By causing the mutation of one specific gene, researchers have produced mice with two frequently encountered behavioral traits of persons diagnosed with autism. Autism commonly affects the ability to interact socially and is associated with repetitive behavior. The finding was reported in the March 20 on line edition of Nature.   Using mice, researchers at […]

Nearly two years later it would seem that young Canadians are tired of waiting.  Yesterday hundreds of youth from across the country began calling the hill asking to chat with our Prime Minister, calling for an end to the $1.4 billion in public money current given to oil and gas companies each year. The cross-country “phone […]

A new study from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Sierra Club BC calls on the provincial government to scale up BC’s carbon tax, and makes a number of recommendations to make the tax more effective and fair.   “As currently structured, the BC carbon tax is increasing social inequality, while squandering revenues on […]

Selkirk College has officially counted the Nelson & District Credit Union (NDCU) in with its donation of $6,000 towards the revitalization campaign for Studio 80 at Tenth Street campus in Nelson. In November 2010, Selkirk College launched the “Count Me In” campaign to raise $150,000 for the revitalization of the Contemporary Music and Technology students’ […]

First let me apologize for the sporadic columns lately. I just started a new job and the steep learning curve has left me a little short on time.   This week, I want to show off a great website called Make Use Of. he address is www.makeuseof.com and it has free articles on all sorts of different things, most related to...

 Anyone who's comfortable with technology is accustomed to questions from friends and family. There are some horror stories out there and a lot of long-running jokes, but most of us enjoy the chance to be helpful to the people we care about. One thing I've noticed is that many of the questions I get have been asked over and...

Selkirk College has joined forces with TRIUMF–a consortium of 15 universities in Canada whose purpose is to conduct world-class experimental research in subatomic physics and nuclear medicine and to commercialize its spin-off technologies. Housed at University of British Columbia’s campus in Vancouver, TRIUMF is one of the world’s leading subatomic physics laboratories. It has partnerships and collaborations with researchers from […]

Christmastime is coming soon!!!  Everyone knows it and, while most of us will just enjoy it, there are a few bad people out there who will exploit it.  Viruses and spyware peddlers are always looking for new & exciting ways to convince you to download their software and Christmas is no exception.  In addition to the usual...

The massive Biotech lobby has spent nine months and hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting against New Democrat Agriculture Critic Alex Atamanenko’s seed bill.   “The amount of muscle flexing by big biotech against my simple bill has just been over the top,” said Atamanenko. “I am amazed that over 40 industry lobbyists – hired by […]

Castlegar's own Laura Monsen, a student at Stanley Humphries Secondary School, took top honours in a region-wide competition challenging kids to envision the technology of tomorrow. Monsen's brainstorm: a global disinfectant to be used in airliners. In conjunction with the National Science and Technology Week, which ran from...