University of Regina students share augmented reality projects
Regina Watch
WATCH: University of Regina students shared their augmented reality projects at the Saskatchewan Science Centre over the weekend.
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CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
A shot at $1,000 or a guaranteed 10 cents? UBC study suggests choice could up recycling rates
Social Sharing A study from the University of B.C.'s department of psychology says recycling rates in B.C. and Alberta could be enhanced if people returning containers were able to choose between reclaiming the 10-cent deposit or, instead, having a small chance at winning $1,000. "Often when we're looking at such a small reward like 10 cents, people don't really care about it too much and we'd rather go for that larger chance at a larger reward," said Jade Radke, a UBC PhD student and the lead author on the study. "We have more excitement with those things, higher hope. It's kind of just like playing the lottery. You kind of do it for fun a little bit as well." The research paper, Probabilistic refunds increase beverage container recycling behaviour in British Columbia and Alberta, was published in the latest version of Waste Management and co-authored by UBC's Jiaying Zhou, who is well known for her studies on behaviour and waste reduction. The findings come as waste continues to choke landfills or end up as litter despite sophisticated recycling programs in places like Canada. Information from the World Economic Forum and the International Aluminum Institute says around two trillion beverage containers are produced globally every year, but only 34 per cent of glass bottles, 40 per cent of plastic bottles and 70 per cent of aluminum cans are recycled. UBC's Radke and Zhou, along with student Stella Argentopoulos and professor Elizabeth Dunn, devised experiments in food courts and at a food festival in Alberta where they encouraged people with beverage containers to return them and make a choice between a 100 per cent chance of getting $0.10, a 10 per cent chance of getting $1, a one per cent chance of getting $10, a 0.1 per cent chance of getting $100, or a 0.01 per cent chance of getting $1,000. More than a quarter of respondents in one part of the study chose the $1,000 gamble — the most selected choice out of the options — and reported higher anticipatory happiness. WATCH | How betting on $1,000 could increase recycling rates: Would you prefer a chance to win $1,000 if you recycle, or guaranteed 10 cents? 8 hours ago Duration 2:34 Ten cents a container. That's the deposit you get back if you return a beverage can or bottle to a depot in B.C. But would you instead choose a small chance to win $1,000 over the guaranteed money? As Chad Pawson reports, a new paper out of the University of B.C.'s psychology department says adding a lottery system choice to container returns could increase happiness and recycling rates. Generally, their study found that, "a probabilistic refund is preferred over the certain refund with the same expected payoff, is associated with an immediate boost in anticipatory happiness, and can increase recycling behaviour." The recycling lottery choice is something that's been in place in Norway since 1997. Combined with strong environmental values and the convenient locations of recycling machines in the country, the lottery choice is contributing to Norway's total beverage container recycling rate of 96.7 per cent, the UBC study authors said. In B.C. and Alberta, the same rates are 79.6 per cent and 84.9 per cent, respectively, according to the UBC study, making them leaders within Canada. The study's authors are working with provincial return-it systems to study the lottery option more and determine if it could be implemented to get recycling rates on par with Norway's. "Adding a probabilistic refund option might be able to close the gap," said Radke. Would 'binners' gamble? Something the study didn't consider is what impact a lottery option would have on individuals who return beverage containers for income — people known in Vancouver as binners. The paper's authors said they plan to include them in future work. Jutta Gutberlet with the University of Victoria's Community-based Research Laboratory has studied binners for 20 years, though, and said their activities are a low-barrier way to earn wages. "The first motivation is economic," she said, adding that it's unclear if they would select a lottery option on their high-volume of returns over the guaranteed 10 cents per item. Gutberlet said her research has generally found that binners would prefer a higher deposit, such as 25 cents, to make the containers more valuable and reflect, "the work and also the environmental contribution of returning these materials into the circular economy."
National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
Life Sciences Ontario Releases New Report Calling for Urgent Action to Bridge Critical Funding Gap Threatening Ontario's Innovation Leadership
Article content TORONTO — Life Sciences Ontario (LSO), in partnership with Shift Health, today released a comprehensive report highlighting the urgent need for targeted intervention to address the critical seed-stage funding gap that threatens Ontario's position as a global life sciences leader. Article content The report, ' Catalyzing Ontario's Life Sciences Economy,' reveals that while Ontario's life sciences sector is a cornerstone of its innovation economy, contributing over $58 billion to GDP and employing over 90,000 highly skilled workers, other provinces and jurisdictions are outpacing Ontario. Without action, Ontario risks losing its competitive edge, as early-stage companies, their intellectual property, and their talent migrate to more supportive markets in the U.S. and beyond. Article content Article content The current geopolitical and economic environment presents both unprecedented challenges and opportunities for Ontario's life sciences sector. Global supply chain disruptions, shifting international partnerships, and increased focus on domestic innovation capacity have created a need for Canadian sovereignty, especially in critical technologies and therapeutics. Strengthening Ontario's life sciences ecosystem is not just an economic opportunity, but a strategic necessity. Article content 'Ontario has built an incredible foundation in life sciences research and innovation, but we're at a critical crossroads,' said Jason Field, President and CEO of Life Sciences Ontario. 'Supporting early-stage life sciences companies drives a ripple effect, benefiting universities, research institutions, health systems, and supply chains across Ontario.' Article content Dr. Field emphasized the importance of building on existing government commitments: 'We recognize and applaud the significant investments the Ontario government has already made in our sector,' referring to the Ontario government's recent $146 million commitment to Phase 2 of the life sciences strategy. 'However, our research shows that targeted de-risking mechanisms for seed-stage companies are critical to ensuring these investments translate into lasting economic impact and job creation.' Article content The report highlights that the 'funding desert' challenge is particularly acute for life sciences startups given higher risks in product development, significant R&D costs, stringent regulatory requirements and a comparatively longer path to market. The early stages of company development are too risky for private capital alone, requiring government intervention through bespoke solutions tailored to Ontario's unique needs. Article content 'Ontario stands at a unique and urgent moment to cement its global life sciences leadership,' said Ryan Wiley, President of Shift Health. 'We have the infrastructure, talent, and innovation capacity – what we need now is the strategic investment to bridge the funding gap and ensure Ontario's life sciences companies can scale and thrive on the global stage.' The report outlines specific solutions including direct seed fund investments, modernized tax incentives for angel investors, and policy reforms designed specifically for life sciences startups' unique requirements. Article content As Ontario aims to reach 85,000 high-value life sciences jobs by 2030 – a 25% increase from 2020 –now is the time to act decisively, bridging the funding gap and unlocking the full potential of our life sciences ecosystem. Article content To access the full report and detailed recommendations, visit About Life Sciences Ontario Life Sciences Ontario (LSO) is a member-funded, not-for-profit organization with a legacy of more than 35 years advancing the success of Ontario's life sciences sector. LSO collaborates with government, academia, industry, and other life sciences organizations in Ontario and across Canada to promote and encourage commercial success throughout the sector. LSO is an effective conduit for delivering policy options to governments and is dedicated to promoting Ontario's life sciences sector internationally. For more information, please visit our website. Article content About Shift Health Article content Shift Health is a leading strategy and advisory consultancy for the health research and innovation ecosystem. Working with governments, academia, industry, not-for-profits, healthcare providers and patient partners across the globe, Shift Health brings more than a quarter century of experience building connections and helping clients create the future of healthcare. Shift Health is distinguished by its people. Scientists by training, Shift Health's team embodies a science mindset, translating rigorous evidence into sharp insights and customized solutions that inform decision-making and drive action. For more information, please visit our website. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contact Article content Article content Sharanya Rajesh Article content
National Post
3 hours ago
- National Post
Internship Program Relaunches to Empower Green Innovation Through Employment
Article content OTTAWA, Ontario — BioTalent Canada is empowering employers to bring their innovations to market sooner while developing the next generation of talent with the reopening of the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program. Article content 'The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program helps companies build that capacity today, while fostering the careers of tomorrow's professionals.' Article content Science Horizons provides wage subsidies to eligible employers in the green economy to hire recent university, college and polytechnic graduates. The program is part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. With over $750,000 in new funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada, the program will support small and medium-sized employers in Canada's bioscience sector by placing 25 recent graduates. Article content The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program has helped small and medium-sized businesses gain access to hire scientific and technical staff since 1997 through paid internships. BioTalent Canada has an established track record in administering federal employer support programs, such as Science Horizons, which facilitate the integration of emerging talent into the bio-economy. The program supports youth employment while helping organizations mitigate the financial impact of hiring. Article content 'Employers can find talent with the skills to advance Canada's green economy,' says Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada. 'The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program helps companies build that capacity today, while fostering the careers of tomorrow's professionals.' Article content Key Employer Benefits: Article content The internships must be in an environment-related STEM role or a STEM-focused organization. Article content 'As a trusted leader in developing Canada's bio-economy workforce, BioTalent Canada understands what employers need to thrive in a rapidly evolving green economy,' says Henderson. 'Through Science Horizons, we are not only supporting hiring needs, we help shape a more sustainable, inclusive and innovation-ready workforce for the future.' Article content About BioTalent Canada Article content BioTalent Canada supports the people behind life-changing science. Trusted as the go-to source for labour market intelligence, BioTalent Canada guides bio-economy stakeholders with evidence-based data and industry-driven standards. BioTalent Canada, as a workforce development council, is focused on igniting the industry's brainpower, bridging the gap between job-ready talent and employers, and ensuring the long-term agility, resiliency and sustainability of one of Canada's most vital sectors. Article content BioTalent Canada has received varied distinctions following thorough and independent analyses of the organization. By practicing the same industry standards it recommends to partners, the organization has been honored with the following titles: Article content Great Place to Work® since 2019 and one of the Best Workplaces in Healthcare for 2023 by Great Place to Work Canada® The Best Leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the 2024 Best Ottawa Business Awards 2024 Collaboration Catalyst by Magnet Network One of Canada's Best Places to Work by HRD Canada for 2024 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer by Canadian HR Reporter for 2024 Article content For more information, please visit Article content About Science Horizons Article content The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program provides wage subsidies to recent graduates to acquire work experience in fields linked to the green economy. The program covers the cost of a participant's salary by 80% up to a maximum of $25,000. This paid internship helps bio-economy and healthcare employers hire the talent they need and help graduates gain skills to secure full-time employment in environmental fields. Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Inquiries: Article content Article content Siobhan Williams Article content Article content Article content
