A retrospective cohort study from researchers at the University of Ottawa and the University of Manitoba has found Canadians living with hypertension whose preferred language is not English or French were 36 percent less likely to have a major adverse cardiovascular event, defined as heart attack, heart failure, or stroke if they received care from a doctor who spoke their language. Patients who received care from a doctor who spoke their language were 28 percent less likely to die when compared to patients who received care from a doctor who did not speak their language.

A study of 3084 participants evaluated whether two types of belief in the paranormal might be associated with different levels of perceived stress. The results showed that Traditional Paranormal Belief was significantly associated with higher levels of distress with increased susceptibility to stress. At the same time, New Age Philosophy did not seem to contribute to these dynamics.

Tuberculosis (TB) has long been recognized as a disease of poverty, yet most TB research does not measure poverty in a meaningful way. A new review in the journal BMC Global and Public Health examines existing methods for assessing socioeconomic status in TB studies and highlights their shortcomings. The authors call for better, standardized poverty metrics to improve research and policy.

Researchers have discovered and analysed a rare but serious side effect of an innovative form of blood cancer therapy. The scientists from the University of Leipzig Medical Center, the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) and the University Hospital of Cologne have published their findings in the high-impact journal Nature Medicine.

A clinical research team from the LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), and international genetic researchers led a global research study using multi-omics analysis and identified a novel gene, DDX39B, for a rare disease. Genetic mutations in this gene impact brain function, leading to developmental delay and hypotonia (diminished muscle tone), which are symptoms of a rare neurodevelopmental syndrome. After the discovery of this disease-causing gene, the team found that DDX39B variants are associated with six cases worldwide. This groundbreaking study showcases the immense potential of advanced multi-omics technology for understanding rare diseases with previously unknown genetic causes, contributing significantly towards future diagnoses, prevention strategies and treatment plans. The findings were published in the journal Brain [Link to the publication].