Media Releases Archives: April 2013

Innovative program puts at-risk high school students on path to university

April 29, 2013

Now completing its first year, the School Within A University (SWAU) program is offered to up to 25 Thames Valley students experiencing exceptional change or challenges and who are at risk of not completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Western to host international brain plasticity symposium

April 26, 2013

In a unique collaboration with The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) and the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, researchers from Western’s renowned Brain and Mind Institute will explore this ever-expanding field of study.

Western researchers lead sequencing of genome for second-largest group of animals

April 25, 2013

Western’s Miodrag Grbić and a research team featuring scientists from Spain, Belgium, France, Portugal, USA, Chile, Germany and Switzerland have sequenced the genome of the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, which is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan agricultural pests.

Novel natural nanomaterial spins off from spider-mite genome sequencing

April 25, 2013

Western biology professor Miodrag Grbic and his team have now collaborated with physicist Jeff Hutter to test – for the first-time ever – the durability of spider-mite silk and found the bionanomaterial, which is one thousand times thinner than human hair, to be a potentially superior alternative to spider silk, itself long considered a highly attractive light-weight biomaterial due to its high tensile strength and elasticity.

Western announces Dr. Robert Kennedy as next Dean of Ivey Business School

April 25, 2013

Western University today announced the appointment of Robert (Bob) Kennedy as the new Dean of the Ivey Business School.

Western researchers confirm pine bark extract could reduce cataract risk

April 24, 2013

A research team from Western University has found that an over-the-counter pill boasting the antioxidants may reduce risk of cataracts – the clouding of the normally clear lens of an eye – when delivered through the correct method.

Western makes a bold ‘brain gain’ investment

April 23, 2013

Western University is investing in a ‘brain gain’ initiative to attract and secure elite academic talent, allocating up to $30 million to a pair of new strategic programs that will recruit and support the very best students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers from around the world.

Western researchers find fear itself affects predator-prey relationship

April 16, 2013

In a study published today in Science, findings from a team led by Western biology professor Liana Zanette prove perception – in this case, fear – of predation risk is powerful enough to affect wildlife populations even when predators are prevented from directly killing any prey.

Western researchers acquit the tins in mysterious failed Franklin expedition

April 8, 2013

New research from Western University challenges long-held beliefs regarding the demise of Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated Northwest Passage expedition that departed from England in 1845.

Western Psychology says you are what you think

April 3, 2013

A series of public lectures, featuring faculty members from Western University’s Psychology Department will examine how human brains and minds.