October 30, 2008
U of S Posts Second-Highest Growth in Research Income in Canada
Posted October 30, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 30, 2008
2008-10-14-OTHER
The University of Saskatchewan recorded a 40.8-per-cent growth in research income in fiscal 2007 – the second highest growth in research income in Canada, according to Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities List 2008 published today by Research Infosource Inc.
U of S research income from all sources jumped from $106.9 million to $150.5 million in 2006-07, resulting in a three-place leap to 13th place in the national research income rankings.
The whopping U of S gain in research revenue contrasted with the lackluster national average of 3.5 per cent growth, the second lowest gain in nine years.
Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource, congratulated the U of S on its “impressive showing” and said it will be interesting to see if universities posting gains can buck the downward trend and “keep the momentum going in the potentially troubled times ahead.”
U of S also registered an almost 42-per-cent gain in the “research intensity” indicator—total research income per full-time faculty member—in this year’s ranking compared with last year’s.
“The U of S has highly talented faculty who are making wonderful discoveries which are in turn increasing our ability to attract more research funding,” said Karen Chad, U of S Acting Vice-President of Research.
She said the U of S research income growth largely reflects increased funding for research activity from both the federal and Saskatchewan governments.
“A significant portion of the increase was due to the presence on our campus of the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron, a premier research facility which is advancing interdisciplinary research in many areas,” Chad said.
“As well, U of S posted increased funding from federal granting councils, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Saskatchewan government, and non-government sources including charitable research funding agencies,” she said.
She noted there were significant contributions in provincial funding for a range of capital projects and research laboratories such as the Grain Innovation Lab.
“With all the major research-related capital projects at the U of S, including the Western College of Veterinary Medicine expansion, beamline construction at the CLS, and construction of both the International Vaccine Centre and the Academic Health Sciences Centre, this can only translate into continued and expanded research projects and funding,” she said.
Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
For more information on the rankings, visit www.researchinfosource.com
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For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
October 29, 2008
IBM and University of Saskatchewan accelerate research to reduce greenhouse gases
Posted October 29, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 29, 2008
2008-10-13-AR
SASKATOON, SK and MARKHAM, ON -- University of Saskatchewan (U of S) and IBM (NYSE:IBM) today announced they will collaborate to apply new high-performance computer chips to achieve a greater understanding of how to build coal-fired electricity plants that emit less carbon dioxide.
The technology will also help determine how these plants can be modified to harness carbon dioxide, before it’s released, and transform it into more benign byproducts or even into environmentally friendly fuels such as methanol.
The U of S will be one of the first academic institutions in North America to have the IBM microprocessor technology.
The collaboration is supported in part by IBM’s Shared University Research (SUR) program, created to foster partnership between academia and the industry to explore research in areas essential to innovation. Through SUR, the U of S will use IBM BladeCenter hardware technology equipped with new QS22 Cell Broadband Engine processors and related services.
The Cell Broadband Engine processors are commonly used in the popular Sony PlayStation 3. They were recently introduced by IBM for high-performance computing applications and can compute about 20 times faster than an ordinary computer chip—speed that is critical for the compute-intensive calculations the research requires.
“Computations that used to take 10 days to complete will now be completed in under one day,” says Raymond Spiteri, research lead and a U of S professor of computer science who previously had to apply for ‘airtime’ on a computing system in Texas to run his simulations. “Getting results back faster enables us to be more ambitious in our simulations, and try more ideas and different scenarios.”
According to a 2001 International Energy Outlook report, coal was second only to oil as the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for over 30 per cent worldwide. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated coal-burning for electricity generation accounts for 80 per cent of the carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S.
The IBM technology enables U of S researchers to create applications and run complex computer lab simulations to study chemical reactions that take place in power plant chimneys, testing how variations in temperature or pressure may affect the chemical properties of the emissions.
As part of the SUR program, recipients also receive access to IBM’s researchers and labs. Spiteri worked with IBM scientists Harrell Sellers, to build a model for the relevant chemical reactions, and Michael Perrone, to produce algorithms and code for the new Cell processors.
“Software has to be specially written for these Cell processors, so much research has to be done in terms of what kinds of algorithms will work well on them. Computer chips in general are migrating to this type of architecture, so the knowledge of how to program them will be an essential skill for our students to have in the future,” says Spiteri.
“There are tremendous benefits to having the equipment on-site—from increased and more convenient access, to providing a base for a critical mass of interested people to congregate, to just being able to spontaneously try things out without having to apply for computer time first,” he adds.
Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
For more about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com
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For more information, contact:
Leslie Plant
IBM
(416) 526-5647
laplant@ibm.com
Kathryn Warden
Director, Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
October 24, 2008
U of S Scientists Part of Study that Finds "Rotten Egg" Gas Key to Lowering Blood Pressure
Posted October 24, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 24, 2008
2008-10-12-OTHER
SASKATOON, SK- An international research team, with scientists from the University of Saskatchewan, has discovered that a gas produced in blood vessels regulates and lowers blood pressure.
The team’s findings, based on research in mice, may one day be used to design drug therapies for controlling high blood pressure in humans.
In a study published today in Science, the U of S research team and colleagues from Lakehead University and Johns Hopkins University found that hydrogen sulfide (H2S), commonly known as the gas with a ‘rotten egg’ smell, can regulate blood pressure levels by relaxing blood vessels.
“This groundbreaking work is the result of five years of intensive research that began at the U of S,” says U of S pharmacologist Dr. Lingyun (Lily) Wu, a senior author on the paper.
Based on a study conducted in 2001 by former U of S physiology professor Dr. Rui Wang, the team of scientists suspected that H2S could play a role in blood pressure regulation. The U of S was the first to find where H2S is produced in the cardiovascular system.
Building on the foundation laid by this preliminary research, Dr. Wu and her team worked with Dr. Wang to genetically alter lab mice by removing the enzyme responsible for regulating H2S.
The scientists discovered that the altered mice, which had lower than normal levels of H2S, experienced 15 to 20 per cent increases in blood pressure, similar to hypertension in humans.
“Establishing at the U of S a mouse colony that lacks a specific enzyme made this discovery possible,” says Dr. Wu.
Though the study was conducted on mice, it could prove to be an important finding for human health.
“Now that we know hydrogen sulfide’s role in regulating blood pressure, it may be possible to design drug therapies that enhance its formation as an alternative to the current methods of treatment for hypertension,” says Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Dr. Solomon Snyder, a senior author of the paper.
As a molecular messenger, or gasotransmitter, H2S functions in a similar way to chemical signals such as nitric oxide, dopamine, and acetylcholine, which transmit signals between nerve cells and stimulate or slow down mind-brain activities.
"It's difficult to overestimate the biological importance of hydrogen sulfide or its implications in hypertension as well as diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases," says Dr. Wang, now vice-president of research at Lakehead University. "Most human diseases probably have something to do with gasotransmitters.”
To date, only two other gaseous molecules in the body have been found to modulate physiological functions. One is nitric oxide, which was also found to relax blood vessels, the discovery of which led to a Nobel Prize.
This research project was supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the U.S. Public Health Service. Dr. Wu is also funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan. She has published more than 80 peer-reviewed papers on insulin resistance, hypertension management, and gasotransmitter research.
Authors on the paper are Guangdong Yang, Lingyun Wu, Bo Jiang, Wei Yang, Jiansong Qi, Kun Cao, Qing Meng, all of the U of S; Rui Wang and Shengming Zhang of Lakehead University; and Asif K. Mustafa, Weitong Mu and Solomon Snyder, all of Johns Hopkins University.
For the full paper, visit http://www.sciencemag.org
About U of S (www.usask.ca): The University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the university is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award-winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Cameron Zimmer
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
October 16, 2008
"Snapshot" of Saskatoon's Homeless Dispels Myths-U of S/Community Study
Posted October 16, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 16, 2008
2008-10-09-OTHER
The first-ever count of Saskatoon’s homeless population has found that despite having nowhere to live, the majority of homeless people in Saskatoon are employed.
The study was conducted on May 22nd by the Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR), a partnership between community-based organizations and University of Saskatchewan researchers, and involved the Saskatoon Homelessness Advisory Committee and the federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy. It was released today as part of Poverty Awareness Week.
“Contrary to popular myth, nearly 70 per cent of the homeless we interviewed were employed formally, informally or at day jobs, and of those, 74 per cent worked full-time," said research co-ordinator Nicola Chopin, a U of S applied social psychology graduate student. “Respondents in shelters and transitional housing reported higher levels of employment than people staying outdoors.”
Most respondents cited the low vacancy rate in Saskatoon as the primary reason for homelessness. “It’s a wake-up call for shelter providers and government at all levels to provide more affordable and accessible housing programs,” Chopin said. “If housing prices are not addressed in a timely and systematic way, the homeless population will continue to increase.”
The one-day snapshot of Saskatoon's homeless, conducted by over 100 volunteers, counted 212 homeless in emergency shelters and transitional housing units and an additional 48 individuals who planned to spend the night outdoors. The 260 total included 32 children and consisted of roughly equal proportions of Caucasian (41 per cent) and Aboriginal (46 per cent) people.
Chopin said the 260 homeless number might be conservative. “The counting method we used had limitations. Homeless people by definition are difficult to contact, particularly because of the number of hidden homeless including ‘couch surfers’ who stay with friends and family,” she said.
The count also didn’t differentiate between long- and short-term homelessness and didn’t include homeless people staying in short-term accommodation provided by Saskatchewan Social Services, Saskatoon’s Safe House Shelter, and the city jail.
Chopin’s team worked closely with Toronto’s “Streets to Homes” program which has helped more than 1,500 homeless find housing in that city. Chopin said she hopes the CUISR study will lead to a more comprehensive government policy on homelessness and, at the local level, “help better serve the needs of Saskatoon’s homeless.”
Recommendations of the report include improved partnership between the Saskatoon Health Region and Saskatoon Police Service to develop a housing referral mechanism.
“It’s about better linkages, so that if police or hospitals come into contact with the homeless, they can get in contact with housing providers,” Chopin said. Providing transportation to view apartments and assistance with housing applications would also be helpful, she said.
The CUISR homelessness report is available in full at: http://www.usask.ca/cuisr
About CUISR: (www.usask.ca/cuisr) facilitates partnerships between the university and the larger community in order to engage in relevant social research that supports understanding of our communities and reveals opportunities for improving our quality of life.
About U of S: (www.usask.ca) is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the university is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award-winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
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For more information, contact:
Carmen Dyck
CUISR Research Coordinator
(306) 966-2120
carmen.dyck@usask.ca
Bronwyn Eyre
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8689
bronwyneyre@yahoo.ca
October 02, 2008
Canadian Pacific Gift to Aid Research and Training in Aboriginal Community Planning at University of Saskatchewan
Posted October 02, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 2, 2008
2008-10-02-AR
Canadian Pacific (CP) has pledged $250,000 to aid research and training in aboriginal community planning in the College of Arts & Science at the University of Saskatchewan.
The Canadian Pacific Partnership Program in Aboriginal Community Planning was announced today during an event at the U of S. Under the lead of a newly established research team, the program will bring together aboriginal and non-aboriginal academics and community leaders to find ways of enhancing aboriginal community development.
“The College of Arts & Science at the University of Saskatchewan is excited to augment our already strong focus on aboriginal issues through this agreement,” said Jo-Anne Dillon, dean of the college. “We are sincerely grateful to CP for their generous gift that will make this important concept a reality.”
The Canadian Pacific Partnership Program in Aboriginal Community Planning will be linked closely to the work of existing university researchers with expertise in planning, development and aboriginal scholarship. To help establish this new research team, the gift from CP, distributed over five years, will be allocated to student scholarships, an annual research symposium and support for the research team lead.
"Partnerships build opportunity," said Jane O'Hagan, Canadian Pacific's vice-president of strategy and external affairs. "CP is pleased to join the University of Saskatchewan and help develop the next generation of First Nations leaders."
Canadian Pacific, through the ingenuity of its employees located across Canada and in the United States, remains committed to being the safest, most fluid railway in North America. People are the key to delivering innovative transportation solutions to CP’s customers and to ensuring the safe operation of its trains through more than 900 communities. Canadian Pacific is proud to be the official rail freight services provider for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
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For more information, contact:
Kirk Sibbald, Communications Officer
College of Arts & Science
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-1982
Email: kirk.sibbald@artsandscience.usask.ca
Breanne Feigel, Manager of Media Relations
Canadian Pacific
Phone: (403) 319-3932 or Cell: (403) 589-6949
Email: breanne_feigel@cpr.ca
Web: www.cpr.ca
October 01, 2008
U of S Researchers Launch Alzheimer's Documentary
Posted October 01, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 1, 2008
2008-10-01-NU
A video highlighting new University of Saskatchewan research into the role that hope can play for family caregivers of persons with dementia will be launched today at an Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan conference in Regina.
Hope in Action is an 18-minute video highlighting a research study conducted by nursing professor Wendy Duggleby and sociology researcher Liz Quinlan.
The video, to be shown for the first time at 1:15 p.m. today at the Delta Hotel in Regina, will be used by Alzheimer’s support group leaders throughout Saskatchewan who will receive training in the use of it from Duggleby and Quinlan.
In the film, family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease discuss what hope means to them and how participatory theatre fostered their hope. The film is aimed at fostering greater public understanding about the challenges faced by caregivers, as well as showing caregivers how others have hope, says Duggleby.
“Hope is about possibilities, so looking at different ways that you may deal with your family member with Alzheimer’s will make you aware of possibilities,” she said. “Despair occurs in isolation, so connecting with others helps to foster hope.”
The video is the second produced through the College of Nursing’s “Living With Hope” research program (http://www.usask.ca/nursing/research/livingwithhope) aimed at support family caregivers. The first film features discussions of hope by people with advanced cancer and their families.
Quinlan believes audiences will find the latest documentary a unique viewing experience.
“This research is the first of its kind to use participatory theatre as a way to showcase challenges of hope and how to foster hope,” she said.
“It is also the first film that focuses on the hope of family caregivers of persons with dementia. The other films that have been produced focus on the experience of family caregivers, but not on hope.”
The documentary was produced in partnership with the Alzheimer Society, the Saskatoon Council on Aging, and the U of S Educational Media Access and Production unit. The research was funded by the Alzheimer Society and the U of S President’s SSHRC Fund.
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For more information, please contact:
Wendy Duggleby
College of Nursing
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 220-0296 (cell)
wendy.duggleby@usask.ca
Cam Zimmer
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
cam.zimmer@usask.ca
