1999 Spark Stories

November 26, 1999: Study looks at soil effects of transgenic canola
      By Karen Smith

To grow or sell a genetically altered crop in Canada, the crop must be proven safe to the environment, safe to be fed to livestock, and safe for human consumption.

November 12, 1999: Canaries in the coal mine: U of S biologist monitors environmental pollution by observing changes in birds
      By Keith Solomon

Scientists have long studied the effects of pollution on wildlife. But a University of Saskatchewan researcher is taking things one step further – using wildlife to monitor the overall health of the environment.

October 29, 1999: Martz Co-develops TOPAZ Software to Make Mapping and Measuring Watersheds Easier
      By Karen Smith

Understanding watersheds – areas that supply water to rivers and streams – helps scientists predict flood conditions, design irrigation projects, address pollution and estimate soil erosion.

October 1, 1999: Biochem prof. pursues molecule-sized chips
      By Karen Smith

Smaller, faster, and more efficient. These buzzwords are pushing the development of new technologies such as computer chip design.

September 17, 1999: NATO Fellowship assistant boosts researcher’s work on ultra-thin film chemicals
      By Karen Smith

New compounds that could help in the fight against pollution are brewing in professor Roberta Silerova’s chemistry laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan.

September 03, 1999: Physics team aims to forecast space weather
      By Karen Smith

Solar wind, a magnetic wind generated in the seething atmosphere of our sun, has the power to disrupt cellular communications, induce pipeline explosions, cause electrical power outages and alter the world's climate.