IMMpress Volume 11 Issue 3, 2024 – Cover

In the intricate tapestry of our world, every individual, community, and nation is interwoven into a web of cause and effect where actions and events in one corner of the globe resonate across borders. This interconnectedness is critically highlighted in the global spread of infectious diseases. An outbreak in one part of the world can...

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The numbers behind the science: how biomedical research varies across the globe (Infographic)

The importance of global collaboration is the highlight of this issue, and for good reason. Research is driven by collaboration. Some of the world’s most pressing health issues are not limited to one geographical location, and so a global understanding of these issues is essential. One of the greatest public health successes ever achieved was...

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Collaborative Crossroads – Examining the successes and setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had many profound, long-lasting effects on our personal and professional lives. It has influenced our views on how we live, where we work, and importantly, the ways which we interact with people and the world around us. Although efforts to curb the spread of the virus limited our physical associations, the...

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Smallpox Eradication: a Show of Worldwide Collaborative Brilliance

International scientific collaboration makes use of the collective experiences, knowledge, and intellect of diverse nations. Through shared knowledge and combined efforts, it pioneers breakthroughs unattainable within the confines of solitary endeavors, propelling innovation to unprecedented heights. One clear instance exemplifying the power of international collaboration is demonstrated in the concerted effort of smallpox eradication. Smallpox...

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Who’s WHO? World Health Organization – its inception, successes, and pitfalls

Facing the destructive aftermath of World War II, nations around the globe convened to form the United Nation in 1945. At one of its first conferences, representatives from Brazil and China proposed the concept of a global health organization, which would facilitate collaboration between countries to fight the spread of diseases. Three years of additional...

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Navigating Inequities: The Challenges and Bias Faced by Scientific Research in Low-Income Countries

Curiosity and the eagerness to learn are inherent aspects of human nature, propelling individuals to seek answers to various phenomena they observe or experience. Through rigorous research, our world has undergone significant advancements across multiple fields compared to centuries ago. In fact, scientific research exhibits a positive correlation with the standard of living. Without it,...

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Unhealthy planet = unhealthy people

The looming effects of climate change on humans – of rising temperatures and extreme weather phenomena, are no new concern. While the physically destructive consequences of climate change have already begun running their course, the direct impacts of climate change on human health are now being documented in every biosphere. Air/Atmosphere Outdoor air pollutants, expelled...

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Health Data Use and Misuse: Navigating Information Dissemination and Privacy in the Digital Age

In 2019, Lifelabs, Canada’s largest provider of general diagnostic and specialty testing services, experienced a cyberattack, which compromised the health information of 15 million customers in British Columbia and Ontario. Lifelabs had to make a payment to the perpetrators to negotiate the retrieval of the information, and is now facing a class-action lawsuit settlement. In...

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Studying abroad: The Immunologist’s Perspective

Here are the narratives of newcomers to Canada sharing their experiences navigating the challenges encountered upon entering a different world. The interviewees decided to remain anonymous to feel comfortable sharing their stories. For the interview, they were asked to explain the challenges that come with living and studying abroad. Student 1: Embarking on my journey...

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The benefits and challenges of international collaboration

The concept of international collaboration invokes the greatest ideals of science: working together on global issues, aligning the agendas of diverse groups, and developing a more robust understanding of the world. While many research questions could benefit from the breadth of international collaboration, we must consider what constitutes a successful collaboration. What challenges do these...

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