A new $6.7 million funding programme was recently announced to deal with the increasing loss of vision suffered by canadians, who at last count numbered in the millions. The network would involve researchers from twelve universities and ten industry heavyweights. They will work on developing new materials and the underlying technologies that would treat close to a million Canadians who suffer from loss of vision. Medical experts estimate that the number could dramatically rise as the population of country ages.

The announcement was made by Gary Goodyear, Canada’s Federal Minister of State (Science and Technology) at the McMaster University in Hamilton. The The 20/20: NSERC Ophthalmic Materials Network (20/20 Network) is part of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada funding announcement. The NSERC will provide $5 million to the 20/20 network over a period of five years through Strategic Network Grant. Funding is also provided by other industrial and institutional partners and the Ontario Centres of Excellence as well.

Heather Sheardown, Scientific Director, 20/20 Network and Professor of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University said, “Providing Canadians with a lifetime of perfect vision is the ultimate goal of the network. It is rather ambitious but by combining different areas of expertise there is a lot of potential for drastically improving treatment of vision loss.”

The 20/20 Network plans to focus on developing and commercializing new biomaterials, medical devices and drug delivery devices for treating vision disorders. Some of the products will include: ocular microgels, microemulsions and triggerable materials for drug release; a drug delivery system that attaches to the back of the eye to eliminate monthly needle injections; and contact lenses that eliminate end-of-day dryness and discomfort.

New research released by the Economic and Social Research Council indicates that teenagers’ attitudes to diet and weight are determined by their social class. This is the first study that shows the impact everyday practices and perceptions of various social classes have on diet, weight and health of teenagers.

Dr Wendy Wills of the University of Hertfordshire, who led the research, says that it was quite evident that children were moulded according to parents’ expectations about behaviour. The research shows family values, life and parenting by looking into diet, weight and health of middle class teenagers, their parents and comparing them with a previous study carried out on working class families. These families anticipate their children’s future and expect their young teenagers’ to develop good taste and body shape in order to have an active adult life. Parents of middle class families were concerned about overweight children and how that would lead to poor health later on in life, low self esteem and ability to take up opportunities in life. While middle class families strove to improve diets and lifestyles of their children, they also lacked social and cultural abilities and money to make the desired changes happen.

The newly published research proves why disparities still remain in diet, health and weight. NHS Scotland has used the research to assist Health Boards implement child healthy weight initiatives as well as the Department of Health’s new Healthy Living social marketing initiative. Policymakers however do not expect quick results due to the complex, embedded nature of family practices and beliefs.

The Los Angeles Times reports that California is planning to impose stricter standards for health care professionals who have gone through drug or alcohol rehab. State officials say the move is designed to protect patients and ensure that health care professionals aren’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol when they are providing health care.

"The bottom line is we’re in the business of protecting consumers," said Brian Stiger, director of the state Department of Consumer Affairs, which announced the rules on November 19. Stiger also added that the department is “not in the business” of drug rehab.

Nurses, dentists and other health professionals would be required to take at least 104 drug tests in their first year after leaving a state-run alcohol or drug rehab program, a number that is more than double any other current requirement. In addition, anyone who relapses would immediately be removed from their practice, with restrictions to their licenses being listed on public websites.

What is jet lag?
Also referred to as desynchronosis and time change syndrome, jet lag is a sleep disorder that affects everyone who travels across a number of time zones. It affects the body’s internal time clock de-synchronizing it and local environment cues.
A body’s internal clock is called circadian rhythm, which tells our body when it is time to be awake and go to sleep. This circadian rhythm is what is disrupted by jet lag, as our body finds it hard to change to a new time zone. Jet lag disturbs the sleep pattern, making you feel fatigued and causes low energy levels.

What causes jet lag?
When you travel across time zones, the alteration in your circadian rhythm makes it hard for your body to catch and re-establish itself. Because we travel so quickly in an airplane, the body finds it hard to adjust to new times of light, darkness and meal times as well as different temperatures.
Research reveals that oxygen levels in airplanes also cause jet lag, as the low air pressure causes there to be less oxygen in the blood. This decline in oxygen affects your physical and mental abilities making you feel exhausted and lethargic. If you suffer from conditions such as heart or lung disease, you could be more severely affected.

How do you prevent jet lag?

Before traveling:
Change your sleep routine
Get lots of sleep before travelling
Stay relaxed
Change mealtimes beforehand

During the flight:
Avoid alcohol
Change your watch
Drink lots of fluids
Sleep
Stay active

When you arrive:
Avoid napping
Get used to your new routine
Spend time outdoors
Drink lots of water
Keep to your schedule

Given annually, the seasonal flu shot protects against three common viruses: One Influenza A [H3N2] virus, one regular seasonal Influenza A (H1N1) virus (this is not the pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus) and one Influenza B virus. The flu shot is usually meted out by injection on the upper arm. It is important to keep in mind that a seasonal flu shot will not protect against the pandemic H1N1 virus also known as ‘Swine Flu’.

Significantly reducing your chances of infection, the flu vaccination if not taken could result in serious flu-related complications among the high risk sectors such as the elderly, young children and pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that annually more than 200,000 people are hospitalized while 36,000 succumb to the flu.The most serious threat during the 2009-2010 influenza season is the pandemic H1N1 virus. While a vaccine has been developed for the virus, it will be available this fall, but must be used in addition to the seasonal flu vaccine and not simply as a substitute. CDC recommendations regarding the virus include that pregnant women, caretakers of children younger than 6 months, health care and emergency medical services personnel, persons between 6 months-24 years of age and those between ages 25-64 are at a higher risk for H1N1 infections and should be given priority to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

The vaccination has mild side effects such as soreness, redness, swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever or even muscle aches.
If you have experienced a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis to previous flu shots, or if you have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a six week window of receiving the influenza vaccine, then you should not receive the flu shot. Discuss postponing flu shots if you have a fever or any other moderate or severe acute illness.