Science Canada: 11/21/09

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Policy Briefing: Innovation

Nov 16, 2009
The Hill Times
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/section/pb/download/1258347600

Postdocs on a pittance

Rewards are few for postdocs in Canada, says survey
Nov 18, 2009
Nature
http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/2009/091119/full/nj7271-375c.html

Spread the Research Wealth

Innovation comes from many actors, both big and small. We need to properly fund all of them.
Nov 16, 2009
Chris Evans
The Mark
http://www.themarknews.com/articles/679-spread-the-research-wealth

Corporatized universities devalue education

Nov 15, 2009
Howard Woodhouse
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/725695--corporatized-universities-devalue-education

Scientists have a duty to challenge government policies, top researcher says

When political leaders ignore scientific evidence on controversial topics, such as harm reduction and safe-injection sites, scientists are obliged to speak out, says Dr. Thomas Kerr, director of the Urban Health Research Initiative in British Columbia.
Nov 20, 2009
Ann Silversides
CMAJ
http://www.cmaj.ca/earlyreleases/20nov09_advocates_silversides.shtml

Goodyear says feds' top priority is economy, boosting innovation

Science Minister Gary Goodyear says the federal government knows Canada is No. 1 in many areas, but not in competitiveness and has made it a priority to reverse the trend.
Nov 16, 2009
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_goodyear-11-16-2009

Establish Canada as hub for next wave of knowledge industries and make it a national priority

If you're a nation looking to build a knowledge economy, you need knowledge workers, and plenty of them.
Nov 16, 2009
ARVIND GUPTA
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_gupta-11-16-2009

Transforming science and technology into innovation

The challenge for Canada's S&T enterprise is to enhance both relationships, and to move past debates on the value of basic and applied research. Without both, Canada's innovation system will continue to underperform.
Nov 16, 2009
ELIOT A. PHILLIPSON
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_phillipson-11-16-2009

Public wants in on science and technology policy

There are two discrete areas in the enterprise of science and technology where public involvement is most feasible, and each addresses an issue of great interest to the public. One is how to set scientific goals; the other is how to manage scientific risk.
Nov 16, 2009
MARC SANER
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_saner-11-16-2009

Canada must place good policy above partisan politics on innovation, science, and technology

No other modern jurisdiction subjects its development of sustained and effective investment in research and scholarship to the vicissitudes of politics and government transition than Canada and its provinces seem to thrive on. This brings about stuttering.
Nov 16, 2009
HEATHER MUNROE-BLUM
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_munroe_blum-11-16-2009

Time to open up knowledge generation to people untrained in science

It is to the benefit of science and society to engage the public in supporting and questioning scientific knowledge. But the very engagement unsettles the current boundaries between what is considered valid knowledge and what is not.
Nov 16, 2009
ELANA BRIEF
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_brief-11-16-2009

A new model of innovation for successful societies

SSHRC is working shoulder-to-shoulder with researchers and partners across all sectors of society to fuel innovation, bolster economic recovery, increase resiliency, and enhance Canada's place in the world by building a successful society for the 21st century.
Nov 16, 2009
CHAD GAFFIELD
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_gaffield-11-16-2009

Feds need to tap into global innovation opportunities

Canada is still in the bottom half of OECD countries when it comes to innovation and both businesses and governments should be looking at different ways to tap into global innovation opportunities, say top experts.
Nov 16, 2009
BEA VONGDOUANGCHANH
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_global_innovation-11-16-2009

Canada needs a branding makeover in global, knowledge-based economy

We must improve the science literacy in our foreign relations and enhance the knowledge and interest of our science community on the importance of statecraft.
Nov 16, 2009
PAUL DUFOUR
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_dufour-11-16-2009

Key to robust innovation lies in effective matchmaking between scientists and stakeholders

The knowledge transfer between research and its beneficiaries, advocates, and stakeholders is essential to protect project development and stimulate innovation at a time when it is most needed.
Nov 16, 2009
KATHLEEN BLOOM
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_bloom-11-16-2009

Canada needs a scientific advisory board to Parliament to help formulate science policy

We need to develop a political culture that is proactive, not reactive—one that understands the value of sound science policy.
Nov 16, 2009
ROBERT MANN
The Hill Times
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_mann-11-16-2009

Reconceptualize science to reduce violence in our world

The interface between democracy and science has always been a complex and problematic one, which, to be properly understood, must be situated in relation to a third concept, which is nonviolence.
Nov 16, 2009
RAMIN JAHANBEGLOO
http://hilltimes.com/page/view/pb_jahanbegloo-11-16-2009

Not resting on his (Nobel) laurels

'I still dream science,' says 1986 chemistry Prize winner John Polanyi who's now tackling nanotechnology
Nov 21, 2009
Joseph Hall
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/science/article/728911--not-resting-on-his-nobel-laurels

Canada welcomes U.S. move to set a target for cutting gas emissions

American negotiator says climate control proposal could be released within days
Nov 21, 2009
Robert Benzie
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/article/728904--canada-welcomes-u-s-move-to-set-a-target-for-cutting-gas-emissions

Auto parts makers transform into green machines

Linamar joins pack of companies retooling to build the gear that drives wind and solar energy
Nov 21, 2009
Tyler Hamilton
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/728855--auto-parts-makers-transform-into-green-machines

What she didn't ask

CBC’s Anna Maria Tremonti had tough questions for me this week, but none for a global warming propagandist
Nov 21, 2009
Lawrence Solomon
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/11/21/lawrence-solomon-what-she-didn-t-ask.aspx

Canadians' taste for salt is to blame for excessive sodium in our food products, major manufacturers have told a parliamentary committee
Nov 19, 2009
Carly Weeks
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/special-reports/hard-to-shake/canadians-want-salt-food-makers-tell-mps/article1370251/

Chinese trade barriers appear prompted by health and safety issues, but industry insiders blame protectionism
Nov 18, 2009
Paul Waldie and Jessica Leeder
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-farmers-face-canola-crisis/article1368984/

Over-diagnosis has plenty of side effects – needless surgery and trauma, emotional anguish, wasted money and resources
Nov 18, 2009
Margaret Wente
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/does-cancer-screening-do-harm/article1368759/

Failure at Copenhagen summit would further delay release of Canadian regulations, Ottawa says
Nov 17, 2009
Shawn McCarthy and Mark MacKinnon
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/obama-revives-hope-for-climate-accord/article1367352/

Ad campaign takes aim at climate change

Calgary-based group runs campaign claim the planet has actually been becoming cooler in the past 10 years
Nov 17, 2009
Martin Mittelstaedt
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ad-campaign-takes-aim-at-climate-change/article1367291/

Prentice stresses ‘continental' approach as he announces delay, which could stretch into late 2010
Nov 17, 2009
Shawn McCarthy
The Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-holds-back-climate-rules-pending-global-deal/article1366491/

Summit at Copenhagen won't yield a final deal, but hope remains for political compromises
Nov 15, 2009
Shawn McCarthy
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/climate-deal-delayed-world-leaders-search-for-common-ground/article1364335/

Tracking pathogens difficult: federal laboratory audit

Nov 15, 2009
The Canadian Press
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/15/man-cp-virus-ebola.html

Jim Prentice on the challenge of Copenhagen

As the climate change summit approaches, the Globe talks with the Environment Minister about Canada's role in negotiations
Nov 15, 2009
Katherine O'Neill
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/jim-prentice-on-the-challenge-of-copenhagen/article1364459/

Leaders agree Copenhagen will focus on principles, not concrete goals

Consensus at APEC summit to work on inclusive agreement for all nations to reduce emissions instead of specific targets
Nov 15, 2009
John Ibbitson
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/leaders-agree-copenhagen-will-focus-on-principles-not-concrete-goals/article1364028/

Canadians use prescription pills at a higher rate than almost any other nation. Patients are becoming addicts and pills are taking over from heroin as the street drug of choice. So why are voluntary ‘guidelines' for doctors the best the experts can offer?
Nov 13, 2009
Anna Mehler Paperny
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/hooked-canadas-painkiller-problem/article1362848/

H1N1: media and message

Journalists and health communicators find virtue in the realm between panic and apathy
Nov 12, 2009
Josh Greenberg and William Fox
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/h1n1-media-and-message/article1361395/

Second H1N1 wave takes lethal toll on Canadians

Tally of dead has surpassed 190, but the season's peak isn't even here yet, chief national public health officer says
Nov 13, 2009
Caroline Alphonso and Karen Howlett
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/h1n1-swine-flu/second-h1n1-wave-takes-lethal-toll-on-canadians/article1361766/

The flu-shot program is costing Canada almost double what was expected. Some doctors argue it's not worth it
Nov 12, 2009
PAUL WALDIE AND CAROLINE ALPHONSO
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/h1n1-swine-flu/cost-of-vaccinating-the-nation-hits-15-billion-and-climbing/article1360311/