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Body Electric Part 4: Below the Belt

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Also in this episode: how a faulty, incorrect study went viral — claiming smartphones were causing people to grow horns on their backs. Science journalist Nsikan Akpan sets the record straight. Later, writer Paul Ingraham shares his daily strategy for doing movement snacks and strength building while balancing deadlines.

Click here to find out more about the project: npr.org/bodyelectric

Are you signed up for Columbia's study, or following along with the series? We want to hear from you! Send us a voice memo at bodyelectric@npr.org. Talk to us on Instagram @ManoushZ, and on Facebook @tedradiohour.

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Body Electric Part 5: The Mind-Body-Tech Connection

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Click here to find out more about the project: npr.org/bodyelectric

Are you signed up for Columbia's study, or following along with the series? We want to hear from you! Send us a voice memo at bodyelectric@npr.org. Talk to us on Instagram @ManoushZ, and on Facebook @tedradiohour.

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Body Electric Part 6: Walk Into The Future

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Also on this episode, listener Dana Lopez Maile shares how the study was a "game changer" for her health. Yiliu Shen-Burke, founder of the augmented reality app SoftSpace, explains his vision of augmented reality. Finally, Manoush explores the future of screen time in a new era of artificial intelligence, and the inextricable convergence of humans and machines.

Click here to find out more about the project: npr.org/bodyelectric

We'd love to hear what you thought of the Body Electric series. Go to npr.org/tedsurvey to share your feedback.

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Body Electric: Your earbuds and you—what all that listening is doing to us

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Interested in joining the Apple Hearing Study? Sign up here.

Binge the whole Body Electric series
here. Sign up for the Body Electric Challenge and our newsletter here.

Talk to us on
Instagram @ManoushZ, or record a voice memo and email it to us at BodyElectric@npr.org.

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Body Electric: Type, tap, scroll, BREATHE! How our tech use impacts our breath

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Binge the whole Body Electric series here.

Sign up for the Body Electric Challenge and our newsletter here.

Talk to us on
Instagram @ManoushZ, or record a voice memo and email it to us at BodyElectric@npr.org.

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Body Electric: If a bot relationship FEELS real, should we care that it's not?

Thanks to advances in AI, chatbots can act as personalized therapists, companions, and romantic partners. The apps offering these services have been downloaded millions of times. If these relationships relieve stress and make us feel better, does it matter that they're not "real"?

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Binge the whole Body Electric series here.

Sign up for the Body Electric Challenge and our newsletter here.

Talk to us on
Instagram @ManoushZ, or record a voice memo and email it to us at BodyElectric@npr.org.

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Students gathered at the Pauley Pavilion Club on the evening of Nov. 5 to talk, share opinions and watch the results of the 2024 elections roll in.




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The post Reflecting on my First Time Meeting Isao Yoshino in Japan — 2012 by Mark Graban appeared first at Lean Blog.




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CSTM 2024: Reflections from Canadian Blood Services trainees, part 1

CSTM 2024: Reflections from Canadian Blood Services trainees, part 1


Tuesday, July 09, 2024 Trainees

The Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine (CSTM) annual conference, held in partnership with Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, took place on May 23-26, 2024, in Saskatoon with the theme of “Bridging transfusion communities.” 

Coinciding with CSTM, Canadian Blood Services' annual Research Day also provided a chance for Canadian Blood Services’ extended research network to collaborate, share their research, and connect. We asked two Canadian Blood Services research trainees to reflect on their experiences and key learnings from these events. Read on for their perspectives! 

This blog was prepared by Mahsa Yazdanbakhsh, a PhD candidate in Dr. Jason Acker’s lab in Edmonton, and Carina Paredes, a PhD candidate in Dr. Sandra Ramirez-Arcos' lab in Ottawa. Mahsa and Carina are recipients of Canadian Blood Services Graduate Fellowship Program as well as travel bursaries to support their attendance at these events. 

Carina (left) and Mahsa (right) are pictured attending Canadian Blood Services’ Research Day event in Saskatoon, May 2024. Photo provided by Emily Wright.

1. You both contributed as planning committee members for Research Day 2024; why were you interested in contributing in this way?  

Carina:  

I volunteered for the Research Day organizing committee because I wanted to improve skills such as leadership and organizational abilities and because I believe that actively participating at Research Day is an opportunity for us [trainees] to engage in knowledge dissemination, networking and collaboration that will support our future careers!   

The best part of participating in this event was being an active part of the organizing committee and connecting with trainees, scientists, and managers, which provided me with a great opportunity to network.   

Mahsa:  

I contributed to Research Day 2024 as a planning committee member and moderated a session of presentations. My role involved organizing speaker sessions and supporting team communication. Having attended previous Research Days, I was eager to help enhance the event and being on the planning committee gave me a deeper appreciation for the effort involved while collaborating with a dedicated team. I learned valuable skills in event planning, teamwork, and problem-solving. Additionally, it expanded my network and allowed me to connect with many professionals at Canadian Blood Services.  

It's important for trainees to be involved because it offers leadership experience and fosters a greater connection to the academic community. 

2. Did you also share your research during Research Day and/or CSTM and if so, in what ways? 

Carina:  

I was selected for a Poster presentation at CSTM and I was also able to briefly present it at Research Day. My poster was titled “Role of the efflux pump NorB in survival and increased quinolone resistance of Staphylococcus aureus grown in platelet concentrates.” Staphylococcus aureus is a round-shaped bacterium that is naturally found in the skin and mucosa of healthy humans. It is important to study because contamination of blood components with this bacterium is a major safety threat to transfusion patients. My work aims to unravel the role of a specific gene in antibiotic resistance and virulence of Staphylococcus aureus when grown in platelet components.  

“Having this opportunity to present my work allowed me to receive feedback from peers and experts from different areas of the transfusion medicine. I find this aspect of presenting and sharing my work very important especially because the feedback received will direct me to improve my work and attain stronger research outcomes.” 

Mahsa:  

I presented my research during CSTM and Research Day through a poster and a rapid trainee presentation. My poster was titled, "Osmotic Variability in Red Blood Cells from Different Blood Donor Groups." A typical red blood cell’s lifespan is 120 days. This study compared how younger and older red blood cells from frequent and non-frequent blood donors respond to osmotic changes. Osmotic changes relate to the balance of fluid within a cell. Results showed significant differences in osmotic response among different donor groups, and these results may be useful for optimizing blood product quality and functionality. 

“Sharing research at these events provides an opportunity to disseminate findings to a broader audience within the transfusion community, which is important because the research contributes to existing knowledge in the field and has the potential to influence future research directions and clinical practice.”  

Overall, presenting at Canadian Blood Services’ Research Day and CSTM allows for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and advancements in the field of transfusion medicine, ultimately benefiting patients and health-care providers alike. 

3. How many times have you attended Research Day and CSTM and what was your favourite moment or takeaway this year?  

Carina: 

I attended Research Day and CSTM in 2023 and 2024. I really enjoyed every day of this event, but the highlight of this year was to visit the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) facilities in Saskatoon and learn more about their very interesting work. I was very pleased to listen to the keynote speakers at CSTM and their opening remarks. 

Mahsa:  

This marked my third participation in CSTM and second in Research Day, and the highlight was the reunion with familiar faces after a year! Meeting my close friend, whom I hadn't anticipated seeing at CSTM, was particularly delightful and added an extra layer of joy to the event for me. 

4. What would you say to other trainees about Research Day and/or CSTM? 

Carina:  

It’s a great opportunity for improvement and promotes learning, collaboration and innovation. It also allows us trainees to learn from each other's experiences, receive feedback from experts, and improve our individual performance. 

“I would say to other trainees: Participate, be present and get involved! As a trainee, it is important to not only present our research, but also to engage in organizational activities that will build our skill set for our future career.” 

Mahsa:  

I would encourage other trainees to actively participate in both Research Day and CSTM. Attending Research Day provides a platform to present your work and receive constructive feedback, while CSTM offers a broader networking opportunity within the transfusion community. These events offer opportunities for trainees in Canadian Blood Services’ research and education network to share research findings, receive feedback, and network with peers and experts. 

“By participating in these events, you not only contribute to the advancement of knowledge in transfusion medicine but also refine skills and establish connections that can be beneficial for your future endeavors.” 


Canadian Blood Services – Driving world-class innovation  

Through discovery, development and applied research, Canadian Blood Services drives world-class innovation in blood transfusion, cellular therapy and transplantation—bringing clarity and insight to an increasingly complex healthcare future. Our dedicated research team and extended network of partners engage in exploratory and applied research to create new knowledge, inform and enhance best practices, contribute to the development of new services and technologies, and build capacity through training and collaboration. Find out more about our research impact

The opinions reflected in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Canadian Blood Services nor do they reflect the views of Health Canada or any other funding agency.  

Related blog posts


Thursday, June 29, 2023
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Canadian Blood Services supports capacity building in transfusion medicine through the support of research and physician trainees. In this blog, trainees reflect on their experiences attending CSTM 2023 in Montreal.


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Canadian Blood Services is looking forward to connecting with members of the transfusion community at CSTM 2024, happening this May in Saskatoon! In lead-up to the event, a series of blogs will preview some of the contributions of our research and education network to CSTM 2024.


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CSTM 2024: Reflections from Canadian Blood Services trainees, part 2

CSTM 2024: Reflections from Canadian Blood Services trainees, part 2


Tuesday, July 16, 2024 Poojan Joshi

The Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine (CSTM) annual conference, held in partnership with Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, took place on May 23-26, 2024, in Saskatoon with the theme of “Bridging transfusion communities.”

Coinciding with CSTM, Canadian Blood Services' annual Research Day also provided a chance for Canadian Blood Services’ extended research network to collaborate, share their research, and connect. Following these events, we asked Canadian Blood Services research trainees to reflect on their experiences and key learnings from the event.

This blog was prepared by Poojan Joshi, a research assistant working with Canadian Blood Services social scientists Drs. Jennie Haw and Kelly Holloway.

Dr. Jennie Haw (left), Dr. Kelly Holloway (centre) and Poojan Joshi (right) are pictured attending Research Day in Saskatoon. Photo by Emily Wright, Canadian Blood Services.

What was it like attending your first Canadian Blood Services Research Day and CSTM conference as a research assistant? 

Attending CSTM 2024 for the first time (it was also my first conference ever!) as a social science research assistant was an incredible experience for many reasons. As I listened to the various presentations and engaged with experts in the field, I was struck by the vast array of knowledge and experience attendees brought to the field of transfusion medicine. I was also humbled by the multidisciplinary collaborations that go into building and maintaining an efficient blood system. 

My background includes training in social psychology and qualitative research methods from the University of Guelph, where I developed interest in areas such as health, immigration and refugees, public and media discourse and policy. In December 2022, I had the opportunity to work on a social science research project with Dr. Kelly Holloway and Dr. Jennie Haw titled “Addressing Systemic Barriers to Donation for Donors of African and South Asian Ancestry.” This project aligned very well with my research interests and underscored the importance of applying a broader sociocultural perspective to donation practices and research. I soon realized that my diverse interests were more connected than I had originally thought as I began to understand donation as a complex social act embedded in a wide sociocultural and political context. 

This understanding allowed me to view the presentations, posters, and plenary sessions of Research Day and CSTM 2024 through a social science lens. In doing so, I appreciated the impact that social science has on many aspects of the blood system, from donor to recipient, and the critical role it plays in addressing current and future complex challenges.

“Since joining Canadian Blood Services as a full-time research assistant in September 2023, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the role of social science in transfusion medicine. 

Under the excellent mentorship of Drs. Kelly Holloway and Jennie Haw, I have developed a profound appreciation for the intersection of these fields and the critical insights social science can bring to transfusion medicine.” 

Thinking about Research Day specifically, what learnings or ideas have the presentations sparked for you?

Dr. Chantale Pambrun’s opening remarks highlighted the importance of the blood operator and how research plays a crucial role in improving transfusion medicine and health, as well as several challenges and opportunities ahead. One significant area where social science has played a key role is in donor policies and changes in deferral criteria. Dr. Mindy Goldman’s presentation noted that because donor policies impact blood safety, public perception, and product availability, a multidisciplinary approach is required to balance donor and recipient safety with the maintenance of an adequate supply.

Dr. Kelly Holloway’s presentation on the lived experiences of immunoglobulin recipients demonstrated the importance of incorporating patient stories to advance our understanding of health and inspire positive change. Immunoglobulin products (Ig) are manufactured from plasma and may be needed by patients with immunodeficiencies or autoimmune and alloimmune disorders

What was the most memorable moment from the CSTM 2024 program this year and what reflections did you take away from it?  

Dr. Jennie Haw’s presentation on the systemic barriers to blood donation experienced by donors of African and South Asian ancestry was memorable for me, as it illustrated the strengths and commitment of diverse communities in donating blood and plasma, highlighting the need to address the barriers they face. As I am actively involved in this project, it was powerful to see this perspective of social science shared with experts.

Another memorable session was the plenary on Indigenous health and well-being in Northern Saskatchewan. Presentations by Rena Sutherland, Janet Tootoosis, and Jack Janvier highlighted key considerations for transfusion medicine, such as trust, relationship-building, community engagement, and patient-centred care. They discussed the challenges of providing transfusions in remote areas and emphasized the importance of collaboration, expertise, resources, and clear communication.

The session also addressed the impact of colonialism, including residential schools, ongoing racism, and the exclusion of Indigenous holistic health views to provide guidance on effectively engaging Indigenous communities using a strengths-based approach. Social science research is crucial in these areas as it helps build and maintain trust through community engagement, ensuring inclusive and culturally safe care for donors and recipients. 

“My time at CSTM 2024 was more than just an academic exercise; it was a recognition of the inseparability of social science from the field of transfusion medicine. The talks and discussions illustrated how societal factors are connected to health outcomes and donor policies.”  

I am excited to carry this knowledge forward to the 2024 International Society of Blood Transfusion conference in June, where I hope to take my learning from a Canadian context and expand it by engaging with international experts in transfusion medicine. By fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and supporting innovative approaches, we can ensure that our blood systems not only operate efficiently but also resonate with the voices and needs of all communities.

Read more about social science and diversity in the blood system in these articles on blood.ca:


Canadian Blood Services – Driving world-class innovation 

Through discovery, development and applied research, Canadian Blood Services drives world-class innovation in blood transfusion, cellular therapy and transplantation—bringing clarity and insight to an increasingly complex healthcare future. Our dedicated research team and extended network of partners engage in exploratory and applied research to create new knowledge, inform and enhance best practices, contribute to the development of new services and technologies, and build capacity through training and collaboration. Find out more about our research impact.  

The opinions reflected in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Canadian Blood Services nor do they reflect the views of Health Canada or any other funding agency.  

Related blog posts


Tuesday, July 09, 2024
Trainees

Canadian Blood Services research trainees reflect on the 2024 Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine (CSTM) conference and their experience as planning committee members for Canadian Blood Services’ Research Day.


Thursday, May 02, 2024
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Canadian Blood Services is looking forward to connecting with members of the transfusion community at CSTM 2024, happening this May in Saskatoon! In this second post in a series of blogs counting down to CSTM 2024, Dr. Jennie Haw shares her insights in lead-up to the event.


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