Daily News

January 5, 2006

As you pull out the cheque book to pay off holiday bills, have sympathy for the clerks who sold you those gifts in the first place. For it is the retail workers themselves who may have the most difficulty paying off presents. Recent statistics show that retailers employ part-time and casual workers the most of any industry. These people regularly face unpredictable hours and low wages and benefits, the result of which is that they must juggle multiple jobs in order to earn a living wage. And following the busy holiday season, many front line sales staff find their hours cut, just when they may need the income the most.

January 4, 2006

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), has honoured McMaster obstetrician Jean Chamberlain with the 2005 Distinguished Community Service Award for Emergency Obstetrical Care. Chamberlain, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, is the executive director of the international Save the Mothers program operated by Interserve Canada, and has authored a book titled, Where Have All the Mother's Gone?, that contains stories of hope and courage during childbirth among the world's poorest women.

January 3, 2006

Within the first couple of weeks of September, I went to two receptions and ate delicious, free food. Since then, I've taken up photography, even though, previously, I didn't know how to take a photo to save my soul. My writing has been deemed worthy of publication on the University website. Last month, I met McMaster President Peter George. These are all things that I never imagined I would say. But now I can, thanks to my job as a work-study student in McMaster's Office of Public Relations.

January 2, 2006

McMaster has appointed a new director for the Museum of Art. Carol Podedworny, currently the director/curator with the University of Waterloo Art Gallery, will begin her new position at McMaster on January 16. "I am very excited about coming to McMaster," says Podedworny. "The McMaster Museum of Art has a wonderful facility and an outstanding collection."

December 23, 2005

McMaster University will be closed from Saturday, Dec. 24 to Sunday, Jan. 1, reopening on Jan. 2. Winter term classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 3. Employees are reminded to lock all doors and put away valuables. If you are on campus during this period and notice anything suspicious, phone Security Services at ext. 24281 or visit http://www.mcmaster.ca/security/. Security will be on duty throughout the holiday period, providing emergency services 24 hours a day. Officers will be patrolling campus, answering alarms and monitoring security systems.

December 23, 2005

McMaster University, Canada Basketball and local area high schools have partnered to create a residential elite athlete training centre in Hamilton. The National Elite Development Academy (NEDA) will bring together 12 of the top 15-to-17 year-olds from across the country to train under the guidance of Canada Basketball coaches. The program will launch in September 2006 with the women's section of the academy, followed by the men's side in 2007. The academy will run for the academic year, September to June.

December 22, 2005

Enrolment numbers, a new underground parking structure, a three-year financial plan and an update on the McMaster Innovation Park were some of the highlights from recent Senate and the Board of Governors meetings. The following are some of the topics addressed at these meetings:

December 22, 2005

Brain size matters for intellectual ability and bigger is better, McMaster University researchers have found. The study, led by neuroscientist Sandra Witelson, a professor in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, and published in the December issue of the journal Brain, has provided some of the clearest evidence on the underlying basis of differences in intelligence.

December 22, 2005

McMaster has hired Wilfrid Laurier offensive co-ordinator Stefan Ptaszek to be the head coach of the Marauder football team. Ptaszek takes over one of the country's most successful university football programs and will guide the Marauders in its quest for continued excellence on the field, in the classroom and in community service.

December 21, 2005

Astronomers have found "light echoes" from three ancient supernovae by detecting their faint, centuries-old light reflected in the clouds of interstellar dust. The finding, to be published this week in Nature, means astronomers will, for the first time, be able to study these important but rare events that appeared hundreds to thousands of years ago.

December 20, 2005

Behind on your Christmas shopping? Still looking for that perfect gift? Not enough time to wander the malls? Titles Bookstore, located in the basement of Gilmour Hall, is a popular place for last-minute McMaster shoppers. "We're going to be busy right up to Christmas," says Barry Petrie, interim director of the bookstore. And it's no wonder, considering its convenient location at the heart of the McMaster campus and wide selection of merchandise. "We still have plenty of items in stock," says Petrie. "Shoppers can still find everything they'll need to finish their Christmas shopping."

December 19, 2005

Marc Colangelo, a medical sciences graduate student in the Faculty of Health Sciences, was the lead author on the article chosen for the Best Paper Award at the 18th International Conference on Computer Applications in Industry and Engineering (CAINE). Colangelo received the best paper award during the conference sponsored by the International Society for Computers and their Applications, held in Honolulu recently. It was chosen from among 108 submissions from 28 countries, some authored by established researchers and industry experts.

December 19, 2005

A McMaster University geneticist, in collaboration with genome researchers from Penn State University and the American Museum of Natural History has made history by mapping a portion of the woolly mammoth's genome. The discovery, which has astounded the scientific world, surpasses a study released today by Nature that also concerns the woolly mammoth. Hendrik Poinar, a molecular evolutionary geneticist in the department of anthropology and pathology at McMaster University, says his study involves the vital nuclear DNA within a mammoth rather than the lesser mitochondria, on which the Nature study is based.

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.