Canadian Institutes of Health Research Archives | Research & Innovation /research/tag/canadian-institutes-of-health-research/ Wed, 29 Jan 2025 19:57:24 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Seniors fare better in acute geriatric care units with function-focused approach /research/2012/11/28/seniors-fare-better-in-acute-geriatric-care-units-with-function-focused-approach-2/ Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/11/28/seniors-fare-better-in-acute-geriatric-care-units-with-function-focused-approach-2/ A study led by 91ɫ researchers has found seniors fare better – have fewer falls, less functional decline at discharge and shorter stays – in acute geriatric care units where staff have a function-focused approach to care. The purpose of the research was to determine the effectiveness of care for seniors in the acute phase […]

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A study led by 91ɫ researchers has found seniors fare better – have fewer falls, less functional decline at discharge and shorter stays – in acute geriatric care units where staff have a function-focused approach to care.

The purpose of the research was to determine the effectiveness of care for seniors in the acute phase of illness or injury admitted to acute geriatric units compared to seniors not admitted to these specialized centres.

“It is the first study to quantify the effectiveness of an innovative function-focused approach to older adults' acute hospital care,” says 91ɫ Professor Mary Fox of the graduate program in nursing in 91ɫ's School of Nursing, Faculty of Health. She is the first author of the article, “”, published online Friday in the . It will also be published in an upcoming print version of the journal.

Mary Fox

As the principal investigator of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research-funded study, Fox conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 trials involving 6,839 acutely ill or injured octogenarians. Acute geriatric units are those with at least one Acute Care for Elders (ACE) component, either patient-centred care, frequent medical review, early rehabilitation, early discharge planning or prepared environment. The goal of ACE components is to prevent hospital-acquired complications and functional deterioration associated with common hospital medications, treatments and procedures for older adults.

The researchers also found that seniors admitted to acute geriatric units had less delirium and were more likely to be discharged home as opposed to a nursing facility.

“It demonstrated that this approach has significant beneficial effects in improving both patient- and system-level outcomes over usual care,” says Fox. “Hospital administrators may anticipate cost savings of approximately $246 per person, per length of hospital stay (in US dollars, standardized to year 2000) and a reduced length of hospital stay by more than half a day, when compared to usual care.”

Seniors aged 65 and older are considered the “core business” of hospitals. They account for 40 per cent of all hospital care days even though they comprise only 14 per cent of the Canadian population.

“As older adults account for 50 per cent of Canadian hospital expenditures,” says Fox, "this cost difference may represent a significant future source of financial saving to Canada's health-care system while improving patient outcomes.”

It is known that older adults face a higher risk of functional decline, falls, pressure ulcers and delirium when hospitalized, which is associated with increased hospital costs, institutionalization and death. “These poor outcomes are more often not related to their illness, but to other things, like not getting up and walking around while in the hospital or receiving treatments, such as drugs and catheters that make it difficult to move around. There are things that fall through the cracks,” says Fox. Early intervention is crucial in helping to circumvent these risks.

The goal is to develop senior-friendly hospitals by informing and engaging decision makers – clinicians, hospital administrators, policymakers and funders – about the best interventions to prevent physical, cognitive and psychosocial functional decline. Acute geriatric care units would not only save hospitals money, but provide the most beneficial care for seniors.

91ɫ nursing Professors Malini Persaud, Deborah Tregunno and Ellen Schraa, along with 91ɫ librarian IIo-Katryn Maimets, were co-authors of the study, which included a team of researchers from 91ɫ, Ryerson University and the University of Toronto.

The study was also supported by a 91ɫ Faculty of Health Junior Faculty award.

By Sandra McLean, YFile deputy editor

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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New associate dean of research and partnerships appointed for Faculty of Science and Engineering /research/2012/07/31/new-associate-dean-of-research-and-partnerships-appointed-for-faculty-of-science-and-engineering-2/ Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/07/31/new-associate-dean-of-research-and-partnerships-appointed-for-faculty-of-science-and-engineering-2/ Professor Robert Tsushima will take on the role of Associate Dean, Research and Partnerships in the Faculty of Science & Engineering for a three-year term, effective Aug. 1. Tsushima, professor in 91ɫ’s Department of Biology, holds a Career Investigator Award from the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario. His research program investigates the molecular and […]

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Professor Robert Tsushima will take on the role of Associate Dean, Research and Partnerships in the Faculty of Science & Engineering for a three-year term, effective Aug. 1.

Tsushima, professor in 91ɫ’s Department of Biology, holds a Career Investigator Award from the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario. His research program investigates the molecular and cellular basis of heart and pancreatic islet function, with implications for addressing heart disease and diabetes. He has been supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Heart& Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Robert Tsushima

Prior to joining 91ɫ in 2007, Professor Tsushima was a faculty member for eight years at the University of Toronto. He received his PhD in pharmacology from the University of Western Ontario, followed by postdoctoral training at Northwestern University in Chicago and Toronto General Hospital.

He has served on national and provincial grant review panels, including those of the CIHR, Heart& Stroke Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association, Alberta Heritage Medical Research Foundation and Banting Foundation, and reviewed for numerous international granting agencies. He is currently on the editorial board of the American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism.

“We’re delighted to have an academic of Professor Tsushima’s distinction joining us in this role,” said Don Hastie, interim dean, Faculty of Science & Engineering. “He has already contributed much to the Faculty and to 91ɫ as a whole. We look forward to working with him as we continue to shape and build our research program.”

Tsushima replaces Professor Imogen Coe, who will relocate to Ryerson University as the founding Dean of Science, effective Aug. 1.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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91ɫ students win Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships /research/2012/07/24/york-students-win-vanier-canada-graduate-scholarships-2/ Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/07/24/york-students-win-vanier-canada-graduate-scholarships-2/ 91ɫ graduate students Pierre-Yann Dubé Dolbec, Douglas Hunter and Juha Mikkonen are the 2012 recipients of Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Canada’s most prestigious awards for doctoral research. Each will receive$50,000 per year for three years. Vanier scholars are selected for their exceptional leadership skills and for realizing the highest standards of scholarly achievement in graduate […]

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91ɫ graduate students Pierre-Yann Dubé Dolbec, Douglas Hunter and Juha Mikkonen are the 2012 recipients of Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Canada’s most prestigious awards for doctoral research. Each will receive$50,000 per year for three years.

Vanier scholars are selected for their exceptional leadership skills and for realizing the highest standards of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in natural sciences, engineering, and the social sciences and humanities.

Pierre-Yann Dubé Dolbec (left) is a doctoral student in 91ɫ’s Graduate Program in Administration, offered through the Schulich School of Business. A world traveller, Dubé Dolbec has conducted research, studied and fostered collaborations in more than 30 countries, including India, France and Denmark.

Dubé Dolbec has anundergraduate degree in business administration from Laval University and a master’s of science in marketing from HEC Montréal. His previous research on brand experiences is set to be published in the coming year.

“Pierre-Yann is motivated, highly involved and enthusiastic,” said Allan Hutchinson, dean and associate vice-president graduate, “and he has an exemplary drive for research innovation.”

Dubé Dolbec'sresearch is aimed at helpingcreate public spaces that encourage more socially responsible behaviour when people come together in large groups, perhaps avoiding destructive riots and creating an environment that fosters more peaceful discussion.

Douglas Hunter
(right) is completing his doctoral studies in 91ɫ’s Graduate Program in History. A nationally known and award-winning author, public intellectual, popular historian, journalist and artist,Hunter is dedicated to educating a national audience by making Canadian history accessible.

“With an unusual academic background for a doctoral student in history, Mr. Hunter’s work in historical nonfiction has been exceptional, incisive and richly informative,” said Hutchinson.

The winner of the National Business Book Award in 2002 for The Bubble and the Bear: How Nortel Burst the Canadian Dream(Doubleday 2002) in which Hunter analyzed therise and fall of Nortel Networks, Hunter is also theauthor of six history books on topics as diverse as hockey and North American exploration, andnumerous articles on historians and historicalartifacts. With an undergraduate degree in humanities from McMaster University and an advanced degree in securities, Hunter's career has included working as a journalist, editor, illustrator and graphic designer for newspapers, magazines and publishing houses, before he started his own business in 1993.

Now focused on his doctoral research at 91ɫ,Hunter is exploring “cryptohistory”, looking at how scholarly histories have influenced and been influenced by public prejudices. Similar to conventional histories, cryptohistorical ideas bolstered the celebration of the racial and cultural superiority of European colonists and later immigrant communities. Douglas is interested in particular in how cryptohistorians appropriated indigenous records, particularly in rock art, oral traditions and archaeological material, to support claims of pre-Columbian European visitors.


Juha Mikkonen (left)
is working towarda PhD in health policy and equity studies. Working in Finnish, French and English, Mikkonen joined 91ɫ with impressive background in research. Withmore than50 professional and academic contributions geared towards linking academic and non-academic fields, he also has more than a decade working in health promotion in Helsinki and in poverty reduction in 27 European nations.

Mikkonen joined 91ɫ`s Health Policy and Equity Studies Program with undergraduate and master’s degrees in social sciences from the University of Helsinki, Finland. As a visiting scholar at 91ɫ, he co-authored a report, Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts with91ɫ Professor Dennis Raphael. The report aims to educate the public and health advocates about social determinants of health and shifting thought processes surrounding well-being.

His doctoral research, a comparative analysis of Canadian and Finnish public health policy, will help in developing future policy in both countries and beyond.“Creative motivated and thoughtful,Mikkonen will provide many insights into current health policy debate in Canada,” said Hutchinson.

“We are, of course, incredibly proud of our Vanier scholars,” says Peter Mulvihill, associate dean, Graduate Studies at 91ɫ. “They have each demonstrated their talents at bringing their research out into the world, and the world into their research. I look forward to seeing their progress and the evolution of their work over the next few years.”

Administered by Canada’s three federal granting agencies, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Vanier Canada scholarship program’s goal is to build world-class research capacity in Canada by recruiting and supporting top-tier doctoral students who will positively contribute toCanada's economic, social and research-based growth.

The Vanier scholarship program is available online at .

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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91ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unit wins Best Practice Award /research/2012/06/13/yorks-knowledge-mobilization-unit-wins-best-practice-award-2/ Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/06/13/yorks-knowledge-mobilization-unit-wins-best-practice-award-2/ On June 12, 2012, 91ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unitreceived the Knowledge Economy Network Best Practice Award from the European-based Knowledge Economy Network (KEN). The award, which was part of a groupannounced by the network waspresented during the network's annual forum, which took place June 11 and 12,in Maribor, Slovenia. KEN is an European nonprofit association that […]

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On June 12, 2012, 91ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unitreceived the Knowledge Economy Network Best Practice Award from the European-based (KEN). The award, which was part of a groupannounced by the network waspresented during the network's annual forum, which took place June 11 and 12,in Maribor, Slovenia.

KEN is an European nonprofit association that acts as a "network of 16 European regions and countries, interested in boosting their knowledge-based competitiveness, exchanging good practice, encouraging collaboration and implementing new knowledge into innovative products inresponse to a larger, global need to enhance and support efforts to build knowledge economy, not only at European, but at a truly international level."

In addition to national level awards recognizing innovation in the four domains of education, research & development, innovation, entrepreneurship, plus one media award,the three Best Practice Awards announced this year went to:

  • European Affairs Fund, AP Vojvodina, based in Serbia, whichKEN described as "an example of good practice in multicultural education"
  • Knowledge Mobilization Unitat 91ɫ,which wascited by thenetwork as"an example of good practice of a new scheme run by the University and involving all triple helix [government, community and industry] partners"
  • South East European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, based in Croatia, which KEN highlighted as"an example of good practice in successful regional cooperation in training and education"

“This recognition from a European agency is testament to the growing international reputation that 91ɫ is gaining for its work in knowledge mobilization,” said Robert Haché, 91ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “Knowledge mobilization connects researchers and students with partners, so that their research and expertise can be applied to real-world challenges, in addition to helping to inform decisions about public policy and social services.”

Under the leadership of David Phipps, director ofresearch services & knowledge exchange in91ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unit, the unit has been developing and delivering knowledge mobilization services to faculty, students and their research partners since 2006. The unit hasreceived funding from the Social Sciences& Humanities Research Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Working with 240 faculty, 142 students and 205 partner organizations, the Knowledge Mobilization Unit has brokered more than250 collaborations between the academyand non-academic partners. These partnerships have attracted more than $1 million insponsored research funding specifically for91ɫ research, and over $1 million in funding for community partners.

Michael Johnny, manager of the Knowledge Mobilization Unit, supports all large-scale grant applications, which in turn has secured over $17 million in external research support for 91ɫ faculty and their partners. Some of these collaborations are maturing into social innovations that help find new ways to address persistent social and economic challenges.

  • In 2009 Nottawasaga Futures, a nonprofit community development agency, called 91ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit to help a rural business in making green decisions. The collaboration helped launch the .
  • 91ɫ supported a collaboration between graduate student Tanya Gulliver and the Parkdale Activity& Recreation Centre in 2007. Research conducted by this partnership is now helping to inform , which will assist more than 2.5-million people cope in anincreasingly warming world.
  • When the Regional Municipality of 91ɫ called the Knowledge Mobilization Unit to seek support in evaluating how they delivered services to immigrants, 91ɫ supported a collaboration between two faculty members and municipal policy-makers. The evaluation undertaken provided evidence to the regional government, which in turn informed theregion'sdecision to invest more than $20 million to expand theWelcome Centre program. The investment created86 jobs and provided48,000 services to new Canadians living and working in 91ɫ Region, which is home to Canada’s fastest-growing newcomer population.

"Knowledge mobilization identifies and supports these collaborations," said Phipps. "The welcome centres, Heat Registry and Green Economy Centre are examples of social innovation."

As a result of these and other stories of the impact of research, Phipps is widely sought as a speaker on 91ɫ's model for knowledge mobilization, which is increasingly becoming recognized as a critical component of engaged scholarship and learning.

To watch Phipps’ acceptance speech for the Economy Network Best Practice Award,.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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VPRI reports on the research impact of the 2012 Federal Budget /research/2012/04/18/vpri-reports-on-the-research-impact-of-the-2012-federal-budget-2/ Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/04/18/vpri-reports-on-the-research-impact-of-the-2012-federal-budget-2/ Robert Haché, vice-president research & innovation, has issued this commentaryproviding more details on the impact of the 2012 federal budget on research funding agencies and what it means for the 91ɫ research community: Vice-presidents of research from across Canada converged in Ottawa on April 13 to meet with the presidents of the Social Sciences& Humanities […]

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Robert Haché, vice-president research & innovation, has issued this commentaryproviding more details on the impact of the 2012 federal budget on research funding agencies and what it means for the 91ɫ research community:

Vice-presidents of research from across Canada converged in Ottawa on April 13 to meet with the presidents of the Social Sciences& Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Natural Sciences& Engineering Council (NSERC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), regarding the impact of the 2012 budget on their funding programs.

While the complete details of the consequences of budget 2012 remain to be fully worked out, the overall tone of the message emphasized the efforts being made by Tri-Council to protect and promote fundamental research, to describe where the new investments in the budget will be rolled out, and to give a first look at where the mandated cuts in programming and operations will occur.

Initial discussion emphasized new investments being made and the expression of support for basic research in the budget language (if not directly in the dollars being distributed). Not only was the overall budget to Tri-Council preserved in a budget cycle wherefive toten per centcuts in overall budgets were the norm, but new investments were committed to support a number of new and existing programs. Thus CANARIE, Genome Canada and the CFI all received major infusions of funding that were accompanied by focused investments (in mental health etc.). While there is no explicit new funding for basic research in this budget, the lack of an overall funding reduction place Tri-Council in rare company around the federal budget table this year.

Over the last number of years, Tri-Council agencies were asked to undertake a strategic review of their expenditures, a process which required a review of all program spending and assessment of savings. The review process identified areas where savings could be achieved in order to redirect funding within the organization for new initiatives or to other government priorities.

While these are clearly no longer the heady times of the early 2000s, when Tri-Council budgets grew rapidly in a largely unrestricted manner, overall support for university-led research by the federal government remains comparatively strong and researchers should be encouraged by this. However, it is clear that at all levels, the funders of university research continue to move towards an emphasis on how the results of university-led research translates into tangible benefits for Canadian society and the Canadian economy. Here it is important for researchers to continue their efforts to explain and educate government and other funders on the need to support fundamental research as the bedrock on which university-led research is built.

It is also crucial to emphasize the need for programing that provides funding for making connections amongst researchers and sustaining the basic infrastructure needed for individual research programs.We can all, in following up on the steps presently been taken by Tri-Council, encourage the continued protection and development of core people and basic research programing within Tri-Council, and emphasize at every opportunity that the development of Canada’s Innovation Agenda can only be successful if done in partnership with development of our discovery agenda.

For the full commentary, which includes specific details of anticipated programming changes, please click here.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Interactive computer assessments may help foster health equity /research/2012/02/13/interactive-computer-assessments-may-help-foster-health-equity-2/ Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/02/13/interactive-computer-assessments-may-help-foster-health-equity-2/ Through the use of interactive, computer-assisted health-assessments, Professor Farah Ahmad hopes to foster equity in health care, especially at the intersections of gender, ethnicity and migration. Ahmad will present her research and discuss how embracing eHealth innovations can boost community empowerment as part of the 91ɫ eHealth Alliance Lecture Series. The lecture, “eHealth Innovations to […]

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Through the use of interactive, computer-assisted health-assessments, Professor Farah Ahmad hopes to foster equity in health care, especially at the intersections of gender, ethnicity and migration. Ahmad will present her research and discuss how embracing eHealth innovations can boost community empowerment as part of the 91ɫ eHealth Alliance Lecture Series.


The lecture, “eHealth Innovations to Address Health Inequities: A Case of Computer-Assisted Health-Assessment in Primary Care,” will take place Thursday, Feb. 16, from 3 to 4pm, at 402 Health, Nursing & Environmental Studies Building.

Farah Ahmad

“Equity in health-care access is a key social determinant of population health,” says Ahmad, who is based in the Faculty of Health’s School of Health Policy & Management. “Fostering equity mechanisms is more salient today than ever before due to the challenges of economic recession and changing demographics.”

One way to embrace eHealth is by using interactive computer-assisted health-assessments in primary care for prevention and health promotion. Her recent research demonstrates that these kinds of assessments can enable patients to disclose socially stigmatized issues, such as partner violence and compromised mental health, as well as assist providers to offer needed care and referrals.

Ahmad’s action research on eHealth for psychosocial healthcare re-orientation takes place at the critical intersections of gender, ethnicity and migration. It is grounded in principles of social science includes quantitative and qualitative studies with inner city women, refugees and health-care providers. She will highlight the potential to develop integrated care models as an important pathway for simultaneous actions on the multiple health determinants that improve life conditions.

Ahmad is affiliated with the Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael’s Hospital as an associate scientist and with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Strategic Training Initiatives on Health Research on Health, Care, Place & Technology as a mentor. She held several prestigious fellowships, including awards from the CIHR during her doctorate and post-doctorate.

For more information, visit the Faculty of Health website.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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VPRI reviews new Tri-Agency Framework /research/2011/12/20/vpri-reviews-new-tri-agency-framework-2/ Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2011/12/20/vpri-reviews-new-tri-agency-framework-2/ Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert Haché’s series of topical commentaries on areas of critical interest to the 91ɫ research community continues with a review of the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). The Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research […]

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Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert Haché’s series of topical commentaries on areas of critical interest to the 91ɫ research community continues with a review of the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).

The Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada officially launched the new on Dec. 5.

The new framework builds on previous research integrity policies and procedures related to applying for and managing agency funds, performing research and disseminating results. It outlines the responsibilities of researchers regarding the ethical conduct of research.

Left: Robert Haché, vice-president research & innovation

“The intent of this new framework is to enhance research integrity,” said Haché. “It is important for the 91ɫ community to recognize this framework and their responsibilities with respect to their research activities.”

Researchers always have been responsible for the rigorous conduct of research, the maintenance of complete and accurate records (research, financial); thorough and accurate referencing; appropriate authorship and acknowledgement of all contributors and contributions to the research; and the proactive management of any real, potential or perceived conflict of interest. With the new framework, there is an increase in the implications and consequences to researchers for even an inadvertent failure to maintain this ethical contract.

Researchers at 91ɫ are already, by and large, a model of compliance for the ethical conduct of research. Thus, continued adherence to current practices together with an increase in individual vigilance will assure the continued success of researchers’ programs.

Framework highlights include:

  • 91ɫ will be required to report all findings of misconduct for fault in the conduct of research,
  • However, with the new framework, allegations of a serious nature (harm to participants; significant financial breach, etc.) also must now be reported to Tri-Agency
  • Misconduct is still defined as a breach of ANY Tri-agency policy.
  • All applicants will be required to sign a that will allow the agencies (subject to applicable laws, including the Privacy Act, and in cases of a serious breach of agency policy) to publicly disclose the names of researchers and their institutions that seriously breach the RCR guidelines and agency policy.

For more information about the new framework, contact Alison Collins-Mrakas, senior manager & policy advisor, research ethics, at acollins@yorku.ca. For more information about the policy, click here.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Brain to blame for wandering eyes /research/2011/12/16/brain-to-blame-for-wandering-eyes-2/ Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2011/12/16/brain-to-blame-for-wandering-eyes-2/ Why is it so hard to suppress a glance at an attractive person? Why do we find ourselves rubbernecking at traffic accidents? According to a 91ɫ study, the brain’s primitive “inner eye” is to blame. The study, published yesterday in the Journal of Neuroscience, focuses on the superior colliculus, a structure buried deep within […]

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Why is it so hard to suppress a glance at an attractive person? Why do we find ourselves rubbernecking at traffic accidents? According to a 91ɫ study, the brain’s primitive “inner eye” is to blame.

The study, published yesterday in the Journal of Neuroscience, focuses on the superior colliculus, a structure buried deep within the brain, inherited from animals like frogs and toads. This ancient visual system orients primitive animals toward food, danger and sexual partners.

“We found that the superior colliculus performs a similar function in higher animals such as humans,” says study co-author Joseph DeSouza, a psychology professor in 91ɫ’s Faculty of Health. “This ‘inner eye’ is oriented towards survival, feeding and reproduction. As such, these types of gazes are more difficult to suppress.”

Right:Joseph DeSouza

Working with a team of investigators at the University’s (CVR), DeSouza and fellow 91ɫ psychology Professor Doug Crawford found that superior colliculus neurons produce a burst of activity during combined eye-and-head gaze shifts.

Crawford explains that they determined what the superior colliculus codes were by recording neural activity during natural, variable eye and head movements. They then compared this activity to target locations (briefly displayed visual stimuli) and gaze end-points (where the subjects actually looked), measured relative to the eye, head or body.

“Despite being movement-related, superior colliculus neurons gave the most consistent activity compared to one simple variable: target location relative to the eyes. In this sense, the superior colliculus provides an ‘inner eye' that drives eye and neck muscles toward the target,” says Crawford, the Canada Research Chair in Visuomotor Neuroscience.

Left: Doug Crawford

In previous work at the University of Western Ontario, DeSouza showed that a much newer system, the prefrontal cortex, is required to suppress these primitive responses. Refreshingly, both sexes are equally “toad-like” when it comes to wandering eyes.

“The superior colliculus is gender neutral. Both women and men have trouble suppressing these primitive gazes. There is, however, the question of whether one gender tends to be more obvious about it,” DeSouza says.

The study, “Intrinsic Reference Frames of Superior Colliculus Visuomotor Receptive Fields During Head-Unrestrained Gaze Shifts,” was funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant to Crawford and DeSouza. The article’s other authors are: Gerald Keith, CVR post-doc; Xiaogang Yan, CVR research associate, Gunnar Blohm, professor of neuroscience at Queen’s University, former CVR post-doc; and Hongying Wang, CVR research associate.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Experts wanted: 91ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unit helps United Way 91ɫ Region /research/2011/11/08/experts-wanted-yorks-knowledge-mobilization-unit-helps-united-way-york-region-2-2/ Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2011/11/08/experts-wanted-yorks-knowledge-mobilization-unit-helps-united-way-york-region-2-2/ Two upcoming events hosted by the United Way 91ɫ Regionhavea special connection to 91ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unit. The first is a community forumtomorrow, Nov. 9 to discuss food policy and the development of afood charter for 91ɫ Region. Thesecond event on Tuesday, Nov. 29, features a community dialogue onpressing social issues facing the region. […]

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Two upcoming events hosted by the United Way 91ɫ Regionhavea special connection to 91ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unit.

The first is a community forumtomorrow, Nov. 9 to discuss food policy and the development of afood charter for 91ɫ Region. Thesecond event on Tuesday, Nov. 29, features a community dialogue onpressing social issues facing the region. Members of the 91ɫ community are invited to both events.

Since September, a knowledge broker placed at the United Way91ɫ Region has been working in close partnership with the University's Knowledge MobilizationUnit to enhance opportunities for collaboration in research with respect to social determinants of health. The partnership is the result of asuccessful application to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research submitted in February 2011.(Knowledge brokers are project staff acting as intermediaries that connect researchers to potential research users.)

“This is a tremendous opportunity to maximize the impact of 91ɫ research and build on a significant partnership for 91ɫ in knowledge mobilization,” said Michael Johnny (right), manager of 91ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit.

The Nov. 9forum, , hosted by the United Way91ɫ Regionin collaboration with various partners, will bring together representatives from a number of community organizations to discussfood security and agriculture issues. Participants will also embark on adiscussion about establishing a Food Charter for 91ɫ Region.

A food charter is a statement of values and principles to guide a community’s food policy, and is a key document for communities working towards developing afood system that is healthy, equitable and sustainable.The organizers of Foodfor Change arehoping thatacademic partnersfrom 91ɫ will attend the event and engage in a dialogue toexplore ways that research can inform and support this initiative in both the short and longer term.

On Nov. 29, the United Way 91ɫ Regionwill hostthe,part of a series of community dialogues on pressing social issues in 91ɫ Region.During the meeting house, participants willexplore the implicationsfor social infrastructure development in communities thatare facingmajor population growth.Over the next few months, meeting house dialogues will also be held in Newmarket, Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill.

“Working within Canada’s leading knowledge mobilization university, 91ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit continues to work together with our partners to make 91ɫ’s research and talent accessible and relevant to the community,” said Robert Haché, vice-president research & innovation. “This partnership will help facilitate initiatives to improve the quality of life for residents in 91ɫ Region.”

For more information on knowledge mobilization services at 91ɫ, or about this partnership,e-mail 91ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unitatkmbunit@yorku.ca.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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David Phipps and 91ɫ's KMb Unit named Canada's biggest influencers /research/2011/09/28/david-phipps-and-yorks-kmb-unit-named-canadas-biggest-influencers-2/ Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2011/09/28/david-phipps-and-yorks-kmb-unit-named-canadas-biggest-influencers-2/ David Phipps, director of 91ɫ'sResearch Services and Knowledge Exchange, has been named the most influential knowledge broker in Canada, according to a report by Knowledge Mobilization Works,a consulting and training company based in Ottawa. The Canadian Knowledge Mobilization 100, a survey run by Knowledge Mobilization Works, asked respondents to rank the biggest influences of their […]

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David Phipps, director of 91ɫ'sResearch Services and Knowledge Exchange, has been named the most influential knowledge broker in Canada, according to a report by Knowledge Mobilization Works,a consulting and training company based in Ottawa.

The Canadian Knowledge Mobilization 100, a survey run by , asked respondents to rank the biggest influences of their knowledge mobilization practice. Phipps, who leads 91ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit and , Canada’s knowledge mobilization network, topped the list.

Left: David Phipps

Also mentioned among the top influencers in Canada were Peter Levesque (Knowledge Mobilization Works), Melanie Barwick (Hospital for Sick Children), Ben Levin (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) and Gary Myers (KMbeing.com). The survey collected responses from Jan. 5 to June 15, and results were released by Knowledge Mobilization Works on Monday.

“Knowledge mobilization is a key element of 91ɫ’s research outreach strategy,” said Robert Haché, 91ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “Through David’s efforts and leadership, 91ɫ’s excellent reputation as a leading knowledge mobilization university in Canada continues to be strengthened.This recognition by his peers is well deserved.”

91ɫ piloted institutional knowledge mobilization in 2005 under a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.Since then, 91ɫ has grown its knowledge mobilization collaboration with the University of Victoria to include the other four 𲹰貹-é𲹳ܱ貹ٸ𳦳 universities: Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador, Université du Québec à Montréal, University of Guelph and University of Saskatchewan.91ɫ also works closely with the United Way of 91ɫ Region to deliver knowledge mobilization services to the 91ɫ Region community, municipal and regional agencies.

Knowledge mobilization is a suite of services that connect university research and expertise to government and community agencies so that research can help these organizations make better informed decisions about public policy and social services. Knowledge mobilization is a process that results in social innovation.

“Knowledge mobilization has become very important for Canada,” said Steven Gaetz, professor in the Faculty of Education who leads both the and the . “David’s work and that of the knowledge mobilization unit is very helpful to those of us seeking to make research accessible to policy makers.”

Levesque, president and CEO of Knowledge Mobilization Works, undertook the survey to obtain a snapshot of who people see as influential in their knowledge mobilization practice in Canada.

“We think that knowledge mobilization as a concept and as a practice is growing. We think that we have barely scratched the surface of understanding what influences knowledge mobilization practice,” said Levesque.

Founded in January 2007, Knowledge Mobilization Workssupportsindividuals and organizations to create incentives and infrastructure for knowledge mobilization.

For more information on 91ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit contact , manager, Knowledge Mobilization at ext.88876.

To view the results of the survey, visit .

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