Saturday, September 18, 2010

Blogging science

Three guys, three PhDs in science (one pending), write three blogs on science policy. Their blog posts – and personal lives – provide interesting insights into the state of science training in Canada today.
Sep 13, 2010
Léo Charbonneau
University Affairs
http://www.universityaffairs.ca/blogging-science.aspx
From an oregano water filter to sonic drills, these inventors and whiz kids rose to the top
Sep 16, 2010
Virginia Galt
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/innovation/bright-minds-win-innovation-awards/article1710084/
Thirteenth in a series of expert analysis articles on major issues in the 2010 N.B. election
Sep 13, 2010
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nbvotes2010/story/2010/09/12/nbvotes-analysis-environment-305.html
Sep 15, 2010
Genome Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Genome-Canada-Chair-Elected-to-the-Royal-Society-of-Canada-1319771.htm
Documents reveal federal researchers, whose work is financed by taxpayers, need approval from Ottawa before speaking with media
Sep 12, 2010
MARGARET MUNRO
Postmedia News
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Tightened+muzzle+scientists+Orwellian/3515345/story.html

What if Galileo were here?

Renaissance man wouldn't have caused uproar because Tories would have him silenced
Sep 15, 2010
Graham Thomson
Edmonton Journal
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/What+Galileo+were+here/3526525/story.html?cid=megadrop_story

Off with the muzzles

Sep 15, 2010
The Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/with+muzzles/3526055/story.html

Harper's censure

Vetting scientists, muzzling media
Sep 15, 2010
The Windsor Star
http://www.windsorstar.com/opinion/Harper+censure/3525822/story.html

Media chill

Control of 'ice age' story is troubling
Sep 15, 2010
Calgary Herald
http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Media+chill/3527204/story.html
Sep 14, 2010
Vancouver Sun
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Muzzling+scientists+offends+principle+public+service/3521456/story.html
Sep 13, 2010
John Geddes
Macleans
http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/09/13/federal-scientists-should-be-allowed-to-speak-up/
Influential rankings put nine schools in top 200, with University of Toronto edging out McGill for the top spot in Canada, using new yardstick for excellence
Sep 16, 2010
Simon Beck and Adrian Morrow
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadas-universities-make-the-grade-globally/article1709616/
Sep 16, 2010
Norman Spector
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/second-reading/spector-vision/in-higher-education-we-dont-own-the-podium/article1709620/
Sep 16, 2010
Rob Annan
Researcher Forum
http://dontleavecanadabehind.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/canadas-universities-ranked-again/
Sep 16, 2010
Leo Charbonneau
University Affairs
http://www.universityaffairs.ca/margin-notes/another-week-another-international-university-ranking/

Canada lacks innovation

Global competitiveness report delivers a low grade for our country, placing it well behind the U.S., Japan, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland
Sep 16, 2010
DAVID CRANE
The Gazette
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Canada+lacks+innovation/3531837/story.html
Drug companies' hopes for a cure are dashed. Ottawa has been slow to listen. Now leading scientists are taking action
Sep 17, 2010
Carolyn Abraham
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/dementia/dementia-researchers-feel-blocked-by-ottawa-big-pharma-medical-dogma/article1712597/

No science? no worries

Getting a C in chemistry may not be a barrier to that white coat, as med schools reassess their admissions
Sep 13, 2010
Carson Jerema
Macleans
http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2010/09/13/no-science-no-worries/
Alward will press Ottawa for more funds if elected premier, Graham would create bursary program to increase number of workers
Sep 17, 2010
Adam Huras
Telegraph-Journal
http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast.com/journal/article/1222396
Sep 13, 2010
Daniel McHardie
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nbvotes2010/story/2010/09/12/nbvotes-environmental-science-decisions-election-936.html
Sep 15, 2010
Andre Picard
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/health-ministers-stop-micromanaging-ms-research/article1708482/
Group setting aside $1-million for new treatment for multiple sclerosis called liberation therapy
Sep 16, 2010
Gloria Galloway
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/ms-society-of-canada-to-fund-controversial-procedure/article1710340/
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq says trials could start as soon as she receives research findings
Sep 14, 2010
The Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ms-treatment-trials-possible-ottawa-says/article1707560/
Health ministers meeting in St. John’s also take on sodium targets and isotope compensation
Sep 14, 2010
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/aglukkaq-calls-for-more-cohesive-approach-on-ms-studies/article1707811/
Research projects include using ultrasound to track chemotherapy progress and how to stop blood flow to tumours
Sep 16, 2010
Carys Mills
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/terry-fox-foundation-to-give-148-million-to-four-hospitals-for-cancer-research/article1710395/
New program will strengthen economy by bringing promising technology to market
Sep 14, 2010
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Promotes-Jobs-and-Growth-in-Southern-Ontario-1318580.htm
Is it too much to expect research to trump dogma?
Sep 13, 2010
Shari Graydon
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/matter-of-fact-if-only-government-decisions-were/article1703291/
Federal environment minister reacts to diseased fish in Athabasca waters
Sep 17, 2010
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/09/17/edmonton-prentice-polluted-fish-athabasca.html
Prentice, saying he’s ‘disgusted’ by images of deformed fish from the Athabasca River, will review agency overseeing province’s water quality
Sep 17, 2010
Josh Wingrove
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/albertas-water-watchdog-under-tighter-scrutiny-over-oil-sands/article1712995/
'69% of nothing is nothing', says retired Newfoundland fisheries executive
Sep 17, 2010
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/09/17/cod-population-science-517.html

Unmistakable Warming

Sep 17, 2010
Ray Grigg
Courier-Islander
http://www.canada.com/Unmistakable+Warming/3536881/story.html
Our health system is woefully unprepared for the oncoming crisis. So today, The Globe and Mail presents a seven-point plan to grapple with it.
Sep 17, 2010
André Picard
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/dementia/why-canada-needs-a-national-strategy-on-dementia/article1712700/
In the new world of fearless senior citizens, there is a largely hidden group that should not be forgotten. Those who have dementia will be a large and growing, and difficult-to-care-for, population.
Sep 17, 2010
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/kick-at-the-darkness-to-fight-dementia/article1712722/
Sep 16, 2010
Hanneke Brooymans
Postmedia News
http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Deformed+fish+found+near+Alberta+oilsands+developments/3535749/story.html
Deformed fish found in Athabasca watershed
Sep 16, 2010
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/09/16/edmonton-oilsands-deformed-fish.html
Scientists, aboriginals concerned after fish taken from Lake Athabasca have tumours and lack snouts, spines
Sep 16, 2010
Bob Weber
The Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prairies/mutant-fish-lead-to-calls-for-ottawa-to-monitor-oil-sands/article1711070/
Sep 16, 2010
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/09/16/electric-car-technology-project-eve.html
Sep 16, 2010
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/09/16/pei-modified-salmon-environmentalist.html
Atlantic cod population recovering, though still far short of 1960s levels
Sep 16, 2010
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/09/16/cod-grand-banks-wwf-nafo.html
Federal funding supports quest for new discoveries in Ontario
Sep 16, 2010
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Supports-Development-Opportunities-in-Oshawa-1320183.htm
We have a responsibility to protect the legacies of our mothers and the futures of our sisters and daughters
Sep 15, 2010
Catherine Clark
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/the-death-of-mothers-is-not-just-a-womens-issue/article1708849/
Suggestions earlier this summer that ice was recovering now ruled out, long-term decline seems to be continuing
Sep 15, 2010
The Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/arctic-sea-ice-levels-third-lowest-on-record/article1708568/
Sep 15, 2010
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/09/15/smog015.html
Sep 15, 2010
Randy Boswell
Postmedia News
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Canada+become+global+power+thanks+climate+change+Author/3527188/story.html
Sep 15, 2010
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/US-Bioproducts-Company-Joins-Saskatoon-Research-Hub-1319827.htm
Pulse research agreement to improve commercial yield, disease and drought resistance for $2 billion crop family
Sep 15, 2010
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA-NRC
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/New-Partnership-Improve-Revenue-Farmers-Canadas-Fastest-Growing-Crop-Sector-1319840.htm
Sep 15, 2010
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Minister-Goodyear-Opens-New-Surgery-Training-Centre-in-Montreal-1319720.htm
Sep 15, 2010
Industry Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Supports-Leading-Research-at-Universite-Laval-1319471.htm

Less salt, please

Someone has to hold the federal government accountable for making sure its proposed salt reduction actually happens. The provincial health ministers seem inclined to do just that.
Sep 14, 2010
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/less-salt-please/article1707603/
Federal and provincial officials meeting in St. John’s will agree to cut recommended daily sodium intake by a teaspoon, sources say
Sep 14, 2010
Gloria Galloway
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/health-ministers-to-curb-salty-canadian-diet/article1706622/
Canadian nuclear reactor responsible for a third of the world’s supply went out of service in 2009
Sep 14, 2010
Gloria Galloway
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/provinces-give-ottawa-33-million-bill-for-isotope-shortage/article1706765/

Saving money on drugs

Sep 14, 2010
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/860458--saving-money-on-drugs
Forget nationalizing existing drug programs. Canadians are still waiting for the catastrophic drug care program promised to them many years ago.
Sep 14, 2010
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/the-case-of-the-missing-drug-plan/article1707598/
Sep 14, 2010
Environment Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Environment-Canada-Receives-International-Award-Advancing-Clean-Technology-with-Zero-1319102.htm
Wellness Ministers Agree on Ways to Strengthen the Health of Canadians
Sep 14, 2010
Health Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Federal-Provincial-Territorial-Health-Healthy-Living-Wellness-Ministers-Agree-on-Ways-1319058.htm
Quebec investment helping to position Canada as clean energy superpower
Sep 14, 2010
Natural Resources Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Helps-Boost-Biofuel-Industry-1318633.htm
Sep 14, 2010
Natural Resources Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Invests-in-Wind-Energy-in-Quebec-1318810.htm
Sep 14, 2010
CTV.ca News
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20100913/ms-funding-100914/

Scientist warns of food crisis

Gov'ts must 'wake up' to threat of global famine
Sep 14, 2010
Cassandra Kyle
The StarPhoenix
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/health/Scientist+warns+food+crisis/3520929/story.html
Sep 14, 2010
HENRY AUBIN
The Gazette
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/money/Quebec+City+leaps+ahead+green+projects/3520497/story.html
New study dismisses out-of-hand the notion that a public drug plan is unaffordable
Sep 13, 2010
André Picard
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/universal-pharmacare-touted-as-way-to-save-billions/article1704881/
With high rates of multiple sclerosis, Canada has an obligation to be aggressive in determining whether a controversial new treatment for multiple sclerosis works
Sep 13, 2010
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/dr-zambonis-treatment-deserves-study/article1706134/
Province to push ahead despite concerns by health-research community the new treatment is too risky
Sep 13, 2010
Karen Howlett
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/saskatchewan-health-minister-defends-trials-for-ms-therapy/article1704912/
Move at odds with cautious approach by Ottawa
Sep 13, 2010
Gloria Galloway
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/newfoundland-to-fund-study-of-controversial-ms-therapy/article1705346/
Statistics Canada found that the water supply in “Southern Canada” – meaning the set of areas where 98 per cent of the population lives – fell by 8.5 per cent from 1971 to 2005
Sep 13, 2010
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/canadians-will-have-to-pay-up-as-canada-gets-drier/article1706142/
Statscan says annual loss equal to 1.4 million swimming pools
Sep 13, 2010
The Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/water-resources-declining-in-southern-canada/article1705092/
Sep 13, 2010
Sarah Schmidt
Postmedia News
http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Food+labels+leaving+shoppers+regulators+confused/3516800/story.html
Sep 13, 2010
Environment Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-Canada-Announces-Over-875000-Twenty-new-Projects-Clean-up-Lake-Winnipeg-1317954.htm
Sep 13, 2010
Environment Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canada-and-Manitoba-Sign-Agreement-to-Collaborate-on-Cleaning-Up-Lake-Winnipeg-1317957.htm
Humane slaughter is required for other animals killed for food
Sep 13, 2010
Peter Singer
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/free-fish-from-their-pain-and-suffering/article1705707/
Sep 12, 2010
Randy Shore
Vancouver Sun
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/blogs/greenman/archive/2010/09/12/doctors-sound-alarm-over-antibiotics-in-livestock-feed.aspx
Ontario Liberal, Michael Colle, organizing a bedbug summit on Sept. 29 at the Ontario legislature
Sep 11, 2010
Pat Hewitt
The Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario/bedbugs-feed-nationwide-but-no-one-is-tracking-the-pests/article1704126/