TORONTO—The “horror stories” about shocking conditions in the province’s nursing homes have prompted Ontario’s watchdog to prepare for an investigation into whether the governing Liberals are doing enough to ensure the safety and dignity of elderly residents, The Canadian Press has learned.
Ombudsman Andre Marin said his office has been doing a “pre-investigation” for the last three months to determine whether a full-blown probe is needed and he expects to make an announcement in the coming days.

TORONTO—The majority of Ontario’s nursing homes have failed to meet basic standards set out by the province to preserve the rights of elderly residents, with some failing to bathe residents even twice a week, others leaving seniors sitting for hours in soiled diapers and still others unnecessarily restraining those in their care, an investigation by The Canadian Press reveals.

LUBBOCK, Texas—A slice of cool, fresh watermelon is a juicy way to top off a Fourth of July cookout and one that researchers say has effects similar to Viagra—but don’t necessarily expect it to keep the fireworks all night long.
Watermelons contain an ingredient called citrulline that can trigger production of a compound that helps relax the body’s blood vessels, similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra, said scientists in Texas, one of the top producers of the seedless variety in the U.S.

SIMCOE, Ont.—Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the death of a 36-year-old man who collapsed and died after being Tasered in a confrontation with provincial police officers.
Officers responding to a call about an unwanted man causing a disturbance in southwestern Ontario’s Norfolk County yesterday morning were confronted by “a combative male party,” police said.
A Taser was used to subdue the man and he was taken into custody and transported to the Simcoe provincial police station, the SIU said in a release last night.

TORONTO—Two dogs have now died after drinking poisoned water in an off-leash areas of a sprawling park in west-end Toronto.
One of the dogs was euthanized while the other died from its symptoms at an emergency veterinarian clinic.
Toronto police say all signs suggest someone deliberately poured toxic antifreeze into a pair of water basins for dogs left by an open hydrant.
Police suspect the poisoning of at least six dogs is linked to a debate over an off-leash area of the park.

WINNIPEG—About 70 puppies and dogs suffering from a list of ailments—internal and external parasites, tumours the size of a fist, and blindness—have been rescued from a Manitoba breeder.
The group of dog lovers looking after these neglected beagles and American cocker spaniels desperately is seeking help to cope with their care.
“What we saw was just mind-numbing,” said Kim Kaufmann, a Winnipeg pet groomer who is co-ordinating the care and fostering of most of the animals.
Kaufmann said the dogs range in age from newborn to 16 years.

The federal government is investing more than $100 million into cancer stem cell research in partnership with California, Health minister Tony Clement said yesterday.
In an announcement at the BIO 2008 International Convention in San Diego, Clement said the money will go to the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium, which will work with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine with the goal of understanding how to prevent and treat cancer.
Scientists from Canada and California, considered world leaders in the field, conduct 70 percent of stem cell research in North America.

The RCMP says it will restrict Taser firings in the face of mounting public pressure on the national force to rein in what critics call “usage creep.”
Officers will have clearer direction on how and when the powerful weapons should be wielded “as quickly as possible,” the Mounties said yesterday following renewed calls for action by the RCMP complaints commission.
Chairman Paul Kennedy released a final report echoing his interim call to limit Tasers to clashes where suspects are combative or risk serious harm to themselves, the police, or the public.

TORONTO—Coffee drinkers often wonder if their daily cups of brew are helping them health-wise or hindering them, and now they can ponder a new study that adds to the stacks of medical literature on the subject.
Regular coffee consumption is not associated with a higher death rate in either men or women, according to findings published yesterday in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The data were adjusted for age, smoking, and other factors.

TORONTO—Ontario became the latest province to ban adults from smoking in cars where children are present after a government-backed bill passed in the legislature today with support from all parties.
The province already bans smoking in workplaces and public areas, such as bars and restaurants.
The new ban also will protect kids under the age of 16 who are being exposed to dangerous levels of second-hand smoke, said Health Promotion minister Margarett Best.