UBC Media Coverage Summary – 02/22/2016

The Media Coverage Summary is compiled from media clips Monday to Friday by UBC Public Affairs. Sign up for other Public Affairs e-mail services at http://news.ubc.ca/media-resources/digital-subscriptions/.

International/National
Washington Post: This outrageous reality show captures a massive trend among the global rich
National Geographic: Supreme Court events leave fate of clean power plan uncertain
Buzzfeed: This Canadian man is trying to “destroy” his ex-wife’s life with a revenge site
Men’s Health: 4 things you need to know before getting a dog
Slate: Welcome to the rat casino
Metro News (UK): What are dogs actually dreaming of?
Wareable: Exploring social presence: Why sharing your stats could make or break your goals
National Post: Canadian psychologists fighting ban to participate in national-security police interrogations
Journal of Commerce: Seaspan Shipyards to invest $2 million in UBC programs

Op-Eds
Globe and Mail: Why Canada risks losing out on minerals in space
Vancouver Sun: Opinion: In search of common ground in Canada-China relations

Local News
Global News: One chart shows how unprecedented Vancouver’s real estate situation is
Global News: UBC plays host to annual B.C. Braille Challenge
CBC Radio: Those dark thoughts about your kids? Totally normal
Vancouver Sun: Opinion: UBC professor gets it wrong on sexual assault
Business in Vancouver: Vancouver real estate: is it supply and demand, or foreign capital?
News 1130: Hey foot flushers, it’s okay to use your hand!
News 1130: Are CEOs of public companies getting fired too fast?
News 1130: Could teacherless classrooms be a reality by 2020?
Vancity Buzz: Price of fresh vegetables shoots up 26.2% in B.C.: Stats Can
Vancity Buzz: Code monkeys come together at the nwHacks 2016 Hackathon
Vancity Buzz: Support cardiovascular health at the UBC Heart to Heart Gala
North Shore News: Head games: Science fights back against concussions
Castanet: Prof gets research chair
Castanet: New technique identifies early heart complications in breast cancer survivors

International/National

Washington Post: This outrageous reality show captures a massive trend among the global rich
Investing in Vancouver residential real estate is part of the lifestyle of many wealthy Chinese, according to a Washington Post blog. The article mentions research done by UBC adjunct planning professor Andy Yan, which suggested that many luxury homes in Vancouver are being bought by mainland Chinese buyers. Washington Post

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National Geographic: Supreme Court events leave fate of clean power plan uncertain
A roundup of climate news includes a new study by U.S., Canadian, Chinese, and Indian scientists which shows that air pollution is behind 5.5 million premature deaths every year. Most of the deaths happen in China and India. Study co-author and UBC researcher Michael Brauer says reducing air pollution is “an incredibly efficient way to improve the health of a population.” National Geographic, Huffington Post

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Buzzfeed: This Canadian man is trying to “destroy” his ex-wife’s life with a revenge site
Buzzfeed, Canadian Press and other outlets highlighted a Burnaby, B.C. man’s online harassment of his ex-wife. UBC law professor Isabel Grant says it’s a clear case of criminal harassment, even if the woman isn’t physically threatened. Courts have said that reasonable fear for one’s safety also includes psychological safety, according to Grant. Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, MSN, CBC News, Global News, CTV News

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Men’s Health: 4 things you need to know before getting a dog
Think long and hard before acquiring a dog, says Men’s Health in an article that draws on the work of UBC psychologist Stanley Coren, a dog expert. According to Coren, people should be ready for a long-term commitment and should pick a dog that fits their current lifestyle. Men’s Health

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Slate: Welcome to the rat casino
A recent study at UBC provides insight into gambling behaviours, according to Slate. The researchers exposed rats to flashing lights and tunes in a mock casino and found that the stimulating signals led the rats to make risky choices. Slate

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Metro News (UK): What are dogs actually dreaming of?
A dog is dreaming when its breathing becomes more irregular and its eyes are moving around behind closed lids, says UBC emeritus professor Stanley Coren. Small dogs dream more often and have shorter dreams, and bigger dogs dream less and have longer dreams. Metro News (UK)

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Wareable: Exploring social presence: Why sharing your stats could make or break your goals
A new Wareable article explored social presence theory, the idea that we act differently when people are watching, in the context of fitness technologies like Fitbit. Eleni Nasiopoulos with UBC’s cognitive science and consumer behaviour department says people put forth their best behaviour if someone else is present. This effect also applies if there is implied social presence, for example a technology that makes you feel like you are being watched. Wareable

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National Post: Canadian psychologists fighting ban to participate in national-security police interrogations
UBC forensic psychologist Stephen Porter disagrees with the American Psychological Association’s decision to ban its members from participating in national security cases. Porter told the National Post that psychologists can make meaningful contributions to law enforcement and national security, particularly in interviewing suspects in humane but effective ways. National PostMontreal GazetteCalgary HeraldVancouver SunThe Province

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Journal of Commerce: Seaspan Shipyards to invest $2 million in UBC programs
Seaspan Shipyards will invest $2 million over the next seven years in UBC’s naval architecture and marine engineering programs, reports the Journal of Commerce. The investment is part of Seaspan’s obligations under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. Journal of Commerce, Ottawa Citizen

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Op-Eds

Globe and Mail: Why Canada risks losing out on minerals in space
Michael Byers, the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at UBC, is urging Canada to “adopt a commercial space act that recognizes the right of Canadian companies to own minerals acquired in space.” In a Globe op-ed, Byers noted that the U.S. is already ahead in this game with legislation that allows its private citizens to own space minerals. Globe and Mail

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Vancouver Sun: Opinion: In search of common ground in Canada-China relations
One way to strengthen Canada’s economic ties with China while sustaining a dialogue on difficult issues like human rights is to emphasize cooperation in the areas of innovation and knowledge development, says UBC scholar Pitman Potter. Potter, a law professor and the HSBC Chair in Asian Research at UBC’s Institute of Asian Research, believes there are clear benefits in this approach, but acknowledges it will take careful efforts to navigate the “deep disquiet in Canadian society over closer ties with China.” Vancouver Sun, Ottawa Citizen

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Local News

Global News: One chart shows how unprecedented Vancouver’s real estate situation is
Global News highlighted data from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, which shows that the average price of a single-family detached home in the region rose as much in the past five months as it did from 1981 to 2005. UBC economist Thomas Davidoff observed that sky-high prices for detached homes have had a spillover effect on the townhome and condo market, saying: “Those have accelerated recently, and in many places we now have Manhattan prices on Vancouver incomes.” Global News

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Global News: UBC plays host to annual B.C. Braille Challenge
Eighteen blind and visually impaired B.C. students from Grade 1 to 12 met at UBC Friday for the B.C. Braille Challenge, which includes tests in reading comprehension, spelling and chart interpretation. Winners will compete with other students from the U.S. in the finals this June in Los Angeles. Global News

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CBC Radio: Those dark thoughts about your kids? Totally normal
UBC psychiatry professor Nichole Fairbrother is leading a province-wide study on whether mothers of newborns are plagued by thoughts of accidentally or purposely harming their babies and whether this affects their parenting. Fairbrother told CBC that such thoughts are pretty common and can be distressing, but that they could actually make parents more vigilant about their infants’ safety. CBC Radio Daybreak South

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Vancouver Sun: Opinion: UBC professor gets it wrong on sexual assault
Vancouver lawyer John Boon responded to a UBC professor’s suggestions for changing the way the school responds to sexual assault complaints. In a Vancouver Sun op-ed, Boon said universities could improve communication and counselling around assaults, build safer campuses, or even set up funds for claimants. “Beyond that, solutions must come with criminal and civil justice reforms. Special rules that don’t defy core principles of natural justice can apply,” wrote Boon. Vancouver Sun

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Business in Vancouver: Vancouver real estate: is it supply and demand, or foreign capital?
UBC Sauder economists Tom Davidoff and Tsur Somerville told Business in Vancouver that capital outflow, particularly from China, is the main factor behind sharp price increases in Vancouver residential real estate. Davidoff noted that current housing prices only make sense “as bags of cash hiding out in real estate looking for a safe return.” Somerville said the slump in the Canadian dollar and the “massive change” in China’s official currency reserves appear to have prompted greater speculation in Vancouver’s housing market from overseas. Business in Vancouver, Vancouver Courier

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News 1130: Hey foot flushers, it’s okay to use your hand!
UBC microbiology and immunology professor Bob Hancock commented on a recent study which found that six out of 10 North Americans use their foot to flush in public toilets to avoid germs. In an interview with News 1130, Hancock said the risks of contracting disease from a public toilet can be avoided with a proper handwashing, and that foot flushing isn’t necessary. News 1130

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News 1130: Are CEOs of public companies getting fired too fast?
A new UBC study found that public sector CEOs are being replaced too quickly because shareholders are keen to see short-term results, reports News 1130. But that focus on immediate results could hurt the firms in the long run, according to study author and UBC Sauder professor Kai Li. News 1130

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News 1130: Could teacherless classrooms be a reality by 2020?
UBC educational studies professor Charles Ungerleider doubts that teachers will become obsolete with the expanding digital age, reports News 1130.”The process of education is a process of socialization to teach people who to live in community and to have it regulated, essentially, by a wise adult,” said Ungerleider. “Every teacher knows what he or she does every day would be impossible to replace with a machine.” News 1130

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Vancity Buzz: Price of fresh vegetables shoots up 26.2% in B.C.: Stats Can
Vegetable prices rose 18.2 per cent in January across Canada, according to Statistics Canada. UBC Sauder School of Business professor Werner Antweiler said exchange rates were a factor in the price increase. Vancity Buzz

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Vancity Buzz: Code monkeys come together at the nwHacks 2016 Hackathon
UBC is hosting Western Canada’s largest hackathon on Feb. 27-28. More than 600 high school and college students from around the world will write new applications and programs from scratch for a chance to win $5,000. Vancity Buzz

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Vancity Buzz: Support cardiovascular health at the UBC Heart to Heart Gala
The UBC Heart to Heart Gala, slated for Feb. 28, will feature dinner, performances and a silent auction to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke. Vancity Buzz

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BC Business: How B.C. MBA programs are adapting to tech sector demands
A B.C. Business article on MBA programs in the province highlighted the innovation and entrepreneurship MBA offered by UBC’s Sauder School of Business in 2012. Paul Cubbon, who heads Sauder’s innovation and entrepreneurship group, all three MBA streams (finance, product and service management, and innovation and entrepreneurship) recognize the role of technology throughout the economy. BC Business

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North Shore News: Head games: Science fights back against concussions
A North Shore News series on concussion research mentions a UBC study involving impact sensors worn by the school’s football players during games and practices. The researchers are expected to release preliminary results this spring. North Shore News

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Castanet: Prof gets research chair
UBC Okanagan nursing professor Barb Pesut has been renewed for five more years as Canada Research Chair in health, ethics and diversity. Castanet

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Castanet: New technique identifies early heart complications in breast cancer survivors
Researchers at UBC Okanagan’s school of health and exercise sciences have developed a new way of detecting heart disease in female breast cancer survivors. The team examined the combined heart and blood vessel function of the women during exercise, a technique that shows up abnormalities in a way that isn’t possible while the women were resting. Castanet, Kelowna Capital News

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