Category: News

Read what the media has been reporting on Atlantic PATH and the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project.

Real World Data Challenges Webinar

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Join CanPath co-Scientific Director, Dr. Philip Awadalla in the upcoming lifebit webinar, “3 Strategies for RWD (Read World Data) Challenges in Clinical Research and Trails.” Hear from leading experts to discuss the current challenges around using real world data showcase some solutions to enable the use of population level data and diverse studies for R&D. Topics will include: Ensuring real world data security, quality and interoperability The current landscape surrounding regulations on using real world data Enabling secure access to RWD for clinical research and trials Thursday, April 25th at 12pmAST/11pmEST.  Registration: https://www.lifebit.ai/events/3-strategies-for-rwd-challenges-in-clinical-research-and-trials  

Halifax Take the Lead Award to Dr. SSR Abidi

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On April 3, our colleague, Dr. Syed Sibte Raza Abidi was awarded the “Take The Lead” Award by Discover Halifax at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Dinner at the Halifax Convention Centre. Dr. Abidi is a professor in the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University and the Director of NICHE Research Group. His research is focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications in the global healthcare sector. Dr. Abidi is currently working on two research projects with Atlantic PATH, including a digital health and AI based platform for early chronic disease risk assessment and prediction, and arsenic species, metallome profiles and cancer using toxicological and machine learning methods. The Take The Lead Award recognizes that Dr. Abidi “secured the bid to host the 2022 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (AIME) in Halifax, a testament to his leadership and commitment to advancing AI research initiatives. Supported by a diligent local organizing committee, the event was executed seamlessly. This marked the second major conference Dr. Abidi has successfully brought to Halifax within the past decade. Dr. Abidi has been focused on AI and its applications in the health sector for more than 20 years. Being on the Board of AIME and having attended their conference for many years in Europe, Raza saw no reason he couldn’t bring the event to Canada, specifically Halifax, and showcase the research being done here. “The three-day AIME Conference brought 150 AI researchers and industry experts to Halifax from across the globe. “We had people bringing their families as well,” said Dr Abidi. The event contributed more than $310,000 in economic impact for our city.” When we invite researchers from all over the world, not only are we bringing them to Halifax and showing Halifax as a wonderful city, but also we can demonstrate the research that is going on here and thereby establish new collaborations.” Dr. SSR Abidi and Dr. S Abidi (middle) Billboard on Barrington Street in Halifax

Implementation Science Workshop

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Join the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research for an upcoming Implementation Science Workshop webinar on May 2, 2024 at 1pmEST/2pmAST with guest speaker, Atlantic PATH Scientific Director, Dr. Robin Urquhart. This educational session for the Ontario translational research community is an opportunity to learn more about what implementation science is, how it can be applied to advance the adoption and integration of research into practice, and the appropriate methodology for conducting implementation science. Registration: https://oicr.on.ca/events/implementation-science-workshop/

CanPath Newsletter

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The latest CanPath newsletter highlights new research on mental health service use and COVID-19, rural communities facing higher risks of lung cancer from radon, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and updates from all the regional cohorts. The Atlantic PATH team continues to work remotely to support access requests for researchers for baseline, follow-up and COVID-19 questionnaire datasets. Congratulations to Dr. Maartje Basten and team on the latest PSYchosocial factors and Cancer (PSY-CA) study publication. Led from the Netherlands, this article examines psychosocial factors, health behaviours and risk of cancer incidence. The latest publications from Atlantic PATH can be found here, and the latest news and announcements can be found by following on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or the website.

CanPath Featured as one of Canada’s Most Successful Investments in Biobanking

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CanPath was featured as one of Canada’s most successful investments in biobanking! ?? In an Open Access Government article, Francois Lamontagne, Paul Hebert, and Michelle Kho (Sepsis Canada) emphasize the critical role of biobanks in generating new insights into healthcare and disease management. They underscore the pitfalls of ‘classic’ biobanks, highlight the low-cost opportunity of ‘living’ biobank infrastructure, and suggest a way forward toward sustainable, high-impact, decentralized, federated, and ‘living’ biobank infrastructure. ?? From understanding genetic influences to environmental factors, Canadians’ biological samples collected through CanPath and regional cohorts’ studies are paving the path for a healthier future. ?? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dN5VdX8j

New Article on Progress in Site-Specific Cancer Mortality

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A new article has been published in Scientific Reports on the progress in site-specific cancer mortality in Canada over the last 70 years. Using data from Statistics Canada and the Global Cancer Observatory, Warkentin et al. (2024) found that there has been “a significant reduction in cancer mortality in Canada since site-specific cancer mortality rates peaked decades ago for many cancers. This shows the exceptional progress made in cancer control in Canada due to substantial improvements in prevention, screening, and treatment.” Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-56150-x  

CanPath Access Office Hours

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Join CanPath for an informative session on accessing CanPath data and biosamples for your research projects! Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or new to the process, our Access Office experts are here to provide insider tips on ensuring your application is successful. The “Access Office Hours” virtual series provides researchers with an opportunity every quarter to ask questions they may have about CanPath data and biosamples, the access process or the CanPath Portal. Members of the Access Office will be available to answer questions and demonstrate how to navigate the Portal and online application. Additional details and registration: https://canpath.ca/2024/03/access-office-hours-insider-tips-for-effective-health-data-applications/

Upcoming CanPath Webinar on Ultra-processed food consumption, depression, and diabetes

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Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a widespread chronic condition with severe consequences, including complications affecting blood vessels and organs, disability, and premature death. Research indicates that depression can significantly raise the risk of developing T2D, potentially through lifestyle and biological factors. Additionally, our modern diet presents a challenge with the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), which have been linked to a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. In this webinar, Dr. Norbert Schmitz and Dr. Akankasha Sen will share the synergistic effects of depression and UPF consumption on T2D risk and the risk of developing diabetes-specific complications for those with type 2 diabetes. Using longitudinal data from the CARTaGENE cohort, Dr. Schmitz and colleagues demonstrate whether the combination of these factors exacerbates the likelihood of developing T2D beyond their individual effects and whether other mechanisms affect the association, like smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. Additional Details and Registration: https://canpath.ca/2024/03/webinar-ultra-processed-food-consumption-depression-diabetes/

Rural communities face higher risk of lung cancer from radon

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Research conducted using CanPath data, including Atlantic PATH found that at least one in five lung cancer cases diagnosed are found in people who have never smoked. Our colleague, Dr. Aaron Goodarzi has written a new article on the risks of lung cancer that rural communities face as a result of exposure to radon. Full article: https://troymedia.com/health/cancer-risk-from-radon-gas-is-higher-in-rural-communities/