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By Alexandra Davison, on March 31st, 2011
A new, one-of-a-kind, study — by researchers at the University of New Brunswick — suggests that war has distinct negative effects on youths from military families.
The study, lead by University of New Brunswick researcher Deborah Harrison, delves into the minds of adolescents attending Oromocto High School. The small town of Oromocto, N.B. was chosen for its close proximity to the Canadian Forces Base of Gagetown—which is one of the largest military training facilities in Canada.
Dr. Harrison and her team discovered that students from military families were not only more susceptible physiological stress, but were also more inclined to take on the emotional burden that the remaining parent was feeling.
“We found that family life was almost always negatively affected by an injured parent’s symptoms of anger and depression,” said Dr. Harrison. Students also “reported feeling very isolated,” with the results showing that “adolescent girls in particular . . . → Read More: Think of the children: Unrealized repercussions on adolescents of military families
By Sharon Miki, on March 31st, 2011
The effects of this month’s devastating earthquakes in Japan are being felt along the British Columbian coastline, according to researchers from Simon Fraser University.
After testing seaweed and rainwater samples, the researchers have picked up on higher than usual levels of the radioisotope iodine-131. The increased levels are likely the result of radioactivity stemming from damage to the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear reactor in Japan—which has been suffering from cooling system failure since a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck Japan in March.
However, despite the increased radiation levels reaching Canada, SFU nuclear scientist Kris Starosta stresses that the public is not in immediate danger or risk.
“As of now, the levels we’re seeing are not harmful to humans. We’re basing this on Japanese studies following the Chernobyl incident in 1986 where levels of iodine-131 were four times higher than what we’ve detected in our rainwater so far,” Starosta . . . → Read More: SFU Researchers Investigate Radiation on B.C. Shores
By Sharon Miki, on March 30th, 2011
 Marion Reid (Credit: UPEI)
The University of Prince Edward Island awarded a number of 2011 Distinguished Alumni Awards to past graduates including the Honourable Marion Reid, Paul Jelley (posthumously), and Carrie-Ann Matheson. Matheson received the inaugural ‘Inspiring Young Alumna Award.’ Kellylee Evans, a Carleton University alumna, was awarded a 2011 Juno Award for her album Nina. The album won Vocal Jazz Album of the Year and was a tribute to jazz vocalist Nina Simone. “I discovered jazz at Carleton,” said Evans, “when I got lost in the elevators of the Loeb Building and found the Music Department on the ninth floor of the A tower.” Evans earned two Bachelor’s degrees as well as a Master’s degree from Carleton. [Carleton . . . → Read More: Alumni Updates: Juno Winner, Distinguished Alumni
By Sharon Miki, on March 29th, 2011
 Jamaica Cass (Credit: Queen's University)
Dr. Mulu Geletu (Credit: Queen's University)
Jamaica Cass and Mulu Geletu of Queen’s University have been selected to receive Minority Scholar Awards at the 2011 American Association of Cancer Research conference (AACR) in Florida. Cass, a PhD candidate, is working to find ways to analyze and classify cancers. She will present research on tissue microarrays at the conference. Geletu, a postdoctoral fellow, is researching proteins that promote cancerous cell division. [Queen's University] Cape Breton University professor Laurent Lavoie has been awarded the Ordre de la Pléiade by the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie). The Ordre de la Pléiade is awarded on the basis of having distinguished oneself in serving Francophone ideals in the spead of French language and culture. “I was very surprised, honoured, and thankful to the “L’Ordre de la Pléiade” for this nomination,” Lovoie said . . . → Read More: Recognizing Research 2011 AACR Awards, Ordre de la Pléiade
By Sharon Miki, on March 29th, 2011
The Manitoba Métis Federation and the Louis Riel Institute have donated $100,000 to Brandon University. The money—which will be matched by the Manitoba Scholarship & Bursary Initiative—will go towards awards distributed by the Louis Riel Scholarships & Bursaries Endowment.
The Louis Riel Scholarships & Bursaries Endowment supports scholarships and bursaries for Manitoban students of Métis status.
Manitoba Métis Federation’s Louis Riel Institute Donates Funds for Scholarships & Bursaries [Brandon University]
By Sharon Miki, on March 24th, 2011
In a world where most of us are far more likely be playing Angry Birds in our spare time than reading a good book, it is no wonder than literacy skills are being threatened. With this in mind, Simon Fraser University education professor emerita Selma Wassermann is investigating ways to supplement traditional teaching methods with modern technologies as a way to bolster literacy levels among elementary and secondary school students.
Wassermann developed a new app for the iPad, called the My Word! Reader, as a resource for students struggling with reading to learn and improve their reading skills at their own pace.
“In my dream world, I would hope the high-tech tools can be used as supplementary resources that complement what a teacher does, thus freeing the teacher to do much, much more with individual kids and with the curriculum,” says Wassermann.
The app strives to assist users . . . → Read More: Oh My Word! SFU Professor uses Innovate Apps to Promote Literacy
By Sharon Miki, on March 22nd, 2011
 Dr. Jean Hutchinson (Credit: Queen's University)
Dr. Jean Hutchinson has been named as a fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC) in recognition of her work in engineering. Dr. Hutchinson—who is the head of the Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering at Queen’s University—said of the honour, “The EIC is an incredible group to be a part of. The institute’s members are some of the top engineers in Canada, who’ve made huge contributions to education, to innovation and to the general advancement of engineering for society.” [Queen's University] Saint Paul University’s Dr. Sonia Mansour’s project entitled ”Fostering shared vision and care in paediatric chronic disease management using a web-based communication system” has been awarded a $199,030 grant from CIHR. Mansour is a co-researcher on the team, along with Philippe Robaey—whom the grant was awarded to. [Saint Paul University] The Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute (CASI) has . . . → Read More: Recognizing Research: EIC Fellow, 2011 McCurdy Award, CIHR Grant
By Sharon Miki, on March 21st, 2011
Designer Sabrina Breitenmoser (right). (Photo Credit: University of the Fraser Valley)
University of the Fraser Valley fashion student Sabrina Breitenmoser designed herself a spot in Montréal Fashion Week—and came away as one of Canada’s top five Breakthrough Designers.
Breitenmoser competed among 25 finalists in Canada’s Breakthrough Designers competition hosted by textile company Télio. After completing the challenge to create a design with the theme of ‘The Great Canadian North’ for the market of a high-end retail company, Breitenmoser was named a top five finalist and won a $1000 scholarship.
“To have one of our students be a finalist and win a scholarship speaks to the talent of our students as well the quality of education provided by UFV’s fashion design department,” said UFV’s Fashion Design department head Deanna Devitt. “The Télio competition provides students the opportunity to use their creative and technical design skills. . . . → Read More: Student Special: UFV Fashionista Breaks Out in Montréal Competition
By Sharon Miki, on March 21st, 2011
The Harry W. MacLauchlan Scholarships in Entrepreneurial Leadership will now have a bigger pool of University of Prince Edward Island students to fish from.
The three $5000 scholarships, which were previously reserved for business students, are now open for all full-time, 3rd year undergraduate students to apply for.
The catch? Whether you’re a business student or not, you must be able to the demonstrate entrepreneurial initiative, involvement and leadership in the province that Harry W. MacLauchlan embodied in his legacy.
Deadline to apply for the awards is March 31. More details and application criteria are available at the university website here.
Three Harry W. MacLauchlan Scholarships in Entrepreneurial Leadership available [University of Prince Edward Island]
By Sharon Miki, on March 21st, 2011
 Professor David Wolyn (Credit: University of Guelph)
Farmers in southern Ontario may soon have a useful new crop to harvest, if Dave Wolyn and his research have anything to do with it. The University of Guelph plant agriculture professor is using grant funding to investigate the possibilities of producing natural rubber from Russian dandelion plants in the region.
Thanks to a $143,500 grant from the Sand Plains Community Development Fund (SPCDF) as well as additional funding from KoK Technologies Inc., Wolyn hopes to determine if the natural rubber found within Russian dandelion plants is a viable crop for Ontarian farmers. This may be difficult to ascertain, as Wolyn cautions, “You’re taking a wild plant and trying to turn it into a crop. You’re starting from ground zero ― there’s not a hundred years of breeding that has come before me.”
Beginning this spring, the professor will plant dandelion . . . → Read More: Flexible Alternatives: Guelph Professor Looks into Natural Rubber
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