Daily News

Posted on July 16: Panel recommends $5 million for biotech incubator

A biotechnology incubator for McMaster University could be one step closer to reality with a $5-million boost recommended by the mayor's Community Trustee Panel. The recommendation is part of a spending plan devised by the panel and going to city council for approval. The $15-million biotechnology incubator will assist with the commercialization of biomedical research and capitalize on the know-how and research facilities at the University. It is a key goal of Hamilton's economic development strategy to create an active biotechnology business sector in the city. The city funding is crucial if the University hopes to attract money from the province. "We see tremendous potential for this area in terms of commercialization of research results," said Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president research & international affairs at McMaster. For the original story in today's Hamilton Spectator, click here.

Posted on July 15: Setting up camp at McMaster

Allison Leanage peers intently into a microscope. She has a very important job to do. Before Friday she must solve a forensic mystery that occurred in the John Hodgins Engineering Building. "I'm investigating a simulated crime scene," the 11-year-old says. "The crime happened on Sunday and we have to look at the DNA, blood types, fingerprints and collect evidence from the crime scene. On Friday we're going to have a court trial." Leanage is one of 800 students signed up for the Venture Engineering & Science and Adventures in Engineering Computing camps, hosted by the Faculties of engineering and science. This summer, more than 3,000 elementary and secondary students will be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at McMaster through one of the many camps held on campus. One of the most sought-after camps is Sports Fitness School (SFS), which attracts about 1,600 students each year. SFS usually books up months in advance, says SFS senior manager Tom Pain. This year, SFS celebrates its 25th anniversary and will host an alumni celebration at the end of the summer to commemorate this milestone. SFS provides those ages six to 16 with a wide range of activities, such as synchronized swimming, wrestling, tennis and lacrosse. McMaster also hosts week-long Marauder sports camps, which focus on the development of basic fundamental skills in one sport only. Campers choose from basketball, football, swimming and volleyball. Mini University, which has both an academic and athletic focus, is a camp for those aged 10 to 15. In this camp, participants experience what it is like to be a university student in subjects such as psychology, journalism, drama and anthropology.

Facing the truth: We trust ourselves

A McMaster researcher used a "face morphing" technique in a new study that shows people find others who look like them more trustworthy. Studies have shown that animals, such as ground squirrels, favour others that resemble them - something called kin selection. Evolutionary psychologist Lisa DeBruine devised a game that let players bargain for money to determine if facial resemblance enhances trust in humans. "The most important aspect of this research is that it establishes a previously unknown phenomenon: facial resemblance can affect social behaviour," said DeBruine, who recently won the new investigator competition from the Human Behaviour and Evolution Society. "This finding is consistent with an interpretation informed by kin selection theory, but more work will need to be done to support that idea." Her findings are reported in today's (July 12) edition of the journal Science.