Daily News

posted on Oct. 15: Coastal geologist digs archeology puzzles

Every archeologist should have one, to which Eduard Reinhardt's response is a heartfelt groan: "Oh no, not more work." The coastal geologist and assistant professor of geology is a rare professional bird. So rare and so much in demand that he is constantly on the move through different archeological digs in Greece, Oman, Yemen, Turkey, Israel and Egypt. In the normal run of things, coastal geologists study sediment, rocks and fossils and interpret the state of coastlines, particularly their suitability for man-made construction. As they do so, the coastlines' history comes into view. Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods: all leave their signatures and dates in the geological record. During the last 12 years, international archeologists have been roping Reinhardt into their work. Archeology is always asking questions about people and places long since gone. Coastal geology brings up answers that are otherwise beyond the reach of established archeological techniques. For example, history has an unhappy habit of losing ancient harbours. They frequently disappear into the sea as shorelines crumble and environments change under the impact of a whole array of natural phenomena ranging from sudden disasters to slow shoreline erosion. "The sediment gives a more precise date than the harbour architecture," says Reinhardt. "The layers of sediment are time-sandwiches and the artifacts contained in the layers tell us when it was laid down on the seafloor. The character of the sediments themselves tell us how it happened."

posted on Oct. 12: International experts explore peace through health

World experts in health and peace research will meet today through to Sunday to lay the foundation for an emerging discipline: peace through health. The McMaster-Lancet Challenge Conference, jointly sponsored by McMaster's Population Health Institute, the Centre for Peace Studies and the esteemed medical journal, The Lancet, is the first in a series to consciously cultivate this area of study and education. "We all know the ravages of war and are horrified at the destruction," says Salim Yusuf, professor of medicine and director of the Population Health Institute. "The 20th century has been the bloodiest in history. What has become evident is there may be ways of preventing war, or mitigating its effect." The Peace Through Health conference will examine ways in which peace and health are interdependent and brings together some of the most innovative work in this area and from many parts of the world, including the Middle East, Bosnia, Northern Uganda and Sri Lanka. Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, says, "Long before the recent events in New York and Washington, several people were aware of the need to bring together the collective experience of experts around the world in a systematic framework that can be of practical benefit. A new field of study is needed that combines the expertise of health professionals with those of social workers and peace workers."

posted on Oct. 11: Future engineers compete in Faculty Olympics

More than 500 potential engineers from 26 secondary schools across Ontario will show their mettle today at the Faculty of Engineering's popular annual Engineering Olympics and open house. Competition will be stiff as teams of students compete in events such as "Oodles of Noodles" students will have to make a structure using pool noodles; the ever-popular Egg Drop and the Physics Paper Triathlon. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams in each event and more than $20,000 in McMaster entrance awards are available to be won. All events will be held at the John Hodgins Engineering building. So as not to be left out there is also a special competition for teachers accompanying the students the event, involving slide rules will run from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. In addition, students will have a chance to meet faculty and students in the engineering labs, view numerous displays and demonstrations and tour the McMaster campus. On display will be the McMaster engineering solar car and the McMaster Engineering Society will have a booth with information about the school and career opportunities for engineering graduates. Opening ceremonies will be followed by the morning session of the Olympics from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and the afternoon session from 12:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closing ceremonies and awards presentation will be held from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about the Engineering Olympics visit the Web site by at http://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/olympics. Photo: Students obtain information about various engineering programs at last year's Engineering Olympics. (End of story)

posted on Oct. 10: Ten candidates vie for undergraduate student seat on Board of Governors

The Board of Governors office is holding an electronic undergraduate student election from 9 a.m. today (Oct. 10) to 4:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12. Election of one undergraduate student is required for the Board of Governors for a two-year term from Nov. 1, 2001 to Oct. 31, 2003. Ten undergraduate students have been nominated as candidates and the risumis for each candidate may be viewed at the Board of Governors election Web site. Students are encouraged to vote online at any personal computer with internet access. Student IDs and a Personal Identification Number (the same as the MUGSI system) will be required to cast a ballot. Eligible voters who do not have access to the Web site may vote in one of the computer laboratories or at the Board of Governors office (room 115, University Hall). Any questions regarding the election or voting process may be directed to the Board of Governors office at ext. 24370. (End of story)