July 31, 2001
U of S Researchers Seek Youth Volunteers for Innovative Internet Study
Posted July 31, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 31, 2001 2001-07-06-ME
U of S Researchers Seek Youth Volunteers for Innovative Internet Study
The University of Saskatchewan's psychology department is recruiting
volunteers for a groundbreaking study in distance-based pediatric pain
treatment called "Help Yourself Online".
Approximately 10 - 20% of children and adolescents suffer from recurrent
stomach and headache pain. Most have no serious physical disease and can be
helped with brief psychological treatment. However treatment is not always
easy to access, particularly for patients in rural areas who must travel
long distances and pay for accommodations while in the city.
Treatment delivered via the internet may offer a solution to this problem.
University of Saskatchewan psychology researchers Carrie Hicks and Professor
Carl von Baeyer are set to begin an innovative study of internet-based
psychological treatment, with a program that is expected to be both
accessible and cost-effective.
Hicks is looking for volunteer patients and their parents to participate in
the study, starting in September. To qualify, patients must be between the
ages of 9 and 17, experience recurrent headaches and/or stomach aches, and
have internet access. As well, they must have seen a physician in the past
12 months and not been diagnosed with any serious physical disorder related
to the pain. The study will include on-line activities, as well as e-mail
and telephone contact over a two-month period.
"Pain problems can affect school participation, home life, friendships and
recreation," says Hicks. "We think young people will enjoy participating in
the 'Help Yourself Online' program and learning new ways of managing their
pain."
For more information, or if you would like to participate, please contact
Carrie Hicks at (306) 966-2039 or e-mail her at hicks@usask.ca, or visit the
web site at http://sask.usask.ca/~hicks/info.htm.
-30-
For more information please contact:
Carrie Hicks
Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2039
hicks@usask.ca
http://sask.usask.ca/~hicks/info.htm
July 30, 2001
U of S Student Orientation 2001
Posted July 30, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 30, 2001 2001-07-05-OTHER
Over 2,300 Students Expected at Orientation 2001
Over 2,300 students from around the province are expected to attend
Orientation 2001 on September 4 and 5 at the University of Saskatchewan.
The two-day event will cover a variety of topics, each designed to equip
first-year students with the skills they need to have a successful
university experience. Participants will also be able to interact with
upper-year students and ask them questions, and meet many of their new
classmates.
"Orientation provides an invaluable opportunity for students to learn about
their new surroundings and gives them a head start in making the transition
from high school to university," says Mark Savenkoff, one of this year's
Orientation Coordinators. "It also gives first-years a chance to meet people
and make new friends. I still talk with lots of the people that I met at my
own orientation two years ago."
Students attending Orientation 2001 will tour the campus and learn how to
find their classes. The main program will highlight various ways to get
involved on campus, deal with academic issues, discuss the diversity of the
U of S student body, and provide information on the different colleges.
"For many students, the prospect of attending classes with over 300 people
can be quite daunting, especially if they've come to Saskatoon from a rural
area where the population of their entire school was 300 people," says Erin
Stang, Orientation Coordinator. "At Orientation we try to take the fear out
of university and introduce students to the services that are available to
them. The more information students have, the better the university
experience will be."
Participants will also have the opportunity to attend sessions on managing a
student budget, turning a degree into a "real" job, and making healthy
lifestyle choices. There are also special programming options for
Aboriginal, International, Mature and Transfer students. As well, the
fourth annual Parent Orientation for parents of first-year students will be
held on September 4.
For current U of S students who would like to be involved with the event,
Orientation 2001 is still looking for volunteers. To date, close to 250
people have volunteered their time and talents.
"Ideally we would like to have around 350 volunteers. The more volunteers
we have the more personal the experience becomes for first-year students.
There are more people to answer questions and provide different viewpoints,"
says Savenkoff.
The deadline for registering for Orientation is August 15. For more
information, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, contact Mark
Savenkoff or Erin Stang at (306) 966-5791, or check out the web site at
www.usask.ca/orientation.
For more information please contact:
Erin Stang
Orientation Coordinator
Rm. 60, Place Riel Student Centre
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-5791
Fax: (306) 966-5081
E-mail: orientation@usask.ca
Web: http://www.usask.ca/orientation
July 19, 2001
Distinguished appointees to U of S Board of Governors
Posted July 19, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 13, 2001
2001-07-01-OTHER
Distinguished appointees to U of S Board of Governors
Three new members have been appointed to the University of Saskatchewan
Board of Governors and one member has been re-appointed.
Former Bank of Canada Governor Gordon Thiessen and Standing Buffalo Dakota
Nation Chief Mel Isnana have each accepted three-year appointments by the
Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training. Also new to the
Board of Governors is Tom Molloy, recently elected Chancellor of the
University of Saskatchewan.
"An institution of the size and diversity of this university requires
thoughtful and capable people in positions of governance," said Peter
MacKinnon, University of Saskatchewan President. "We are delighted with the
caliber of these new appointees and look forward to their active
participation in the affairs of the board."
"It is a reflection of the esteem in which the University is held that we
were able to recruit such high quality candidates," said Glenn Hagel,
Minister of Post-Secondary Education & Skills Training. "The people of
the province can be confident in the capable stewardship of the University
of Saskatchewan."
Dr. Sylvia Fedoruk, former Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan was
re-appointed for another term on the Board of Governors.
For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKinnon, University President
(306) 966-6612
Tom Molloy, University Chancellor
(306) 975-7117
Gordon Thiessen
(613) 721-0983
Mel Isnana
(306) 332-7742 (cellular)
Board Appointments
Background Information
Gordon Thiessen
Gordon Thiessen, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, studied economics at
the University of Saskatchewan, receiving an Honours B.A. in 1960 and an
M.A. in 1961. He was awarded a Ph.D. in Economics from the London School of
Economics in 1972.
Mr. Thiessen joined the Bank of Canada in 1963 and worked in various
departments until 1979 when he was appointed Adviser to the Governor. He was
then successively appointed Deputy Governor in 1984, and Senior Deputy
Governor in 1987. He was appointed Governor on February 1, 1994 and retired
from that post on January 31, 2001.
Mel Isnana
Mel Isnana has been the elected chief of Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation for
over 19 years. He has served on many committees within the Federation of
Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), including the Health & Social
Development Commission, the Education & Training Commission, and the
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming & Licensing Board. He sits on the Board of
the Touchwood Qu'Appelle Health District and chairs the Fort Qu'Appelle
Indian Hospital Board. He continues to farm near Fort Qu'Appelle.
Tom Molloy
Tom Molloy graduated from the College of Law at the University of
Saskatchewan in 1964 and is currently a partner in the law firm MacPherson,
Leslie and Tyerman in Saskatoon.
Described as Canada's most expert treaty negotiator, Mr. Molloy represented
the Government of Canada as the Chief Federal Negotiator in the successfully
concluded treaties in Nunavut and with the Nisga'a in British Columbia.
Sylvia Fedoruk
Dr. Sylvia Fedoruk was formerly the Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan and
a scientist. She was a part of the Saskatchewan team that developed the
Cobalt-60 Beam Therapy Unit, a treatment for some forms of cancer, in 1951.
Dr. Fedoruk also served as the University's chancellor from 1986 to 1989.
Land Deal Boosts U of S Student Scholarships and Bursaries
Posted July 19, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 16, 2001
2001-07-03-OTHER
Land Deal Boosts U of S Student Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors has approved an agreement
between the University and Rencor Developments Inc., Harvard Developments
Inc. and TGS Properties Ltd. to lease a parcel of land within the city.
Revenue from the lease will be used to create a University Land Endowment
Fund.
The Fund will be used to boost scholarships and bursaries for students and
to support research and technology initiatives.
University President, Peter MacKinnon said: "If we are to compete
successfully with other universities to attract the best and brightest
students, it is essential that we increase the scholarships and bursaries we
offer and build on our research strengths. This deal provides an ideal
opportunity to do both, without affecting our operating costs."
The agreement will allow a retail development of approximately 600,000
square feet to be built in three phases on land currently used by the
College of Agriculture. This alternative use means a significant annual
boost to the bursary and scholarship program of the University.
University Students' Union President, Janelle Hutchinson, warmly welcomed
the news. "There is a serious need for increased scholarship and bursary
support for students, and we feel that a student focus is very appropriate
for these funds," she said.
Pending all municipal approvals being obtained at City Council meeting on
July 16, construction on the site will commence late fall 2001 and the first
phase of the development will be open for business next summer. Once
complete, the centre will be managed by TGS Harvard Property Management
Services in conjunction with the University.
Ron Renaud, President, Rencor Developments Inc., said: "We are pleased and
excited that our team has been selected to develop, what we hope will
become, an exciting retail landmark in Saskatoon that will complement the
campus setting and act as an eastern gateway to the University.
"We would like to thank the University for their assistance in securing this
land lease and we look forward to a long and successful relationship."
For further information, contact:
Judy Yungwirth
Director Corporate Administration
(306) 966-8781
Tony Whitworth
Vice-President Finance and Resources
Tel: (306) 966-6631
Flaxseed May Help Prevent Diabetes, U of S Study Finds
Posted July 19, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 18, 2001
2001-07-04-ME
Flaxseed May Help Prevent Diabetes, U of S Study Finds
A tiny compound in flaxseed may help prevent or significantly delay the
development of diabetes in adults, says University of Saskatchewan
researcher Dr. Kailash Prasad.
In a just-published rat study, Prasad of the College of Medicine physiology
department, found that a certain flax lignan reduces development of
adult-onset (type 2) diabetes by 80 per cent and delays the development of
the disease significantly. The study is carried in the July issue of the
Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine (Vol.138, pages 32-39, 2001).
The main component of flaxseed that has potential benefit for diabetes and
other diseases is a tiny fraction of the seed - a small organic molecule
called secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), Prasad found. Flaxseed is the
richest natural source of SDG plant lignan.
Plans are to conduct human trials on SDG in diabetes treatment in the near
future, he said.
The finding builds on Prasad's previously published studies in two animal
models of type 1 diabetes which showed that SDG reduces development of the
juvenile form of diabetes (type 1) by 71 per cent and 75 per cent
respectively.
Prasad has shown that both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are associated with
oxidative stress (increases in toxic metabolites of oxygen known as oxygen
free radicals), and that SDG is effective in reducing the development of
diabetes through its antioxidant activity.
In other published animal studies, Prasad has identified SDG as the compound
in flaxseed that accounts for a reduction in the development of
hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries due to high
cholesterol levels). (See attached backgrounder for more details on his
findings.)
"The SDG compound has great potential for the prevention and treatment of
both diabetes and hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis," says Prasad. "This
compound has the ability to lower total cholesterol and to raise
HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol) in the blood."
With the help of University of Saskatchewan Technologies Inc., Prasad has
obtained a patent for the use of SDG in the prevention and treatment of both
diabetes and hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. Other patents are
pending.
Prasad stresses that patients would have to consume very large amounts of
whole flaxseed to get enough SDG to provide the equivalent beneficial effect
found in the animal studies. Drawbacks to doing this would also include
high caloric content (flaxseed is 35 per cent oil) and a laxative effect.
For that reason, scientists with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in
Saskatoon have developed a method for isolating SDG from flax meal for
experimental and clinical uses. Patents have also been obtained for this
work.
Recently, Prasad, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and other members of a
research group called the Flax Consortium licensed their patents to U.S.
agricultural processor Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). This paves the way for
the production and marketing of the SDG flax lignan as an active ingredient
in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, animal feed additives and veterinary
products.
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications Officer
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
Backgrounder: Preventing Heart Attack and Stroke
Over the past few years, Dr. Kailash Prasad, U of S Department of
Physiology, College of Medicine, has published papers on potential benefits
of flaxseed or flax lignan SDG not just for diabetes, but also for
endotoxic shock (general cardiovascular collapse due to an overwhelming
infection) and atherosclerosis.
* In a study of animals on high-cholesterol diets, Prasad has found that SDG
reduced the formation of fatty deposits by 73 per cent compared to untreated
groups on a high-cholesterol diet. As well, the so-called "bad" cholesterol
declined and the "good" or protective cholesterol increased.
* Prasad has shown that flaxseed is effective in reducing
hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries due to high
cholesterol) because of SDG's antioxidant activity -- the ability to remove
toxic metabolites of oxygen known as oxygen free radicals. He showed that
the compound SDG has antioxidant activity. He theorizes that oxygen free
radicals damage the lining of the blood vessels and set the stage for
development of atherosclerosis.
* Prasad found that SDG alone was more effective in reducing atherosclerosis
than whole flaxseed.
* He also found that a variety of flaxseed with very little alpha-linolenic
acid is more effective than ordinary flaxseed with high alpha-linolenic acid
in reducing hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. Prevention of
atherosclerosis by flaxseed is not due to the alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3
fatty acid) in flaxseed, but may be due to the lignan component of the
flaxseed, he said.
