Progress Made In Schizophrenia Study

A lot of people living with schizophrenia don’t respond to their medication, and a new study out of the University of Manitoba may help those cases get recognized sooner.

Dr. Kaarina Kowalec, the lead author, is an assistant professor at the College of Pharmacy at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and an affiliated researcher at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

The research points to two risk factors associated with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. People who have multiple family members with schizophrenia, or people who have a low intelligence score, have a higher chance of failing drug treatment.

The study looked at data from close to 25,000 Swedish people, and another subgroup of 5,000 people who gave genetic samples. With that information, they found that a person’s genetics was not related to treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

People who suffer from treatment-resistant schizophrenia have a higher risk of death or suicide compared to those who respond to treatment. Kowalec hopes that these findings will affect clinical practices and future research.

“This work also points us to future research into understanding the shared genetic and environmental risks for treatment resistance in schizophrenia, including more comprehensive genetic markers," said Kowalec.

The work was funded by grants through the EU’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme and the Government of Canada Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship program.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Nov 14, 2019 - 9:44 am

The Dauphin and District Community Foundation has announced all the grant recipients.

David Bosiak, Chair of the foundation, says by allowing 2 intakes for grants this year, they were able to help more groups than before.

Bosiak says their funds have grown every year, and are close to 90 thousand dollars currently.

Moving forward, they are planning to support different kinds of projects, such as programs and services that enhance the community.

At yesterday’s grant luncheon, Kathy Freiheit was named Philanthropist of the Year.

22 grants were accepted for the intakes, receiving a total of $82,725.

Intake	Grantee	Project	Award
Fall	City of Dauphin - Active Transportation	Safe school routes	5,000
Spring	Countryfest Cinema	UPS for projects	1,000
Fall	Dauphin & District Allied Arts Council	Royal Winnipeg Ballet & Artsfest 2020	3,000
Fall	Dauphin & District Community Food Bank	Printer copier upgrade	700
Fall	Dauphin & District Snowmobile Club	Bridge repair and maintenance	1,800
Spring	Dauphin Friendship Centre	Kitchen shelves	663
Spring	Dauphin Minor Hockey	Upgrade goalie equipment	1,000
Spring	Dauphin Neighborhood Renewal	Solar light project	4,222
Fall	Dauphin Neighborhood Renewal	Under One Roof	3,000
Fall	Dauphin Public Library	Pocket Park	3,250
Spring	Fort Dauphin Museum	Fort's Fresh Coat Project	200
Fall	Fort Dauphin Museum	Smart Lite Project	1,890
Fall	Henderson Elementary School	Breakfast program	1,000
Spring	Manitoba 2020 Summer Games	Volleyball Sport Crt & various sport upgrades	15,000
Fall	Manitoba 2020 Summer Games	various sport upgrades	15,000
Spring	MVSD	Robb Nash	1,500
Spring	Parkland Humane Society	Outdoor catio	2,000
Spring	Parkland Men's Shed	start up	1,500
Fall	Theatre Amisk	Community production	500
Spring	Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre & Museum	MHTP startup	2,500
Fall	Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre & Museum	Heritage Village roofing project	1,000
Fall	Whitmore School	Breakfast program	2,000
Spring	Whitmore School Parent Council	Whitmore Playground structure	15,000

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Nov 14, 2019 - 5:00 am

Back on Friday, a car accident caused one of the traffic lights at River and Mountain in Dauphin to fall down.

Manitoba Infrastructure anticipates repairs to be completed by tomorrow.

The repairs are costing $4400.

If a vehicle is liable for the collision, Manitoba Infrastructure may seek the vehicle’s third party insurance to reimburse eligible damage costs.

However, the incident is still under investigation.

Manitoba Infrastructure recommends that drivers use caution for road conditions and reduce speed when icing is present on the roadway.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Nov 13, 2019 - 3:15 pm

The provincial government has provided over 6 million dollars in grants various projects in Manitoba.

203 municipalities, non-profit, and community-led organizations across the province had grants accepted.

Murray Leonards, president of the Dauphin and District Snowmobile Club says they received $67,505.

“To receive that grant money, for the groomer, for the club, and I think for the area, was just awesome. It’s just great to get that support and help for the club because we’re not a big money-making bunch of guys.”

Leonards says this will allow them to groom the trails better and that they now have two 2011 groomers.

In the Parkland, a total of $247,981 was distributed among 10 groups:

Canada's National Ukrainian Festival Inc. received $9,235 for a bake oven shed.

Dauphin and District Allied Arts Council Inc. received $9,900 for art education programming.

Dauphin Recreation Services received $7,677 for handicap accessibility.

Dauphin and District Snowmobile Club received $67,505 to purchase a 2011 Groomer.

Gilbert Plains Country Club Inc. received $60,500 for an outdoor shelter.

Grandview Parent Advisory Council received $6,000 for accessible elements for existing play structures.

HERO Club West in Roblin received $1,700 for HERO Club Camp.

Mountainview Planning District received $62,500for a development plan and zoning by-law review.

Municipality of Roblin received $20,000 for Community Centre Improvements.

Parkland Youth Rugby Association received $2,964 for rugby goal posts.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Nov 13, 2019 - 5:00 am

Dauphin nurse, Kirk Nyquist, is back in the Dauphin after working at the Fitche Hospital in Ethiopia for a month.

Nyquist was part of a Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief mission to the country, trying to help build a stronger health system.

Nyquist said that the education of the nurses is Ethiopia is equal to that of his own, but the major problem is that the Ethiopian government has not set up a proper health care system for the country.

“We in Canada like to complain about our health care system, but let me tell you something, we have one, and it works,” said Nyquist. “So be proud of that.”

He described the situation of an Ethiopian emergency room this way.

“In this system, you walk in and you get assessed by a doctor or a nurse who writes you a prescription. You and/or your family then walk over to the pharmacy to go get your I.V. solution, your I.V. tubing, and your medications, then you come back to the emergency department with your medications in your hand,” said Nyquist. “So, treatment is delayed until you buy your own medication.”

Nyquist recommends other nurses and doctors take the trip.

“I want to encourage other nurses and doctors out there, that if you’re looking for a change, our industry is high-stress, we work shift work,” said Nyquist. “This is an opportunity to just take a break doing something that we do, but doing it elsewhere and I can tell you, it’s as much as a rest, as it is a break.”

For people interested in learning about the Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief, you can go to their website.

Be sure to listen to 730 CKDM after the noon ag show today for the full interview with Kirk Nyquist.

Kirk Nyquist Ethiopia

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Nov 13, 2019 - 5:00 am

Assiniboine Community College recently welcomed nine high school students to experience ag-related trades and training and career opportunities.

The students came from the DRCSS, Grandview School, Goose Lake High in Roblin, Birtle Collegiate, and Strathclair School, and they spent the day with current ACC students and instructors discovering what a career in agriculture-related mechanical trades would look like.

Chairperson of Mechanical Trades at ACC, Kevin Poirier, said the day was very hands-on.

“It was a fantastic way to introduce and make students aware of some of the pathways that are options for them going forward, especially in the ag industry where there’s a huge need,” said Poirier. “If you go the path of agricultural trades training, there’s a good chance that you’re going to get gainful employment upon graduation.”

The Western Equipment Dealers Association initiated this “trades boot camp” because of the need for skilled workers in ag-related trades jobs, and more specifically career opportunities for Agricultural Equipment Technicians (AET). The program allows post-secondary institutes to introduce high school students to related career opportunities.

The course requires students to complete 50 hours of online curriculum, including access to online instructors, followed by the boot camp where students experience the College environment and work alongside instructors and AET apprentices.

Students complete the course with 50 hours of hands-on experience in the service shop at their local farm equipment dealership.

Along with working to help fill employment needs for ag employers like the participating dealerships, the boot camp experience benefits the students considering trade training.

Poirier hopes that the students that participate in the program, eventually walk the halls of an ACC campus.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Nov 12, 2019 - 3:36 pm

The Mountain View School Division’s policy on cannabis remains the same as edibles will be on the shelves next month.

Superintendent Dan Ward says they’re emphasizing education.

“Talking to students about the potential dangers of cannabis use and in particular edibles. Of course, for anyone under the age of 19, any cannabis use, in terms of acquiring cannabis or using it, is still illegal. That being said, we’re still educating our students on the potential dangers of any cannabis use.”

Ward admits edibles will provide a challenge to determine if a student is using them.

“Typically the principals and teachers are in a good position as they know their students, to determine whether or not a student is intoxicated or under the influence of a drug.”

If a student is caught under the influence, their parents will be contacted and the student could receive a suspension, a referral to the addictions foundation, or ongoing counselling if it’s been determined the student has issues with substance abuse.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Nov 12, 2019 - 4:31 am

On Friday afternoon at 3, Spruce Plains RCMP, along with fire and EMS personnel responded to a residential fire, 5 kilometres west of Plumas, northeast of Neepawa.

When first responders arrived they found a mobile home on fire.

After being extinguished, the bodies of two adults and a child were found.

A 36-year-old male, a 28-year-old female, and a 2-year-old female were all residents of the home.

Four other children who also resided in the home were at school during the fire.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Nov 11, 2019 - 10:38 am

In Manitoba, from 2014-17, just over 120 thousand people had some form of diabetes.

Rhonda Slack, a registered nurse with Prairie Mountain Health, says 90 per cent are type 2 and 10 per cent are type 1.

“In the PMH region in the same years, there were approximately 17 500 people living with diabetes, or 10 per cent of the population. These are only the people who are being treated, the number is probably higher because there are people out in the region who have diabetes but haven’t been diagnosed.

Slack says type 1 diabetes isn’t preventable, but there are some ways to prevent type 2.

Eat healthily, drink water, tea, or coffee, limit or eliminate, sugary drinks like pop or juice, and exercise for 150 minutes a week.

Even if someone takes the preventative measures, they could still develop type 2 diabetes because of the risk factors.

Those risk factors are being from a family with a history of diabetes, being 40+ years old, being a member of a high-risk population like being of Aboriginal, African, Asian, or of Hispanic descent, having a history of pre-diabetes, having diabetes while the mother is pregnant, or being overweight.

It’s also possible for diabetes to go away if someone makes those lifestyle changes.

Slack says once someone is 40 years old, they should be tested for diabetes every 3 years, but if someone has the risk factors, she says they should be checked every 6 months to a year.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Nov 11, 2019 - 9:47 am

Remembrance Day is a day where we remember the soldiers who have given their lives for our country and honour those still fighting.

Thousands of men and women have served in the Canadian Armed Forces, from World War 1 until today in countries around the world.

According to Veterans Affairs Canada, there are 21,100 veterans in Manitoba.

One of Canada's most famous war heroes, Billy Barker, was born in Dauphin. Barker went on to become Canada's most decorated soldier in history.

Remembrance Day is celebrated in the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month because that's when the armistice that ended the First World War took effect in 1918.

The Remembrance Day ceremony takes place this morning at Credit Union Place at 10:45, with a wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph on Memorial Boulevard to follow.