Research and Innovation : In The News

Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has been selected to test the updated diagnostic criteria for the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) -- the manual used by medical professionals around the world. CAMH is currently one of only seven adult field trial sites in North America and the only Canadian organization selected to test the manual. As reported by The Medical News, the selection process was competitive, out of 65 organizations that submitted proposals only 11 participants were chosen.  

"We are honoured to be selected as one of the field trial sites," said Dr. Michael Bagby, Director of Clinical Research at CAMH. "Our role in the development of DSM-5 is a reflection of CAMH's standing in medical research, particularly in the field of psychiatry and mental disorders." APA has reported that the selection process was very competitive; only 11 organizations were chosen from the 65 that submitted proposals to be considered for a field trial site, and CAMH was the only Canadian site chosen."


"The field trials held at CAMH will be led by Drs. Bruce Pollock, Michael Bagby and Kwame McKenzie. Disorders being studied at CAMH include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, attenuated psychotic symptoms syndrome, and personality disorders. Clinicians participating in the field trial will evaluate new and existing patients at different stages of treatment using the proposed DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and measures."

read full story here
original source The Medical News

The Globe & Mail features Toronto startup Symtext Corp. developers of the Liquid Textbook, a software program that allows educators to build customized electronic course readers. Since its release in July 2008, Liquid Textbook has been adopted by professors at Queen's, McGill, Ryerson, Concordia, Brock "and a handful of other universities and colleges across Canada". 

"Because there was no single textbook he could use for the class at Ryerson University in Toronto, Mr. Monkhouse gathered materials from various sources and had the university's bookstore obtain the necessary permissions and make copies. The process was cumbersome, not environmentally friendly and not especially convenient for the students. "

"Mr. Monkhouse wanted to replace the course package with something electronic. He had heard of electronic textbooks, but he needed a way to package materials from multiple sources. He found it in the Liquid Textbook, a product of Toronto startup Symtext Corp."

"Symtext's creation can include content drawn from multiple sources � chapters of textbooks, research papers, articles, even video clips. The company's service includes arranging permissions with publishers for whatever material an instructor wants to include. It's also easy to modify the text, a plus for Mr. Monkhouse since sustainability is a rapidly changing topic."

"The professor and the students can also add their own annotations, which are available for everyone in the course to see. That creates a sort of discussion forum within the electronic text itself."

read full story here
original source Globe & Mail

University of Toronto student Todd Reichert has been making international headlines for creating the first ornithopter--an engineless, wing-flapping aircraft--capable of sustained flight. As reported by the BBC, Reichert's plane flew nonstop for 19.3 seconds on the 2nd of August  2010. The record breaking feat, performed at The Great Lakes Gliding Club in Tottenham, Ontario, is expected to be confirmed by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale at its October meeting. 

"Mr Reichert, a PhD student at the University of Toronto, said the Snowbird "represents the completion of an age-old aeronautical dream."

"Throughout history, countless men and women have dreamt of flying like a bird under their own power, and hundreds, if not thousands have attempted to achieve it," he said in a statement. "This represents one of the last of the aviation firsts."
 
"Other craft with flapping wings have taken off, but the team claim theirs is the first to actually power itself in flight...To keep it light, lift-off mechanisms were not built in.Instead, a tow car helped lift it clear of the ground. But then Mr Reichert took over, using his feet to pump a bar that flaps the wings."

read full story here
original source BBC News

The Times of India reports on an innovative behavioural study conducted by University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) researchers. The Toronto scientists have collected evidence that suggests when we talk to ourselves before making a decision we exhibit greater self control and greater restrain from impulsive behaviour.  The study advances science's understanding of the workings of our inner voice.

"The research, carried out by the University of Toronto Scarborough, shows that inner voice plays an important role in controlling impulsive behaviour."

"We give ourselves messages all the time with the intent of controlling ourselves � whether that's telling ourselves to keep running when we're tired, to stop eating even though we want one more slice of cake, or to refrain from blowing up on someone in an argument," says Alexa Tullett, lead author on the study."

"We wanted to find out whether talking to ourselves in this ''inner voice'' actually helps," Tullett added."

"Through a series of tests, we found that people acted more impulsively when they couldn't use their inner voice or talk themselves through the tasks," Inzlicht said. "

"Without being able to verbalize messages to themselves, they were not able to exercise the same amount of self control as when they could talk themselves through the process."

"Tullett said: "It's always been known that people have internal dialogues with themselves, but until now, we've never known what an important function they serve."

read full story here
original source Times of India

Dr. Diane Doran, a professor at UofT's Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, was awarded a research grant worth more than $1 million from The Canadian Patient Safety Institute. As reported by The Medical News, Dr. Doran and her team received the prestigeous grant in order to study patient safety and home care services across Canada.

"The existing literature on the safety of home care in Canada is still vague," says Doran. "This study, which will be the largest pan-Canadian home care safety study of its kind, will attempt to fill in those gaps."

"The Canadian Patient Safety Institute, along with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institutes of Health Services and Policy Research, Aging, Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, and Circulatory and Respiratory Health; The Change Foundation; and the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation, awarded the funding to help generate new knowledge to help improve the safety of home care clients."

"We know that adverse events affect thousands of patients every year in Canada," says Hugh MacLeod, CEO, Canadian Patient Safety Institute. "That is why this research in home care is important to assist with better patient safety outcomes in the continuum of care."

"Results of this research will be released over the next two years. The final report will be released in January of 2013 with the aim of informing change in policy, practice and behaviour in the home care service setting."

read full story here
original source The Medical News

Ryerson University, already a hotbed of high-tech innovation, has launched a new pilot project that nurtures emerging entrepreneurs and connects them with perspective companies. Called the Digital Media Zone, the program provides free office space and guidance to Ryerson students and alumni with high-tech business ideas. As reported by the Globe & Mail, Digital Media Zone has already helped launch 10 businesses since it opened eight months ago.

"A campus breeding ground for high-tech entrepreneurs is turning for inspiration to Canada's original digital renaissance woman.

Gerri Sinclair was a Shakespeare scholar who became a Web pioneer, sold a company to Microsoft  and went on to advise governments and businesses on tech strategy. Now the 63-year-old Vancouver entrepreneur wants to unlock the innovation power on Canadian campuses and ultimately shake up the way they do research. One of her first stops is Ryerson University."

"To help build the school's digital strategy, Ms. Sinclair will work with the new Digital Media Zone, an experiment that nurtures students' high-tech business ideas and matches them with companies looking for technology development. At a time when innovation is on the tip of every politician's tongue, Ryerson is nurturing student ideas to see if it can kick-start new companies and keep talent in Canada. As well as working on their own projects, the Digital Media Zone plans to become a kind of test lab for businesses with technology challenges."


read full story here
original source Globe & Mail

2thinknow, the Melbourne-based innovation research company, had released its 2010 rankings of world's top innovative cities. Toronto ranked 10th out of 100 cities, making it the highest-ranking Canadian city.

read full story here
original source Innovation Cities Program

The Energy Report interviews Vikas Ranja, co-founder and Managing Director of Toronto-based research firm, Ubika Research. In the interview Ranja discusses the importance and promise of the cleantech market segment that has a "whole range of technology that will enable humankind to basically conduct life in ways that are more eco-friendly and sustainable." An excerpt from the interview:

"TER: Are you noticing any trends in the [cleantech] market segment?"

"VR: Yes, absolutely. A couple of years ago when you talked about cleantech, the discussion mostly centered on alternative energy with a focus on wind, solar and, to a certain extent, geothermal companies. But in the last three years or so, there's been an acknowledgment that cleantech is much more than renewable power generation. This move toward a broader classification is a really big change."

"Another big change would be the growth of a whole set of companies that focus on very basic problems, for example, methods of providing clean drinking water to the vast majority of the global population, and more efficient technologies for waste management, especially in developing countries."

"We are seeing a growing acceptance of clean technologies in these areas, and you can see increased participation among the governments, especially in the developed world. Governments are actively supporting this sector through various programs and some subsidies."

read full story here
original source Energy Report

The National Post features the MaRS Discovery District, Toronto's "premier innovation hub". Located at 101 College Street across from the provincial legislature MaRS -- Medical and Related Sciences -- serves as an innovation incubator for Ontario science, technology and social entrepreneurs.

"MaRS reports having received $95-million in capital investment from the province, and now receives payment ($8.72-million in 2008) to adminster three innovation programs: the Business Mentorship and Entrepreneurship Program, the Investment Accelerator Fund and the Premier's Summit Award for Medical Research. It remains at arm's length from the province, meanwhile, as a registered charity."

"As well as serving as landlord to companies desiring office and laboratory space in the heart of Toronto's research and development zone, MaRS's services include face-to-face mentoring at no cost to Ontario companies, free "Entrepreneurship 101" seminars on Wednesday nights, and matchmaking events between startups and investors."

read full story here
original source National Post

The Toronto Star features entrepreneur Daniel Thompson, founder of Toronto cosmetic company Daniel Thompson Beauty. Launched in 2008, the Toronto-based company designs and sells a line of mineral-based cosmetics carried by spas across Canada and in the United States.

"Before starting his makeup line, Thompson worked for several large cosmetics companies including Yves Saint Laurent, L'Or�al and Elizabeth Arden. In 2003, he launched Thompson Consulting, which, among other things, developed cosmetics lines for spas and other clients. Then, in 2008, the recession hit. "My business contracted 80 per cent overnight," Thompson says."

"He met with his business partner and head designer to figure out what to do. They decided that after years developing cosmetics for other companies, it was time Thompson put his name on a product."

"Daniel Thompson Beauty has a refreshing approach to makeup. Unlike other companies that create a look consumers are strongly encouraged to imitate, at Daniel Thompson Beauty "there is no set standard look that we create for women. Everything is highly personalized," the 36-year-old founder says."

"The company's products are unique, thanks to their multipurpose designs. "Our eye shadows make great blushes. Our blushes make great lipsticks. Our lipsticks make great eye shadows."

read full story here
original source Toronto Star

A computerized subway-control system developed by Toronto's Thales Rail Signalling Solutions Inc. could revolutionize the way subways operate around the world. Thales Rail, the Toronto division of France's aerospace-and-defence "giant" Thales Group, is currently perfecting a subway-control system that allows computers to automatically drive subway trains and co-ordinate train scheduling.

"The systems, pioneered in Toronto, use radio-transmission technology in subway trains to control their speed and track how far apart the trains are. This allows them to safely run much more closely together � as frequently as 90 seconds apart � than those that use human drivers. Thales says its automated technology can stop a subway train within 10 centimetres of its target."

"The virtual versions in Toronto allow Thales to test new features and work out kinks for its clients, transit agencies from Asia to America. With the press of a button, engineers can simulate a delay caused by a jammed subway door in rush hour. The computer quickly takes over, automatically rescheduling trains to run closer together to clear the growing crowds of waiting passengers."

"We can do all sorts of scenarios here," says Walter Kinio, the firm's director of research and development. "If something breaks on the train, if there's a physical problem with the train, the system has to react to that. We can do all of those tests here."

read full story here
original source CTV News

Canada has officially surpassed the UK in the video-game development industry. As reported by UK tech blog ThinQ.co.uk, Canada is now the world's third largest centre for video-game development, just behind the US and Japan.

"Responding to the news, Gerry Pisarzowski, vice president of business development for the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance, said: "our job now is to add to our tremendous home-grown crop of companies and help demonstrate that Ontario is a prime destination in North America for gaming investments."

"According to the Ontario Technology Corridor, Ontario offers a number of incentives to the games development industry, including the following: Intellectual property development fund - refunds 30 per cent of eligible early stage development costs to bring "screen-based content properties" closer to production."

"...There was nothing inevitable about this process," says Wilson (CEO of UK gaming trade association TIGA). "Canadian policy makers simply took the farsighted decision to create an attractive environment to do games business, in particular, through the provision of generous tax breaks."

read full story here
original source ThinQ.co.uk

Business without Borders interviews Rana Sarkar, Executive officer of the Canada-India Business Council. Sarkar discusses the expansion of Canadian companies to India and why this means opportunities for growth and innovation for Canadian businesses. An excerpt from the interview:

"What is the appeal of the Indian market to Canadian businesses?"

"There are two drivers of interest in India � market access and innovation. It's becoming clear that, despite how well we've done relative to our OECD peers coming out of the great recession, the key to Canada's 21st century prosperity is diversification. Not because we're betting against the U.S., but we recognize the rise of the rest. The big markets of scale and the ones offering stable growth in our lifetimes will be in India, China, Brazil, with a number of other high-growth emerging countries not far behind. These countries are adding millions to the middle class every month and will bring billions of people into cities and into the global economy in the next decade. They're building infrastructure in years that it took centuries to build elsewhere. India is particularly interesting for Canadians because it's growing at 8 to 10 per cent a year largely off the back of domestic consumer demand � not government."

"Many people, when they consider India, think of sending back-office functions offshore, or using low-cost labour or supplies.The second reason Canadian companies are looking at India is low-cost innovation, but in my view the India story has evolved well past the back-office outsourcing. It's now about the Tata Nano, the $100 iPad equivalent, medical devices at 10 per cent of cost. Canadian companies are following this story closely and are starting to get involved with Indian companies if just not to be left out. Our mindset with India is also starting to change. A decade ago, a Canadian CEO would step off a plane in Delhi and see problems; now they see opportunity, and often an international competitor at the check-in desk. India has also gotten a bit easier for us. Its government and business class is more global in outlook and it stands out amongst the big emerging players as a democratic, English-speaking, common-law-based market where we can drop in and do business without a translator."

"So you are seeing more interest from Canadian businesses that want to expand there?"

"Definitely. A decade ago India was far from front-of-mind for Canadian business leaders, for a bunch of good reasons; India wasn't there yet, and, more importantly, you could get fatter returns in less complex markets closer to home. Even then there were trailblazers � Sun Life, Bombardier, Scotiabank and the EDC have been established in India for decades. Law firms like Bennett Jones, Torys and Heenan Blaikie have spent years building A-grade networks and are now key connectors. But in recent months, we're seeing a dramatic uptick in interest. Cameco, AECL and the rest of the nuclear supply chain are moving into the market now that we have the nuclear agreement in place. In technology, RIM and Open Text are becoming key players. Brookfield, the CPP and CDP have all made investments, and BMO has established a strong India practice. Like in any big market, seeding relationships and building granular market understanding takes years of effort, and the bulk of corporate Canada is at the beginning stages, but if they stick to the strategy this will pay dividends in the high-growth years ahead."

read full story here
original source Business without Borders

Regina Sheung, owner of the successful Yonge Street fashion boutique Propaganda, has opened up a new and entirely different kind of shop in Toronto's Cabbage Town neighbourhood. Sheung's new boutique, Labour of Love, sells an eclectic mix of goods, from handmade jewellery to irreverent greeting cards to antique furniture. The National Post interviews Sheung on her decision to open the new store and its early success. An excerpt:

"Yonge and Bloor is an amazing neighbourhood and Propaganda is great, but I've been doing it for a while," Sheung says of the challenge of opening a second, very different boutique. "I wanted to be a bit more sophisticated." She's going to be more creative, "push the boundary a little bit. Most retail stores you really need to jam-pack the shelves but here I'm able to have big space and displays."

"When I opened Propaganda, I was very scared and didn't know what to expect," she says, "but now I am even more scared because I know what it takes! It's like a roller-coaster ride, but you have to hold your breath and just let it go."

"Roller-coaster, or second baby. "I'm here all the time, trying to meet everybody and learn what I should buy for the store," she says. "You have to. A buyer cannot be just a buyer, you have to work the floor, engage with people, what size are they, get to know what they like, what age they are, so you make the fewest buying mistakes possible."

"Although, Sheung adds philosophically, "you make your own mistakes, but you earn your own success."

read full story here
original source National Post

Two York University scientists have made important advances in our understanding of how orangutans communicate. As reported by the Guardian UK, psychologist Anne Russon and philosopher Kristin Andrews discovered, after analyzing 20 years of video footage, that orangutans can use mime to communicate. The study is important as it suggests that the apes "are capable of more complex communication than previously thought".

"The study, published in the Biology Letters journal, suggests miming is rare in wild orangutans, but is used when other forms of communication fail."

"Andrews said: "Great apes' ability to engage in rudimentary narrative communication suggests to us that, like humans, they are able to make sense of their world by telling stories, and to relay their thoughts about the world to others."Previous studies have described a gorilla acting as though it was rolling a ball of clay between her hands, which was interpreted as meaning "clay". A language-trained orangutan was also observed blowing through its thumb and forefinger to express the word "balloon"."

"The researchers write: "These orangutan and other great ape pantomime cases indicate that pantomime serves multiple purposes and supports important communicative complexities in living great apes. For great apes, like humans, pantomime is a medium, not a message."

read full story here
original source Guardian UK