Shift work, or work that occurs outside the normal 9-5 hours, has been associated with chronic disease and illness including an increased risk of certain cancers, heart disease, obesity, and depression. These negative effects are likely due to a loss of a normal sleep schedule which disrupts the body’s production of melatonin. Melatonin is a…
A report in 2012, published in the journal Cell Research, seemed to suggest that genetic material, specifically microRNA, could pass from a person’s small intestine and into their blood stream. These microRNAs are small pieces of genetic code that cells use to modify the expression of certain genes. Think of them as dimmer switches on…
Many of the countries in the world are currently faced with an aging population. In Canada, 16% of the population is over the age of 65, while in Japan that proportion is 26.4%. Aging populations usually happen when the life expectancy of its occupants increases or when reproductive rate decreases. Both of these instances are likely…
Cancer is a horrendous disease that takes a toll not only on the patients but also their family and friends. Even with the best treatments and care, some cancers still have a high mortality rate. For example, pancreatic cancer has a mortality rate of 93%. A cancer diagnosis has a lot of emotion tied to…
Life as we know it on earth could not exist without three molecules: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), RNA (ribonucleic acid), and protein. We rely on them for everything that happens in our body. Here’s a brief introduction: DNA: Stores all the information on how to build your body. This information is what we call genes. All…
In 2009, the average life expectancy of Canadians was 81 years with females living on average longer than males (83 years vs. 79 years respectively). Most people would agree that diet, exercise and smoking status are some of the biggest determinants of how long you will live, but what about genetics? Some studies have shown…
It has been known for some time that people who come from families in disadvantaged environments are more prone to getting sick and ultimately dying from disease. What isn’t known is why these people are getting sick. Is it because they are exposed to more toxins or infectious agents? Or is their environment some how…
Science Translation 