Physicists working in Europe, including Canada Research Chair in Atomic Physics at York University Prof. Eric Hessels, have succeeded in capturing the first glimpse of the structure of antimatter, in the start of experiments that could unlock more of the mysteries of the birth of the universe, begins a story carried on Canada News-Wire Oct. 29. “We have been able to make a determination of the atomic states of antihydrogen atoms produced by passing them through an electrical field before they hit the wall of the apparatus and disappear,” said Hessels, who is part of the ATRAP collaboration based at Harvard University that managed to examine the internal states of antihydrogen atoms. It happened fast on the heels of the successful production of cold antimatter last month by Europe’s biggest particle physics laboratory CERN by the ATHENA group in Geneva. The National Post also wrote about this first glimpse of antimatter Oct. 30.
Computer Science building wins engineering award
York University’s Computer Science Building won honours for its green design at the Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards 2002 held in Toronto Oct. 26, reported Canada News-Wire Oct. 29. The University of Calgary’s new green computer science building was also cited.
York preparing for double cohort
York University President Lorna R. Marsden, PhD, says that York is looking forward to welcoming double cohort students, reported The Toronto Sun Oct. 30 in a story about its ripple effect. “We are adding to our complement of exceptional faculty and staff, and construction is underway on seven new buildings. We are also working with local transportation authorities to facilitate student access to our campuses,” she said.
The phantom of the court
On why it took the RCMP four years to charge theatre impresario Garth Drabinsky with 19 counts of fraud totalling half a billion dollars, Maclean’s (Nov. 4 issue) quotes Harry Glasbeek, professor emeritus at Osgoode Hall Law School: “A lot of this has to do with the fact that corporate fraud is the flavour of the month in the US. The fact that he’s being prosecuted in the US and refuses to go there had to attract the RCMP’s attention and create pressure and excitement.” Glasbeek and other lawyers, continues Maclean’s, wonder if the Mounties would have pursued the case had there beenno US charges.
EMBA programs preferred
Executive MBAs have received the endorsement of a majority of the business leaders across the country who responded to a Canadian Business poll conducted by the Strategic Counsel, reported The Spectator Oct. 30. Most EMBA tuition fees range from $25,000 to $70,000 – and they’re on the rise.
Honours for York cornerback
York cornerback Clinton John won defensive player of the week in Canadian university football yesterday, reported Canadian Press Oct. 30. In York’s 12-4 quarter-final victory over Ottawa, the school’s first playoff win, John came up with two key interceptions.
Doctors and drug companies too close
“The more doctors rely on information that they get from drug companies, the more they take the freebies, the more likely they are to prescribe the wrong drug, for the wrong reason, for the wrong length of time,” Dr. Joel Lexchin, physician and health policy professor at York, told the CBC in an interview aired Oct. 29 about the relationship between doctors and drug companies.
Organizations looking for ethics advice
At the end of a special report Oct. 30 on how corporations are increasingly seeking advice on ethical issues, The Globe and Mail lists the Centre for Practical Ethics at York University as one source for information.