Science Canada: 01/12/11

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

New perspectives on the innovation gap

Canadian governments give generously with tax incentives and subsidies for business R&D, but businesses aren’t doing that much R&D in Canada. What are we doing wrong?
Jan, 12, 2011
John Lorinc
University Affairs
http://www.universityaffairs.ca/new-perspectives-on-the-innovation-gap.aspx

Review of Federal Support to Research and Development: Expert Panel Consultation Paper

Dec 2010
Review of Federal Support to R&D
http://rd-review.ca/eic/site/033.nsf/vwapj/Consultation-Paper.pdf/$file/Consultation-Paper.pdf

Building a strong foundation

A new book recounts the legacy of the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation
Jan 12, 2011
Silver Donald Cameron
University Affairs
http://www.universityaffairs.ca/building-a-strong-foundation.aspx

Perfectionist professors have lower research productivity

Adverse trait could seriously affect a professor’s career, new study finds.
Jan 12, 2011
Léo Charbonneau
University Affairs
http://www.universityaffairs.ca/perfectionist-professors-have-lower-research-productivity.aspx

The good, the bad and the ugly education facts

Jan 12, 2011
JEFFREY SIMPSON
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-education-facts/article1866206/

Why build half an engineer?

Jan 7, 2011
TODD HIRSCH
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/why-build-half-an-engineer/article1860554/

Internationalization of higher ed remains a hot topic in Canada

Jan 11, 2011
Léo Charbonneau
University Affairs
http://www.universityaffairs.ca/margin-notes/internationalization-of-higher-ed-remains-a-hot-topic-in-canada/

Academia vs. Industry: A former Postdoc’s perspective

Jan 6, 2011
Marianne Stanford
The Black Hole: Science in Canada - Issues Affecting Trainees
http://scienceadvocacy.org/Blog/2011/01/06/academia-vs-industry-a-former-postdoc%E2%80%99s-perspective/

MP urges national effort against bedbugs

Jan 12, 2011
Mia Rabson
Winnipeg Free Press
http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/urges+national+effort+against+bedbugs/4096162/story.html

Edmonton school trustees favour Wi-Fi plan

Jan 12, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2011/01/12/edmonton-school-board-wifi-nicholson.html

Cancer costs to top $158B by 2020: U.S. report

Jan 12, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2011/01/12/cancer-costs.html

Tanning bed ban would be first in Canada

Jan 12, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2011/01/11/bc-tanning-bed-bylaw.html

Canola processing research gets funding

Jan 12, 2011
The StarPhoenix
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/Canola+processing+research+gets+funding/4098604/story.html?cid=megadrop_story

Government of Canada Helps Find More Uses for Canola Proteins

Jan 12, 2011
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Helps-Find-More-Uses-for-Canola-Proteins-1379459.htm

Minister Paradis Delivers Update on Latest Broadband Canada Funding in Quebec

Jan 12, 2011
Industry Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Minister-Paradis-Delivers-Update-on-Latest-Broadband-Canada-Funding-in-Quebec-1379420.htm

Canada Opens New Market for Seal Products in China

Jan 12, 2011
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canada-Opens-New-Market-for-Seal-Products-in-China-1379335.htm

Canadian and developing-country teams to advance food security research

Jan 12, 2011
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2011/12/c2158.html

Improving Rural And Northern Health Care

McGuinty Government Seeking Input To Address Unique Health Care Challenges
Jan 12, 2011
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
http://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2011/01/improving-rural-and-northern-health-care.html

Mackenzie gas pipeline to get cabinet OK

Jan 11, 2011
Greg Weston
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/11/mackenzie-pipeline-cabinet-approval.html

Wi-Fi in schools safe for students: report

Jan 11, 2011
Brian Moskowitz
Edmonton Journal
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/schools+safe+students+report/4091488/story.html

Ottawa urged to create bedbug strategy

Jan 11, 2011
Richard J. Brennan
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/920133--ottawa-urged-to-create-bedbug-strategy

Debate grows over private umbilical cord blood banks

Jan 11, 2011
Meagan Fitzpatrick
Postmedia News
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Debate+grows+over+private+umbilical+cord+blood+banks/4093752/story.html

What the #!%*?: Calgary’s fluoride debate

Jan 11, 2011
Sarah Boesveld
National Post
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/01/11/what-the-calgarys-fluoride-debate/

The Canadian roots of fluoridation-phobia

Nov 22, 2010
Jonathan Kay
National Post
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/11/22/jonathan-kay-the-canadian-roots-of-fluoridation-phobia/

Hospitals bow to U.S. group, quit using pigs

Jan 11, 2011
Tom Blackwell
National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Hospitals+group+quit+using+pigs/4094341/story.html

Most ocean species still unknown after census

Protected marine areas a focus of government, researcher talks in Ottawa
Jan 11, 2011
Emily Chung
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/11/marine-species-census.html

Arctic explorers' logs shed light on climate change

U.K. historians to examine logbooks of whaling, navy, Hudson Bay Co. ships
Jan 11, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/11/arctic-climate-change-historical-research.html

U.S. panel urges major offshore drilling reform

Jan 11, 2011
SHAWN McCARTHY
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/us-panel-urges-major-offshore-drilling-reform/article1865544/

Gulf oil spill panel calls for reforms

'Probability of another failure will be dramatically greater,' without change
Jan 11, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/11/bp-spill-panel.html

CO2 leaks worry Sask. farmers

Jan 11, 2011
The Canadian Press
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/11/sk-carbon-complaint-1101.html

Reported Weyburn carbon capture project failure is bad news for the world

Jan 11, 2011
Scott Simpson
Vancouver Sun
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/blogs/innovation/archive/2011/01/11/reported-weyburn-carbon-capture-project-failure-is-bad-news-for-the-world.aspx

Victims of moose crashes sue N.L. government

Jan 11, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/11/nl-moose-suit-111.html

Germany orders pig slaughter after dioxin tests

Jan 11, 2011
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/11/germany-dioxin-pigs-farms.html

PM ‘repackaging’ tar sands issue, critics slam Tories’ efforts to 'self-designate morality' of debate by dubbing oil sands as ‘ethical’

Environment Minister Peter Kent came under further attack Tuesday for what opposition MPs call his ‘over the top’ call for the U.S. to buy Canadian oil sands petroleum rather than oil from countries where the proceeds go to support ‘terrorism, injustice or tyranny.’
Jan 11, 2011
Tim Naumetz
The Hill Times
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/dailyupdate/view/56

Homeopaths Accuse Skeptics of Working for 'Big Pharma'

Centre for Inquiry Calls for Evidence
Jan 11, 2011
Centre for Inquiry
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Homeopaths-Accuse-Skeptics-of-Working-for-Big-Pharma-1378295.htm

De Beers' mine plans raise caribou concerns

Jan 10, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/10/nwt-debeers-mine-caribou.html

China bans logging in largest forest reserve

Jan 10, 2011
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/10/china-logging-ban.html

Germany lifts many dioxin-related farm bans

Jan 10, 2011
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/10/germany-dioxin-farms.html

Government’s tough on crime agenda is bad policy

Jan 10, 2011
John Ivison
National Post
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/01/10/john-ivison-governments-tough-on-crime-agenda-is-bad-policy/

More prisons to be expanded

Jan 10, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2011/01/10/tories-prison-infrastructure.html

Does Canada need a Chief Innovation Officer?

Innovation activist John Kao to speak in Ottawa
Jan 10, 2011
Public Policy Forum
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2011/10/c9382.html

Environment could be 'sleeper' issue in next election given new Minister Kent's 'ethical oil' argument

Furor over Environment Minister Peter Kent’s statements could draw voter attention back to the environment, says Ekos pollster Frank Graves.
Jan 10, 2011
Tim Naumetz
The Hill Times
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/dailyupdate/view/55

New Publication takes an in-depth look at the Grand Challenges Approach

Jan 10, 2011
Grand Challenges Canada
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/288228/8776a6448a/1315022253/38a74c79c1/

CFI News Brief: Designing Information and Communication Technologies for Not-So-Typical Users Worldwide

Jan 10, 2011
Canada Foundation for Innovation
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/CFI-News-Brief-Designing-Information-Communication-Technologies-Not-So-Typical-Users-1378022.htm

Supporting The Fight Against Bed Bugs

McGuinty Government Invests In Local Public Health Unit Programs
Jan 10, 2011
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
http://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2011/01/supporting-the-fight-against-bed-bugs.html

Government of Canada Supports Development of Hardier Varieties of Flax

Jan 10, 2011
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Supports-Development-of-Hardier-Varieties-of-Flax-1378163.htm

Harper Government Supporting the Transformation of Quebec's Forest Sector

Jan 10, 2011
Natural Resources Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Harper-Government-Supporting-the-Transformation-of-Quebecs-Forest-Sector-1377942.htm

Canada's Economic Action Plan Grows New Opportunities for Ontario Fruit Producers

Jan 10, 2011
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canadas-Economic-Action-Plan-Grows-New-Opportunities-for-Ontario-Fruit-Producers-1378062.htm

Ontarians deserve clean, affordable energy

Jan 9, 2011
Andrea Horwath
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/918404--ontarians-deserve-clean-affordable-energy

Climate change on inevitable course: study

Canada, Russia could fare better than Southern Hemisphere countries
Jan 9, 2011
The Canadian Press
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/09/bc-climate-study-havoc.html

Planet faces great glacier meltdown by 2100: study

Jan 9, 2011
Margaret Munro
Postmedia News
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Planet+faces+great+glacier+meltdown+2100+study/4082733/story.html

New minister facing complex climate

Jan 8, 2011
Deborah Yedlin
Calgary Herald
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/minister+facing+complex+climate/4079602/story.html

Crunch time coming for electric vehicles

Jan 8, 2011
Steve Arnold
Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/news/business/article/319028--crunch-time-coming-for-electric-vehicles

Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent vaccine research

Jan 7, 2011
Oakland Ross
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/918362--andrew-wakefield-s-fraudulent-vaccine-research

Light rail: More bang for the buck

Jan 7, 2011
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/917599--light-rail-more-bang-for-the-buck

Canada needs safer whale migration protections: official

Canadian right whale expert says more needs to be done to put Canadian, U.S. regulations in synch
Jan 7, 2011
Adam Huras
Times & Transcript
http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/news/article/1368751

Harper’s embrace of ‘ethical’ oil sands reignites 'dirty' arguments

Jan 7, 2011
STEVEN CHASE
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harpers-embrace-of-ethical-oil-sands-reignites-dirty-arguments/article1862499/

Lying about autism

Jan 6, 2011
National Post editorial board
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/01/06/national-post-editorial-board-lying-about-autism/

The MMR scare was 'deliberate fraud' the British Medical Journal has said

The MMR scare was the result of a 'deliberate fraud' by Andrew Wakefield, the British Medical Journal has concluded and argues it was a 'hoax'
Jan 6, 2011
Rebecca Smith
The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8240998/The-MMR-scare-was-deliberate-fraud-the-British-Medical-Journal-has-said.html

A new environment minister won’t make anything happen there, and shuffling around ministers of state won’t either
Jan 5, 2011
Jeffrey Simpson
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/a-changing-climate-just-not-in-cabinet/article1857951/

Peter Kent: New climate spin master

Jan 5, 2011
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/916140--peter-kent-new-climate-spin-master

Fitness without the piety

Public-health efforts on obesity have been misplaced and counterproductive. Fitness – independent of weight – contributes to good health.
Jan 5, 2011
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/fitness-without-the-piety/article1859249/