1: Quality Over Quantity — What Matters Most at the End of Life

An RCT of 706 older adults with advanced cancer found that most patients (71.7%) prioritized maintaining their quality of life over extending survival (8.4%). The findings suggest oncology care delivery — and future clinical trials — must better better align with what older adults with advanced cancer say matters most at the end of life.

2: Turn Down the Volume, Not the Workout

A comparative effectiveness study examined whether lowering music volume in group fitness classes affects perceived exercise intensity. Among 189 participants, reducing the volume did not diminish perceived workout intensity. The results suggest group classes may be able to lower sound levels without compromising how hard participants feel they are working.

3: Just One More Episode… and One Later Bedtime

A systematic review and meta-analysis of daily screen use in children linked increased technology use to later bedtimes. Interestingly, while more screen time meant later nights, it was not associated with changes in total sleep time, sleep efficiency, or self-reported sleep quality. It turns out the "blue light" boogeyman might be more about scheduling than actual sleep architecture.

Turn down the heat: A clinician’s guide to VMS beyond hormones

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) like hot flashes and night sweats aren't just a nuisance— they profoundly impact quality of life and long-term well-being. This specialized series, featuring experts like Dr. Marla Shapiro and Dr. Vivien Brown, offers a practical roadmap for managing VMS when hormones aren't an option. The course is broken down into 3 accredited modules that cover everything from proactive screening to the latest evidence on non-hormonal therapies. It’s a great way to sharpen your menopause management and feel more confident when patients ask, "what else can I try?"

Your address may matter as much as the diagnosis.

What happened: Global cases of breast cancer could exceed 3.5M annually by 2050, new research estimates.

Why it matters: Breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer among women, with over 30K women diagnosed in Canada in 2024 alone. While wealthier countries, like in the US and Canada, have seen a nearly 30% decline in mortality since 1990 thanks to aggressive screening and a decade of investment, the study shows that deaths have nearly doubled in low-income countries over the same period.

The researchers of the study analyzed 3 decades of data across 204 countries, revealing a widening survival gap. In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, mortality rates are double the global average (roughly 35 deaths per 100k). This isn't just a biological difference; it’s a systemic mismatch between rising diagnoses and the infrastructure needed to treat them

Treating breast cancer requires surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy — 3 things that not all countries have access to. As of 2020, only about half of African countries had access to external beam radiotherapy — the most common form of radiation therapy for breast cancer — and capacity still falls far short of demand. In many places, mastectomy becomes the default treatment. Surgery can help, but without radiation and follow-up treatment, it’s often not enough. Then there’s the price, since some treatments can add up to a decade’s income. 

So, now what? While the numbers are daunting, lifestyle modifications remain a key tool for risk reduction. Yes, genetics play a massive role, but limiting alcohol and tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing blood sugar levels are the most evidence-backed individual actions. Clinical vigilance and regular mammograms also remain the gold standard for catching the disease when it’s still curable. On a global scale, the WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) has set a "60-60-80" roadmap: 60% of cancers diagnosed at an early stage, 60 days from first symptoms to treatment, and an 80% survival rate.

Bottom line: We just marked International Women’s Day on March 8, and this year’s theme, Give To Gain, is a high-yield reminder for the med-ed world. In oncology, giving looks like decentralizing diagnostic tools and sharing tech with the regions that need it most. After all, if we want to gain ground against a disease that doesn't care about borders, we have to stop treating life-saving care like a luxury reserved for certain latitudes.

1: ⛽ Your morning commute just got a lot more expensive. Global oil prices spiked toward $120 US a barrel this week as the conflict in the Middle East effectively throttled the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway responsible for about 20% of the world's oil supply. Canada may produce enough crude to keep the lights on, but prices are still set on the global market. The result: domestic pump prices are ranging from 166 to 173 cents across the country. Experts warn these painful prices will likely stick around for months, even if the geopolitical situation cools off tomorrow. If you’ve been eyeing a flight, book it now; jet fuel costs are the next domino to fall, and they aren't known for being budget-friendly.

2: 🫁 The lung cancer narrative may be shifting on both sides of the border. A growing number of Canadian non-smokers are being diagnosed with the disease, with experts pointing to risks like wildfire smoke, air pollution, occupational exposures, and in-home radon. Meanwhile in the US, a joint statement from major thoracic and radiology societies argues some studies may have overstated the harms of CT lung-cancer screening. The authors say this misinformation may cause people to avoid a test shown to cut lung-cancer mortality by about 20%. The emerging narratives combined are more people at risk — and more focus on screening.

3: 🧠 A new genetic therapy is offering a breakthrough for children with Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy. In an international trial, the drug zorevunersen reduced seizures by up to 91% by targeting the disease's underlying genetic cause rather than just suppressing symptoms. Beyond stopping the "electrical storms," researchers observed unprecedented improvements in cognitive function and communication, suggesting we’ve officially entered the era of precision medicine for this rare condition.

4: 🔭 The satellite race is blasting off. Racing its biggest rival, Amazon now has FCC approval to expand its low-orbit internet constellation to roughly 7,700 satellites. With over 10M users, Musk’s Starlink — not to be confused with Skynet — is rocketing toward 10K. But Big Tech isn’t the only one scrambling for space. Canada’s planning its own low-orbit network to reduce reliance on foreign systems like Starlink, especially for Arctic connectivity and defence, while Ontario-based satellite maker MDA Space is ramping up production. Look up — the next infrastructure race may be out of this world.

$3: the estimated cost to mass produce a monthly injectable dose of semaglutide, according to a new study. While retail prices remain high, researchers found the drug could be manufactured for a fraction of the cost — potentially opening the door to wider global access as patents expire.

3: the number of federal byelections called for April 13 in Ontario and Quebec. A Liberal sweep of these seats would bring the party to 172 seats, just enough for a razor-thin majority government.

138: the number of case reports corrected by the Canadian Paediatric Society’s journal, Paediatrics & Child Health, after it was revealed they were actually fictional teaching tools. Used for 25 years, the peer-reviewed articles never disclosed they were made up, sparking major concerns about scientific integrity.

🤑 Save: on the ultimate post-call uniform. The MEC winter clearance event features up to 40% off staples from Patagonia, The North Face, and MEC. If you’ve been eyeing a new fleece or a GORE-TEX shell, it’s a good moment to gear up without emptying your wallet.

🍀 Make: green shakshuka. Swap the heavy tomato base for a sea of sautéed spinach, kale, and leeks. Nestle your eggs into the greens and topping them with feta makes for a festive, high-fibre breakfast that’s a lot more anti-inflammatory than a pint of green beer on St. Patrick’s Day.

📺 Watch: this TED-Ed riddle to see if you could outsmart a group of super-intelligent alien overlords. You and 9 others are wearing coloured hats, and your survival depends on solving a single coordinated logic puzzle.

💍 Wear: the CUDIS smart ring. Beyond standard heart rate and sleep tracking, it features an AI "agent" that suggests daily tasks and supplements based on your recovery data. It even gamifies your habits with digital points.

📖 Read: about 22 trailblazing women in science history you probably didn't learn about in school. From the daredevil engineer who saved WWII fighter pilots to the 12-year-old who discovered the first complete dinosaur fossil, it’s a powerful reminder of the persistence required to break barriers in STEM. 

First clue: Something many a resident could use

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