Brock Briefs

Brock research team tackles scoliosis

A research team at Brock University is looking to learn more about bone strength, as well as the effects and design of back braces for people suffering from scoliosis. Scoliosis is a medical condition in which the spine begins to curve or rotate instead of growing straight.

The team consists of Brock Kinesiology Professor, Bareket Falk, Alan Rigby from Niagara Prosthetics and Orthotics and Dr. Matt Greenway of the Michael DeGroote School of Medicine.

The team is inviting women across the Niagara Region to participate in the research. Specifically, they are looking for women from 18 to 30-years-old who have or have had scoliosis, and who used a scoliosis brace during their adolescence.

The researchers are trying to determine whether a flexible back brace would be more beneficial for those with scoliosis, rather than the hard, inflexible ones that are usually used. They also wish to look into nutrition and exercise, and their effects on scoliosis and wearing a back brace.

This project is funded by the government's Applied Research and Commercialization (ARC) program, which helps set up Brock researchers with small and medium enterprises, in order to work together on projects that help the business and the community.

Local business continues generosity towards Brock

The Ontario Paper Thorold Foundation has contributed $60,000 to Brock University. This latest donation is proof of Ontario Paper's continued commitment to improving student education at Brock.

This gift will be put towards the Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex, and brings Ontario Paper's total contributions to Brock to over $240,000.

Ontario Paper shares a long history with Brock, predating the University's foundation. Before Brock was founded, Arthur Schmon who was then the President of Ontario Paper, spear-headed the committee who raised money and found the site where Brock is currently located.

Another one of Brock's founders, Charles Sankey, was a scientist at Ontario Paper, but later served as Brock University's chancellor from 1969 to 1974.

The Schmon Tower and Sankey Chamber were named for these individuals' efforts.

The Zone celebrates its 10th anniversary

This year, Brock University's general-purpose fitness centre, The Zone, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary since first opening its doors.

Students may take The Zone for granted today, but should know that 10 years ago, there was no on-campus facility to workout or to be active in.

Recreation Services said that as the University grows, so too must The Zone, and that the facility could definitely use a larger space. That being said, renovations should most likely be expected in the near future.