In brief

JENELLE PETRINCHUK STAFF

New info on Mars terrain leads Queen’s researcher to NASA

A researcher from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. may have discovered some new insight into the mystifying landscape of Mars.

Ron Peterson, a geological expert at Queen’s, did a study in his own garage that revealed a possible explanation for the rugged terrain that can be seen in images taken from satellites orbiting the planet, or land rovers combing parts of the surface.

A solution called epsomite (or Epsom salts) was left in Peterson’s garage for several days in below freezing temperatures. The epsomite crystallized — its crystals demonstrate “unusual properties” — and was then quickly melted. The result was “mould-like channels and gullies,” according to a Queen’s press release, which represents what the terrain of Mars looks like today.

This may explain how the terrain of Mars developed. Peterson speculates that water could have interacted with the rocky surface to create an acidic solution that would have then formed all of the layers of material that is now known to scientists.

“These possible new minerals that may be found on Earth help us see that although there are many differences between Earth and Mars, such as atmosphere and gravity, there are many things that are the same,” he states in the release. “It’s another world, but there are certainly similarities.”

The study was published in GEOLOGY, a publication of the Geological Society of America and Peterson will be presenting his findings with NASA at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston.

Committee to improve recycling communication on campus

VERONICA CARR STAFF

A new committee is being created at the U of M to liaise between the Waste Prevention Office (WPO) and the University of Manitoba Recycling and Environmental Group (UMREG). The group will exist to ensure past problems regarding the confusion of duties between the two groups will no longer occur.

In March of this year, the Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) that was used as a link between WPO and UMREG was dissolved. Since then the communication line was broken down and in the process people were getting confused between the distinctions of both groups.

An example that Melanie Rollins, UMSU vice-president (student services) pointed out was “the waste prevention office would start getting phone calls about recycling bins overflowing, when really that was UMREG’s jurisdiction.”

Things are expected to run more smoothly with the newly formed SDC now in place.

An UMSU representative, and two members from both UMREG and WPO will form the committee, hoping to start meeting this week. UMSU’s involvement includes deciding how much funding is given to UMREG.

Rollins added that “people on campus don’t understand that there isn’t one distinct body that deals with recycling on campus, so people aren’t sure who to call or what to do in certain situations. We’re just trying to prevent this.”

Obesity isn’t always caused by overeating, says researcher

Timothy Kieffer, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, has found that it is possible to become obese without excessive overeating.

He has discovered that if a certain hormone called leptin becomes imbalanced, it produces obesity as well as an instability in blood sugar levels that can in turn lead to diabetes.

Leptin is produced by fat cells and aids in the regulation of insulin in the body. When the signal travelling from the leptin to the pancreatic beta cells — that secrete insulin — becomes weak, too much insulin is produced.

“This process appears to contribute to obesity — quite independent of eating — while also harming control of blood sugar levels,” states Kieffer in a UBC press release on the accomplishment. “Hormones alone aren’t the sole cause of obesity but they might be a factor that links obesity to diabetes.”

According to the release, about 80 per cent of patients with Type 2 diabetes are obese.

This information will now help scientists better understand the link between diabetes and obesity, and may aid in the development of therapies to aid those who are suffering from this problem.

Dean of Engineering proves to be a great leader

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists honuoured University of Manitoba dean of engineering Douglas Ruth with Leadership Award earlier this month.

Ruth graduated from the U of M in 1972 with a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in mechanical engineering. He received his PhD in the same field in 1977 from the University of Waterloo.

He has contributed much of his time to students and teaching and has a history of recognition in this area — in 1989 he received the U of M Merit Award for teaching excellence.

In 1998, Ruth was elected the dean of engineering after holding both positions of the head of the mechanical engineering department and then associate dean of the faculty throughout the 1990s.

This award recognizes, Ruth’s contribution to the construction of the new Engineering and Information Technology Complex through managing the construction and the faculty throughout the transition.

According an article released by the dean’s office, Ruth’s faculty selections “reflect his vision for creating an institution with teaching excellence and student learning in mind. [His selections] will not only impact academic and research life at the university but will also bring benefits to the province of Manitoba, to Canada and the global community.”

Ruth is, among other positions, a vice-chair of the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers.

U of M president wants in on G13

VERONICA CARR STAFF

U of M president Emöke Szathmáry recently sent a letter out to the presidents, principals and rectors of the G13 universities, arguing that the group should include the U of M.

More than 10 years ago Rob Prichard, former president of the University of Toronto, formed a group of leading research-intensive universities in Canada known as the “Group of Ten” (G10). This group participates in data exchange and its members have some of the highest financial endowments in Canada.

In June of this year, three universities were added to the G10, including Dalhousie University, the University of Ottawa, and the University of Calgary to create the G13.

As Szathmáry points out on her website, “Public and private perception of the G10/G13 gives its members research prowess and research authority that is assumed to be superior to that found at other Canadian universities and no researchintensive university in Canada merits exclusion from the table when issues are discussed that are relevant to its future, to the province it serves, and to the nation.”

The members of G13 are currently in the process of reviewing Szathmáry’s letter.





Volume 94 Issue 10	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	October 25, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly In brief JENELLE PETRINCHUK STAFF New info on Mars terrain leads Queen’s researcher to NASA A researcher from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. may have discovered some new insight into the mystifying landscape of Mars. Ron Peterson, a geological expert at Queen’s, did a study in his own garage that revealed a possible explanation for the rugged terrain that can be seen in images taken from satellites orbiting the planet, or land rovers combing parts of the surface. A solution called epsomite (or Epsom salts) was left in Peterson’s garage for several days in below freezing temperatures. The epsomite crystallized — its crystals demonstrate “unusual properties” — and was then quickly melted. The result was “mould-like channels and gullies,” according to a Queen’s press release, which represents what the terrain of Mars looks like today. This may explain how the terrain of Mars developed. Peterson speculates that water could have interacted with the rocky surface to create an acidic solution that would have then formed all of the layers of material that is now known to scientists. “These possible new minerals that may be found on Earth help us see that although there are many differences between Earth and Mars, such as atmosphere and gravity, there are many things that are the same,” he states in the release. “It’s another world, but there are certainly similarities.” The study was published in GEOLOGY, a publication of the Geological Society of America and Peterson will be presenting his findings with NASA at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston. Committee to improve recycling communication on campus VERONICA CARR STAFF A new committee is being created at the U of M to liaise between the Waste Prevention Office (WPO) and the University of Manitoba Recycling and Environmental Group (UMREG). The group will exist to ensure past problems regarding the confusion of duties between the two groups will no longer occur. In March of this year, the Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) that was used as a link between WPO and UMREG was dissolved. Since then the communication line was broken down and in the process people were getting confused between the distinctions of both groups. An example that Melanie Rollins, UMSU vice-president (student services) pointed out was “the waste prevention office would start getting phone calls about recycling bins overflowing, when really that was UMREG’s jurisdiction.” Things are expected to run more smoothly with the newly formed SDC now in place. An UMSU representative, and two members from both UMREG and WPO will form the committee, hoping to start meeting this week. UMSU’s involvement includes deciding how much funding is given to UMREG. Rollins added that “people on campus don’t understand that there isn’t one distinct body that deals with recycling on campus, so people aren’t sure who to call or what to do in certain situations. We’re just trying to prevent this.” Obesity isn’t always caused by overeating, says researcher Timothy Kieffer, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, has found that it is possible to become obese without excessive overeating. He has discovered that if a certain hormone called leptin becomes imbalanced, it produces obesity as well as an instability in blood sugar levels that can in turn lead to diabetes. Leptin is produced by fat cells and aids in the regulation of insulin in the body. When the signal travelling from the leptin to the pancreatic beta cells — that secrete insulin — becomes weak, too much insulin is produced. “This process appears to contribute to obesity — quite independent of eating — while also harming control of blood sugar levels,” states Kieffer in a UBC press release on the accomplishment. “Hormones alone aren’t the sole cause of obesity but they might be a factor that links obesity to diabetes.” According to the release, about 80 per cent of patients with Type 2 diabetes are obese. This information will now help scientists better understand the link between diabetes and obesity, and may aid in the development of therapies to aid those who are suffering from this problem. Dean of Engineering proves to be a great leader The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists honuoured University of Manitoba dean of engineering Douglas Ruth with Leadership Award earlier this month. Ruth graduated from the U of M in 1972 with a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in mechanical engineering. He received his PhD in the same field in 1977 from the University of Waterloo. He has contributed much of his time to students and teaching and has a history of recognition in this area — in 1989 he received the U of M Merit Award for teaching excellence. In 1998, Ruth was elected the dean of engineering after holding both positions of the head of the mechanical engineering department and then associate dean of the faculty throughout the 1990s. This award recognizes, Ruth’s contribution to the construction of the new Engineering and Information Technology Complex through managing the construction and the faculty throughout the transition. According an article released by the dean’s office, Ruth’s faculty selections “reflect his vision for creating an institution with teaching excellence and student learning in mind. [His selections] will not only impact academic and research life at the university but will also bring benefits to the province of Manitoba, to Canada and the global community.” Ruth is, among other positions, a vice-chair of the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers. U of M president wants in on G13 VERONICA CARR STAFF U of M president Emöke Szathmáry recently sent a letter out to the presidents, principals and rectors of the G13 universities, arguing that the group should include the U of M. More than 10 years ago Rob Prichard, former president of the University of Toronto, formed a group of leading research-intensive universities in Canada known as the “Group of Ten” (G10). This group participates in data exchange and its members have some of the highest financial endowments in Canada. In June of this year, three universities were added to the G10, including Dalhousie University, the University of Ottawa, and the University of Calgary to create the G13. As Szathmáry points out on her website, “Public and private perception of the G10/G13 gives its members research prowess and research authority that is assumed to be superior to that found at other Canadian universities and no researchintensive university in Canada merits exclusion from the table when issues are discussed that are relevant to its future, to the province it serves, and to the nation.” The members of G13 are currently in the process of reviewing Szathmáry’s letter.


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