Canada has long invested heavily in big science projects like telescopes and particle accelerators — but largely ignored health and social data as a form of critical infrastructure. In a recent commentary, Michael Wolfson argues it’s time to change that. He says health and social data are essential to economic growth and effective policymaking, yet provinces continue to withhold valuable datasets that could drive national research and innovation. Wolfson calls for the federal government to use its constitutional powers to mandate better data sharing and to reform research funding so large-scale, pan-Canadian data initiatives can finally take shape.

Two discoveries by U of A researchers open the door to new treatments that could protect heart cells while slowing down cancer cells Sometimes the unintended consequences of a treatment can seem worse than the disease. That’s certainly the case for patients who develop chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity...