Science Canada: 07/09/09

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Math interns produce private sector results

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:04 PM

Federal program links firms with science grads
July 7, 2009
Rick Spence
Financial Post
http://www.financialpost.com/small-business/story.html?id=1767127

Canada's biotechs short of cash: experts

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:03 PM

Investment Capital; Advocacy group calls for loans, tax exemptions
July 8, 2009
Giuseppe Valiante
Financial Post
http://www.financialpost.com/news-sectors/technology/story.html?id=1769493

G8 on climate: talk, but no plan

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:03 PM

Jul 9, 2009
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/663071

On climate change, Ottawa's still emitting hot air

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:03 PM

It’s not an issue the Tories feel passionately about, and given Canada’s track record, silence might be the preferred option
Jul 9, 2009
Jeffrey Simpson
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/ottawas-still-emitting-hot-air/article1209797/

Leaders urged to endorse 2-degree limit

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:02 PM

Canada and the U.S. will feel the heat as G8 heads of government address climate-change issue
Jul 9, 2009
Shawn McCarthy
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/leaders-urged-to-endorse-2-degree-limit/article1209961/

Enviromentalists decry clearcutting to produce biomass fuel

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:02 PM

July 9, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/07/09/clear-cutting-environmental.html

H1N1 and Canada's plan

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:02 PM

Jul 7, 2009
David Butler Jones
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/letters-to-the-editor/h1n1-and-canadas-plan/article1206628/

Tamiflu-resistant swine flu not spreading: WHO

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:01 PM

July 7, 2009
Laura MacInnis & Stephanie Nebehay
Toronto Star
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/662218

Embattled pigs source of Ebola virus, too: study

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:01 PM

July 9, 2009
Joseph Hall
Toronto Star
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/663400

Climate change may spread dengue fever across North America

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:01 PM

U.S. report warns of risks when rise in temperatures lets disease-bearing mosquitoes survive in all corners of the country
Jul 8, 2009
Deborah Zabarenko
Reuters
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/climate-change-may-spread-dengue-fever-across-north-america/article1211208/

A green idea cool enough for Canada

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:00 PM

A U.S. company has developed an environmentally friendly method for cooling buildings during peak summer hours using chunks of ice
Jul 8, 2009
Susan Krashinsky
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/a-green-idea-cool-enough-for-canada/article1210455/

Ottawa steps up fight against crop-eating fungus

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:00 PM

July 9, 2009
David Akin
Canwest News Service
http://www.canada.com/Ottawa+steps+fight+against+crop+eating+fungus/1775118/story.html

Landmark needle exchange program closing down

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:00 PM

Innovative program run by the Downtown Eastside Youth Activities Society is ending after 21 years amid allegations of mismanagement and financial improprieties
Jul 9, 2009
Robert Matas
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/landmark-needle-exchange-program-closing-down/article1210092/

Sask premier eyes new reactor to produce isotopes, but acknowledges cost

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:59 PM

Jul 8, 2009
Jennifer Graham
The Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hfa6SpTzeDYRtmzhDryEFcGVx3EA

Chalk River reactor idled to late 2009 or longer

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:59 PM

July 8, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/07/08/chalk-river-nuclear-reactor008.html

Antipsychotic drugs being dispensed more often: study

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:59 PM

July 9, 2009
Meagan Fitzpatrick
Canwest News Service
http://www.canada.com/Antipsychotic+drugs+being+dispensed+more+often+study/1775229/story.html

El Nino is back, U.S. scientists say

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:58 PM

Periodic warming of water in the tropical Pacific, which can affect weather around the world, has returned, forecasters warn
Jul 9, 2009
RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
The Associated Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/el-nino-is-back-us-scientists-say/article1212321/

Caribou numbers show dramatic drop

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:58 PM

July 8, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/07/08/north-caribou.html

Cancer-insulin link probed by Health Canada

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:58 PM

July 9, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/09/lantus-diabetes-cancer.html

Quebec to retest 600 more breast cancer samples

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:57 PM

A total of 2,730 test results called into question
July 9, 2009
The Canadian Press
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/09/montreal-breast-cancer-errors-quebec-tests.html

HPV vaccine Cervarix approved by WHO

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:57 PM

Second vaccine aimed at reducing cervical cancer
July 9, 2009
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/09/cervarix-vaccine.html

Aquaculture gets more than $930,000

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:56 PM

Six B.C. firms receive funds to boost business
July 9, 2009
Judith Lavoie, with files from Dan MacLennan
Times Colonist
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Aquaculture+gets+more+than/1773887/story.html

Experts need to keep on top of new flu virus contracted by hog workers

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:56 PM

Jul 8, 2009
Sheryl Ubelacker
The Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gHmCT0otgQp0FoiOZXjtpMXF7gJA

Constance Bay gardeners ready to fight city in court

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:55 PM

July 9, 2009
Kate Jaimet
The Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Constance+gardeners+ready+fight+city+court/1771979/story.html

'Real' scientists flee from evidence that challenges climate claims

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:55 PM

July 8, 2009
Lorne Gunter
National Post
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/the-little-black-box-for-grain-inspectors/article850509/

WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA

The goal of the Science Canada website is to highlight science policy issues in Canada's political arena and media.

Science policy is the discipline that lies at the interface of the scientific enterprise and public administration. It encompasses two related and complementary spheres: (i) “policy for science” – strategies for managing and enhancing the conduct of scientific research; and (ii) “science for policy” – mechanisms by which scientific knowledge informs government decision-making. Science Canada aims to keep you up-to-date on recent developments on both fronts.

PS - In the interests of promoting healthy debate and reflecting the full marketplace of ideas, links to many types of opinion pieces are posted here... including ones with which I may strongly disagree. (Don't interpret a link to an editorial as an endorsement of its point of view.)

Happy reading!

Jeff Sharom

Connect with Jeff Sharom on LinkedIn or Nature Network.

Why Science Canada?

Canadian scientific community suffers from lack of active engagement in decision making processes, dynamic network of science advocacy and lobbying. That is due to various factors but mainly lack of strong professional associations, and as result frail networks, and absence of science policy discourse in the mainstream of Canadian society. However the involvement of scientists at decision making levels differs in different provinces depending on the degree of cosy relationship and personal friendship between the scientists and policy makers rather than strong professional and systematic engagement.

In United States, there are numerous research centers, and many scientists that are being trained in science policy, numerous networks and organization which provide a strong base for science policy discourse and strong lobby for science in mainstream of the society. One of the latest examples of this effective science lobby in the United States is the efforts to hold a debate dedicated to science and technology between the candidates in 2008 presidential race. There has already been one public debate of scientific advisers of both democratic presidential candidates, and the efforts to convince the final two candidates to dedicate one debate to science and technology has been continued. Regardless of appropriateness of such debate, the fact that serious efforts are present and has taken momentum somehow that according to polls 85% of voters agree with having one debate on science issues , indicates that science policy discourse in the United States is in the mainstream of American society.

It is time for Canadian scientific community to start bringing science into mainstream of Canadian society and get engage in policy making processes. The necessity of dynamic scientific community being involved at policy making levels, in collaboration with social scientists, technology experts, engineers, government officials, policy makers and private sector, has not ever been more urgent. It is up to Canadian scientists to recognize the need and starts preparing essentials for this goal.

Mehrdad Hariri

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