Monday, March 20, 2017

Region, UNIFOR reach agreement; buses running 

Transit in Waterloo is running as scheduled today, with a tentative deal reached early Monday morning between the Region of Waterloo and UNIFOR Local 4304 Grand River Transit/MobilityPLUS, operators, dispatchers, fleet mechanics and service attendants.

Check the Grand River Transit news site for more information.

Professors, researchers to be recognized at reception

A message from Community Relations and Events

In celebration of the University of Waterloo's teaching and research accomplishments, the President’s Reception for Excellence in Teaching and Research will be held on May 2^nd in the Quantum-Nano Centre. UWaterloo would like to recognize the faculty members who contribute their knowledge and expertise to enabling student success, both academically and in our campus community.

If you would like to recognize a professor or their research, we would like to hear from you! The UW Quotes of Appreciation form is where you can express your thoughts about your favourite teacher, researcher or colleague. We would like to gain perspective on how teaching or research at UWaterloo has made a positive impact in your experience. Your response could be quoted and displayed at this year’s Teaching and Research Reception.

Online registration for 2017 staff conference closes March 27

Have you registered for the 2017 Waterloo Staff Conference yet?  There is still time before registration closes on March 27.  

As part of the tenth anniversary of the Waterloo Staff Conference, a special evening event will be held with distinguished guest speaker and Canadian icon, Margaret Trudeau.  Margaret brings her formidable life story to the stage in her quest to help others, sharing her message of resilience with the goal of helping to inspire others and to erase the stigma surrounding mental health issues. This event has a separate registration and seating is limited. 

For the main conference days, there are still many spaces available in a variety of workshops, such as Supporting Working Caregivers, Transforming Polarized Thinking, and Neuroscience 101: Flex your brain with colour (just to name few). Be sure to read the descriptions (including for learning objectives and key themes) on all the sessions being offered this year to find the best workshops that work for you.  As well, 150 seats are still open for the Choir! Choir! Choir! keynote, and many seats are still available in many of the broadcast overflow room for the other event keynotes.

Inquiries about this event can be directed to contact Mark Lisetto-Smith, Coordinator, Communications & Events, Organizational & Human Development.

Gut feeling on IBS symptoms pays off for researchers

A study involving Waterloo biologist Josh Neufeld and post-doctoral fellow Michael Lynch finds that bacteria in the human gut contribute to the physical and psychological symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), paving the way for new treatments against the most common digestive illness worldwide.

The study, led by researchers from the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute at McMaster University, was published this week in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

In a series of novel experiments, the researchers wanted to see if microorganisms living in the large intestine might be causing IBS. They transferred fecal bacterial communities from human patients experiencing IBS, with and without anxiety, into healthy mice. 

Surprisingly, results showed mice that received the IBS bacteria developed both the physiological and psychological symptoms of their human donors, even mirroring cases with anxiety-like behavior. According to the researchers, the microbiota living inside us are not only influencing our gastrointestinal sensitivity and transit time, but our mood as well.

Neufeld and Lynch characterized the microbial communities being transferred using DNA extraction, sequencing and 16S rRNA gene analysis.

“The key message is that gut microorganisms can contribute to IBS and this approach may be effective for investigating microbiome-level treatment options in the future,” says Neufeld, a professor in the Department of Biology and a member of the Water Institute.

IBS is the most common chronic gastrointestinal condition, affecting 10 to 15 per cent of the population globally. IBS symptoms include painful cramping, gas, diarrhea, and constipation, as well as depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, treatment options are limited because the exact root cause remains unknown.

The Canadian Institute for Health Research and Nestle Switzerland supported the study.

Register for Friday's Research Talks; other notes

Interested in learning how digital X-ray technology will transform the Canadian healthcare system by detecting diseases faster, more accurately, and with less radiation?

Join Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Karim S. Karim for the next session of Research Talks at noon on Friday, March 24.

There are a few spots remaining for this event, please register to reserve yours.

Human Resources is reporting that retiree Walter Witzke died on March 13. Walter joined the University in January 1988 and retired in May 1997 as Building Serviceperson in Plant Operations. He is survived by his spouse Elli.

Here's today's Nutrition Month "myth vs. fact" supplied by Health Services Dietician Sandra Ace:

Myth: You need to avoid all dairy products if you’re lactose intolerant.

Fact: Lactose is a sugar found in milk and milk products. It is also added to some foods and medications. People who are lactose intolerant don’t produce enough lactase, an enzyme the body makes which allows lactose to be digested and absorbed. Undigested lactose is fermented in the large intestine and causes symptoms like gas, bloating, nausea and/or diarrhea. The severity of symptoms experienced is related to the amount of lactose consumed. Using over the counter lactase tablets or drops may eliminate symptoms altogether.

Most lactose intolerant people do not need to follow a completely lactose free diet and can handle small amounts of lactose at a time. Hard cheeses contain a lot less lactose than milk, and yogurts with 'live' or 'active' bacteria may be better tolerated. There are also many lactose free products available in the supermarket dairy case – including lactose free milk, cheese and yogurt. Goat milk contains only slightly less lactose than cow’s milk, so if you try this, start with a small amount only.

If you consume fewer than two or three servings of milk or milk alternatives daily, make sure you’re getting enough calcium from other foods. If you drink a milk alternative such as soy, almond or coconut beverage, choose a calcium-fortified product.  

Lactose intolerance is different than a milk allergy; someone with an allergy must completely eliminate milk and milk ingredients. If you have questions about lactose intolerance, speak with your healthcare provider and check out the tips at EatRight Ontario.