Research

The University of Waterloo is hosting a free public lecture and panel discussion about Ebola tomorrow.

The Science Behind Ebola: Evolution, Epidemiology, and Experimental Treatments is sponsored by the Faculties of Science, Engineering, and Applied Health Sciences, and features presentations from three Waterloo experts:

·       Christine Dupont, a lecturer in the Department of Biology, will give an opening talk examining where the Ebola virus came from and how it affects the human body.

Released today, Partners for Action: Priorities for Advancing Flood Resiliency in Canada identifies the key areas of focus that should constitute the way forward to better protect Canadians and their property.

The signings allow Waterloo to explore collaborations with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Korea Institute of Science and Technology on work integrated learning and possible research collaborations in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, chemical engineering and quantum computing and nanotechnology.

Experts in conflict, security, and governance are available to speak to the media about the role of research in addressing new and volatile threats to peace.

Professor John Ravenhill, director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs

Honourable Reza Moridi, Ontario’s Minister of Research and Innovation, today announced a $3.3-million grant to be shared by the two universities in a partnership with Communitech as part of the Government of Ontario’s campus-linked accelerators program (CLA).

The grant is part of the $20 million CLA introduced as a key part of the Government of Ontario’s Youth Jobs Strategy. The program is managed provincially by Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE).

Overindulging in high-calorie snacks is partly caused by temporary lapses in a very specific part of the brain, according to a new University of Waterloo study.

The study, published in Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, is the first to conclusively link reduced activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with weakened self-control around tasty but unhealthy snacks.

Waterloo also achieved the rating of five star plus in the QS Stars for outstanding performance in eight individual areas: research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalization, innovation, engineering and technology, and access.

The study, published in Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, is the first to conclusively link reduced operation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with self-restraint in the dietary context.

The report marks the conclusion of a four-year national population health study examining the prevalence and impact of neurological conditions in the country.

Professor Hirdes, of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, is a principal investigator on the report.

“Responding to the complex needs of persons with neurological conditions is a major challenge for family members and for the Canadian health care system. A coordinated and comprehensive approach is essential in order to ensure that they receive good quality and cost-effective care.”

Two biologists have shown that Thaumarchaeota, a group of microorganisms that has never been associated with vitamin B₁₂before, may actually be responsible for much of the world’s B₁₂ production in the oceans.