down into the spinal canal, and then that causes a pinching of the spinal cord, a pinching of the cerebellum,' says the study's co-author, and SFU postdoctoral fellow, Kimberly Plomp. The defect is so subtle that it is not something that can be seen by looking at somebody, but the consequences it produces can be devastating. 'It can cause headaches, dizziness and numbness if it's a small herniation,' says Plomp. 'If it's a large herniation, it can even be incompatible with life. It could cause death in juveniles.' Combining fossil data with information garnered from CT scans of people currently living with the condition, researchers were able to compare the shape of modern day skulls to those two million years old. 'Essentially, what we found was that humans with this malformation have more similarities and shapes in their skull, especially in the back bottom bit of their skull, with Neanderthals than they do the humans without the malformation,' says Plomp. 'This really highlights the fact that what we identified in humans with Chiari Malformation are traits that seem to be uniquely influenced by, what we think is, Neanderthal DNA.' According to Plomp, any modern humans with ancestry outside of Africa today has anywhere between two to five per cent of Neanderthal DNA in their genetic code, derived from the interbreeding that occurred thousands of years ago. Plomp says the research does little in the way of progressing treatment, which is already 'pretty simple' and sees a neurosurgeon open up the hole in the skull to enable more space, which results in less pinching. But it does lead to an overall better understanding, an evolutionary explanation, as to why humans bear this condition. While the knowledge that ancient human ancestors interbred with Neanderthals is not new, the impacts of such mating is only now being researched and understood. Plomp says she hopes the study's findings give way to further research in the future. For the next step, she hopes to conduct DNA analysis to identify the area of genetic code influencing the shape of the skull that leads to the Chiari Malformation, which could aid in potentially identifying people who might have the condition further down the road. 'If we get to the point that we can identify people at risk of these conditions beforehand, then doctors can start making plans ahead of time before it becomes a health issue,' she says.
CBC
11 hours ago
- CBC
How discarded needle data and pop-up STI testing could reduce Sask.'s infection rates
Social Sharing A new research project in Regina is using geo-data on discarded needles around the city and pop-up testing sites for sexually-transmitted infections to improve health-care access and reduce Saskatchewan's high rates of HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis. The project is a partnership between AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan (APSS) and the University of Regina. The team said the project is the first of its kind in Canada and on Monday they invited media to a mock pop-up testing event to see how it works. "We are creating maps based on discarded needles, and where there is open drug use and public drug use, and bringing the type of care people need directly to them," said Heather House, a U of R research assistant involved in the project. "This is bringing care into the community and meeting people where they're at." The project takes data from APSS's website where people can submit reports about discarded needles found in Regina. Since 2021, APSS volunteers have collected more than 38,000 discarded needles. The geo-data helps researchers determine where the pop-up testing sites could be most effective. The pop-ups will appear in parks, parking lots and at agencies that help vulnerable populations. Saskatchewan had the worst rate of HIV infections in Canada in 2023, according to a 2024 Public Health Agency of Canada report. The 2023 infection rate was 19.4 per 100,000 people, more than three times the national rate of 6.1 per 100,000. The province also has some of the country's highest rates of hepatitis C and syphilis. Some people are reluctant to seek health care on their own because of discrimination or stigma associated with drug use, APSS executive director Shiny Mary Varghese said, adding that the project hopes to find out if these rapid-response interventions are effective in reducing STI infection rates. "It's a little difficult to reach out to people if we are not accessible, so if we go out to people then there are more chances that people are more willing to get tested," Varghese said. A Regina study wants to reduce Saskatchewan's nation-leading rates of HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis 5 hours ago A Regina project called 3 Infections, 1 Fight is setting up a first-of-its-kind study in Canada. People can also connect with community supports for sexual health and drug use. The research team includes people like Jason Littleford, who know what users are going through. "Thinking back to when I was in that position, talking with somebody that had experience or knew what they were talking about would make things a lot easier," said Littleford, a peer navigator with the project.
CBC
12 hours ago
- CBC
Why is the Canadian military closely monitoring a Chinese research vessel?
The Canadian military and possibly the Coast Guard are closely monitoring a Chinese research vessel that has breached Arctic waters for the second year in a row. CBC's Murray Brewster says the Coast Guard was 'following a parallel course' of the vessel, despite denying any 'shadowing.'
