BRANDON – Funding announced today by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) will help a Brandon University (BU) researcher’s work to create a better understanding of cancer, heart disease and stroke. Dr. Vincent Chen, an Assistant Professor in BU’s Department of Chemistry, is a recipient of an NSERC Discovery Grant, with a value of $165,000 over five years. Chen’s lab at BU specializes in the study of gap junction ion channels that are responsible for direct cell-to-cell communication. The proteins making up these channels regulate a number of cellular processes including growth, proliferation and migration, as well as cell death and survival. “This NSERC discovery grant will allow us to better understand the biochemical pathways of gap junctional intercellular communication, and how these channels are misregulated in diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke” Chen said. “By understanding how tissues of the brain and heart use gap junctions provides critically important avenues for us to identify new biomarkers and design novel therapeutic approaches to mitigate disease.” The Discovery Grant Program is NSERC’s largest funding program. The long-term funding allows researchers to explore new pathways in their research as they are discovered. Chen becomes BU’s 11th active NSERC Discovery Grant holder, joining Drs. Margaret Carrington (Physics and Astronomy), Mousumi Majumder (Biology), Eric Bushnell (Chemistry), Bryan Cassone (Biology), Michael Charette (Chemistry), David Greenwood (Biology), Christophe LeMoine (Biology), Bernadette Ardelli (Biology), Sarah Plosker (Mathematics and Computer Science) and Wendy Untereiner (Biology). “I am truly excited by the work being done by our faculty, and am delighted to see the quality of research being recognized by national funding agencies such as NSERC,” said Dr. Heather Duncan, BU’s Associate Vice-President of Research. “As teachers, our faculty members are making a real difference in the lives of our students each day. And, over time, research such as the work being done by Dr. Chen is building knowledge that will help countless others around the world.” Brandon University student Harald Grove is also benefitting from NSERC funding, through the Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship-Master’s Award. A student in the Master of Science (Environmental and Life Sciences) program, Grove will receive $17,500 in funding over one year for his study of the effects of microRNAs on metabolism in the greater wax moth. Greater wax moths are valued in research because they can often be used as a stand-in for mammals in the study of microbial infections. “We take great pride in the research opportunities that we can present to students at Brandon University,” said Dr. Meir Serfaty, Acting Vice-President (Academic and Provost) at BU. “The growth of our graduate programs has opened doors for top-notch student research. “Building a strong portfolio of research here is going to help our students progress in their academic and professional careers, while giving them a strong foundation for great discoveries in the future.” As Dean of the Faculty of Science, Ardelli says that BU is proving that high-quality research can be done at smaller universities. “I am always proud of those in Science who are able to obtain Tri-Council funding,” Ardelli said. “While the funding is very competitive, students and faculty are successful, which speaks to our dedication and the great work that we do.”

Amendments to The Non-Smokers Health Protection and Vapour Product Act will allow medical cannabis users to medicate in some public places, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minster Cameron Friesen announced today. “Our government continues to be committed to prioritizing public health and safety as we ready our province for the federal legalization of cannabis sales and use,” said Friesen.  “However, we also recognize that some people need access to medication.  These amendments will allow us to accommodate medical cannabis users.” The amendments will provide exceptions to general public cannabis consumption restrictions to accommodate medical use.  These amendments come into force Oct. 17, the same day legalized non-medical cannabis becomes available. While the medical cannabis regime is still under the federal government’s jurisdiction, these amendments provide patients in Manitoba with clarity on where they may medicate in public, said Friesen. Changes to The Non-Smokers Health Protection and Vapour Products Act were made earlier this year in preparation for non-medical cannabis legalization.  The changes prohibit smoking and vaping non-medical cannabis in outdoor public places including: •    streets and sidewalks, •    parks and beaches, •    school grounds, •    restaurant patios and decks, •    the grounds of health-care facilities, and •    any additional places that may be specified by regulation. As a result of these amendments, medical cannabis users will now be permitted to smoke or vape medical cannabis in outdoor public places, except as follows: •    within eight metres of a building to which the public has access; •    on (or within eight metres of) a restaurant or bar patio or deck; •    at a stadium or outdoor entertainment venue, or within eight metres of those venues; •    in a wading pool, splash pad or water park, or within eight metres of those locations; •    in or within eight metres of a playground; •    on a public beach; and •    in bus shacks or other similar structures to which the public has access, or within eight metres of such structures. Beginning Oct. 17, the act will also be renamed to The Smoking and Vapour Products Control Act. For more information on cannabis in Manitoba, visit www.gov.mb.ca/cannabis/.

A two-vehicle collision sent one vehicle into the side of a house on the corner of 22nd St and Ottawa Ave late Tuesday morning. Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Services responded to the collision, as well as Accel Towing and Transport. The vehicle that struck the house had to be towed away, while the other vehicle was able to be driven away. Thankfully nobody was injured in the crash.  Photos by Liam Pattison Photography.

MORDEN—The seasonal flu vaccine is once again available free of charge to all Manitobans aged six months and older, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen announced today at the official launch of the annual influenza immunization campaign. “Getting the flu vaccine is important for the health of all Manitobans, but especially for those at increased risk of serious illness from the flu, their caregivers, and close family and friends,” said Friesen, who received his vaccination this morning at Morden Drugstore.  “Every Manitoban knows an infant, a senior, someone with diabetes or asthma, or someone seeking treatment for cancer.  Because of this, I encourage Manitobans to protect themselves, as well as others, by getting their no-charge flu immunization this fall.” Forty-six people with lab-confirmed cases of the flu died in Manitoba last winter, the highest number in three years, while another 35 were admitted into intensive care units.  In total, there were 505 hospitalizations due to influenza during the 2017-18 season, more than the previous two seasons combined and the highest since 2009-10.  The number of hospitalizations last winter due to patients suffering from the flu created backlogs in emergency departments and urgent care centres. “Flu vaccines have proven to be effective in preventing illness for many Manitobans,” said Dr. Michael Isaac, Manitoba’s acting chief provincial public health officer.  “Manitobans are encouraged to get the vaccine and reduce the risk of contracting influenza and the potential health complications that can come with it, both for themselves and for others.” A record number of people received flu vaccines last winter in Manitoba, with more than 320,000 doses administered.  In total, 22.5 per cent of Manitobans registered with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living received the vaccine. A special high-dose seasonal flu vaccine is once again available for senior residents of long-term care facilities.  Introduced last year, the high-dose vaccine may provide better protection for those at increased risk of complications from the flu, potentially reducing the number of outbreaks experienced in long-term care facilities. “Flu vaccines are a great preventative measure that reduces the risk of illness for all Manitobans, but particularly for older adults,” said Connie Newman, executive director of the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres.  “Flu vaccines are especially important for those of us as we age who have other conditions which become more complicated:  cardiac, pulmonary and kidney disorders, along with cancers and diabetes.  Having this vaccine is a tool to help us avoid the flu." The flu vaccine and Pneu-P-23 vaccine, which helps protect against pneumococcal disease and is offered free of charge to seniors, are available at local public health offices, nursing stations, doctors’ offices, and Access Centres.  Pharmacists can also provide immunization services to people seven years of age and older.  Manitobans interested in getting the vaccine should contact providers first to ensure they are available. Regional health authorities will also soon begin immunization clinics. Check Manitoba’s seasonal influenza website or contact Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 toll-free for dates, times and locations.

Source:  Brandon Police Service media Release On Monday morning at approximately 05:29am, Police received a report from a male who had been held at a residence in the 2300 block of Princess Avenue. He escaped but his girlfriend was still being held at the residence. Police attended the residence on Princess Avenue and took a male that was exiting the residence into custody without incident. Police entered the residence and located a female tied up in the basement. The victims said the suspects accused the two victims of stealing from them and forced them into the basement and tied them up. The female was shot several times with a pellet pistol causing minor injuries. The male was hit with a mallet and shot in the abdomen with the .22 caliber blank round causing minor injury. Police later located the two suspects at an establishment in the 200 block of 18th Street North. A 24yr old male and a 34yr old Brandon woman were arrested for Forcible Confinement, Aggravated Assault, Utter Threats, Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon Possess Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possess Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Use a Firearm in the Commission of an Offence and Assault with a Weapon. Both the male and female suspects were lodged at BCC to appear in Court on October 09th. The male that exited the residence in the 2300 block of Princess Avenue was found to have in his possession a pellet pistol handgun tucked into the front of his pants. A 25yr old Brandon man was arrested for Possess Weapon Dangerous and released to appear in Court on December 03rd.