tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8738032196043872042012-02-16T06:01:44.322-05:00Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-53780315916729209322012-02-08T20:47:00.000-05:002012-02-08T20:47:06.399-05:00

Democracy speaks. Council votes against Rob Ford's shortsighted and foolhardy plan to build subways with money from the heavens. Instead, they vote in support of a plan already approved and ready-to-build - a plan that will bring public transit to many more citizens of Toronto. Congratulations to Karen Stintz and our city council for standing up to bullying from the mayor of Toronto.

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-88920971409661605022012-02-01T21:06:00.002-05:002012-02-01T21:06:13.550-05:00

The Globe and Mail has published an insightful article on research into how food aid to African nations can unintentionally promote conflict.

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-67580768423089942312011-12-03T23:07:00.000-05:002011-12-03T23:07:49.648-05:00

The Ford administration in Toronto has done it again. Beyond the absurdity of cutting service to the TTC when ridership is at all-time highs, Doug Ford now wants to bring UFC to Toronto schools. I can't wait until 2014.

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-64271620275480035402011-11-24T17:06:00.003-05:002011-11-24T17:07:45.527-05:00

TTC is forced to cut back service on 62 busy bus and streetcar routes because of Rob Ford's budget knife.

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-87624626161173107992011-11-02T18:57:00.000-04:002011-11-02T18:57:10.082-04:00

The Globe and Mail has published an amusing picture of a scrotal ultrasound, originally published in journal Urology.

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-21320014549787978062011-10-20T22:47:00.000-04:002011-10-20T22:47:03.433-04:00

For all those who like gourmet food, beware: Pusateri's Avenue Road location is shut down by health inspectors because of rat and cockroach infestation. I like my No Frills!

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-15869851378345121082011-10-11T20:06:00.000-04:002011-10-11T20:06:34.148-04:00

A large cohort study from Iowa found an association between use of certain nutrient supplements (multivitamins and iron in particular) and overall mortality. Calcium had a protective effect, though there was no dose-response relationship. The authors adjusted for a number of other variables, including age, education, geography, medical comorbidities, and other factors. Considering that millions

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-78445892539390188422011-08-29T23:00:00.001-04:002011-08-29T23:00:57.640-04:00

CMAJ has a brief, interesting article showing a plain chest radiograph of a patient who has innumerable fine acupuncture needles embedded in her skin. You definitely don't see this every day... CMAJ 2011. doi:10.1503/cmaj.110128

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-74700541987980425302011-08-02T23:00:00.001-04:002011-08-02T23:01:02.018-04:00

In response to Margaret Atwood's criticism against Rob and Doug Ford's ignorant and shortsighted plans to close Toronto libraries, they suggested she run for mayor. “I am not running for mayor yet. But if it comes to be true that people cannot voice an opinion unless they have been elected, then we are no longer in a democracy,” - Margaret Atwood It's about time for someone to speak out against

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-57479294412071035812011-04-13T14:43:00.002-04:002011-04-13T14:43:41.561-04:00

The Globe and Mail has a good Facts and Arguments article written by a young patient about the social and emotional consequences of developing and surviving cancer.

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-61311655976815273612011-03-06T15:56:00.000-05:002011-03-06T15:57:58.180-05:00

Here is a video of Quincke's Pulse, a eponymous term used to describe pulsating and alternating colour and pallor in distal capillary beds found in patients with aortic regurgitation.

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-17946801971472334142011-02-24T22:43:00.002-05:002011-02-24T22:48:19.469-05:00

The irony of the Canadian health care system is that patients can wait years for a consultation with a foot surgeon, and yet there be a job shortage for orthopedic foot surgeons. The reason? Hospitals have a disincentive to hire more surgeons because each operation increases the hospital's operating expenditure. This is in contrast to, say, joint arthroplasties, which governments have made a

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-1029351930775777032011-02-12T23:18:00.004-05:002011-02-12T23:19:13.116-05:00

Just ahead of Valentine's Day, The Globe and Mail publishes a moving story that is just different from the typical February 14th fare.

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-29897058448808320472011-01-15T19:46:00.002-05:002011-01-15T19:54:21.409-05:00

Are there guidelines regarding medical confidentiality and public figures? Although it is remarkable to see and hear how Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' improvement in medical condition, I am surprised to see so many details and play-by-play developments reported in the news media regarding her changing health. Did her husband authorize the release of health information? If so, this important

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-66378482980196494962010-12-29T10:51:00.004-05:002010-12-29T10:58:30.429-05:00

Jack McIntyre, the man who came up with Pierre Trudeau's signature lapel rose, has died.I had the pleasure of meeting Jack McIntyre and his wife as part of his volunteer efforts with Queen's University's Clinical Skills program. In the brief hour in which several members of our medical class visited him in Kingston, he told us about himself, his history, how he courted his wife by sending her a

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-61116531933435883962010-12-23T12:25:00.002-05:002010-12-23T12:30:43.488-05:00

The National Post has written an article with some little-known facts about Santa Claus and his role with respect to the Canadian government:- Santa is a Canadian citizen, according to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.- Santa's workshop is GST exempt.- Because the North Pole is part of Canadian territory, Santa doesn't need to go through border clearance when he travels to

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-44416580870780584832010-11-27T21:57:00.003-05:002010-11-27T21:59:29.689-05:00

I learned of something called the Ontario Health Study, a recently-launched longitudinal research project that aims to collect health data from millions of Ontarians over the next several decades. They currently have a large presence on the TTC - to learn more, visit the study website or this Globe and Mail article.

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-79974042394619300042010-11-19T14:07:00.003-05:002010-11-19T14:08:01.912-05:00

To the Wool Lovers in Kingston:Thanks for putting woollen covers on downtown Kingston's bike stands. They're really pretty and help liven up the urban landscape. I don't remember the e-mail address you tagged your creations with, but consider this a fan letter!Derek

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-27125912587578169822010-11-10T10:32:00.003-05:002010-11-10T10:35:28.301-05:00

A Globe and Mail article discusses the environmental impact of salmon that is produced locally versus being shipped from an international location. The answers may are surprising!

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-78288881460793409702010-10-29T16:17:00.003-04:002010-10-29T16:23:38.074-04:00

In preparing patients for invasive procedures (e.g biopsies, bone marrow aspiration, major surgery), I have always wondered the difference between the various antiseptics used. In the past, I tended to use whatever was handed to me by the nurse or resident.A recent study published in NEJM earlier this year shows that chlorhexidine-alcohol (pink solution) is superior to povidone-iodine (brown

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-52407703374416804482010-09-29T17:41:00.001-04:002010-09-29T17:41:01.311-04:00

Cyclists taking the lane in Vegas, originally uploaded by richardmasoner.When I'm a driver on the road, sometimes I get annoyed at cyclists who take up more than their proportionate space in a road lane. However, as a road cyclist myself, I know there are many very good reasons cyclists do this. Here are some of them:- the edge of the lane was repaved, making it bumpy and very uncomfortable to

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-56009951890461629292010-09-27T10:08:00.004-04:002010-09-27T10:18:18.942-04:00

Rob Ford suggests runners should compete in parks, rather than on roads, to avoid street closures.He also says "roads are built for buses, cars, and trucks, not for people on bikes".Well, I suggest the following, too:- kids should play NHL 2011 on their PlayStation 3, not on the roadway.- roads are not for parked cars. We should ban all street parking.- sidewalks, like bike lanes, take up

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-6243162028539209552010-09-20T21:26:00.004-04:002010-09-20T21:29:50.631-04:00

Another reason to get your flu shot... a study published in CMAJ today finds an association between influenza vaccination and an almost 20% drop (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.77-0.85) in rates of acute MI.Source: CMAJ 2010. DOI:10.1503/cmaj.091891

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-76780616682343743032010-09-09T08:05:00.002-04:002010-09-09T08:07:18.156-04:00

A study from the government has shown that a voluntary long-form census would skew results in a way that makes data less reliable. When will the government listen and revert its mistake to scrap the mandatory long-form census?

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873803219604387204.post-42435398401961003382010-08-25T14:12:00.003-04:002010-08-25T14:13:24.025-04:00

An insightful article into the difficulties of recognizing the creation of new sovereign states by unilateral secession...Kosovo: The Elusive Recognition of Unilateral Secessions - Montreal Gazette

Derekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15917421642718829168noreply@blogger.com