Latest news with #SimonFraserUniversity
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Brain scan reveals why Parkinson's drugs don't always work: Study
Washington: Simon Fraser University Researchers are using an advanced brain imaging method called MEG to understand why Parkinson's drug levodopa doesn't work equally well for everyone. By mapping patients' brain signals before and after taking the drug, they discovered that it sometimes activates the wrong brain regions, dampening its helpful effects. This breakthrough could pave the way for personalised treatment strategies, ensuring patients receive medications that target the right areas of their brain more effectively. The new study by the Simon Fraser University (SFU) researchers, published in the journal Movement Disorders, looks at why levodopa - the main drug used in dopamine replacement therapy - is sometimes less effective in patients. The drug is typically prescribed to help reduce the movement symptoms associated with the neurodegenerative disorder . While it is effective in improving symptoms for the vast majority of patients, not everyone experiences the same level of benefit. In order to find out why this is the case, an SFU collaboration with researchers in Sweden has used magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology to determine how the drug affects signals in the brain. "Parkinson's is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide and it is the most rapidly increasing, in terms of incidence," says Alex Wiesman, assistant professor in biomedical physiology and kinesiology at SFU. "Treating this disease, both in terms of helping people with their symptoms, but also trying to find ways to reverse the effects, is becoming more and more important. If clinicians can see how levodopa activates certain parts of the brain in a patient, it can help to inform a more personalised approach to treatment," added Wiesman. The study was a collaboration with researchers at Karolinska Institute in Sweden, who used MEG to collect data from 17 patients with Parkinson's disease - a relatively small sample size. Researchers mapped participants' brain signals before and after taking the drug, in order to see how and where the drug impacted brain activity. MEG is an advanced non-invasive technology that measures the magnetic fields produced by the brain's electrical signals. It can help clinicians and researchers to study brain disorders and diseases, including brain injuries, tumours, epilepsy, autism, mental illness and more. Using this rare brain imaging technology, Wiesman and team developed a new analysis that lets them "search" the brain for off-target drug effects. "With this new way of analysing brain imaging data, we can track in real time whether or not the drug is affecting the right brain regions and helping patients to manage their symptoms," says Wiesman. "What we found was that there are sometimes 'off-target' effects of the drug. In other words, we could see the drug activating brain regions we don't want to be activating, and that's getting in the way of the helpful effects. We found that those people who showed 'off target' effects are still being helped by the drug, but not to the same extent as others," said Wiesman. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, meaning parts of the brain become progressively damaged over time. It affects predominately the dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain called the substantia nigra. People with Parkinson's disease may experience a range of movement-related symptoms, such as tremors, slow movement, stiffness and balance problems. Wiesman hopes that a better understanding of how levodopa affects an individual's brain signals could improve how drugs are prescribed to treat Parkinson's. This new type of brain imaging analysis is not only for studying Parkinson's disease; any medications that affect brain signaling can be studied using the method developed by Wiesman and colleagues. (ANI)
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
3 science-backed ways to fall asleep almost instantly
Sleep, a necessity for vital health functions, is now elusive to many. It is well known that getting a good night's sleep is crucial ahead of a long day. However, as of today, inadequate sleep and related health issues have become universal concerns. While many have trouble falling asleep, it may not be as hard as it seems. A recent report in New Scientist has brought together three scientific methods, such as cognitive shuffling, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, and sleep sanctuaries. These natural methods backed by science can help anyone fall asleep almost instantly. One of the most common reasons that we struggle to fall asleep is restlessness or having worrying thoughts before bedtime. Cognitive shuffling is a technique that can help counter this. Developed by cognitive scientist Luc Beaudin, who is currently an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University, it involves picking a random word that comes to the mind and trying to think of more words that start with the letters as part of the initial word. One is advised to simultaneously think of the words and even picture them in their head. For instance, if you pick the word 'open', you need to think of words starting with the letter O and visualise them in your head at the same time. After O, think of words starting with P, and so on. The technique has proven its effectiveness. A 2016 study by Simon Fraser University tested as many as 154 students who reported 'pre-sleep arousal' or heightened alertness before falling asleep. These students were asked to try the cognitive shuffling method, and the results showed that the students fell asleep faster. Despite being initially developed for insomnia patients, aspects of CBT-I can also be used by everyone to fall asleep faster. At its core, CBT-I teaches people to repress their intrusive thoughts in order to prevent mental alertness and an increase in adrenaline levels, as these can prevent sleep. CBT-I also teaches calming techniques, like meditation, to prevent nervousness before sleeping. The full CBT-I course may take up to eight weeks to complete. However, certain elements of the therapy, when relevant, can help people fall asleep sooner. A similar effect is seen with meditation. According to a 2021 study published in General Hospital Psychiatry, participants who used meditation apps showed improvement in their depression and anxiety symptoms which they exhibited earlier. Sleep-restriction therapy is another aspect of CBT-I that can be effective. As counterintuitive as it sounds, this has proved its effectiveness. The theory is centred around attempting to get the number of hours spent in the bed as close to the actual hours of sleep as possible. While this can sound complicated, it essentially entails making your room a 'sleep-friendly place'. This, at its most basic, can entail a cool, dark, and quiet environment. This can encourage secretion of melatonin from the brain's pineal glands, a hormone that encourages sleep. Another popular piece of advice is to avoid screens soon before sleeping. The explanation for this is that the blue light from smartphones or other devices suppresses melatonin production. A May 2025 study published in the Frontiers in Psychiatry journal found that those who use screens in bed had 24 per cent lower chances of reporting insomnia symptoms, as compared to those using screens. As per this study, screen usage should stop 30 to 60 minutes before going to sleep. It needs to be noted that a continued lack of sleep can trigger an array of health risks such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke. It is crucial to sleep soundly and for the right amount of time. Furthermore, in case of insomnia, it is crucial to go to a specialist and begin a treatment programme as soon as possible. (This article has been curated by Purv Ashar, who is an intern with The Indian Express)
The Province
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Province
B.C. professor trapped in Iran says Canada has offered 'almost nothing' to help
'As you can most likely hear in my lecture nine recording, it is literally like a war zone with explosions coming around every now and then,' Shervin Jannesar told his students Published Jun 23, 2025 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 3 minute read The damaged headquarters of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Iranian state television, in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 19, 2025. Photo by Vahid Salemi / AP A B.C. professor who is trapped in Iran says he's been told by officials there's 'almost nothing' the Canadian government can do to help him and his family. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Simon Fraser University engineering professor Shervin Jannesar says in an email that communications are extremely limited and Canadian authorities don't seem to have a plan to deal with the situation. Jannesar's wife and two infant children had travelled to Iran before Israel launched strikes against the country, and he told his students that when the conflict began he had no choice but to join them. SFU professor Shervin Jannesar is trapped in Iran. Credit Simon Fraser University. Use with permission Photo by Simon Fraser University The United States joined the conflict over the weekend by bombing Iran's nuclear sites and with airspace now closed there's no way for the family to get out. He says in an email to The Canadian Press at 3:45 a.m. local time on Sunday during a brief window of internet access that communications are extremely limited and calls cannot be received from outside the country. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jannesar says he managed to call a Canadian government emergency line but after hours of conversation was initially told to fill in an online form, despite the lack of internet connection. 'Finally one of the agents kindly did it on phone for me. But after so many back and forth talks they told me that there is almost nothing they can do,' Jannesar said. 'Their answer to my question of 'what service (do) you exactly provide in this emergency line?' was something in lines of: 'we are answering your questions! And calls! And if you were not a Canadian we were not answering your questions!' One of Jannesar's students shared a message from him last week describing the professor's situation in an online forum, before the U.S. attack. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In that message to his class, Jannesar said he was still trying to provide recorded lectures despite the war conditions. 'As you can most likely hear in my lecture nine recording, it is literally like a war zone with explosions coming around every now and then,' he wrote, asking his students for help getting out word about his situation. A man looks at flames rising from an oil storage facility after it was hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran on June 15 Photo by Vahid Salemi / AP A spokesman for Simon Fraser University confirmed that one of its lecturers was stuck in Iran but said it could not provide a recording of the lecture described by Jannesar because access was limited to students. Jannesar says in his email that the Canadian officials he spoke with 'were nice and respectful' and he did not want to be 'harsh' about them. 'But there are actually no managerial plans behind it and (it's) not clear what they offer. It's not even clear in the wording of their emails that what they do they do or can do,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jannesar says the internet had been shut down for days before a brief period of access. The university said a second staff member who was in Iran had managed to cross into Turkey. 'We are closely monitoring the situation, and the safety and well-being of our SFU community members remain our top priority,' a spokesman said. He added that 'options for departure from the region are extremely limited' and that the trapped faculty member had been encouraged to contact the university's international health and security provider and Canada's Emergency Watch and Response Centre for consular assistance. Smoke rises from the building of Iran's state-run television after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP Photo) Photo by AP Photo / AP While Iranian airspace is closed, land crossings into Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan are possible options for Canadians attempting to leave Iran, according to Global Affairs Canada. Canadians in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and Iran are 'advised to remain close to a bomb shelter or a hardened structure away from windows,' a Global Affairs Canada web page reads. Read More Vancouver Canucks News Vancouver Canucks News Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Sun
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. professor trapped in Iran says Canada has offered 'almost nothing' to help
A B.C. professor who is trapped in Iran says he's been told by officials there's 'almost nothing' the Canadian government can do to help him and his family. Simon Fraser University engineering professor Shervin Jannesar says in an email that communications are extremely limited and Canadian authorities don't seem to have a plan to deal with the situation. Jannesar's wife and two infant children had travelled to Iran before Israel launched strikes against the country, and he told his students that when the conflict began he had no choice but to join them. The United States joined the conflict over the weekend by bombing Iran's nuclear sites and with airspace now closed there's no way for the family to get out. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. He says in an email to The Canadian Press at 3:45 a.m. local time on Sunday during a brief window of internet access that communications are extremely limited and calls cannot be received from outside the country. Jannesar says he managed to call a Canadian government emergency line but after hours of conversation was initially told to fill in an online form, despite the lack of internet connection. 'Finally one of the agents kindly did it on phone for me. But after so many back and forth talks they told me that there is almost nothing they can do,' Jannesar said. 'Their answer to my question of 'what service (do) you exactly provide in this emergency line?' was something in lines of: 'we are answering your questions! And calls! And if you were not a Canadian we were not answering your questions!' One of Jannesar's students shared a message from him last week describing the professor's situation in an online forum, before the U.S. attack. In that message to his class, Jannesar said he was still trying to provide recorded lectures despite the war conditions. 'As you can most likely hear in my lecture nine recording, it is literally like a war zone with explosions coming around every now and then,' he wrote, asking his students for help getting out word about his situation. A spokesman for Simon Fraser University confirmed that one of its lecturers was stuck in Iran but said it could not provide a recording of the lecture described by Jannesar because access was limited to students. Jannesar says in his email that the Canadian officials he spoke with 'were nice and respectful' and he did not want to be 'harsh' about them. 'But there are actually no managerial plans behind it and (it's) not clear what they offer. It's not even clear in the wording of their emails that what they do they do or can do,' he said. Jannesar says the internet had been shut down for days before a brief period of access. The university said a second staff member who was in Iran had managed to cross into Turkey. 'We are closely monitoring the situation, and the safety and well-being of our SFU community members remain our top priority,' a spokesman said. He added that 'options for departure from the region are extremely limited' and that the trapped faculty member had been encouraged to contact the university's international health and security provider and Canada's Emergency Watch and Response Centre for consular assistance. While Iranian airspace is closed, land crossings into Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan are possible options for Canadians attempting to leave Iran, according to Global Affairs Canada. Canadians in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and Iran are 'advised to remain close to a bomb shelter or a hardened structure away from windows,' a Global Affairs Canada web page reads.
Vancouver Sun
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Canada has offered 'almost nothing' to help, says B.C. professor trapped in Iran
A British Columbia professor who is trapped in Iran says he's been told by officials there's 'almost nothing' the Canadian government can do to help him and his family. Simon Fraser University engineering Prof. Shervin Jannesar says in an email that communications are extremely limited and Canadian authorities don't seem to have a plan to deal with the situation. Jannesar's wife and two infant children had travelled to Iran before Israel launched strikes against the country, and he told his students that when the conflict began he had no choice but to join them. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The United States joined the conflict over the weekend by bombing Iran's nuclear sites and with airspace now closed there's no way for the family to get out. He says in an email written to The Canadian Press at 3:45 a.m. local time on Sunday during a brief window of internet access that communications are extremely limited and calls cannot be received from outside the country. Jannesar says he managed to call a Canadian government emergency line but after hours of conversation was initially told to fill in an online form, despite the lack of internet connection. 'Finally one of the agents kindly did it on phone for me. But after so many back and forth talks they told me that there is almost nothing they can do,' Jannesar said. 'Their answer to my question of 'what service (do) you exactly provide in this emergency line?' was something in lines of: 'we are answering your questions! And calls! And if you were not a Canadian we were not answering your questions!' One of Jannesar's students shared a message from him last week describing the professor's situation in an online forum, before the U.S. attack. In that message to his class Jannesar said he was still trying to provide recorded lectures despite the war conditions. 'As you can most likely hear in my lecture nine recording, it is literally like a war zone with explosions coming around every now and then,' he wrote, asking his students for help getting out word about his situation. A spokesman for Simon Fraser University confirmed that one of its lecturers was stuck in Iran but said it could not provide a recording of the lecture described by Jannesar because access was limited to students. Jannesar says in his email that the Canadian officials he spoke with 'were nice and respectful' and he did not want to be 'harsh' about them. 'But there are actually no managerial plans behind it and (it's) not clear what they offer. It's not even clear in the wording of their emails that what they do they do or can do,' he said. Jannesar says the internet had been shut down for days before a brief period of access. The university said a second staff member who was in Iran had managed to cross into Turkey. 'We are closely monitoring the situation, and the safety and well-being of our SFU community members remain our top priority,' a spokesman said. He added that 'options for departure from the region are extremely limited' and that the trapped faculty member had been encouraged to contact the university's international health and security provider and Canada's Emergency Watch and Response Centre for consular assistance. While Iranian airspace is closed, land crossings into Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan are possible options for Canadians attempting to leave Iran, according to Global Affairs Canada. Canadians in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and Iran are 'advised to remain close to a bomb shelter or a hardened structure away from windows,' a Global Affairs Canada web page reads. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
