Daily News

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

McMaster University has received a triumphant vote of confidence from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). McMaster scored higher than its Canadian peers in numerous categories, and in a few scored higher than its U.S. peers. In the category of Academic Challenge, McMaster outscored its U.S. and Canadian peers in both the first-year students and senior student surveys.

May 2, 2005

International scientists will gather at McMaster for the first major Canadian conference devoted to the origins of life in the solar system and beyond. The conference, to be held from May 25 to 28, is organized by McMaster's Origins Institute in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency. Astrobiology and the Origins of Life will feature new observations by astronomers, physicists, biologists, biochemists, mathematicians, geologists, chemists, and anthropologists from around the world who are tackling some of the most important questions of science.

May 2, 2005

Meghann Robinson, a McMaster kinesiology student, has been awarded the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) Student Award in recognition of her exemplary leadership in this field. "Meghann's nomination came from her peers which is a wonderful acknowledgement of how her leadership within the Kinesiology Society and on campus committees such as the Experiential Education Job Shadow positively affects her peers," says Sue Inglis, associate kinesiology professor at McMaster and the faculty liaison between CAPHERD and McMaster's kinesiology program. "Meghann is a tremendous asset to any committee she sits on and will continue to offer her leadership skills as President of the '750 undergraduate strong' Kinesiology Society."

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.

May 2, 2005

New laminate wood floors, large, colourful artwork, comfortable reclining chairs and a computer workstation are some of the new features of a refurbished employee lounge in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business. "This new lounge is very welcoming," said Vicki Cometto, an administrative assistant in Human Resources & Management in the School of Business. "It's bright and fun and very comfortable. It's a nice place where you can come when you want to have your break."