Research tells us that breastmilk is full of nutrients that feed and protect babies, including long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that play a pivotal role in building an infant’s nervous system and helping healthy brain and eye development. New findings from the CHILD Cohort Study – a national birth cohort study involving thousands of Canadian…
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Minister Ng announces investments to scale up Canadian companies
Government of Canada investing in $20-million project proposal to launch integrated market July 29, 2019 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, today announced that the Government of Canada will support a $20-million project proposal to scale up companies in…
New grant awarded to study the effects of ritual foods given to newborns before breastmilk or in early life
In many countries, ritual foods, such as honey and animal milk, are commonly given to newborns before they are first breastfed or early in life. These foods, called prelacteals, may undermine the benefits newborns would otherwise receive from exclusive breastfeeding. Dr. Alain Labrique of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Dr. Meghan Azad…
New study shows benefits of social media for research recruitment
A new study conducted by Manitoba scientists aims to identify the top research priorities of families living with Hirschsprung’s Disease (HD). Researchers relied entirely on social media – in particular a Facebook group created by a Winnipeg mom – to recruit families for the study. This approach to recruitment allowed researchers to complete the study…
Breastmilk microbiome linked to method of feeding
The idea that breastmilk has a microbiome (or microbiota)—a community of bacteria living within it—is relatively new and has sparked debate about where breastmilk bacteria come from. Some scientists believe breastmilk bacteria originate in the mother’s gut while others believe they are transferred to the mother from the infant’s mouth during breastfeeding. New research from…
NFL gives significant funding to help youth ‘Shred’ the burden of concussion
Ash Kolstad was 12-years old when his head hit the boards after he was checked from behind during a hockey game resulting in a severe concussion and whiplash. The injury forced the honour student to leave school for one year and quit the sport. Nearly a decade later, he still suffers symptoms every day. “It…
Effects of Instagram on breastfeeding perceptions
Breastfeeding has many established benefits for mothers, children, and society at large; however, the vast majority of infants around the world do not meet international breastfeeding recommendations. A new study looks at how social media –specifically, Instagram – could help improve breastfeeding rates by changing perceptions and building support communities for breastfeeding moms. The study…
New study: Risk for babies exposed to diabetes during pregnancy varies by type of diabetes
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics has found that a child’s risk of developing early onset diabetes is impacted by exposure to diabetes during pregnancy, as well as by the type of diabetes they are exposed to, and whether or not they are of First Nations descent. The study, conducted by researchers from the…
Canadian researchers develop improved way of approaching head injury treatment in children
A Canadian research team has developed an improved way of determining whether children with head injuries need to receive surgical intervention. Called the CATCH2 rule, this approach standardizes how to determine the need for interventions such as a craniotomy, intubation, or ventilation when a child or young person suffers a head injury. The study was…
Breastmilk sugars may help prevent food allergies
The unique composition of a mother’s breastmilk may help to reduce food sensitization in her infant, according to new findings from the CHILD Study. The research, published in the June issue of Allergy, found that a specific profile of complex sugars in human milk is associated with a lower rate of food sensitization in babies…
Infant feeding practices influence a baby’s gut bacteria and risk of becoming overweight
A study of more than 1,000 Canadian mothers and infants has shown that exclusive breastfeeding in the first three months of life provides more protection against an infant becoming overweight at one year of age than either partial breastfeeding or formula feeding. The research, published today in JAMA Pediatrics, found a 63 per cent increased…
New study looks for link between Winnipeg’s urban trails and heart health
Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death and disability in Canada. To date, most proposed solutions to reduce the burden of heart disease in Canada have focused on individualized interventions aimed at changing behaviours, like becoming more active or quitting smoking. Population-level interventions that nudge large segments of the population towards healthy lifestyles…