In Brief

CHELSE MCKEE, STAFF

New study reveals sharks are in control

A three-year study on bull sharks, conducted by W. Gary Anderson, an associate professor in the department of biological sciences at U of M, along with research colleagues from Scotland and Australia, has revealed that sharks are able to control the volume of their bodily fluids.

Sharks, like humans, change the volume of their bodily fluids using the physiological systems, like the cardiovascular system and the renal system. In addition, sharks use their gills and a special rectal gland that secretes salt. Sharks can also balance their bodily fluids by consuming seawater.

The study reveals that bull-sharks, judging on the salinity of the water, will increase or decrease their movement altering their blood volume.

For the past 15 years, Anderson has researched skates, dogfish and bamboo sharks.

Virtual dreams closer to virtual reality

Struan Sinclair, a University of Manitoba English professor, is one step closer to achieving his dream project of a virtual reality, after receiving a grant worth $1,972 from the U of M’s creative works grant program.

Sinclair first came up with the idea after taking a walking tour with artist, Janet Cardiff. People taking the tour were handed a CD or tape and Cardiff would narrate the audio, using both straightforward and nostalgic dialogue in describing the sites.

“I always wondered what it would be like to tear the roof off and see who was living inside,” Sinclair says. “The idea of the architectural model as a living thing [and] not simply a static building but peopled with characters and narratives. The form of it is going to be a architectural fly-through.”

The project, entitled “If/Then: A Walkthrough Fiction,” will be a community-based virtual reality, where people can interact with one another by telling or showing their own stories. Sinclair hopes that the project will grow to have users from all around the world shaping the structure of the virtual reality.

The grant will only fund the initial phase but as more collaborators come on board, it will become a more extensive project. Sinclair plans to work with students and faculty from the computer science, engineering, English and architecture faculties on the project.

“What we’re working on now is putting together the first 10 to 20 minutes of animations set in two fictional buildings. The spaces are based on real places. We’re doing much of the design ourselves.”

Details about the project are expected to be on the English multimedia website in October of this year. The website can be accessed through the faculty of English homepage.

Sinclair is one of 10 faculty members to receive a grant through the creative works grant program.

Province gives financial boost to part-time work programs

Peter Bjornson, the education, citizenship, and youth minister for the province of Manitoba, has again promised $300,000 to three part-time work and community service programs that assist post-secondary students.

The programs, Manitoba Mentorships, Youth Serves Manitoba, and Part-Time STEP, have assisted over 3,000 students since their opening in September 1998.

Manitoba Mentorships helps students to promote their skills to potential employers and matches them up to their field of study. In addition, Manitoba Mentorships offers a $3.40 per hour incentive to employers who hire part-time students in exchange for providing guidance and on-the-job training.

Students or employers interested in taking part of the Manitoba Mentorships program can refer to the government website for further information and applications. www.edu.gov.mb.ca/youth/employers/ManitobaMentorships.html

Part-time STEP, an extension of the STEP Services, provides employment with the provincial government and related organizations. Students interested in registering with STEP can visit www.studentjobs.gov.mb.ca for further information.

Students who work with Youth Serves Manitoba are eligible for $500 bursaries towards either their student loans or tuitions. Students become eligible for the bursary after completing 100 hours of work with a registered charitable or non-profit organization.

Students interested in being part of the program can either find a sponsorship agency themselves or access www.volunteermanitoba.ca for assistance in finding a suitable company.

Agencies interested in being a sponsor can contact Volunteer Manitoba or visit an on-campus student employment agency. As well, potential employers and students can also go to www.myyop.com for volunteer opportunities.

The three programs’ duration is from Sept. 4 to May 2 for university students and Sept. 4 to June 20 for college students.

UMSU to set up online tutor registry

Soon students will be free to look away from the millions of posters advertising tutors and look to the new online registry program.

The program, a joint project between UMSU, University 1, and the Learning Assistance Centre (LAC), will create an organized, one-stop shop for students looking to improve their grades.

It’s a “fairly simple service,” says Mike Einarson, vice-president (internal) for UMSU.

UMSU will construct and host the registry, while LAC and University 1 will offer the tutor training.

The online program will be put into practice in early this month and will be followed by expansions in the following year.





Volume 95 Issue 4	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	September 05, 2007

Home About Us Advertising Rates Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Volunteer Online Classifieds St. Vincent's Academy Diaries	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly In Brief CHELSE MCKEE, STAFF New study reveals sharks are in control A three-year study on bull sharks, conducted by W. Gary Anderson, an associate professor in the department of biological sciences at U of M, along with research colleagues from Scotland and Australia, has revealed that sharks are able to control the volume of their bodily fluids. Sharks, like humans, change the volume of their bodily fluids using the physiological systems, like the cardiovascular system and the renal system. In addition, sharks use their gills and a special rectal gland that secretes salt. Sharks can also balance their bodily fluids by consuming seawater. The study reveals that bull-sharks, judging on the salinity of the water, will increase or decrease their movement altering their blood volume. For the past 15 years, Anderson has researched skates, dogfish and bamboo sharks. Virtual dreams closer to virtual reality Struan Sinclair, a University of Manitoba English professor, is one step closer to achieving his dream project of a virtual reality, after receiving a grant worth $1,972 from the U of M’s creative works grant program. Sinclair first came up with the idea after taking a walking tour with artist, Janet Cardiff. People taking the tour were handed a CD or tape and Cardiff would narrate the audio, using both straightforward and nostalgic dialogue in describing the sites. “I always wondered what it would be like to tear the roof off and see who was living inside,” Sinclair says. “The idea of the architectural model as a living thing [and] not simply a static building but peopled with characters and narratives. The form of it is going to be a architectural fly-through.” The project, entitled “If/Then: A Walkthrough Fiction,” will be a community-based virtual reality, where people can interact with one another by telling or showing their own stories. Sinclair hopes that the project will grow to have users from all around the world shaping the structure of the virtual reality. The grant will only fund the initial phase but as more collaborators come on board, it will become a more extensive project. Sinclair plans to work with students and faculty from the computer science, engineering, English and architecture faculties on the project. “What we’re working on now is putting together the first 10 to 20 minutes of animations set in two fictional buildings. The spaces are based on real places. We’re doing much of the design ourselves.” Details about the project are expected to be on the English multimedia website in October of this year. The website can be accessed through the faculty of English homepage. Sinclair is one of 10 faculty members to receive a grant through the creative works grant program. Province gives financial boost to part-time work programs Peter Bjornson, the education, citizenship, and youth minister for the province of Manitoba, has again promised $300,000 to three part-time work and community service programs that assist post-secondary students. The programs, Manitoba Mentorships, Youth Serves Manitoba, and Part-Time STEP, have assisted over 3,000 students since their opening in September 1998. Manitoba Mentorships helps students to promote their skills to potential employers and matches them up to their field of study. In addition, Manitoba Mentorships offers a $3.40 per hour incentive to employers who hire part-time students in exchange for providing guidance and on-the-job training. Students or employers interested in taking part of the Manitoba Mentorships program can refer to the government website for further information and applications. www.edu.gov.mb.ca/youth/employers/ManitobaMentorships.html Part-time STEP, an extension of the STEP Services, provides employment with the provincial government and related organizations. Students interested in registering with STEP can visit www.studentjobs.gov.mb.ca for further information. Students who work with Youth Serves Manitoba are eligible for $500 bursaries towards either their student loans or tuitions. Students become eligible for the bursary after completing 100 hours of work with a registered charitable or non-profit organization. Students interested in being part of the program can either find a sponsorship agency themselves or access www.volunteermanitoba.ca for assistance in finding a suitable company. Agencies interested in being a sponsor can contact Volunteer Manitoba or visit an on-campus student employment agency. As well, potential employers and students can also go to www.myyop.com for volunteer opportunities. The three programs’ duration is from Sept. 4 to May 2 for university students and Sept. 4 to June 20 for college students. UMSU to set up online tutor registry Soon students will be free to look away from the millions of posters advertising tutors and look to the new online registry program. The program, a joint project between UMSU, University 1, and the Learning Assistance Centre (LAC), will create an organized, one-stop shop for students looking to improve their grades. It’s a “fairly simple service,” says Mike Einarson, vice-president (internal) for UMSU. UMSU will construct and host the registry, while LAC and University 1 will offer the tutor training. The online program will be put into practice in early this month and will be followed by expansions in the following year.


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