January 31, 2006
Broccoli Sprouts Eaten During Pregnancy May Provide Children with Life-long Protection Against Heart Disease - U of S Study
Posted January 31, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, January 31, 2006
2006-01-14-ME
Broccoli Sprouts Eaten During Pregnancy May Provide Children with Life-long
Protection Against Heart Disease - U of S Study
Eating broccoli sprouts during pregnancy may provide your kids with
life-long protection against cardiovascular disease, according to a research
team led by Bernhard Juurlink at the University of Saskatchewan.
Using pregnant rats, the researchers found that not only did the broccoli
sprouts improve the mothers' health, they also seem to improve the health of
their offspring into adulthood - even if the babies never tasted a sprout.
"We looked at the offspring up to six months later and even on a normal
diet, they were in better health than their mothers," says Juurlink, a
professor in the U of S anatomy and cell biology department.
The findings are published in the journal of the Federation of American
Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB).The work is a follow-up to the
team's 2004 study that found broccoli sprouts fed to hypertensive rats
lowered their blood pressure.
Juurlink's lab studies the impact of oxidative stress which occurs when the
body produces free radicals, a byproduct of normal metabolism, faster than
it can remove them. These highly reactive molecules can cause a host of
problems such as tissue inflammation, hypertension and stroke. The research
team is trying to find ways to reduce oxidative stress using diet.
So where do the broccoli sprouts fit in? The sprouts are high in a phase 2
protein inducer called glucoraphanin. In fact, they have 20 to 50 times
more glucoraphanin than mature broccoli.
"Phase 2 inducers promote the production of phase 2 proteins which either
promote scavenging of oxidants or decrease the chance of these oxidants
being formed in the first place," Juurlink said.
In effect, broccoli sprouts boost the body's natural defenses against the
oxidative stress that causes high blood pressure and inflammation.
Surprisingly, this dietary change not only improves the health of the
expectant mothers, but also has a lasting effect on the offspring.
"It appears we've instituted a permanent change in the offspring, the
question now is how," Juurlink says.
Human trials are planned in the near future. Juurlink says if humans react
the same way as rats, 200 grams or less of sprouts every other day may be
enough to reduce oxidative stress. If he's right, a simple dietary change
may prevent or delay onset of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension,
or possibly even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
It's important to eat the right variety of sprouts. The Calabrese variety
used in the study produced beneficial effects, but even better, some
commercially available varieties of broccoli sprouts have seven times as
much glucoraphanin. Broccoli sprouts are typically eaten raw in salads or
wraps, or cooked in a variety of dishes.
Funding for this study was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research. Other research team members were Hossein Noyan-Ashraf (anatomy
and cell biology) and Lily Wu (pharmacology).
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For more information, please contact:
Bernhard Juurlink
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
College of Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2542
juurlink@duke.usask.ca
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
January 27, 2006
U of S and CUPE 1975 Reach a Tentative Agreement
Posted January 27, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 27, 2006 2006-01-12-OTHER
U of S and CUPE 1975 Reach a Tentative Agreement
Saskatoon, SK.... A tentative three-year Collective Agreement that resolves
job evaluation, pay equity and market issues through a new compensation
model was reached with CUPE 1975 Wednesday night.
"We believe this is a fair and competitive settlement that addresses a
number of long-standing issues," said the Associate Vice-President, Human
Resources, University of Saskatchewan, Barb Daigle. "Over the last week the
union worked intensely with us to find solutions for our shared issues."
The parties also made changes to contract language in a number of key areas
including opening job opportunities in entry level positions to support
recruitment and retention. "The agreement supports our Aboriginal
Representative Workforce goals by opening doors for aboriginal hiring while
continuing to ensure advancement for CUPE members," Daigle added.
With this agreement, CUPE has clearly demonstrated their commitment to the
institution and to the public by resolving issues at the table rather than
through job actions. We believe this is a positive signal to a more
productive and problem-solving focus in our labour relations with CUPE.
We appreciate everyone's efforts towards reaching this agreement. The
contribution that CUPE members make to the U of S is recognized, valued and
critical to our long-term success.
There are about 1600 CUPE members at the U of S across a range of areas such
as food services, administration support and custodial support. CUPE 1975
has been without a contract since December 31, 2003.
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For more information, contact:
Kathy M. Hollands, ABC
Communications, Human Resources
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 955-4571 or 966-6285
Cell: (306) 270-9631
January 26, 2006
U of S offers new Agribusiness Degree
Posted January 26, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 26, 2006 2006-01-11-AG
U of S offers new Agribusiness Degree
The University of Saskatchewan has approved a new undergraduate degree
program in Agribusiness which is being offered by the College of Agriculture
starting in September 2006.
The Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness (B.Sc.Agbus.) was established in
response to student and employer demand to meet the changing dynamics within
the agricultural industry. It is the first new degree established in the
College in over 90 years.
The program will prepare students to work at the interface between
agricultural science and business. They will learn about the structure and
organization of the agri-food sector and acquire business skills applicable
to farm inputs, primary production, processing, transportation and
marketing.
Agriculture Dean Ernie Barber, said: "The Agribusiness degree will really
help to solidify a relationship among students, industry and the University
which hopefully will continue when the students start their careers in
agribusiness. This relationship is critical, as good teaching and research
requires an engagement between industry and the University."
Phil Graham, General Manager, Western Canada, Cargill, said: "An
Agribusiness degree is an asset in attracting companies like Cargill to
recruit University of Saskatchewan graduates. The program will provide a
unique blend of Agriculture and Commerce, something that is of greater
importance to the international agri-business community."
The Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness does not replace current
programming. It will be offered in addition to programs in Agricultural
Economics. Existing programs will be strengthened and enriched by the
availability of new courses in Agribusiness and the larger pool of students
it attracts.
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For more information contact:
Dr. Bob Tyler
Associate Dean, Academic
College of Agriculture
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-4064
Email: robert.tyler@usask.ca
January 25, 2006
New Researcher Appointed to Alberta Chair in Beef Cattle Health at U of S
Posted January 25, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 25, 2006
2006-01-10-WCVM
New Researcher Appointed to Alberta Chair in Beef Cattle Health at U of S
The University of Saskatchewan has appointed Dr. Murray Jelinski to the
Alberta Chair in Beef Cattle Health and Production Medicine. The Chair is
located in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Western
College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). This appointment is for a five-year
term effective January 1, 2006.
The Chair was initially established by a $1.5 million grant from the
Government of Alberta. A major impetus for the establishment of the
position was a need to encourage veterinarians to consider beef cattle
practice. Since the inception of the Chair, the Alberta Cattle Commission
and the Cattle Marketing Deductions Fund in Saskatchewan have contributed
$500,000 and $250,000, respectively.
"The establishment of this position shows that the Western College of
Veterinary Medicine is committed to educating future veterinarians, and also
to the support of the livestock industry," said Dean Charles Rhodes. "Dr.
Jelinski will liaise between the College, the beef industry and government
agencies to enhance education and research opportunities in beef cattle
health and production."
Beef production contributes almost $25 billion annually to Canada's economy
and there are 68,000 farms/ranches raising beef cattle in western Canada.
Maintaining a high level of animal health and helping to ensure a high
quality product is a critical role for veterinarians.
"Dr. Jelinski's experience in beef practice, combined with his longstanding
interest in veterinary manpower issues in western Canada and his business
credentials, bring a unique skill set to this important position," added Dr.
David Wilson, Head of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.
Dr. Jelinski graduated from the WCVM in 1985 with his DVM degree. He
operated the South East Veterinary Services mixed animal practice in
Moosomin for seven years before returning to the University of Saskatchewan
for postgraduate training in 1992.
After completing his Master of Science degree, Dr. Jelinski was the Manager
of Product Development and Regulatory Affairs at Hoeschst Roussel Vet in
Regina; Director of Regulatory Affairs at Biostar Inc., a vaccine company
specializing in veterinary vaccines for food animals; and most recently, he
was General Manager at MetaMorphix Canada Inc. which he left to return to
the University of Saskatchewan on January 1, 2006.
Dr. Jelinski has served as President of the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical
Association and chaired their Economic Survey Committee. Currently, he is
the Secretary/Treasurer of the Western Canadian Association of Bovine
Practitioners.
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For more information, please contact:
Dr. Charles Rhodes
Dean, Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-7448
Dr. Murray Jelinski
Alberta Chair in Beef Cattle Health and Production Management
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-7166
Email: murray.jelinski@usask.ca
January 18, 2006
U of S Historian's Research Chronicled in Powerful New Film
Posted January 18, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, January 18, 2006 2006-01-06-AR
U of S Historian's Research Chronicled in Powerful New Film
A U of S historian, whose investigative research uncovered a powerful and
international story of racism, murder, and cover-up, will discuss the tragic
story and its latest political ramifications at a campus screening of a new
documentary film on the subject.
The film, "The Lynching of Louie Sam," is based on research by Keith Thor
Carlson and is directed by Vancouver director David McIlwraith. It will
receive its Saskatchewan première on Wednesday, February 1st at 7
p.m. in the Neatby-Timlin Lecture Theatre - Room 241, Arts Building
(formerly Place Riel Theatre). The première screening is free and
open to the public.
The film chronicles a shocking case of lynching in British Columbia 122
years ago.
"At the time, the hanging of Louie Sam very nearly sparked an outright race
war," says Carlson, who is currently writing a book on the subject. "It's an
injustice that, to this day, has never properly been addressed or resolved."
In 1884, an American lynch mob crossed the border from Washington Territory
into British Columbia and hanged a 14-year-old Sto:lo boy who was in the
custody of Canadian police. The lynch mob claimed to be seeking justice for
the murder of a Washington shopkeeper but Carlson's investigative research
has revealed that the shopkeeper's murder was actually committed by one of
the lynch mob members - not young Louie Sam.
Until Carlson's research, the tragic tale of Louie Sam was the stuff of
local legend, virtually unknown outside the Sto:lo community. In the U.S.,
however, it was the lynch mob's version of events which prevailed and became
historical record.
Following the screening, Carlson will present a talk on the research that
led to the making of the film and about the bizarre, carnivalesque
atmosphere of the lynching itself. Carlson will also discuss the latest
international political implications of the story's resurfacing.
With Carlson's input, Washington's Legislature is now working to develop a
public apology to the Sto:lo Nation to be tabled this session. Along with
acting as consultant to Washington's Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, Carlson
has also been in close communication with British Columbia's Lieutenant
Governor Iona Campagnola.
"Both governments share in the blame for not clearing Louie Sam's name
before now and for never pursuing his killers," says Carlson. "As far as I'm
concerned, an apology is a step in the right direction - although I
certainly hope it won't end there."
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For more information, contact:
Keith Thor Carlson
History Department
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5902
keith.carlson@usask.ca
or
Jennifer W. Webber
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1474
jennifer.webber@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
January 13, 2006
Cities Key to Growing Saskatchewan - U of S Public Policy Brief
Posted January 13, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, January 13, 2006 2006-01-04-OTHER
Cities Key to Growing Saskatchewan - U of S Public Policy Brief
Growing Saskatchewan's urban centres is the best potential source of
economic growth and prosperity for the province, says a new University of
Saskatchewan public policy brief aimed at improving government planning.
"Saskatchewan is clearly not holding its own in the national context,
suggesting the need for urgent changes," state agricultural economists Rose
Olfert, Murray Fulton, and Mark Partridge (U of S Canada Research Chair in
the New Rural Economy) in Growing Saskatchewan in an Urban Age.
"Our engines of growth -- our nine urban centres -- are collectively
struggling and rural Saskatchewan is in serious decline."
Their research shows that Canadian cities with more than 500,000 people are
not only self-sustaining engines of growth, but these "mega-centres" also
support the growth and vitality of the smaller urban centres and rural
communities around them.
If Saskatchewan continues on its current trajectory without recognizing the
power of the city in the 21st century, it could have dire long-term
consequences for the province, the authors warn.
"Our future depends on acknowledging who, where and what we are and building
on the opportunities that are available to us," they say, noting that
Saskatchewan enjoys a relatively well-educated labour force, has abundant
natural resources, and borders on the world's largest market. Growing
Saskatchewan's urban centres is dependent on supporting these growth points.
Among the province's challenges are "small population, long-run declines in
agricultural and natural resource employment, and our business environment
relative to neighbouring Alberta."
To prosper, the authors say Saskatchewan must improve transportation access
to the lucrative U.S. market, create a more competitive business climate,
and enhance quality-of-life urban amenities that attract and retain people.
Saskatchewan tax rates relative to other Canadian provinces, especially
neighbouring Alberta, as well as U.S. states, should be competitive to make
Saskatchewan an attractive location for investment and growth. This extends
to both personal and business tax structures.
Cities offer urban amenities such as public services and private or
semi-private facilities such as recreation venues, professional sports,
up-scale shopping, and cultural events and facilities. "The presence of
these urban amenities attracts population, which then makes the cities more
attractive to employers," the brief states. "This feedback loop reinforces
the city's advantages."
But growing Saskatchewan's urban centres does not have to harm rural
Saskatchewan, the researchers contend. The group is calling for new forms of
rural governance to ensure the participation of rural areas in economic
growth. Further delay, they say, puts the very survival of small
Saskatchewan communities at risk.
"Rural communities benefit by simply being nearer to any urban centre," they
note. "The growth created by cities positively affects the rural areas
surrounding them. Urban growth is not a zero-sum game."
The authors point out that the natural resource revenue "windfall" that
Saskatchewan will enjoy over the next few years presents a unique
opportunity to build on the province's strengths.
But they caution that throughout the world, growth led by natural resource
revenue "has generally not been sustainable." Saskatchewan needs "to think
clearly about how it can wisely invest the resource revenues that will be
generated during the current upward price cycle in the energy industry."
The researchers are with the Canada Rural Economy Research Lab, a
state-of-the-art U of S research facility designed to study issues that
affect the vitality of rural Canada such as diversified economy, healthcare,
environment, transportation and sustainable agriculture.
They will discuss their policy brief on Tuesday, January 17th at a public
forum sponsored by the Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy. The forum
will be held at the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel in the East Room from 4 p.m. to
6 p.m. Joining the panel will be Dale Eisler, a long-time Saskatchewan
journalist who is currently working as the assistant secretary to the
federal cabinet. Contact Marian Goodman at (306) 966-8893 to register.
For a copy of the complete policy brief, please visit:
http://crerl.usask.ca/policy.php
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For more information, contact:
David Hutton
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6490
dave.hutton@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
Rose Olfert
College of Agriculture
University of Saskatchewan
Associate Director, Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy
(306) 966-4023
rose.olfert@usask.ca
January 10, 2006
U of S Researchers Develop New Vaccine Candidate Against Hepatitis C
Posted January 10, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, January 10, 2006 2006-01-02-OTHER
U of S Researchers Develop New Vaccine Candidate Against Hepatitis C
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious
Disease Organization (VIDO) have developed a vaccine candidate for hepatitis
C, leading to hope in the fight against a disease for which no vaccines are
yet available.
VIDO is the first in Canada to show that this vaccination technique may be
effective against HCV. The study was published in this month's Journal of
General Virology.
The team, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and
the Canadian Network for Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics (CANVAC), produced
a vaccine candidate that decreased the amount of a carrier virus expressing
hepatitis C virus (HCV) protein in mice by 100,000 times compared to the
control.
"This technique uses the body's own cells, called dendritic cells, to
vaccinate against hepatitis C," said Dr. Bhagirath Singh, Scientific
Director of the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity.
Dendritic cells are key components of the immune system, activating and
shaping the immune response. "The vaccine reduced the amount of hepatitis C
protein in a highly significant manner," he said. "This offers a very
promising approach to prevent liver disease caused by the virus and to
ultimately eliminate it from the body."
About 20 per cent of people who contract HCV overcome the virus on their
own. For those who develop chronic hepatitis, the immune system cannot clear
the infection.
"In patients with chronic hepatitis C, there is evidence that the function
of their dendritic cells is altered," said Sylvia van den Hurk, senior VIDO
scientist and member of the research team that developed the vaccine
candidate.
"We thought that if we could 'teach' the dendritic cells how to properly
activate the immune response and deliver them back to the patient as a
vaccine, the patients would clear or at least control the infection."
HCV is the leading cause for liver transplants in the western world, and its
annual death toll is expected to triple in the next 10 years. Worldwide,
there are about five times more people infected by HCV than with the HIV
virus. Treatment of hepatitis C, which like HIV is spread by blood-to-blood
contact, is costly and ineffective in about half the patients.
Researchers working in this field have a tough job, says van den Hurk. "The
hepatitis C virus is always mutating. For example, one patient can be
infected with a strain that spawns sub-strains with different sequences.
They are all present at the same time, in the same patient."
The VIDO vaccine uses a viral protein that is common among different
strains, ensuring that the vaccine will be effective against them.
The researchers exposed dendritic cells in vitro to a HCV protein. The cells
were also exposed to a strong immune stimulator to increase the immune
response and then injected into mice as a vaccine. Because HCV does not
infect mice, mice were challenged with a carrier virus containing the
hepatitis C protein. The levels of HCV protein in immunized mice using this
model were five orders of magnitude lower than the control.
Co-authors on the study include Hong Yu, a post-doctoral fellow at VIDO and
recipient of a National Canadian Research Training Program in Hepatitis C
post-doctoral fellowship award, and VIDO director Lorne Babiuk. Hui Huang
and Jim Xiang are members of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
VIDO is recognized by the scientific community as a world leader in RandD
and commercialization of vaccines and novel formulation and delivery systems
for livestock and human diseases. VIDO is a financially self-reliant,
non-profit organization owned by the U of Sand operates with substantial
support from the Government of Canada and the governments of Alberta and
Saskatchewan, as well as industry competitive grants.
The CIHR is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's
mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its
translation into improved health, more effective health services and
products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13
institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to close to 10,000 health
researchers and trainees across Canada.
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For more information:
Tess Laidlaw
Communications Officer, VIDO
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1506
laidlaw@usask.ca
www.vido.org
Marie-France Poirier
CIHR Media Relations
(613) 941-4563
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca
$21-Million Long-term Pulse Breeding Agreement at the U of S Announced
Posted January 10, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, January 10, 2006 2006-01-03-AG
$21-Million Long-term Pulse Breeding Agreement Announced
The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) and the Crop Development Centre (CDC)
at the University of Saskatchewan have entered into a new long-term pulse
breeding agreement worth $21 million over 15 years.
This funding, along with the recently opened, $3-million state-of-the-art
pulse research lab on the U of S campus, is expected to meet the crop
breeding and research needs of the pulse industry for many years to come.
"In return for core funding of our pulse breeding program, the U of S has
given SPG exclusive global distribution rights for new varieties of peas,
lentils, chickpeas, dry beans, and new pulse crops such as fababeans and
soybeans," said CDC Director Rick Holm.
SPG will also provide the CDC with the use of 640 acres of land and bridge
funding for an additional pulse breeding position, bringing the total number
of CDC pulse crop breeders to three.
Holm said SPG's long-term commitment to funding at such a significant level
is extremely important to the CDC's pulse crop breeding program.
"It provides much needed long-term stability that will allow us to
concentrate on our major objective - to improve economic returns to
producers and the rest of the agricultural industry through the development
of improved pulse crop varieties," he said.
SPG Chair Dean Corbett said research is key to keeping Canada's growing
pulse industry profitable over the long term. He noted the SPG research
agenda is funded through a check-off on all pulse crops sold in the
province.
"We know this investment will bring huge payoffs for growers down the road,"
Corbett said.
Saskatchewan's 20,000 pulse growers are a national success story, together
making Canada the world's largest exporter of peas and lentils and a major
exporter of chickpeas.
Saskatchewan produces 99 per cent of the country's lentils and 70 per cent
of its peas. Pulses are now planted on four to five million acres annually,
making them the province's third most important crop export and accounting
for about 15 per cent of income at the farm gate.
The U of S has played an integral role in the development of the province's
pulse industry. Fewer than a dozen Saskatchewan farmers had tried growing
lentils when a breeding program was established at the CDC not long after
the Centre's inception in 1971. Since then, the CDC has released 92 pulse
crop varieties including 32 lentil, 20 pea, 22 bean, 13 chickpea and five
fababean varieties.
CDC's pulse breeding program now consists of six scientists, 20 technicians
and up to 20 seasonal personnel. Two pulse breeders and a plant pathologist
are funded by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.
The CDC is a renowned centre of excellence in crop research that seeks to
increase the diversification of crops and their products for the farmers and
agriculture industry of Saskatchewan by improving existing crops, creating
new uses for traditional crops, and introducing new crops. For more
information, visit: http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/cdc.html
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For more information:
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
Garth Patterson
Executive Director
(306) 668-5556
www.saskpulse.com
University of Saskatchewan
Crop Development Centre
Rick Holm
Director
(306) 966-8195
