Daily News

May 9, 2005

H-2-0 - or dihydrogen-monoxide - is really one of the more fascinating little molecules on our planet. It's the foundation of life, a mode of travel, a healing force, the reason Earth is called the Blue Planet. So, what's up with water? Why is it so cool (literally and figuratively)? Why do fish hang out at the bottom of lakes? Why do we look to bacteria to help clean up dirty water? Why is the search for life on other planets always about the search for water?

May 9, 2005

The creation of a new Security and Parking Services unit is one of the recommendations in a new report that reviewed both McMaster operations. "Parking and security are both critical services for the University. But campus growth and the need to provide the highest level of service meant it was time to assess how to best meet the needs of students, staff, faculty and the University," says Karen Belaire, vice-president administration. "Bringing both units together makes it possible to have a more co-ordinated approach, improved communications and facilities for employees, greater flexibility to respond to emerging needs, and opportunities to address increasing costs through efficiency measures."

May 6, 2005

McMaster's Board of Governors met on Thursday, April 28 in the Council Room of Gilmour Hall. The following are some of the items addressed at this meeting. Sustainable Building Policy The Board of Governors approved a Sustainable Building Policy, ensuring the University is on the leading edge of sustainable building development throughout Ontario universities.

May 6, 2005

Dofasco recently announced a $1 million community-building gift to establish Canada's first Centre for Engineering and Public Policy at McMaster University. President and CEO Don Pether, McMaster University president and vice-chancellor Peter George and Mo Elbestawi, dean of the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University, announced the partnership during Dofasco's annual general meeting.

May 6, 2005

Canada's Research University of the Year has just been awarded another $17 million in research grants. The new funds for McMaster University come from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and will support the work of more than 100 McMaster investigators. Projects range from environmental to health to materials and manufacturing related research. "Our success in this NSERC competition is outstanding and confirms that McMaster is home to some of the brightest researchers in the country," says Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president of research and international affairs.

May 6, 2005

Amid the tranquility of McMaster's libraries is a dynamo librarian. Her name is Liz Bayley. Bayley, head of systems & curriculum integration in the Health Sciences Library, was recognized Thursday by the McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA).

May 6, 2005

McMaster's Emergency First Response Team (EFRT) received an Award for Contribution to Health and Safety at a recognition lunch held Thursday. "We selected EFRT because they play an integral part in the first aid program at McMaster," said Nancy Wilk, manager, Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services. "They are almost always first on the scene. And in responding to severe situations, they demonstrate confidence, professionalism and even finesse."

May 5, 2005

Rural doctors have given McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine a prestigious award as the medical school that best selects and trains physicians who choose to practice in rural communities. The Keith Award is bestowed by the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC).

May 5, 2005

A skull believed to be that of the infamous pirate Klaus Stortebeker who terrorized the Baltic and North seas in the late 14th century, has arrived at McMaster University for DNA testing. Stortebeker was known as the Robin Hood of the North Sea. Initially, his piracy was confined to Danish ships that blockaded Germany during a political struggle. Stortebeker plundered the Danish ships of ammunition and food, and turned the goods over to his countrymen. Stortebeker's pillaging became so rampant that the Danes and the Germans were forced to make peace.

May 5, 2005

Third-year kinesiology student Shawna Druchok was presented the 2005 Power of Inclusion Volunteer Award this week by the Ontario branch of the Active Living Alliance (ALA) for Canadians with a Disability. This province-wide award was introduced to recognize the efforts of an individual who volunteers their time to promote and provide opportunities for Ontarians with a disability to be physically active.

May 5, 2005

Following a national search, John Capone has been appointed McMaster's new dean of science. "John is an outstanding leader," says provost Ken Norrie. "He brings to the position a strong research and teaching background, experience in the development and administration of the University, and the vision and enthusiasm that will be important components of the Faculty's future success."

May 5, 2005

Children who have been abused are at risk of recurrence and effective prevention strategies are urgently needed, say the authors of a randomized trial published online today by The Lancet. Recurrence of child maltreatment is a major problem. In a study involving 163 Canadian families with confirmed child physical abuse or neglect, Harriet MacMillan, professor of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences at McMaster University, and colleagues tested whether regular home visits by public-health nurses prevented recurrence of abuse when compared to standard services from child protection agencies (CPA).

May 5, 2005

The McMaster football program has announced the early football recruiting class based on first round offers made by the University. McMaster has secured 18 players including six from the Greater Hamilton Area, three from Oakville, three from British Columbia and one from each of Brantford, Guelph, Fort Erie, Kingston, Tottenham and Windsor.

May 4, 2005

McMaster will be an open book this weekend for the estimated 5,000 prospective students and families expected to visit during May @ Mac. On Saturday, May 7, visitors will have the opportunity to find out information about McMaster programs, ask questions about admissions or scholarships and tour campus facilities. May @ Mac is one of McMaster's largest annual events.

May 4, 2005

Exasperated parents practicing throw-and-connect skills with their young children will be relieved to know that their child's inability to hit a slow-moving ball has a scientific explanation: Children cannot hit slow balls because their brains are not wired to handle slow motion. "When you throw something slowly to a child, you think you're doing them a favour by trying to be helpful," said Terri Lewis, professor of psychology at McMaster University. "Slow balls actually appear stationary to a child."

May 3, 2005

In the time since Paul Kells woke, to the moment he stood in front of a McMaster classroom this morning at 9 a.m., one person under the age of 25 was taken to hospital with a workplace injury. "And it will happen again in the next four hours, and then in the next four hours after that, and that's only in Ontario," said the victim of a workplace tragedy.

May 3, 2005

McMaster running back Jesse Lumsden has been selected as the 2004-05 Canadian Interuniversity Sport male athlete of the year. Sprinter Adrienne Power, from the Dalhousie University Tigers, was named the CIS female athlete of the year.

May 3, 2005

The conditions in which some off-campus students live continues to be a concern for both McMaster University and community members. The Off-Campus Resource Centre (OCRC) at McMaster is tackling this issue with an off-campus housing review program.

May 3, 2005

Gray hair doesn't necessarily mean a decline in the old gray matter. What might be happening in the aging brain is actually amazing - and the focus of psychologist Allison Sekuler's Science in the City lecture tonight (Tuesday, May 3). Her talk, The Amazing, Changing, Aging Brain will highlight recent research from her lab that highlights the 'trade-offs' that happen with our brain as we age and the fascinating ways our brain can reorganize itself when faced with new challenges.

May 2, 2005

Stories and illustrations depicting life in Afghanistan will be on display at the McMaster Museum of Art this week. The exhibit is being held in conjunction with a Peace Through Health Conference taking place on campus. The exhibit features watercolour illustrations by artist and Afghanistan native Yar Taraky. The illustrations are from a series of 16 children's books that are used in Afghan schools to help children deal with the effects of war.