Easier-to-produce compound for cancer diagnostic imaging is ready for patient use For people waiting for imaging tests to diagnose neuroendocrine cancer, time is of the essence. Now a new medical imaging agent for PET scans promises to reduce wait times while costing less to produce and possibly revealing more of some types of cancer tumours.…
New minerals discovered in massive meteorite may reveal clues to asteroid formation A team of researchers has discovered at least two new minerals that have never before been seen on Earth in a 15-tonne meteorite found in Somalia – the ninth-largest meteorite ever found. “Whenever you find a new mineral, it means that the actual…
Early diagnosis can lead to better treatment A University of Alberta engineering professor has designed a portable ultrasound system that can detect scoliosis in adolescents without the risks associated with frequent X-rays. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a deformity of the spine that occurs in two to four per cent of those between the ages of…
Hundreds of companies are developing lab-grown food in the U.S. and over a dozen in Canada We knew it was just a question of time, and we know the time is now. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just authorized the sale of cultivated chicken in the U.S., giving safety approval for human consumption to…
Study suggests regional policy guidance is critical in spurring local climate adaptation In Canada, as in most places around the world, climate change adaptation planning takes a top-down approach. But new findings by University of Alberta researchers suggest an integrated approach that incorporates regional policy guidance is both critical and effective in building resilience to…
Its impact is unevenly distributed across the globe The world is at a “tipping point” in its commitment to take action, says an expert on the impact of climate change on human health, as leaders from 195 countries gather at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt. Related Stories Extremist views make for…
When nature gets nasty Back in August, I wrote about some positive effects of forest fires. Today I want to expand on why nature sometimes gets nasty. While natural cycles have been ongoing since the Earth was created, adding hominids to the mix was, at first, benign. But our insatiable appetite emerged during the Industrial…
Retrofitting orphan wells to geothermally heat wintertime water for cattle Tapping the potential of geothermal energy could offer a way to repurpose inactive oil and gas wells, according to a University of Alberta experiment looking at the economic feasibility of heating drinking water for cattle. The case study modelled the economic pros and cons of…
Radon exposure takes the lives of eight Canadians every day
One hates to be part of a statistic, but it seems like I’m one of the 94 per cent of people who had no idea that a silent killer was lurking in my home. It’s radon, which takes the lives of eight Canadians each day. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the Edmonton home…
More family time can foster resilience in children affected by the disruptions The survey results were considered a loud and clear “cry for help” from high school students suffering from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, more than a third reported poor mental health, and about 44…