Issues & Experts
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February 26, 2021
Sensing robot healthcare helpers being developed at SFU -
February 25, 2021
Fentanyl exposure awareness study highlights support gap for those most at risk of overdose
Current overdose prevention efforts aren’t enough to support those most at risk of fatal overdose, people who inject drugs alone, according to a new Simon Fraser University-led study published recently. -
February 24, 2021
British Columbia should prioritize COVID-19 vaccinations for essential workers, SFU experts say
New research by Simon Fraser University modelling experts is examining the province’s age-related vaccine roll-out plan in light of new data on vaccine performance, and suggesting that a strategy prioritizing essential workers is more effective. In a new pre-print study involving SFU professors Caroline Colijn and Paul Tupper, and led by mathematics PhD student Nicola Mulberry, researchers conclude that strategies that target essential workers earlier not only consistently outperform those that do not but also provide “a significant level of indirect protection” for older adults. The research is based on a series of modelling simulations using age and essential worker data, across five age-related vaccination scenarios. They compared scenarios in which essential workers – described as those who have to have a high number of contacts outside the home as part of their employment – are vaccinated sooner in the program: after those aged 80+, and followed by either the rest of the age-based rollout, or variations (for example all 20- to 79-year-olds). Their modelling finds that vaccinating B.C.’s essential workers sooner, rather than an oldest-first strategy, would prevent more than 200,000 infections and more than 600 deaths, while saving over $500 million in net monetary benefit. The researchers also note that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted essential workers, who often have lower incomes and no option to work from home. “Our findings suggest that prioritizing them for vaccination not only would help to reduce this substantial disparity, but it does not even come at the cost of increased adverse outcomes in others; rather, it is better for everyone.” AVAILABLE SFU EXPERTS CAROLINE COLIJN, Canada 150 Research Chair in Mathematics for Evolution, Infection and Public Health | ccolijn@sfu.ca PAUL TUPPER, professor, mathematics | Pft3@sfu.ca NICOLA MULBERRY, PhD candidate, mathematics | nicola_mulberry@sfu.ca CONTACT MATT KIELTYKA, SFU Communications & Marketing 236.880.2187 | matt_kieltyka@sfu.ca Simon Fraser University Communications & Marketing | SFU Media Experts Directory 778.782.3210 ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY As Canada’s engaged university, SFU works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today’s problems. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—SFU has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 165,000 alumni residing in 143 countries. -
February 24, 2021
Astronaut ‘moves’ to help prevent falls among older adults confined to bed rest -
February 22, 2021
Salmon scales reveal substantial decline in wild salmon population & diversity
Media Releases
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February 24, 2021
Paleontologists discover major new insect group after solving 150-year-old mystery -
January 27, 2021
Global decline of oceanic shark and ray populations ‘staggering’, SFU experts warn
Oceanic shark and ray populations have declined 71 per cent in the last 50 years, according to a new analysis published today in the journal Nature. -
December 16, 2020
Research taps AI to develop virtual efficiencies for industry -
December 16, 2020
SFU researchers developing cellular service standards for space missions to the Moon and Mars
SFU's PolyLAB for Advanced Collaborative Networking is testing the cellular networks that will be used on future NASA space missions to the moon and Mars. The team, led by Stephen Braham, will also be developing cellular service standards. The LTE/4G and Wi-Fi communications systems will allow astronauts to stay connected on the surface during the missions. -
December 15, 2020
Researchers find young adults seek greater inclusion on COVID-19 public health messaging