DONN O. FULLER, MD

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Researchers met to create global standards for using wearable technology to measure mobility in older people. They agreed on 20 key measures and 30 principles for how to effectively use these devices, with over 80% of participants in agreement. This is important because having clear standards will help researchers and healthcare providers use wearable technology consistently, leading to better care and research for older populations. Who this helps: Patients, doctors, and researchers working with older adults.

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This study looked at a new drug called auceliciclib, which is designed to fight cancer, in patients with advanced solid tumors and a type of brain cancer called high-grade glioma that had returned after treatment. Researchers treated 37 patients, and while they saw some side effects like fatigue and nausea, the drug was generally well-tolerated and showed early signs of effectiveness, such as 14 out of 33 patients experiencing stable disease for at least 24 weeks. These results are important because they suggest auceliciclib could be a promising option for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. Who this helps: This helps cancer patients, especially those with high-grade glioma and other advanced solid tumors.

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This study looked at how stress over time, measured by something called allostatic load, affects access to healthcare for stroke survivors, especially across different racial and ethnic groups. The researchers found that Black stroke survivors and those of other races had higher allostatic loads compared to White stroke survivors, even though they were younger and further out from their stroke. Specifically, Black survivors on Medicare were more likely to have higher stress levels than those with private insurance, suggesting that access to quality healthcare could play a role in managing stress. Who this helps: This research helps stroke survivors, especially those from racial and ethnic minority groups.

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Researchers developed a new drug called EGT710 that can effectively target a key protein in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for COVID-19. They found that this drug is very potent against the virus, particularly in human lung cells used in testing, and it showed promising characteristics for further development into clinical trials. This discovery is important because it could lead to more effective treatments for COVID-19 and other similar viruses. Who this helps: This benefits patients with COVID-19 and healthcare providers treating them.

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This study looked at how the places we live and our social interactions affect our day-to-day happiness in Montreal. Researchers found that people felt happiest in the afternoon (about 23% more than in the evening) and especially on Sundays (about 111% happier) when they were with friends and family. Interestingly, older adults (ages 60-80) reported much higher well-being than younger ones (ages 18-40), and women felt less happy than men when around others without interacting. Who this helps: This research benefits city planners and public health officials working to improve urban environments for residents.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, a study examined how ownership changes in American nursing homes affected their quality of care. It found that 62.8% of for-profit nursing homes changed ownership, while 48.6% of government and 42.7% of non-profit homes did so. The study also showed that these ownership changes were often linked to poorer care quality indicators, such as health inspection scores and rates of vaccination, highlighting the need for better oversight in nursing home management. Who this helps: This research benefits regulators, patients, and their families by highlighting the importance of ownership stability in nursing homes.

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The study focuses on improving access to reliable diagnostic tests in Africa, where many people lack the necessary resources for effective health care. It highlights key actions like creating better testing networks, developing national lists of essential tests, and enhancing supply chains. The researchers believe that by implementing these changes, health outcomes can be improved and costs reduced, leading to better disease management across the continent. Who this helps: This benefits patients in Africa who need better access to diagnostic services for their health care.

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This study looked at a free transportation program in rural Saskatchewan designed to help residents who lack access to public transit. Researchers found that between July and December 2023, 616 community members used the service for a total of 1,185 trips, with older adults often using it for medical appointments, making up 22% of riders. The program improved access to healthcare and supported social connections, but it struggles with funding and driver shortages. Who this helps: This benefits patients, especially older adults needing medical care.

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This study looked at how accumulated stress, known as allostatic load, affects heart disease. It found that higher allostatic load is linked to a higher risk of developing heart disease, but the connection is less clear when it comes to death from heart disease or different types of heart conditions. Understanding this relationship is important because it may help explain why some groups experience heart disease more severely than others. Who this helps: This helps patients, especially those from different racial and gender backgrounds who may be at higher risk for heart disease.

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This study looked at how different versions of software and hardware for the Apple Watch affect how it tracks activity, like daily exercise minutes and calories burned. They found that upgrading from watchOS 7 to 8 significantly increased daily exercise minutes by 13%, but upgrades from watchOS 6 to 7 and 8 to 9 led to decreases in exercise minutes and calories burned. Understanding these impacts is important because it helps users know how software updates can change their activity tracking and motivation. Who this helps: This information benefits Apple Watch users who want accurate activity measurements.

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Researchers studied how different structural components within cells of the trabecular meshwork (TM) in the eye contribute to regulating pressure inside the eye. They found that disrupting actin and microtubules lower the ability of these cells to generate force by about 8 times and 3.5 times, respectively, while intermediate filaments did not have a significant effect. This matters because understanding the mechanics of how these cells work can help develop better treatments for glaucoma, a condition that can lead to vision loss due to increased eye pressure. Who this helps: This research helps patients with glaucoma and their doctors.

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This study looked at the presence of antibodies against a specific virus, human adenovirus type 36, in horses with different health conditions: normal weight, overweight, and those with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Out of 151 horse blood samples tested, 47.6% showed antibodies for the virus, especially those with EMS, who had higher triglyceride levels. This matters because it suggests that the virus might affect horses differently than it does in other animals, pointing to a need for more research on its impact on horse health. Who this helps: This helps horse owners and veterinarians.

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This study looked at how access to public parks and open spaces affected people's sense of community and feelings of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic in three Canadian cities. Researchers found that while overall social connections stayed about the same, those who had more open space nearby (10% or more of their neighborhood) felt slightly more connected to their community, with an increase of 0.14 points on a scale measuring community belonging. This is important because it shows that investing in parks can help reduce feelings of isolation in urban areas. Who this helps: This benefits city planners and communities by highlighting the importance of public spaces for social well-being.

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This study looked at how well a new machine learning method called Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) can predict people’s physical activity levels using data from wearable devices. The researchers tested BART alongside a traditional method on data collected from 37 participants and found that both methods performed similarly, with BART providing useful information about prediction uncertainty. This matters because understanding the uncertainty in predictions can improve research on how our surroundings influence physical activity. Who this helps: This research benefits health researchers and urban planners looking to promote physical activity in communities.

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This research studied how rice was domesticated in Asia and how it spread over thousands of years. The scientists looked at genetic data from 456 different rice varieties and found that many important genetic changes, especially those related to disease resistance, happened as rice adapted to new environments. They discovered that most of the significant changes in the rice genome originated more than 11,700 years ago and became more common during important periods in rice's history. Who this helps: This benefits rice growers and farmers looking to improve disease resistance in crops.

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This study looked at the demographics and access issues related to an older adult exercise program in Saskatchewan, Canada. Out of 589 participants and 207 leaders surveyed, most were women (87%) and white (97%), with many participants living in urban areas. The research found that geographic location significantly affected program availability and that travel was a key barrier for many older adults wanting to participate. Understanding these access issues is important to ensure everyone, especially those from disadvantaged groups, can benefit from exercise programs. Who this helps: This helps older adults and program organizers focus on improving access to exercise opportunities.

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This study is focused on understanding how different social and economic factors contribute to health differences based on income levels in urban Canada. Researchers are creating a new data platform called the Canadian Social Determinants Urban Laboratory (CSDUL) that will combine 15 existing data sources, allowing for a thorough analysis of how these factors influence health inequities. They plan to use this data to compare health outcomes between the lowest and highest income groups, aiming to finish their detailed analysis by December 2025. Who this helps: This benefits researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers working to address health inequalities among different income groups.

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This study looked at how the culture and beliefs of staff at opioid treatment programs (OTPs) affect the use of interim methadone treatment, a method to help patients start receiving care faster. Researchers interviewed 16 staff members and state officials and found that differences in attitudes toward treatment philosophies—specifically between traditional treatment and harm reduction—made it harder to implement the interim methadone process. Recognizing these cultural differences and fostering a willingness to adapt is essential for improving access to treatment for patients. Who this helps: Patients seeking quicker access to opioid addiction treatment.

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This research paper focuses on improving a new type of cancer treatment called MRI-guided radiation therapy (MRIgRT). The study highlights that while this technology offers better images for treating tumors, it also makes procedures more complicated and time-consuming, leading to slower patient care. Researchers are looking into solutions like artificial intelligence to make the process faster and more efficient. Who this helps: This benefits cancer patients by potentially providing them with more effective and timely treatments.

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This study looked at how well simple features can improve the accuracy of recognizing daily activities—like walking, running, and sitting—using a smartphone's accelerometer, despite issues with how and where the phone is held. The researchers tested these features on data from 42 people performing six activities and found that when the phone was in the same position, they achieved up to 73% accuracy in activity recognition, but this dropped to between 59% and 69% when the phone was in different positions. This research is important because improving how we recognize activities can enhance fitness tracking and health monitoring using smartphones. **Who this helps:** This benefits patients and users of fitness and health apps.

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This study looked at how changes to bike paths in Montreal from 2011 to 2016 were related to neighborhood income levels and the presence of diverse populations. Researchers found that areas with more financial hardship and higher numbers of visible minorities had less bike infrastructure initially. While the overall bike paths in the city increased from 7.0% to 10.9% of the road network, new bike paths were less likely to be built in neighborhoods with high percentages of visible minorities, which raises concerns about fairness in cycling access. Who this helps: This research helps policymakers and urban planners by highlighting the need for equitable bike infrastructure development in diverse communities.

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This research focused on developing a web tool called HealthyPlan.City to help Canadian communities understand how environmental factors, like air quality and access to parks, affect public health. The tool analyzes data to show where vulnerable groups, such as low-income families and seniors, live in areas with poor environmental conditions. It highlights “Equity priority areas” where these populations are at greater health risk, prompting targeted improvements; for example, in cities with high levels of vulnerability, the tool can reveal neighborhoods needing better air quality or green spaces. Who this helps: This benefits urban planners, public health officials, and community organizers working to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

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This study tested a mobile program called Actívatexto that helps Latino adults quit smoking and increase their physical activity. Out of 20 participants, 70% successfully quit smoking after three months, and their weekly physical activity increased from an average of 113 minutes to 177 minutes. This is important because it shows that a tailored mobile program can effectively support health improvements in this community. Who this helps: This benefits Latino adults looking to quit smoking and become more active.

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This study focused on how to better include principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the teaching of epidemiology and biostatistics in Canada. The researchers identified nine strategies to achieve this, such as explaining the significance of collecting data on race and ethnicity and recognizing that these categories are social constructs. The findings highlight the importance of being deliberate in evaluating evidence and acknowledging that no single approach will effectively address EDI issues in education. Who this helps: This helps students and educators in epidemiology and biostatistics.

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This research program, called CapaCITY/É, is studying how to make sustainable transportation—like bike lanes and speed limits—work effectively in cities, focusing on improving health and reducing congestion. The team is looking at these changes in nine Canadian cities and in Victoria, Australia, aiming to discover why some interventions succeed while others fail, and how they can be implemented fairly. By developing new strategies and tools, this program can help cities adopt better transportation solutions to improve community health and equity. Who this helps: This benefits city planners, public health officials, and residents looking for healthier transportation options.

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This review looked at how exercise affects fertility in women with obesity, finding that most exercise routines can improve fertility regardless of how they are structured. Out of 16 studies analyzed, common results showed that exercise often leads to higher rates of conception, pregnancy, and live births, but there is a need for more detailed guidelines on the best types and amounts of exercise for fertility. This matters because many women with obesity face infertility, and proper exercise can be an effective way to enhance their chances of having a baby. Who this helps: Women with obesity trying to conceive.

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This study examined how to help Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) admit patients for methadone treatment more quickly, especially during the opioid crisis. Researchers found that timely admissions within 14 days increased from 56.2% before the study to 78.8% after implementation of new practices, although the increase was most notable after the initial phase and during the long-term follow-up. Improving these admissions is important because it helps ensure that individuals struggling with opioid addiction receive the treatment they need sooner. Who this helps: This helps patients seeking methadone treatment for opioid addiction.

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The study looked at how to make cities healthier by involving community members and decision-makers in planning changes to urban environments. In Montreal, 32 community members identified 41 important ideas for improving their neighborhoods, such as enhancing public transportation and creating more green spaces. Meanwhile, 37 stakeholders highlighted the need for collaboration and a clear plan for implementing these changes. This research helps ensure that city planning reflects the needs and desires of the community, leading to more effective public health improvements. Who this helps: This benefits community members, local governments, and urban planners.

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This study looked at how often blood samples are incorrectly labeled with the wrong patient information and found that for every 1,000 blood sample discrepancies, about 3.17 likely went unnoticed as mislabelled. In total, the identified mislabelling rate was 1.15 per 1,000. These findings are important because they highlight that many mislabeled samples may not get recognized, which can lead to serious safety risks in medical treatment. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by improving safety in blood testing.

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The PRO-FIT-CARE study looked at whether an online exercise program could work for women with obesity and infertility issues. Out of 32 women contacted, 11 agreed to participate, resulting in a consent rate of 34.4%. Of those, 8 completed the study, with 72.7% reporting high satisfaction, but only 30% followed the recommended exercise intensity. The findings show that while the program is safe and enjoyable, finding ways to help more participants stick with it is important for better outcomes. Who this helps: This helps women dealing with obesity and infertility.

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This study looked at how comfortable and safe silicone hydrogel contact lenses are compared to traditional hydrogel lenses. After reviewing seven trials, researchers found no clear differences in comfort or safety between the two types of lenses. This matters because it suggests that there's not enough solid evidence to favor one lens type over the other, highlighting the need for better studies in the future. Who this helps: This helps patients who use contact lenses.

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This study looked at a special type of enzyme called iota carbonic anhydrase (ɣCA) in certain bacteria that thrive in very alkaline environments. Researchers discovered that when they interrupted the gene for ɣCA in one type of bacteria, these bacteria couldn’t grow in conditions with low carbon dioxide (CO2) and lost the activity of the enzyme. By introducing ɣCA into a bacteria that normally didn't have this enzyme, it was able to grow again in low CO2 conditions, showing that ɣCA is crucial for CO2 fixation in these organisms. Who this helps: This research benefits scientists and engineers working to optimize bacteria for industrial processes that require specific conditions.

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This study looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected physical activity among Canadian adults by comparing data collected before the pandemic (from May 2018 to February 2019) with data collected during the pandemic (from October 2020 to February 2021). Researchers found that people were doing 21% less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the pandemic compared to before, even after considering factors like gender, age, and income. Importantly, the strictness of COVID-19 restrictions did not significantly impact the amount of physical activity during this time. Who this helps: This information benefits public health officials and community programs aiming to support physical activity among adults during and after health crises.

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Researchers studied new antiviral drugs that can effectively target a wide range of coronaviruses, including those that cause illnesses like COVID-19. They discovered a strong new compound that inhibits a key enzyme in the virus, showing significant potency and effectiveness against various coronavirus strains. This is important because it means we could be better protected against future coronavirus outbreaks, decreasing the threat to global health. Who this helps: This helps patients at risk of severe coronavirus infections.

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This study looked at how researchers match participants based on their physical activity when comparing fitness levels across different ages and genders. The findings showed that just matching people by how active they are doesn't guarantee that their overall physical fitness levels are similar. For example, older adults who were considered "recreationally active" had higher cardiorespiratory fitness scores than expected, indicating that they may be fitter than younger participants who were also matched for activity levels. Who this helps: This helps researchers in designing studies that lead to better understanding of fitness across different age and gender groups.

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This study looked at how different features of schools affect physical activity levels in young people at risk of obesity. Researchers analyzed data from 206 schools and found that certain aspects of the school environment, particularly social factors, were linked to increased physical activity. For example, supportive social norms led to higher activity levels in girls, while a strong willingness to promote physical activity helped boys be more active. Who this helps: This benefits students at risk of obesity, their schools, and health educators.

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This study looked at how changes to methadone treatment rules during the COVID-19 pandemic affected patients and staff at opioid treatment programs across the U.S. Researchers found that while the new rules helped existing patients by allowing them to take home more medication and use remote counseling, new patients struggled to access care because they still needed in-person physical exams. This matters because it highlights the need for ongoing adjustments to treatment rules to better support everyone affected by opioid use disorder. Who this helps: This helps patients seeking treatment for opioid use disorder, especially those who are already in treatment.