University Briefs – February 4, 2013

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By Amara Janssens

UVic study finds strength training can help stroke recovery
Researchers at the University of Victoria have found that the cross education effect (strength-training a muscle group on one side of the body strengthening the same muscle group on the other side) is beneficial after someone has a stroke. By strength training one side of their lower body, stroke patients can improve their strength on their weak lower side by about 30 percent. This phenomenon is a result of small changes that occur in the spinal cord, and reflex pathways of the brain. One possible reason for this is that a stroke could reveal connections between all parts of the body that exist, but are not noticed when the body is healthy.

With files from The Martlet

Langara student killed in sword attack
Vancouver’s first homicide victim of 2013 was 19-year-old Manraj Akalirai, a criminology student at Langara College. Akalirai was allegedly swarmed by a group of men while in his vehicle. The group allegedly smashed out the back window of the vehicle and pulled Akalirai onto the street, where he was attacked with clubs, bats and a sword. Police have arrested five men in connection with the murder, and a sixth is being questioned. Police believe the murder may be connected to gang activity, however Akalirai’s family deny these claims.

With files from The Voice

Burst water main floods McGill

On Jan. 28, a water main broke in downtown Montreal during a construction mishap. At McGill University, several buildings were flooded and evacuated, cancelling all evening classes. A group of engineering students working in the engineering lab noticed the water approaching and quickly built a dam of garbage bags filled with snow. “At crux of it, we’re all engineers. We like building dams,” Cyrille Goldstein, a U2 mechanical engineering student said to The Daily. McGill administrators are assessing the damage and say it will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

With files from The Daily

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