Latest news with #UBCOkanagan
United News of India
02-08-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Non-invasive saliva insulin test may identify prediabetes before symptoms: Researchers
New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) A promising breakthrough by researchers at UBC Okanagan may soon enable easier identification of prediabetes ie individuals at risk of Type 2 diabetes, even before symptoms manifest. The study published recently in 'Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism' highlights the potential of measuring insulin levels in saliva as a simple, non-invasive alternative to traditional blood tests, eliminating the need for needles or lab-based blood work. Dr. Jonathan Little, Professor at UBC Okanagan's School of Health and Exercise Sciences, noted that this 'spit test' could also detect early metabolic changes associated with obesity and other health risks. The research involved 94 healthy participants with varying body sizes. After fasting, each participant consumed a standardized meal-replacement shake, followed by saliva collection and a finger-prick blood glucose test. 'Individuals with obesity exhibited significantly higher saliva insulin levels compared to those who were overweight or had lower body weight, despite similar blood sugar levels,' said Dr. Little. He emphasised that saliva testing could serve as a convenient and non-invasive tool to identify people at risk of Type 2 diabetes well before symptoms appear. Type 2 diabetes currently affects around 400 million people worldwide and is conventionally diagnosed through elevated blood glucose levels. However, Dr. Little pointed out that prediabetic conditions like insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia can develop 10 to 20 years prior to diagnosis. Early detection of hyperinsulinemia could allow timely lifestyle interventions and treatments, potentially delaying or preventing the onset of diabetes. The study's co-author, Dr. Hossein Rafiei, explained that the team aimed to develop a practical test for hyperinsulinemia using saliva. Interestingly, saliva insulin levels closely mirrored plasma insulin responses following mixed meals of varying carbohydrate content, as shown in Dr. Rafiei's earlier research at UBC Okanagan. Participants' saliva samples were collected at 30, 60, and 90 minutes after ingesting the meal-replacement shake. Notably, some individuals with lower body weight experienced significant spikes in saliva insulin post-consumption, suggesting that they might be at increased risk for Type 2 diabetes despite normal glucose levels and lean physiques. Dr. Rafiei remarked, 'The discovery that some lean individuals have high insulin levels is intriguing. This suggests saliva insulin measurement could be more informative than conventional metrics like weight or waist size.' The study also examined correlations between waist circumference, BMI, age, and sex, finding waist size to be the strongest predictor of saliva insulin levels. The researchers concluded that waist circumference may be a more reliable indicator of hyperinsulinemia than age or overall body weight when using saliva insulin tests. 'Our findings imply that saliva insulin testing might surpass blood glucose measurements in distinguishing metabolically healthy individuals from those prone to hyperinsulinemia,' said Dr. Rafiei. The study findings are significant in the context of India where prediabetes is a significant health concern, with an estimated 15.3% of the population affected. This condition, characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that are not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes, serves as a warning sign for increased diabetes cases. UNI AJ GNK
Winnipeg Free Press
21-06-2025
- Science
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. student created wildfire map during own evacuation from Manitoba fire zone
University of British Columbia Okanagan geography student Jenna Taylor went home last month to spend time with her family in Flin Flon, Man. A relaxing break did not ensue. Taylor and her family would join thousands of evacuees on May 27, fleeing wildfires that prompted a provincewide state of emergency and spread to less than one kilometre from their home. Instead of despairing, Taylor put her skills to use by building an interactive website to provide visualizations of the spread of the fires, their intensity and other information. 'I mean, it's so easy in a situation like this to just kind of constantly be doom-scrolling through social media,' said Taylor, 'and it's hard to be in the dark and not know what's going on.' By manually pulling data from Canadian government sites and NASA databases, Taylor was able to create a resource for others affected by the wildfires. The site includes time-lapse visualizations of the fires, as well as wind and air-quality forecasts. 'In a way, it's hard because I wish I didn't have to make this project,' Taylor said. 'The reality of it is that I'm in this situation, and I guess I did the best work I could for the position that we're all in.' To date, the Manitoba wildfires have displaced more than 17,000 people, including 5,000 residents of Flin Flon near the Saskatchewan boundary. Among the hardest-hit locations was the village of Denare Beach, Sask., about 22 kilometres southwest of Flin Flon, where more than 200 primary residences burned down. 'It's a place that we all hold really close to our hearts, and that's really difficult,' said Taylor. UBC Okanagan said the site was a 'full emergency information hub.' It also lists ways for people to donate to evacuees and others suffering losses. 'I think that was my biggest thing was I wanted to spread awareness, not so much have this be simply like a fire update resource, because there's already lots of official government ones,' said Taylor. She credited a cartography and map-making course for the skills to build the site, which took her about two weeks. 'It was really nice to have that feeling and also know that I did something with my schooling that was more than just an assignment,' said Taylor. Jonathan Cinnamon, an associate professor with the university's Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said Taylor's website showed the real-world applications of such studies. 'A perfect example is Taylor's invaluable website, which contains up-to-date wildfire and weather maps to support decision-making in affected communities,' said Cinnamon. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. Residents of Flin Flon have been told they may be able to return by the middle of next week as officials prepare to lift the mandatory evacuation order. 'We're all ready to go home,' said Taylor, 'Hopefully, I can go back home to Flin Flon soon, and then in September, I'll be back in school, and I'm excited to be able to finish my degree soon.' She said her career goal was supporting people when devastating events occur. 'I think that'd be really cool one day.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June. 18, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
13-06-2025
- Science
- Vancouver Sun
Cougars in B.C.: What to know about sightings, safety tips and what to do if you encounter one
The Southern B.C. Cougar Project, which studies cougar behaviour across 15,000 square kilometres of the West Okanagan, Boundary and Kootenay regions, says that while sightings are rare, the big cats are highly adaptable and roam widely. 'Knowing what to do in an encounter — and how to prevent one — really comes down to being aware of your surroundings,' says Siobhan Darlington, a PhD student at UBC Okanagan and lead researcher with the project. Postmedia reached out to researchers with the project after two recent cougar sightings led B.C. Parks to temporarily close a popular trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Read on for more about cougar behaviour, recent sightings and what to do if you come face-to-face with one. Darlington says the estimated number is between 5,100 and 7,000 animals, based on the latest demography research in B.C. Cougars are most common in the southern parts of the province, including around Vancouver, Vancouver Island and forested areas near urban centres. The animals prefer remote, rugged terrain, but will occasionally pass through more populated areas, especially if following prey. Cougars primarily hunt large ungulates — mostly deer, moose, elk and other wild animals. They do not rely on livestock or pets as a main food source. It's their wild prey — such as urban deer — that can lead them into closer contact with humans. Cougars are generally afraid of people and will usually move away if they hear you coming. That is why it's important to take precautions. • Make noise while hiking, especially in dense forest. • Keep dogs leashed and children close. • Hike in pairs or groups — encounters are less likely when you're not alone. • Carry bear spray and know how to use it. • Don't run if you see a cougar. Instead, stay calm, make yourself look big, face the animal and speak firmly. • If a cougar attacks, fight back using sticks, rocks or whatever is at hand. You should report a cougar sighting if: • There is a conflict or an attack. • The cougar is lingering near homes, schools or populated areas. • You see a cougar stalking pets or livestock. • The cougar appears sick, injured or aggressive. To report a sighting or incident, call the B.C. Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277. sgrochowski@
