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CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Kingston, Ont. hospital the first in Canada to use AI heart imaging technology
The Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) will be the first hospital in Canada to use artificial intelligence to diagnose coronary artery disease on CT scans, thanks to a $100,000 donation. The hospital in Kingston, Ont. is launching Heartflow, a 'revolutionary AI-based technology' that will allow radiologists and cardiologists to measure how the blood flows through a patient's coronary arteries, using a CT scan. 'This AI tool is a game changer for the way we triage patients,' Dr. Omar Islam, head of diagnostic radiology at Kingston Health Sciences Centre, said in a statement. 'Before, we had to send everyone with a possible significant blockage to the cardiovascular catheterization (cath) lab just to see if the flow was reduced. Now, we can do that non-invasively with Heartflow. If the flow is normal, the patient avoids an invasive procedure entirely. It helps our capacity in the cath lab and saves the health-care system money. From a patient perspective, it spares them a procedure they may not have needed.' Traditionally, many patients had to undergo cardiac catheterization, which is an invasive test that involves threading a wire into the arteries to measure blockages. The Kingston Health Sciences Centre says Heartflow can reduce unnecessary catheterizations by up to 30 per cent, as doctors can make the measurement directly from a CT scan. 'For patients living with chest pain and suspected coronary artery disease, Heartflow provides a safer, faster and more accurate diagnosis of low blood flow,' the hospital said in a media release. 'It also helps medical teams determine how severe a blockage in a patient's artery may be—without having to undergo an invasive procedure. Heartflow will be fully operational at the hospital this month. Officials credit a $100,000 donation from local donor Stephen Sorensen for allowing the hospital to launch the technology. 'Thanks to Stephen Sorensen's visionary support, KHSC is able to invest in state-of-the-art technology that is improving care for our patients,' says KHSC CEO Dr. David Pichora. 'His belief in the power of innovation, particularly in the field of medical imaging, is creating a healthier future for our patients—and we are grateful for his remarkable leadership and generosity.' Sorensen added, 'I'm always looking for innovative tools that can have an immediate impact on patients' lives and Heartflow fits the bill.' The Kingston Health Sciences Centre is the first hospital in Canada to use the AI heart imaging technology.
National Post
5 hours ago
- National Post
SPEC Labs Announces Board Transitions to Support Next Phase of Expansion
Article content MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — SPEC Labs, a national provider of coworking wet lab facilities for Canada's life sciences sector, today announced the appointment of two new distinguished leaders, Abdullah Snobar and Bob Hill, to its Board of Directors. Article content Bob Hill brings decades of experience in life sciences, commercialization, and strategic operations. A seasoned executive and advisor, Bob's leadership has helped guide numerous early-stage life sciences companies through scale-up, regulatory navigation, and partnership growth. His strategic insight will support SPEC Labs as it expands its footprint and deepens its value to life sciences residents and partners across the region. Article content 'I am excited to join the Board of Directors of SPEC Labs and work with such a talented leadership group,' Article content said Bob Hill. Article content 'We have a vibrant life sciences sector in Canada and I am delighted to play a role in helping to address such a critical need for our ecosystem.' Article content Abdullah Snobar is the Executive Director of the DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University, one of Canada's top startup incubators, and a nationally recognized leader in entrepreneurship and innovation policy. His expertise in ecosystem building, equity in innovation, and supporting high-growth startups aligns seamlessly with SPEC Labs' mission to empower the next generation of life sciences entrepreneurs. Article content 'Canada's life sciences sector needs bold infrastructure and bold vision. SPEC Labs is delivering both,' Article content said Abdullah Snobar. Article content 'I'm honoured to support its mission of helping emerging biotech founders scale breakthrough innovations right here at home.' Article content These appointments come at a pivotal moment as SPEC Labs prepares to open its flagship location in Mississauga, Ontario. The facility will serve as a launchpad for graduation-stage biotech and life sciences companies, providing critical lab infrastructure and a supportive commercialization environment. Article content 'Abdullah and Bob bring unique and highly complementary strengths to the Board,' Article content said Doris Qamar, CEO of SPEC Labs. Article content 'Abdullah's leadership in building high-performance Article content growth strategy as we expand across Canada.' At the same time, SPEC Labs is announcing the departure of two long-standing board members: Dr. Pamela Plant and Dr. Leyla Soleymani. Both played foundational roles in guiding SPEC Labs from its inception through to its current launch phase. Article content 'Pamela and Leyla have been instrumental to our success,' Article content said Doris Qamar. Article content guidance, energy, and belief in SPEC Labs' mission helped shape the organization into what it is today. We are deeply thankful for their contributions and wish them the very best in Article content their next chapters.' Article content As SPEC Labs moves forward, the expanded Board will help steer the organization through its first facility opening and national growth. The new appointments underscore SPEC Labs' commitment to strong governance, strategic partnerships, and mission-driven leadership in Canada's life sciences ecosystem. Article content SPEC Labs is a not-for-profit operator of coworking wet lab facilities purpose-built for Canada's graduation-stage life sciences companies. With a model inspired by global best practices, SPEC Labs provides flexible, affordable lab space and wraparound support to help emerging biotech ventures thrive. Article content Article content Article content
National Post
5 hours ago
- National Post
Scientists have solved the mystery of what killed more than 5 billion sea stars
WASHINGTON — Scientists say they have at last solved the mystery of what killed more than 5 billion sea stars off the Pacific coast of North America in a decade-long epidemic. Article content Sea stars — often known as starfish — typically have five arms, and some species sport up to 24 arms. They range in colour from solid orange to tapestries of orange, purple, brown and green. Article content Starting in 2013, a mysterious sea star wasting disease sparked a mass die-off from Mexico to Alaska. The epidemic has devastated more than 20 species and continues today. Worst hit was a species called the sunflower sea star, which lost around 90 per cent of its population in the outbreak's first five years. Article content Article content 'It's really quite gruesome,' said marine disease ecologist Alyssa Gehman at the Hakai Institute in British Columbia, who helped pinpoint the cause. Article content Healthy sea stars have 'puffy arms sticking straight out,' she said. But the wasting disease causes them to grow lesions and 'then their arms actually fall off.' Article content The culprit? Bacteria that has also infected shellfish, according to a study published Monday in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution. Article content The findings 'solve a long-standing question about a very serious disease in the ocean,' said Rebecca Vega Thurber, a marine microbiologist at University of California, Santa Barbara, who was not involved in the study. Article content Article content It took more than a decade for researchers to identify the cause of the disease, with many false leads and twists and turns along the way. Article content Article content Early research hinted the cause might be a virus, but it turned out the densovirus that scientists initially focused on was actually a normal resident inside healthy sea stars and not associated with disease, said Melanie Prentice of the Hakai Institute, co-author of the new study. Article content Other efforts missed the real killer because researchers studied tissue samples of dead sea stars that no longer contained the bodily fluid that surrounds the organs. Article content But the latest study includes detailed analysis of this fluid, called coelomic fluid, where the bacteria Vibrio pectenicida were found. Article content 'It's incredibly difficult to trace the source of so many environmental diseases, especially underwater,' said microbiologist Blake Ushijima of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, who was not involved in the research. He said the detective work by this team was 'really smart and significant.'
