New research publications: July 2025

August 1, 2025
Alex Williams

Each month, our R.E.D. blog showcases the activities of our research and education network and the innovation and collaboration that drives our scientific community forward. Included in these activities are the peer-reviewed publications in academic journals that are a main avenue for researchers to share their scientific findings. With a focus on methodology and a rigorous review process prior to publication, these publications are recognized as credible and reliable sources of scientific information.

This blog provides an overview of the latest research publications that have been authored by Canadian Blood Services staff scientists in discovery, development and donation policy & studies; adjunct scientists; medical experts and trainees; and/or resulting from supported projects or partnerships. 

Visit blood.ca to learn more about Our Research Team and to search our full publication database (updated annually). 

By the numbers

For the month of July we are reporting a total of 11 peer-reviewed research articles indicated by research focus area: 

Beaker and microscope icon

Discovery (1): Scientists used computer modeling to design a new vaccine that could help the immune system fight glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer. 

Light bulb icon

Donation policy & studies (4): These studies look at COVID’s lasting health effects, testing accuracy, blood donation safety, and rising antibiotic resistance in blood-related bacteria. 

3 people icon

Adjunct scientists (2): New guidelines aim to improve blood testing during pregnancy, while surgical advances reduce transfusion needs in liver operations. 

4 hands in the middle icon

Other Canadian Blood Services affiliations (4): Studies explored AI in medical training, views on heart donation, a rare blood disorder, and blood transfusion methods for kids. 

Where we published

Our research appeared in 10 journals, including Scientific Reports, American Journal of Epidemiology and BMJ Open.

July's Journals H Index impact
Figure 1: Total July publications represented by publishing journals H-index number, where corresponding area relates to H-index value in descending order.

Spotlight on select publications

  • Enhanced Quinolone Resistance and Differential Expression of Efflux Pump nor Genes in Staphylococcus aureus Grown in Platelet Concentrates. 

    Cover of NorB confers Quinolone Resistance to Staphylococcus aureus Grown in Platelets

    “Platelet concentrates are stored at room temperature to preserve their functionality, but this also promotes the growth of pathogenic bacteria that pose a transfusion risk. Building on previous research from the Ramirez lab, Carina Paredes (a PhD candidate and recipient of a Canadian Blood Services graduate fellowship) developed assays revealing that Staphylococcus aureus grown in platelet concentrates exhibit increased virulence and resistance to antibiotics in the family of quinolones. The study and resultant publication, conducted in collaboration with Harvard researchers, has been chosen to feature on the cover of the journal Antibiotics in July 2025. These novel findings support investigation of transfusion-related events involving bacterially contaminated platelet components.” 

    Dr. Sandra Ramirez-Arcos, Canadian Blood Services senior scientist.

  • Can medical students use artificial intelligence to learn transfusion? Evaluating ChatGPT responses to the American Society of Hematology medical student transfusion learning objectives. 

    “In this study, transfusion content from the American Society of Hematology medical student learning objectives was edited into questions for the ChatGPT interface. Generated answers were assessed and scored for accuracy.  Simple questions of basic transfusion science performed the best; more complex questions, and questions where clinical practice has evolved substantially over the last several years, performed the worst. Some answers were assessed to be unsafe in clinical practice.  Users of ChatGPT should be aware of the limitations of the tool and at this time, we conclude that medical students should not be reliant on ChatGPT alone for learning transfusion medicine.” 

    Dr. Elaine Leung, Canadian Blood Services medical director, laboratory services.  

Our July publications list

Items in this list are identified using a process that relies on the PubMed database. While we aim to capture all relevant research articles published during the month, limitations in database indexing and search parameters may occasionally cause articles to be missed. If you are the author of an article that you believe has been missed from this monthly list, we encourage you to contact us at centreforinnovation@blood.ca to inquire.

We are proud of the remarkable work being done across Canadian Blood Services’ network. Stay tuned for more blog posts as we continue to advance scientific discovery and innovation for the Canadian blood system. 

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.