They’ve finally done it: Humans and non-humans have conversed for the first time when scientists “spoke” with a humpback whale via recorded calls. Though our understanding of whale communication is just beginning, scientists say this could be the first step in understanding other species… like aliens. 👽

 ☕️Postcall’s one-sip markets update:

Instead of telling you again that the markets are near all-time highs (which they are), let’s delve into one specific commodity that’s nearly doubled the return of the S&P since the beginning of the year: gold 🥇. Driving the gains are a few factors, including the fact that it’s a hedge against inflation. But one interesting reason (posited by Wealthsimple) is that as global military conflicts rise, investors from China/Russa/Middle East are looking for a safe (and hard-to-sanction) place to park cash.

Ready for this week’s stories? (6 min read)

1. The latest studies

2. The latest Federal Budget

3. The latest particle accelerator

4. The latest contraceptive changes

5. The latest deals (Aeroplan, Tesla, and cheap data)

Staying #Up2Date 🚨

1. Long-term mortality from adverse pregnancy outcomes

A Swedish national cohort study investigated the long-term mortality risk associated with 5 adverse pregnancy outcomes. The adjusted HRs were 1.52 for gestational diabetes (95% CI, 1.46-1.58); 1.41 for preterm delivery (95% CI, 1.37-1.44); 1.30 for small for gestational age (95% CI, 1.28-1.32); 1.27 for other hypertensive disorders (95% CI, 1.19-1.37); and 1.13 for preeclampsia (95% CI, 1.10-1.16). The mortality risks remained elevated even 40 years later. 

2. SGLT2i for gout? It’s agout time! 

A Canadian population-based cohort study looked at the risk of incident gout and rate of recurrent flares between patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) initiating SGLT2i vs. sulfonylurea when added to metformin monotherapy. Gout incidence was lower in the SGLT2i than sulfonylurea initiators (4.27 vs. 6.91 events per 1000 person-years; HR 0.62 with 95% CI, 0.48-0.80). The use of SGLT2i was also associated with fewer recurrent flares among gout patients.

3. Guideline watch 👀

A collaborative guideline from the Radiological Society of North America and the American College of Gastroenterology has been published on the role of imaging in GI bleeds. The preferred initial diagnostic step is still EGD or colonoscopy for most patients. In unstable patients with lower GI bleeds, CTA should be used more frequently.

Oh, don't double charge for me for that 💵 

The government unveiled their 2024 federal budget yesterday, and we’ve got the scoop on what doctors across Canada should know about it.

What are some specifics from this budget?

• A new health-care deal worth $196.1 billion over 10 years - so far the specifics have been light on this (since the provinces are responsible for actual distribution of these funds)

  • That includes the Pharmacare Act, which will cover most prescription contraceptives and diabetes medicine

  • The CMA “applauds” this agreement

• Various funds to expand investments in housing. Of note:

  • The new Secondary Suite Loan Program that allows you to access up to $40,000 in low-interest loans to add secondary suites.

  • $1 billion in loans and $470 million in contributions for new rental protection fund to preserve rent prices.

  • 30-year mortgage amortizations for first-time homebuyers purchasing new builds

• The introduction of a national school food program, costing $1 billion over five years to serve an additional 400,000 children annually, is expected to improve children's health and reduce long-term healthcare costs.

• There’s a new Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses, which the government says will “urgently return proceeds from the price on pollution” to businesses with fewer than 500 employees

Should I expect housing prices to go down?

It’s uncertain, but unlikely at least in the short term. Certain measures (like the extending amortization on mortgages) provide inflationary pressure on demand, while others (like loans to incentivize more housing builds) increase supply.

Any areas of concern?

• Some areas may get more funding (FM, if more provinces adopt model’s like BC’s LFP plan), but some specialties may have their fees lowered (read: optho). Ultimately this will be up to the provinces.

• The government is targeting tax hikes at the wealthy - via an increase on the capital gains inclusion rate (the % of capital gains subject to taxation). The rate goes from 50% to 66% on personal capital gains >$250k/y, and for all capital gains earned in corps and trusts.

  • The new rates apply on gains realized after June 25, 2024, so we’d recommend moving an asset sale to before that date if you can help it.

  • There are some other commitments to tackle "aggressive tax planning schemes” but specifics are currently unclear on how.

👨‍💻Tech Bites

1: ⚡️ Scientists have created the world’s smallest particle accelerator, and it can fit on a dime. The main goal? Killing cancer cells. But when it can replace more damaging forms of radiotherapy “is still a long way off,” according to the study lead author.

2: 🤳🏼 The Humane AI Pin tried to be a phone without a screen — “tried” being the operative word, according to The Verge. Slow and unreliable, at best it represents a good idea (spending less time staring at your phone) poorly executed. The projected text onto your hand is pretty cool, though.

3: 🚴‍♀️ The number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries is increasing across Canada. (They increased by 90% in Toronto in 2023.) The reason? A rise in e-mobility devices, like e-bikes and e-scooters, which are the fires’ most common origin.

4: 💻 The US plans to award Samsung $6.4 billion in grants to increase chip production in Texas in an attempt to take the lead in the semiconductor industry. It’s a move to decrease dependence on chip manufacturing in China and Taiwan, as Samsung is a South Korean company. And they’re on a hot streak, as they overtake Apple as the market leader in smartphones as well (mostly driven by China sales).

Insight of the Day 💡 

You’ve probably heard that our neighbours to the south have been going through a lot of legal turmoil over the right to abortion. So, one interesting study actually looked at what happened in the summer of 2022 following the Supreme Court's decision. They found a sharp increase in the number of young people (aged 18-30) opting for permanent contraception procedures—specifically tubal ligations and vasectomies. Furthermore, data revealed that the rise in tubal ligations was twice that of vasectomies.

Notable Numbers 🔢

2044: the next time you’ll be able to see a total solar eclipse from North America. (Correction from last issue, where we said 2144!)

76: age of OJ Simpson, who died last week.

323: The number of medications that are in short supply in the US (and maybe Canada, soon). Many are older, generic drugs that pharmaceutical companies aren’t incentivized to make.

50K: the number of Canadians on a subreddit that’s mounting a boycott of all Loblaw-owned companies for May. Loblaw’s profits have more than doubled since the pandemic began.

Postcall Picks ✅ 

🚗 Drive: a self-driving car on discount. Tesla cut its Full Self-Driving subscriptions in half for customers in the US and Canada to $99 per month. But be aware that it’s now “Supervised FSD” (an acknowledgment that the cars are not yet fully autonomous).

📱 Talk: without frills? Everyone’s favourite yellow brand came out with some decent deals on phone plans (see above). But we think their sister brand PC Mobile is still a better deal, as it’s the same rates, but at 5G instead of 4G.

🛫 Travel: Agents give you 20 hot tips to book a sustainable and sensational summer holiday.

👆️ Points: on your Amazon, Best Buy, Dyson, and more. For the next couple days (until April 19) earn up to 5X Aeroplan points on eStore purchases. Instructions and retailers here.

🤣 Laughs: for all the folks deep into a grant proposal.

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