Daily News

December 16, 2005

A team of McMaster researchers have discovered that fat tissue surrounding thoracic arteries may be beneficial in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. A study led by Yu-Jing Gao, of the Department of Anesthesia, found that fat surrounding internal thoracic arteries produces a factor that can relax the artery. That finding could lead to an answer to one of the challenges that cardiac surgeons face during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

December 15, 2005

Nicholas Kates, a professor in McMaster's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, was the recipient of one of 19 psychiatric awards at the Canadian Psychiatric Association's (CPA) Annual Conference held recently in Vancouver.

December 15, 2005

This morning, the Commonwealth Games Bid Review Committee announced that Halifax will represent Canada in the international bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Hamilton was in the running against Halifax, Ottawa and York Region in the domestic phase of the competition. "I'd like to extend my appreciation to those from McMaster and the community who provided such strong leadership, commitment and support to this phase of the competition," says McMaster President Peter George. "Hamilton's bid was outstanding and the whole team deserves our thanks and admiration."

December 15, 2005

The McMaster Engineering Society (MES) held its annual "Santa Hog" campaign on Friday, Dec. 2 in support of the Interval House of Hamilton. Every year before exams, a group of engineering students, led by the "Redsuits" - the engineering spirit leaders - visit classes and offices spreading end-of-term holiday cheer, singing carols, and collecting donations. This year the engineering students also were able to help spread awareness of the services offered by Interval House of Hamilton by distributing pamphlets provided by the centre.

December 14, 2005

As part of Refining Directions, the University's strategic plan, McMaster is committed to "building an inclusive community with a shared purpose." This means McMaster wants to ensure it provides a culture where all faculty, staff and students feel welcome and safe, where all voices are heard and all contributions to the mission of the University are recognised and valued. "The inclusive community initiative is very important to help achieve our commitment to creating an inclusive community that respects the diversity of McMaster University," says McMaster President Peter George. "I welcome the opportunity to identify how we can further enhance the University's environment, through consulting with members of our community to identify and remove barriers to inclusion."

December 14, 2005

McMaster wrestler Stefanie Howorun has won a silver medal in the 70 kg judo competition at the 2005 Francophone Games being held in Niger, Africa. Howorun bounced back from a disappointing first round elimination at the 1000 Euro Judo Competition held in Boras Sweden held in late October, to advance to the Francophone games event final. After defeating her semifinal opponent from the Condo, Howorun advanced to face Myl

December 13, 2005

Debra Charlesworth, a Faculty of Health Sciences student and mother of four, has been honoured with a 2005 Grey Power Caregiver Award. Charlesworth, a student in the clinical behavioural sciences program, was selected for her selfless devotion to her three adult children with special needs. The award, sponsored by Grey Power Insurance Brokers, recognizes non-professional caregivers who go above and beyond to provide ongoing care and support to loved ones with an illness or disability.

December 12, 2005

Wondering where you're going to find the money to pay for presents this season, never mind rent, food, or tuition? Worried about paying off your student loans when you graduate? An innovative new course at the DeGroote School of Business can help plump up your piggy bank. The Finance and Business Economics area at DeGroote is offering a course on personal finance (Commerce 4FP3) beginning in January.

December 12, 2005

Funeral services were held today for Oded Bar-Or, professor emeritus of pediatrics, who passed away on Thursday, Dec. 8 due to cancer. Bar-Or made significant contributions in the field of sports medicine for nearly four decades. He was a graduate of Hadassah medical school in Jerusalem, with postgraduate work at Penn State University in the U.S. before joining McMaster in 1981. He was the founder and director of the Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre located at Chedoke Hospital from its inception in 1983 to its current status as an international training centre for researchers.

December 9, 2005

It doesn't take much to make a man feel satisfied with his body: a look in the mirror and a sense of well-being seem sufficient. For women, however, changes in body image need to be supported by hard, physical evidence. The findings surprised the study's author, Kathleen Martin Ginis, associate professor of kinesiology at McMaster University.

December 9, 2005

Federal industry minister David Emerson visited the McMaster Innovation Park Thursday -- where Ottawa is relocating its special materials technology laboratory -- to hear more about the Longwood Road South facility from McMaster University officials. More than 100 of the best materials scientists in Canada are relocating from Ottawa to the park by 2008. They are set to be installed in a $40-million state-of-the-art building with $20 million worth of new equipment paid for by the federal government.

December 8, 2005

The year 1980 marked the birth of the "me decade", of the modern electronic consumer world, and of a more conservative approach to clothing, music and hairstyles. That same year also was the onset of remarkable changes for the 73 individuals who joined McMaster and last night were inducted into the University's Quarter Century Club.

December 8, 2005

Students, faculty and staff of DeGroote School of Business got a demonstration of how technology can be used to enhance education on Tuesday when they celebrated a gift from dean Paul Bates and his wife Sally. The Bates' gift allowed for digital enhancements to a classroom in the School of Business. Upgrades include a customized "smart" podium which allows faculty and students to utilize web-based technologies to learn, touch screen technology, DVD/VHS recorder, built in audio, a document camera, a 360-degree ceiling mounted camera to facilitate broadcast of lectures and classroom activities on the Internet, dual ceiling mounted LCD displays, and other upgrades.

December 7, 2005

A McMaster study on atherosclerosis is featured on the cover of the December issue of the high impact American Heart Association scientific journal, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. Richard Austin, PhD, and a team of researchers, are studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that accelerate the development and progression of atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease and stroke. These studies have provided important clues as to how changes in cell function contribute to this progressive and life-threatening disease.

December 7, 2005

McMaster's Student Community Support Network (SCSN) is helping students prepare for exams and strengthen ties with their neighbours. The McMaster Students Union group distributed free exam care packages today in the McMaster University Student Centre. The packages include information about the SCSN, living off-campus, the Student Walk Home Attendant Team, bus information from the Alternative Commuting and Transportation office and information about the Hamilton community. The package also includes a small box filled with exam stress busters, such as coffee, water, chocolate and Tylenol. The McMaster Alumni Association donated the boxes.

December 7, 2005

A Service of Remembrance for female victims of violence was held last night at McMaster in an auditorium filled with students, faculty and staff. The annual gathering was organized by the Anti-Violence Network at McMaster University. On the National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women, the service focused on the events of December 6, 1989 when 14 female engineering students were murdered in Montreal. These victims were honoured, as well as four murdered females who were members of the McMaster community and 500 Aboriginal women who have been murdered or went missing in Canada in the past 20 years.

December 6, 2005

On Dec. 6, 1989, at L'ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, 14 women were shot dead by a lone gunman because they were women and studying in the traditional male field of engineering. This tragic event is now remembered as the "Montreal Massacre." As a result of much lobbying and commitment on behalf of the victim's families, this date has become the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Every year, the Anti-Violence Network at McMaster University hosts a ceremony to remember the women whose lives were taken by violence in Montreal, as well as other victims of violence.

December 6, 2005

The McMaster cheerleading team successfully defended its Collegiate Small Co-ed Division National Championship title last Friday in Waterloo, dominating the field in its event. The Marauders had a strong opening round performance scoring 289.5 points, that gave them a convincing 58-point lead heading into the second round performance.

December 6, 2005

Three McMaster pathologists will receive nearly $1.9 million in research funding through the Ontario Cancer Research Network to support cancer research and increase the number of patients participating in clinical trials. Jonathan Bramson was awarded $612,504 to study gene-based cancer vaccines; Jack Gauldie will get $688,285 to test his vaccine to stimulate the immune system to attack leukemia; and Ranjan Sur will receive $589,680 to examine a light sensitive drug to treat advanced lung cancer.

December 6, 2005

It's been described as the theory of everything - a theory that might possibly be the ultimate, or final theory of matter at its most fundamental level. String theory states that absolutely everything in the universe - all of the particles that make up matter and forces - consist of unimaginably* tiny loops of vibrating string.