Daily News

Posted on Oct. 30: The new math: a centre that embraces logic, angles, creativity

A new era in the teaching and learning of mathematical sciences has begun at McMaster University with the opening of the James Stewart Centre for Mathematics. The interior of ivy-clad historic Hamilton Hall (circa 1929) has been restored to house the new James Stewart Centre for Mathematics. The $11-million restoration was overseen by a working group of McMaster mathematicians that included professor emeritus James Stewart, a champion of mathematics at the University for 26 years. Stewart donated $1 million to the project with additional gifts coming from mathematics graduate and Board of Governors member Richard Buckingham, Deloitte & Touche, the McLean Foundation, SuperBuild and the Ontario Innovation Trust fund. At a gathering celebrating the official opening of the building Thursday, Stewart said that his support was given as a way to say thank you to the people in the math department that had always supported him. "I am very happy that this centre associated with my name is such a beautiful building," said Stewart. "The original idea was for a brand new building, but that proved impossible. I have to say I am absolutely delighted with this exceptional building."

Posted on Oct. 30: McMaster researchers pave the way to new drugs for bone diseases

Osteocalcin, a small bone-specific protein that influences bone formation, may facilitate the development of drugs to combat bone-related diseases, such as osteoporosis and bone metastases of cancer, say McMaster University researchers. Their study is to be published in today's issue of Nature, a high-impact scientific journal. Although it's generally accepted that osteocalcin, discovered in 1976, binds to the mineral component of bone, called hydroxyapatite, the biological function and the 3-D structure of the protein have never been known. Now McMaster researchers have unlocked the mystery. Osteocalcin is used as a biological marker for assessing bone disease and is closely linked to bone turnover, a fine balance between bone resorption and formation which goes on constantly during life. "The 3-D structure of osteocalcin leads one to believe that the protein is the molecular marker or address of bone," said biochemistry professor Daniel Yang.

Posted on Oct. 29: Prominent Hamiltonian’s diaries donated to McMaster University Library

McMaster University Library is celebrating the donation of the personal diaries of Joseph M. Pigott, one of Hamilton's most prominent businessmen and community leaders of the last century. The 57 handwritten diaries span the years from 1910-1968, a turbulent time in Canadian social and economic history and provide a glimpse into Pigott's private thoughts and insightful commentaries on issues of the day. They are important historical documents and will be of particular interest to researchers and scholars of 20th century local and Canadian history. J.M. Pigott was a prominent figure on the local and national business, social and cultural scene. He was active on numerous boards and was involved with many organizations, including McMaster's Board of Governors, the Hamilton Construction Association and the Art Gallery of Hamilton. His company, the Pigott Construction Company, became one of Canada's most successful private corporations and erected some of the finest buildings in Hamilton and Ontario, including: the Pigott Building (Hamilton's first skyscraper), the Bank of Montreal building at King and James, early McMaster University buildings, Westdale Secondary School, the Cathedral of Christ the King, and the Royal Ontario Museum.