The internet is bad for us. Right? It’s commonly accepted that using the internet and social media has lots of risks. But, according to a new study in Technology, Mind and Behaviour, people with internet access score 8% higher on measures of “life satisfaction, positive experiences, and contentment with their social life.” So, instead of prescribing nature bathing, you could prescribe… internet bathing? 🤔

☕️Postcall’s one-sip markets update:

We’re off to the races! After sliding 4.2% last month, the S&P 500 has risen 3.7% so far in May and is less than 1% from its record high. This rally was driven by a pretty good earnings season from big companies. However, guidance from tech-y consumer companies (Airbnb, Disney, Shopify, etc.) was that they expect demand to slow down a bit later this year.

Oh, and good ol’ meme-stock Gamestop’s (GME) shares are popping off due to the return of “Roaring Kitty” to X.

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

Staying #Up2Date 🚨

1. Diabetes double whammy 

A UK study with 6K patients with diabetes found that those who started GLP-1 agonists and later added SGLT-2i had significantly lower risks of major adverse cardiovascular events and serious adverse renal events compared to those taking GLP-1 agonists alone. Similarly, compared to those on SGLT-2i alone, those on both medications had significantly reduced cardiovascular risks and slightly lower renal risks. 

2. Bad bugs: bacteria leading to colorectal cancer (CRC) 

A new study published in Nature provides further support for the hypothesis that bacteria can cause CRC. The bug, Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), is usually found in the oral cavity rather than in the lower GI tract of healthy individuals. A specific sub-subspecies, F. nucleatumanimalis C2 (Fna C2), is found in human CRC tumors, in the stools of CRC patients, and is capable of producing CRC in mice. The bottom line: Fna C2 contains genes that plausibly could cause CRC.

3. Canadian cancer trends

The CMAJ has released its 2024 estimates of cancer, and there’s good and bad news. It’s estimated that there will be 247,000 new cases of cancer and 88,100 cancer-related deaths, with slightly decreased age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) and mortality rates (ASMR) compared to previous years (though rates remain higher among males). Common cancers like lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer are projected to decline. Liver, kidney, melanoma, etc. are expected to be on the rise. One big problem: patients “face circuitous and frustrating paths to obtain a diagnosis and start treatment“ due to low access to primary care diagnosis pathways.

👨‍💻Tech Bites

1: 🩷 A contactless breast cancer screening tool is undergoing a clinical trial at Toronto’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PMCC) this summer. Developed by a Toronto-based startup, this screening tool detects heat patterns and blood flow in breast tissue using thermography with an infrared sensor.

2: 🐄 You may have heard of the Drake / Kendrick rap beef. But have you heard of the OpenAI / Google beef? OpenAI released a new flagship model called GPT-4o, with capabilities so improved it’s like the Her movie came to life. But then yesterday, Google shot back with their own crazy demo of Gemini. Here’s a GPT-4o to blow your mind:

Honestly, just about all of these demos are pretty mind-blowing 🤯.

3: 👾 The long-awaited Switch 2 (not its official name) is finally coming. Or, rather, an announcement about it is coming. Leaked news about the new console includes that the controllers will connect with magnets, the screen will be 8 inches, and it’s expected to be backward compatible.

4: 🧑‍💻 We all know auroras affect electronic devices, right? If you weren’t directly impacted… you were probably indirectly this past weekend (in your group chats).

To Decriminalize Or To Not Decriminalize 🤔

Last week, we covered the big news that BC was re-criminalizing hard drugs. Here’s what you thought about how the prevalence of those drugs affected your job.

Ontario may not be far behind — Toronto’s medical officer, Dr. Eileen de Villa, has proposed a plan that would decriminalize all controlled drugs and substances for personal use.

If you’re still catching up on how to feel, here are the pros and cons we’ve heard.

PROS

• Reduces the stigma surrounding drug use: Treating drug use as a medical and social issue instead of a criminal one could allow people to view those who use drugs in a more compassionate and empathetic way. 

• Limits the amount of toxic drugs on the street: While anyone who takes drugs is at risk for an overdose, there’s an even higher risk when the drugs are laced with toxic chemicals. 48% of accidental overdoses in 2023 were due to the opioid toxicity and the mixing of substances. 

• Reduces the amount of incarcerated people: The government can put resources towards rehabilitating those struggling. This can help avoid overcrowding and reduce the cycle of criminality. 

CONS

• Potential increase in drug use: The absence of criminal penalties surrounding drug use may make people want to start doing certain drugs. Studies have examined this, and while some suggested a rise in drug use following decriminalization, others found that there was no effect. 

• The challenge of regulation and control: Decriminalizing drugs doesn’t mean creating a legal drug market, so it can be difficult for the government to control drug quality, potency, and distribution. 

• Public safety: Concerned parents and neighbourhood groups believe that open drug use puts “communities in danger and contributes to a sense of deteriorating public order.” 

Notable Numbers 🔢

1,800: The approximate number of healthcare workers in BC who lost their jobs for refusing to get vaccinated. Among them were a vascular surgeon at VGH and a psychiatrist in Prince George. And this week, they lost a case at the BC Supreme Court to have those health orders thrown out.

1.27 million: the estimated number of deaths caused by bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2019, the WHO reported last week. AMR also contributed to an additional 4.95 million deaths the same year.

20,000: the number of people with sickle cell disease in the US who are eligible for a commercially approved gene therapy. An estimated 6,000 people in Canada have sickle cell.

Postcall Picks ✅ 

📺 Watch: pharmacists, ready to save the day, one prescription correction at a time. Medical Intern Calling Pharmacy - YouTube

🎧 Listen: If you've been itching to kickstart a side hustle but don't know where to begin, tune in to Beyond MD's latest episode featuring Dr. Chadha and guest Matija Kamikovski. From brainstorming sustainable ideas to ensuring your concept has market appeal, they’ve got you covered!

🤑 Save: Feeling inspired by all the half marathons and 10K races across the city? No need to dust off those old runners — treat yourself to a fresh new pair with 50% off on Under Armour Surge 4 Running shoes.

📜 Free money: A $51 million class action settlement against Meta Platforms has been reached for Facebook users from BC, SK, MB, and NL who were featured in sponsored stories. Check if you’re eligible and claim compensation up to $200 by August 20th here.

🍺 Pub Quiz: According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, where in Canada the houses are most affordable? Tip: they also have some lovely ocean beaches there😉 Here’s the answer. **

** This is sponsored content.

Game ⛳️

First question: What do you call a fungal infection of the nail?

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