in-the-news

SFU People in the News

February 08, 2012
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This report on Simon Fraser University in the news lists the main items of known media coverage from 9 a.m. Pacific Tuesday February 7 to 9 a.m. Pacific Wednesday February 8.
The report is compiled and distributed by SFU Public Affairs & Media Relations.

Magic Mud | Drugs | Fish | Business | Environment | Athletics

MAGIC MUD

  • Postmedia News reported on research, involving SFU, into the “magic” mud of the Fraser River delta, which provides a high-energy food for migrating birds such as the western sandpiper.
    The key is a gooey, “snot-like” and paper-thin biofilm on the surface of the intertidal mudbanks.
    “The researchers from Japan, Britain and British Columbia's Simon Fraser University explored six intertidal sites in Japan and Canada.
    “The analysis revealed the birds use their beaks—and hairy tongues—to suck up biofilm. The smaller the birds the more likely they are to consume large amounts of the high-energy goo.”
    “Biofilm can make up to 70 per cent of the diet of small shorebirds, which slurp up the stuff like energy drinks, says Environment Canada researcher Robert Elner, who led the international team that reports its study findings this week.
    “The scientists say the results could have big implications, especially for ports that may have been unknowingly destroying prime shorebird—and biofilm—habitat.”
    On this last point, the story said: “Wildlife ecologist and study co-author Ronald Ydenberg, at Simon Fraser University, notes that Rotterdam's Europort in the Netherlands ‘obliterated’ bird habitat. But he says others ports, such as the one at Seal Sands in Britain, are known for bird watching.
    "‘There is a way to do it well, and a way to do it poorly,’" Ydenberg says of port development.”
    The story ran in The Vancouver Sun and the Edmonton Journal.
    Full story (in The Vancouver Sun): http://at.sfu.ca/XApAXy
    Article in the journal Ecology Letters: http://at.sfu.ca/LhYUOp

DRUGS

  • Another Postmedia News story quoted criminologist Martin Bouchard in a story that said a 2009 United Nations World Drug Report erred in finding Canada had become a leading producer and exporter of synthetic party drugs such as ecstasy.
    “But a study completed for Public Safety Canada last year, and released under access-to-information legislation, says the assertion is supported by little data. . . .
    “Lead author Martin Bouchard, a criminology professor at B.C.'s Simon Fraser University, said in an interview Canada is more likely among the Top 15-producing countries, as opposed to the Top 3.”
    The story ran in The Vancouver Sun, Prince George Citizen, Edmonton Journal and Windsor Star.
    Full story (in The Vancouver Sun):http://at.sfu.ca/CFlftr

FISH

  • The seafood industry website of FIS.com (Fish Information & Services) quoted SFU’s Nick Dulvy, Canada Research Chair in marine biodiversity and conservation, as it reported:
    “A study reveals that during the past 50 years, fishing for tuna and related species such as mackerel, has caused the decline in abundance of these populations by 60 per cent worldwide.”
    The story added: “Meanwhile, Nicholas Dulvy, a researcher at Simon Fraser University, Canada, and study participant, argues that the most commercially valuable species ‘are the most overfished.’
    "‘Clearly, illegal fishing of bluefin tuna still brings economic benefits, a case in which international trade goes beyond fisheries management, which is usually effective’, the Canadian researcher said.”
    The story was based on an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in October 2011. Dulvy was one of the authors.
    Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/sFZACU
    PNAS article: http://at.sfu.ca/KUmhTR

BUSINESS

  • Marketing prof Leyland Pitt of SFU’s Beedie School of Business was in a Globe and Mail feature advising a small businessman on whether he should hold a launch party to  introduce his new enterprise.
    “It only makes sense to have one if you invite the right people. He needs to invite people who will give him the most impact. That means inviting people who influence others. Doing that requires market research in order to build a picture of who the big influencers are.
    “It doesn’t matter if they are industry leaders or clients—the people you want to invite should be linked to 50 or 60 other people who they’ll tell about the product and will then refer them to you. It’s possible to do this research, but it’s expensive. If he can’t do this, then he shouldn’t throw a party.”
    Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/AXeWsr

ENVIRONMENT

  • David R. Boyd, adjunct prof in SFU Resource and Environmental Management, wrote a guest column on the website of ipolitics.ca that began:
    “Is Stephen Harper the worst prime minister that Canada has ever had, from an environmental perspective? The evidence is mounting that this is indeed the case, despite some early glimmers of hope. Given the deteriorating global environment, this failure of leadership could not have happened at a worse time. . . .
    And the column ended: “From coast to coast to coast, Canada’s magnificent natural heritage is in grave danger, threatened by a prime minister who pays only lip service to its preservation and restoration.”
    Full column: http://at.sfu.ca/KCyyVU

ATHLETICS

Honour

  • Bruce Langford, head coach of the Clan women’s basketball team, is to be inducted into the Basketball BC Hall of Fame, Basketball BC announced Tuesday.
    "This is outstanding news," Tim Rahilly, SFU’s associate vice-president, students, said in an SFU Athletics news release. “Bruce has had a long and distinguished career at SFU.  He's done an outstanding job recruiting while always being competitive and focusing on the student-athlete experience."
    Langford is in his 11th season as the head coach, leading the Clan through nine years in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and the last two in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference of the NCAA.
    His career record at SFU: 276-60.
    During his nine years in the CIS, Langford’s teams won five national championships.  He was a two-time recipient of the CIS Coach of the Year Award.
    He also coached the Basketball BC women’s under-19 team to gold medals at the Canada Summer Games in 1997 and 2001.
    Clan news release: http://at.sfu.ca/CzshHx
    Basketball BC news release (PDF): http://at.sfu.ca/Ckxxlr
    Basketball BC notes on Langford: http://at.sfu.ca/QItoky

Golf

  • The Clan women’s golf team finished 17th among 22 schools in the Super San Diego collegiate women’s championship.
    Nicky Jordan led the Clan at 84-87—171. She thus tied for 42nd in individual play.
    The SFU team will be back in action on March 11 against the University of Victoria, in Victoria.
    Clan news release: http://at.sfu.ca/OtOEfY

Also in sports

  • Former Clan soccer player Dalvir Malhi has been selected to attend the North American Soccer League Combine that begins in Fort Lauderdale FL on Friday.
    “At the combine, he will get an opportunity to showcase himself to numerous scouts and coaches from the NASL,” said a Clan news release.
    Full release: http://at.sfu.ca/KgnVXw
  • Former SFU lacrosse star Travis Cornwall was picked first in Monday’s Western Lacrosse Association junior draft, Coquitlam Now reported. “In his final season (in Junior A), Cornwall doubled his best offensive year with 42 goals and 64 assists in 20 regular season games, putting him third overall in league scoring. In the B.C. playoffs, he led all shooters with eight goals and 24 assists in eight games.”
    Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/tPbCHY

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