November 26, 2002
U of S 'Spin-Off' Herbal Treatment Firm Shortlisted For National Innovation Award
Posted November 26, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 26, 2002 2002-11-18-OTHER
U of S 'Spin-Off' Herbal Treatment Firm Shortlisted For National Innovation
Award
A University of Saskatchewan spin-off company that has come up with a herbal
treatment for impotence has been chosen as one of six finalists in the 2002
Innovations Challenge sponsored by the University of Toronto Innovations
Foundation and its Innovations Network.
The Challenge is a national business plan competition that recognizes
promising technology-focused business opportunities. The winner of the third
annual competition will be announced Nov. 27th at an awards ceremony in
Toronto. The winner is eligible for up to $500,000 in equity investment.
BioNatCom Technologies Inc., founded by U of S technology transfer company
UST Inc. and U of S physiology researcher Dr. Rui Wang, is currently
patenting two herbal products -- a treatment for impotence and another for
hypertension.
"We know there's strong market potential for both products -- worldwide more
than 152 million men suffer from erectile disfunction and 50 million people
in the U.S. alone have high blood pressure," said Branko Peterman, president
of UST Inc. that owns BioNatCom. "With sufficient funding, the firm could
enter the nutraceutical and functional food markets within two years."
"BuSY", the commercial name of the herb being patented for erectile
dysfunction, is more potent and will be much cheaper than Viagra once it
hits the markets. In animal tissue studies, BuSY allows the muscles in the
penis to relax, increasing the blood flow that results in an erection.
"ExBu", which has been shown to lower blood pressure in hypertensive rats,
is an extract from an edible mushroom that grows in China and northern
Saskatchewan. High blood pressure was lowered after the rats had been given
the herb and maintained at the lower level for at least one month after the
termination of ExBu feeding.
BioNatCom is seeking investors so that further animal testing and human
clinical trials can be conducted for both products. If the tests are
successful, the firm expects the herbal treatments to be sold eventually in
health stores.
Wang, who has both a medical degree and a doctorate in physiology, is also
trained in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on which both treatments are
based.
UST is seeking U.S. and international patents for the technology and will
license the exclusive world-wide rights to BioNatCom.
Each year 30 to 40 companies submit business plans to the competition. Six
finalists are then chosen to pitch their business plan to a panel of leading
venture capital firms. Judging criteria include the presence of a strong
management team, a technology with significant market potential, and the
existence of a recognized market need.
For more information about the competition, visit:
http://innovationsfoundation.excelerator.ca/
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For more information, contact:
Dr. Rui Wang
Department of Physiology
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-6592
Kathryn Warden
U of S Research Communications Officer
Office of the Vice-President Research
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-2506
$27-M U of S-Led Genomics Project Launched to Fight Infectious Diseases
Posted November 26, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 26, 2002 2002-11-20-OTHER
$27-M U of S-Led Genomics Project Launched to Fight Infectious Diseases
A national team of world-class researchers led by the University of
Saskatchewan and two corporate sponsors have signed an agreement launching a
$27-million genomics project to fight infectious diseases.
The project, the largest funded by Genome Canada to date, will bring $19
million in research funding to Saskatchewan and lead to creation of close to
40 jobs in Saskatoon.
The project will use genomics -- the science of decoding the genetic code of
life -- to better understand how immunity to infectious agents works and how
it can be enhanced. This work is expected to lead to development of new
medicines to combat infectious diseases in both humans and animals.
Genome Canada funding of $13.5 million was announced last April by Industry
Minister Allan Rock. With today's announcement, the two corporate sponsors
will contribute a total of $10.5 million. The remaining funding is currently
being finalized.
"This research will help develop new and effective strategies for infectious
disease control in both animals and humans, paving the way for the next
generation of products for both animal and human health and food safety,"
said Lorne Babiuk, director of VIDO, the U of S world-class vaccine research
centre. "This could result, for example, in new methods of vaccine delivery
or new drugs that can serve as replacements for antibiotics."
Babiuk, principal investigator for the project, and co-principal
investigator Bob Hancock of the University of British Columbia will work
closely with researchers at VIDO, UBC, Simon Fraser University, and the
British Columbia Cancer Agency.
With the signing of the agreement, the project's two corporate sponsors --
Vancouver-based Inimex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Pyxis Genomics Canada Inc.,
the Canadian subsidiary of Chicago-bsed Pyxis Genomics Inc. -- have been
granted the exclusive right to commercialize discoveries arising from the
research. Inimex will focus on human health care products, while Pyxis will
have commercialization rights in the area of animal health.
Pyxis has established a Saskatoon office at Innovation Place and will now
begin to recruit about eight staff, including research scientists,
technicians and post-doctoral fellows. Another 30 jobs will be created at
VIDO to do the research.
Genome Canada is a not-for-profit corporation set up to help Canada become a
world leader in genomics and proteomics research in areas such as
agriculture, environment, fisheries, forestry and health.
More information about the project and VIDO's role is available at:
http://www.genomeprairie.ca/research/immunity.htm
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For more information, contact:
Lorne Babiuk
VIDO Director
(306) 966-7475
babiuk@skyway.usask.ca
http://www.vido.org/
Kathryn Warden
U of S Research Communications Officer
Office of Vice-President Research
(306) 966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
November 25, 2002
15 U of S Researchers Awarded $685,800 in Heart and Stroke Grants
Posted November 25, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Monday, November 25, 2002 2002-11-17-OTHER
15 U of S Researchers Awarded $685,800 in Heart and Stroke Grants
University of Saskatchewan health researchers will receive a total of
$685,800 to study aspects of Canada's leading health problems -- heart
disease and stroke.
Grant-in-aid-funding from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan
will assist with projects ranging from a study of how the amount of protein
in a person's diet can affect stroke survival to alternative cost-effective
ways of delivering traditional drug treatments.
The grants are part of a total of almost $1.16 million announced by the
Foundation for 2002-2003. A U of S post-doctoral student was also awarded
one of the national personnel awards.
"The Heart and Stroke Foundation is a major provider of medical research
funding in our province," says Dr. Mark Evered, the Foundation's Research
Chair and U of S Vice Provost. "The ongoing funding from the Heart and
Stroke Foundation offers opportunities both to attract and retain
high-quality researchers and clinicians at the Universities and in the
Province."
Further details of the announcement are available on the Foundation website
at:
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=98andCategoryID=23andSrc=news
Here are brief project summaries provided by the Foundation:
2002-2003 Research Grants
Dr. Thomas Fisher
Ca2+ channel composition and neuroendocrine release
Imagine this: a "gate" on the wall of a cell within the heart. It opens to
let just enough calcium in to ensure that the cell can stay healthy and do
its very specific job of secreting important hormones and neurotransmitters.
The gate (called a Ca2+ channel) is made up of complexes of proteins, and
makes sure that other substances don't enter, and that neither too much nor
too little calcium passes through. Dr. Fisher's project aims to clarify just
what this gate's structure is and how it carries out its very complex job.
Dr. Venkat Gopalakrishnan
The role of vascular cysteinyl leukotrienes in spontaneous hypertension
Just what causes high blood pressure? While there are many underlying
factors, at the root of it all is the ability (or inability) of the blood
vessel walls to contract and relax as the heart beats. Dr. Gopal is studying
how established blood pressure drugs act on the vessels. One category of
these drugs helps to block the body's release of angiotensin, a natural
substance that increases blood pressure. Dr. Gopal has found that
angiotensin, in turn, promotes the release of another inflammatory substance
(leukotrienes) that damages vessels. Dr. Gopal hopes to better understand
this process, and hopefully, to develop a basis for development of new drugs
to specifically block angiotensin and thereby to control high blood
pressure.
Dr. Linda Hiebert
Oral Heparins
Ouch! Heart attack survivors and people at risk for stroke and heart attack
are often prescribed heparins. These powerful drugs help to prevent further
blood clots, but traditionally, this drug is administered by a painful
series of injections, making at-home treatment difficult and painful. Dr.
Hiebert's studies have challenged the accepted idea that heparins are only
effective if injected, and she is studying how well the body uses heparin
when it is given orally. Her project may lead to new (and much less painful
and less costly to the health care system) way of providing a known,
effective drug treatment.
Dr. Robert McNeill
Vasopressin in Rat Models of Hypertension
Two hormones, vasopressin and angiotensin, are known to increase blood
pressure through a direct action on blood vessels. Dr. McNeill recently
discovered that they also increase blood pressure indirectly by release of
another hormone, endothelin (found in the lining of the blood vessels), a
powerful constrictor of those vessels. This study may help in the
development of new drugs to reduce blood pressure, a leading risk factor for
stroke and heart disease.
Drs. Phyllis Paterson, Bernhard Juurlink and Jim Thornhill
Regulation of Brain Glutathione by Nutritional Factors in Stroke
This team is investigating whether nutritional status can influence the
extent of brain damage and disability that occur following a stroke. Some
seniors are at particular risk, as they may have less than optimal
protein-energy status due to diet or to other medical conditions. Also under
study are nutritional and drug therapies aimed at reducing disability when
administered either prior to or in the first few hours following a stroke.
Dr. Kailash Prasad
Oxyradicals in Hypercholesterolemic Toxicity on Vascular System and Effect
of Secoisolariciresinol
It is generally known that high blood cholesterol contributes to
atherosclerosis, a plaque buildup in the lining of the arteries that impairs
or blocks blood flow. Dr. Prasad believes that oxygen free radicals play a
central role in the buildup of this plaque, in part by damaging the
endothelial cells lining the vessels. Dr. Prasad wants to know if an
antioxidant (SDG, derived from flaxseed) might be effective in reducing and
preventing the buildup, at reducing serum cholesterol and raising levels of
"good" cholesterol. If so, this could ultimately provide a safe and
inexpensive alternative therapy for prevention of heart attack and stroke.
Drs. Kevin Spink, Karen Chad and Bruce Reeder
Examining physician counseling to promote the adoption of physical activity:
a controlled trial
Most people know that physical activity can cut the risk of heart disease,
yet most Canadians just aren't active enough to benefit their hearts (about
60 per cent of Saskatchewan people are not physically active enough in their
leisure time). This research team feels that physicians can encourage their
patients to get more physically active. The goal is to develop an effective
doctor-patient counseling method that carries little cost to the health care
system, requires little extra time or investment by the doctor, and will
help people enjoy the many benefits of physical activity, including reduced
risk of heart attack
Dr. Bruce Reeder
Saskatchewan Heart Health Program: Dissemination Research
This five-year program, jointly funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation,
Health Canada and Sask. Health, will help equip health districts with the
knowledge, skills and resources to deliver and evaluate heart health
promotion to the people they serve. The Program offers continuing education,
consultation and networking support to doctors, nurses, educators and other
health practitioners.
Dr. Deborah Saucier
Age and environment effects on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.
Although stroke is most commonly thought of in the elderly, a surprising
fact is that stroke affects newborns too - especially those born prematurely
(approximately 20 to 30 per cent of infants born four or more weeks early).
These infants are severely affected by stroke - and yet possible treatments
(and their impact) are largely unexplored. Dr. Saucier is focusing how age
affects the degree of brain injury and the effectiveness of therapies.
Dr. Rajendra K. Sharma
Calmodulin Regulated Proteins in the Heart
Living cells rely on an intracellular communications system - a sort of
'human body internet' - to monitor changes in their environment. Dr. Sharma
is looking at two crucial interrelated second messengers (cAMP and Ca2+) in
this complex system, to see how they relay information between cells within
the heart and provide the information these cells need to make their
constant and important adjustments in response to external changes.
Dr. Wolfgang Walz
The gliotic response in focal ischemia
Once neurons are hit by a stroke, they can take a long time to decide if
they will succumb (so-called 'delayed neuronal death') or if they will
continue to survive and function again. A crucial factor in this decision is
the surrounding support system of cells, collectively called glial cells.
These cells re-organize and orient themselves after injury (such as stroke)
in a process called gliosis and form a scar tissue which helps neurons to
survive and heal the injury. Dr. Walz is studying this process in the hopes
of augmenting it and helping neurons to survive after a stroke.
Dr. Lingyun Wu
PPAR gamma in hypertension
Doctors are sometimes stumped when they diagnose a patient with
hypertension: there may be no discernable cause, no symptoms and no history,
and yet the patient has high blood pressure. This "essential hypertension",
Dr. Wu has hypothesized, may be a result of a malfunctioned protein in the
nucleus of vascular cells. This protein - Proliferator-Activated Receptor
gamma - will be examined by Dr. Wu to see if it plays a role in development
of high blood pressure.
Dr. Hui Wang
Vascular gp91 phox containing NADPH oxidase in angiotensin 11-induced
hypertension
High blood pressure is one of the most prevalent - and potentially dangerous
- diseases in Western societies. One current treatment, angiotensin
converting enzyme inhibitor, has proven to be fairly effective in helping
patients to control their blood pressure but doctors still don't completely
understand why this medication works. Dr. Wang and her team are looking at a
possible explanation: she thinks that these patients' arteries may be under
oxidative stress, and that one specific peptide, Angiotensin II, is somehow
at the root of it. A better understanding of the interaction of this
peptide, oxidative stress and the lining of our arteries could help doctors
to better treat a range of health problems, including diabetes and
atherosclerosis as well as high blood pressure.
Dr. Rui Wang
HO/CO system and sGC/cGMP pathway in vascular smooth muscles in hypertension
Dr. Wang and his research team are breaking new ground in looking at the
causes of hypertension. Dr. Wang is looking at smooth muscle cells in the
walls of blood vessels, and has hypothesized that a specific chemical
reaction in these cells (involving Carbon monoxide) might be one of the
early, underlying causes of high blood pressure. This could be a major
breakthrough in the understanding of how high blood pressure develops.
GROUP GRANT: Dr. Tom Wilson (director of project), Dr. Venkat
Gopalakrishnan, Dr. Linda Hiebert and Dr. Robert McNeill
Regulation of Endothelial Factors in Hypertension and Diabetes
In 1892, Sir William Osler wrote, "a man is only as old as his arteries". In
the 1950s, University of Saskatchewan research pioneer Rudolph Altschul
refined that observation: "A man is only as old as his endothelium", and
began a new era of understanding of how this microscopically thin layer of
cells lining our arteries can have such an impact on overall health.
Research discoveries then clearly show that the endothelium, by releasing a
variety of substances, controls how the smooth muscles within the blood
vessels contract and dilate. Some of these substances have been extensively
studied, but others, however, have not received adequate scientific
attention.
This Heart and Stroke Foundation Group Grant project brings together four
highly respected researchers from two different colleges at the University
of Saskatchewan in a joint effort to focus on specific chemical reactions
within the endothelium. The group will look at how dysfunction in the
release of one of these substances, endothelin-1 or ET-1, is linked to
hypertension and diabetes, both primary risk factors for heart disease and
stroke.
Personnel Award
Liu, Pinggang (Pharmacology)
Regulation of endothelin by angiotension II, vasopressin and insulin in rat
cardiomyocytes.
Supervisor: Venkat Gopalakrishnan
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For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications Officer
University of Saskatchewan
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
(306) 966-2506
November 21, 2002
ALUMNI PARTIES PLANNED FOR VANIER CUP - Saturday, November 23
Posted November 21, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Thursday, November 21, 2002 2002-11-15-OTHER
ALUMNI PARTIES PLANNED FOR VANIER CUP - Saturday, November 23
Saskatoon Event
WHERE: Champs Restaurant and Sports Bar, 2404 - 8th Street East
WHEN: starting at 1:30 p.m. - Game time at 3:00pm
WHAT: Admission is free; and munchies will be provided by the Alumni Office;
cash bar; big screen tv's; be sure to wear your green and white!
Toronto Event
WHERE: Joe Badali's Ristorante and Bar (http://www.joebadalis.com), 156
Front St. W. TORONTO
WHEN: 12:30 p.m. and ends approximately 3:30 p.m.
WHAT: Admisssion free of charge; munchies provided by the Alumni Office;
cash bar; come and meet up with other Huskie Fans before we all walk to the
Skydome for the game. University President, Peter MacKinnon will be in
attendance at the Vanier Cup Game as well as the party at Joe Badali's
beforehand.
Edmonton Event
WHERE: Mo's Sports Parlour, 5420 Calgary Trail, EDMONTON
WHEN: party will start at 1:30, game time is 2:00 p.m.
EDMONTON CONTACT: Maureen Fromhart (w) 780-420-5826
Calgary Event
WHERE: Schanks Athletic Club, 103 Crowfoot Terrance NW, CALGARY
WHEN: party will start at 1:30, game time is 2:00 p.m.
CALGARY CONTACT: Joy Crawford 403-750-3865
Ticket Information
Tickets are available by calling 1-866-4-VANIER
The Saskatchewan Huskie Cheering Section will be located on the West Side of
the Skydome.
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For more information, please contact:
Julian Demkiw or Wendy Bates
Alumni Relations; University Advancement
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5186
November 20, 2002
I.ARE.H Announces Media Award Winner
Posted November 20, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 20, 2002 2002-11-13-OTHER
I.ARE.H Announces Media Award Winner
The Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health (I.ARE.H) at
the University of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the winner of the
first annual Media Award for Excellence in Saskatchewan Farm Injury Control
Reporting. I.ARE.H established the award with funding from the Canadian
Agriculture Safety Program, to encourage Saskatchewan media to partner in
educating the public that farm deaths and injuries are preventable events.
CTV Television has won the 2002 award, which consists of a commemorative
plaque and a cheque for $1,500. The winning entry was the news documentary,
"Deadly Harvest," prepared by CTV Rural Affairs Specialist, Jason Matity.
The program aired on October 17, 2002 to an estimated audience of 150,000
Saskatchewan viewers.
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For more information, please contact:
Julie Bidwell
I.ARE.H
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6647
November 19, 2002
Province to Help Establish Leukemia Genomics Centre at U of S
Posted November 19, 2002
Industry and Resources 02-884
Province to Help Establish Leukemia Genomics Centre at U of S
A unique in Canada centre to conduct leukemia research at the University of
Saskatchewan is one step closer to reality thanks to a provincial investment
of more than $400,000.
The province will provide funding for equipment, personnel and construction
at the new
$1 million leukemia genomics centre. The facility will help improve patient
diagnosis, treatment and survival.
Provincial support comes from the Innovation and Science Fund and matches
funding contributions from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
"The University of Saskatchewan is again at the forefront of state of the
art research," Industry and Resources Minister Eldon Lautermilch said.
"This centre, coupled with the Canadian Light Source synchrotron and the
Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre, will make Saskatoon the premier
location in Canada to carry out drug design and diagnostic evaluations.
"This centre will not only improve the quality of life and health for many
Canadians, it will also have a local impact in terms of spin-off benefits
for our economy and our flourishing biotechnology sector."
The genomics centre will research how gene and protein patterns may
influence the remission rates, relapse risks, drug resistance and survival
of leukemia patients. The centre will be led by Dr. John DeCoteau of the
University of Saskatchewan department of pathology.
"The CFI is committed to supporting research excellence in Canada's
universities," President and CEO of the CFI Dr. David Strangway said. "We
recognize the important role that our researchers can play in our country's
future economic and social growth."
"This centre will conduct cutting-edge genomics research that will attract
scientists and academic physicians from across Canada," University of
Saskatchewan Vice-President of Research Dr. Bryan Harvey said. "As well,
access to this advanced equipment will be useful to many other aspects of
medical research on our campus such as other cancer research, microbiology
and immunology."
The Innovation and Science Fund provides support to Saskatchewan
universities, colleges and research institutes on projects receiving
approval and funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canada
Research Chairs, the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation and the
Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
The CFI is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established by the
Government of Canada in 1997 to strengthen the capacity for innovation in
Canadian universities and research institutions.
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-8277
Suzanne Quinn
Canada Foundation for Innovation
Ottawa
Phone: (613) 996-3160
www.innovation.ca
Kathryn Warden
University of Saskatchewan Research Communications
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 966-2506
November 12, 2002
U of S ranked 12th in Maclean's survey
Posted November 12, 2002
November 12, 2002 2002-11-08-OTHER
U of S ranked 12th in Maclean's survey
The University of Saskatchewan has maintained a strong hold on this year's
Maclean's rankings according to the university survey released placing the U
of S 12th out of 15.
The U of S was ranked higher than the universities of Laval, Calgary and
Manitoba in the medical-doctoral category. It lost out to Dalhousie
University which bumped the U of S from 11th place last year to its
current position.
"We have improved our performance in many of the categories in the Maclean's
rankings this year," said U of S President Peter MacKinnon, "so, it was
disappointing to drop a place."
"However, we are focussing efforts on achieving academic pre-eminence and
international standards in all our activities and are determined to take our
place among the most distinguished universities in Canada and in the world."
The university has already made significant advances over the past year
which have involved effort from all levels at the University of
Saskatchewan. They include the following:
- a systematic review of all academic programs to guarantee that the quality
of programs offered at the U of S met and exceeded national and
international standards is nearly complete;
- a 41.4 per cent increase in research funding for 2000-2001 -- nearly
double the national average of 22.7 per cent, according to Canada's Top 50
Research Universities List published in October by Toronto-based Research
Infosource Inc. U of S figures for 2001-2002 show that U of S funding for
research, scholarship and artistic work continues to grow dramatically.
- eleven Canada Research Chairs are now well-established on campus, and have
given the U of S a tremendous boost in academic creativity. The U of S is
building on its deployment of Canada Research Chairs to recruit tenure-track
faculty and attract top graduate students and additional research resources;
- teaching and research facilities - some completed, and others still under
construction - are improving research opportunities and the delivery of
education to students. These include: the U of S VIDO laboratory, the
Western College of Veterinary Medicine MRI/Oncology facility, the chemical
engineering building addition, the Kinesiology physical activity complex,
the Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre, the Geology Library expansion
and the Computer Science laboratory renovation in the Spinks addition.
"Our goal is to attract even more top-flight students, researchers and
industrial partners from across the nation and around the world. We have
made a great deal of progress so far and will continue building on our
strengths," concluded MacKinnon.
The Maclean's survey ranks universities according to specific indicators
such size of the operating grant, numbers of out-of-province students and
the proportion of alumni who contribute to the university. The differences
between the top and bottom scores in these indicators are very small (i.e.
the average entering grade required of students at the top three ranked
universities is 87.9%, 87.7% and 87.5% respectively. The U of S admission
average is 85.3% and ranks 6th in this category).
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For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKinnon (from Tuesday, November 12th)
President
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6612
November 05, 2002
U of S President elected vice-chair of AUCC
Posted November 05, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 5, 2002 2002-11-04-OTHER
U of S President elected vice-chair of AUCC
University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon has been elected
vice-chair and chair-elect of the Association of Universities and Colleges
of Canada (AUCC).
He was chosen by the executive heads of the 93 member universities and
university degree-level colleges across Canada at the Association's annual
business meeting in Ottawa on October 24th.
"AUCC is a vitally important organization on the national scene and I am
pleased to have an opportunity to work with my colleagues across Canada on
behalf of Canadian higher education," said MacKinnon. "There is emerging
national policy in university education and research and AUCC will play a
key role in its development."
AUCC represents 93 member organizations across Canada and includes public
and private non-for-profit institutions. It provides a common voice for
universities and university degree-level colleges with the federal
government through its advocacy and public policy activities. AUCC also
publishes a number of briefs and reports regarding issues in post-secondary
education.
MacKinnon will serve one year as vice-chair before assuming office in 2003
for a two-year term as chair.
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For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKinnon
President
University of Saskatchewan
(306)966-6612
peter.mackinnon@usask.ca
November 01, 2002
Ozone Expert Delivers Public Lecture November 6th
Posted November 01, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 1, 2002 2002-11-02-AR
Ozone Expert Delivers Public Lecture November 6th
Acclaimed atmospheric scientist Ted Llewellyn, a recent University of
Saskatchewan Distinguished Researcher Award recipient, will give a free
public lecture Wednesday, November 6th at 4 p.m. in Room 107 Physics.
Llewellyn is the lead researcher for OSIRIS (Optical Spectrograph InfraRed
Imager System), a U of S-designed instrument that maps ozone concentration
and tracks ozone depletion. OSIRIS was launched last year on the Swedish-led
Odin satellite, a joint project involving Sweden, Canada, Finland, and
France.
In his lecture, Llewellyn will present recent pictures of the Antarctic
ozone hole at various altitudes ranging from 10 kilometres to 30 kilometres.
"We are the only researchers in the world who have these," he said.
He will also describe the development of OSIRIS, life in Siberia as a member
of the launch team, and his future plans for atmospheric remote sensing at
the U of S.
Llewellyn, who is a member of the U of S Institute of Space and Atmospheric
Studies, received the Distinguished Researcher Award at the Oct. 26th U of S
convocation ceremony. His achievements range from co-discovering the Earth's
upper ozone layer to developing the standard method for measuring the ozone
layer from space.
"Professor Llewellyn is an outstanding scientist who has served as a mentor
to some of Canada's finest space scientists," said Bryan Harvey, Acting
Vice-President of Research. "His world-class research work has made a major
contribution to our understanding of the upper atmosphere which is so vital
to life on Earth."
Human impact on the atmosphere is "significant," Llewellyn says. OSIRIS data
will make it possible to determine the regional origins of ozone-depleting
pollutants, potentially paving the way for legislation to protect the
atmosphere.
The ozone layer filters ultra-violet radiation (UV). In humans,
overexposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, and a weakened
immune system.
Llewellyn was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1994, and
holds a U of S Doctor of Science degree.
A prolific writer, journal referee, and associate editor, Llewellyn reviews
many papers and grant applications for federal granting agencies and NASA,
and serves on national and international committees. His current graduate
students, past students and doctoral fellows work with university research
projects across the country.
The Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies (ISAS) was formed in 1956 to
study the aurora (northern lights), the related "disturbances" in the upper
atmosphere and ionosphere, and the effects of solar activity upon climate.
Since that time, members of the Institute have expanded the world's
knowledge and understanding of how the sun and Earth interact, and have
trained more than 200 scientists and engineers in a wide range of technical
and scientific areas. Find out more: www.usask.ca/physics/isas/
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For more information, contact:
Professor Ted Llewellyn
Department of Physics and Engineering Physics
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6441
http://osirus.usask.ca/
Kathryn Warden
U of S Research Communications Officer
Office of the Vice-President Research
(306) 966-2505
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
http://www.usask.ca/research/
Researcher Seeks Guideline for Children's Physical Activity
Posted November 01, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 1, 2002 2002-11-03-KIN
Researcher Seeks Guideline for Children's Physical Activity
Physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits have created a burgeoning
childhood obesity epidemic in Canada that contributes to alarming rates of
diabetes, heart disease and other chronic health problems.
But just how much daily activity is needed to keep kids healthy?
University of Saskatchewan researcher Mark Tremblay has received $104,600
from the Canadian Population Health Initiative (CPHI) to try and find out.
He will compare the physical activity and fitness of children in rural and
urban Saskatchewan to that of Old Order Mennonite children near Guelph,
Ontario who continue the highly physical daily activity patterns of previous
generations.
Known for resistance to social and technological change, the Mennonite
community lives without the modern conveniences of automobiles, electronics,
or computers. Boys work on the farm with their fathers and girls work in
the house with their mothers. Sport participation is discouraged, yet daily
physical activity levels are high, and obesity levels low.
"This glimpse of the past may provide insight into how to prevent childhood
obesity," said Tremblay, dean of the College of Kinesiology.
"The answer to resolving the childhood obesity epidemic may lie in
re-introducing common, repetitive activities of daily living into our lives
-- behaviors which the Old Order Mennonites have preserved, and which seem
to afford them some protection from the physical deterioration associated
with modern living."
He notes that automated technology has resulted in a sedentary modern
lifestyle. "When we don't move, the body starts to deteriorate -- the heart
doesn't pump as fast, our lungs don't work as hard, our muscles don't
contract, our bones don't accrue mass," he says.
Daily caloric intake is not increasing, he says, yet child obesity is
reaching epidemic proportions.
"You can control caloric intake by reducing what you eat, but there will
never be a magic pill that will stimulate and benefit the body the way
physical activity does," he says. He adds that restricting a child's food
intake should be discouraged because children need essential nutrients for
normal development, and there's also a risk of eating disorders.
Each of the 450 nine- to 12 year-olds in the study will be monitored by an
accelerometer (motion sensor) that resembles a small pager and is worn at
the hip during the day. The device, which measures activity 10 times per
second, will be worn for one week in the fall, while children are in school
and less active for many hours a day, and for another week in the summer,
when children have more active leisure time.
Children will also undergo a physical fitness test and report their
activities on a questionnaire. Tremblay expects that children who are
physically active will be healthier than those who are not.
Tremblay has also contributed to the creation of Health Canada's
just-released physical activity guides for youth and children.
The guides encourage young people to increase time spent in physical
activity by 30 minutes more per day by taking a walk after supper, playing
outside, or helping to carry groceries. The guides also encourage youth to
decrease time spent in front of the television or computer.
According to Tremblay's calculations, getting off the couch to change the
television channel can burn more than 45 pounds of fat over an average
lifetime.
The CPHI is part of the Canadian Institute for Health Information. CPHI's
vision is to improve understanding of factors affecting the health of
individuals and communities, and to contribute to developing policies that
reduce inequities and improve the health and well-being of Canadians.
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For more information, contact:
Mark Tremblay
Dean, College of Kinesiology
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6465
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
