QMessenger 15

QMessenger

FREE! QM wins Times Higer Education award

20th Oct ‘09 • Issue 15 • FREE

Pick up your FREE copy of QMessenger from any of the QMSU outlets. These include QMotion and Drapersbar, Ground Coffee Shop, The Blomeley Centre, and The Village Shop. You can also grab a copy from the library.

Brown or bust?

The future of Britain

Editors Editor: Sam Cunningham editor@qmessenger.co.uk News: Sam Creighton news@qmessenger.co.uk Comment: Bradley Downing comment@qmessenger.co.uk Science & Environment: Richard Dodwell science@qmessenger.co.uk Craig Ferriman environment@qmessenger.co.uk Reviews: Gitika Bhardwaj & Rebecca Wynter reviews@qmessenger.co.uk Film: Alex MacDonald film@qmessenger.co.uk

Another Nobel Laureate for QM Play Suduko and Crossword

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AIDS vaccine imminent

Students turn to ‘smart drugs’ to boost brains Madeline French

According to a report published in the Journal of Medical Ethics last week, students are increasingly turning to ‘smart drugs’ to help boost brain power and allow them to work for longer periods of time.

Vince Cakic, from the University of Sydney, wrote that the use of drugs such as Ritalin and Modafinil in education could be compared to the use of drugs in sport and suggested that any attempt to prohibit students using them will not only be difficult but also expensive to police.

Continued page 3...

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20/10/2009

News First AIDS vaccine within reach in Brief Nargis Begum

FIRST STUDENT COUNCIL MEET The first Student Council in Queen Mary history met on Tuesday 13th October to discuss the running of the Students’ Union for the coming year.

Last year, the Students’ Union reviewed its governance structure to bring it in line with new Charity Laws, so that the organisation is able to register as an official charity.

The changes include an eighten person Mile End Campus Board of elected students, an eighteen person BLSA Campus Board (SPC), who meet as individual bodies several times a term and then come together three times a year as the Student Council to decide on issues that are effecting Queen Mary students.

The next whole Student Council will meet on the 8th December.

Look out in future issues of QMessenger for the faces of those who are representing you and how they can help you.

The scientific world is rejoicing as nearly 30 years after the first case of AIDS was reported, a vaccine against the disease seems within reach. After 6 years of research on more than 16,000 male and female volunteers, scientists in Thailand have developed a vaccine that reduces the likelihood of catching the disease by 31%. AIDS is known to affect millions people worldwide with a disproportionate number of those effected aged under 25.

The vaccine is modelled on the two earlier unsuccessful vaccines.

However, in this study they combined the previous two vaccines in a ‘prime-booster’ approach. This is when one vaccine is injected to prepare the immune system to attack the AIDS virus and the second vaccine strengthens the response. The study had two principle aims; to restrict the AIDS virus and to reduce the concentration of the virus in the blood of those who were infected.

The vaccine was tested on versions of the HIV virus that are commonly found in Thailand.

In the study one group was given a placebo and the other the AIDS vaccine. The volunteers received an HIV test every six months for three years from being given the vaccine.

Of the volunteers that were tested, 51 cases of the 8,197 had new infections compared to 74 cases of 8,198 that received the placebo.

This equates to a 31% lower risk of catching the virus for the vaccine group. This study demonstrated that the vaccine was able to restrict the AIDS virus but has no effect on the concentration of the HIV virus in those that were infected.

Professor Aine McKnight of QM’s Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science described the progress as “a major breakthrough in HIV vaccination research as there is renewed hope of making a HIV vaccine” but hastened to add that “it is not conclusive as only a third

of vaccinees were protected and the effects are mild.” The testing is far from complete as this vaccine only covers the two main HIV families (different strains of the HIV virus). These two families cover the majority of HIV sufferers in Europe but a considerably lower proportion of those afflicted in Africa. Nevertheless, Prof. McKnight says she is “very excited about the details of the results of this study as this will help us better understand the success of it.”

A comprehensive report on the findings of this study becomes available next week. Until then we have to wait for the verdict!

COURSE REP ELECTIONS The Course Rep election period opened on Thursday 8th October at 10am.

The nomination period proved very fruitful as over 190 students put themselves forward to to represent the students in their year group on their course.

Elected students will act as the voice of the students on their course, trying to find out what is good and bad with their course and what can be done to improve. They then work with the Students’ Union and the college to make sure the students’ issues are being resolved.

All Queen Mary students can vote at www.qmsu.org/elections.

Voting ends Friday 23rd October.

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY Queen Mary embraced World Mental Health Day on Tuesday 13th October by running an event asking the question ‘Have you got the balance right?’.

Students were provided with advice on how to look after themselves, being productive, and making sure that students were having enough fun alongside their studies.

The event, outside The Curve, attracted a large crowd considering it was late in the afternoon (4pm-6pm) as students were able to have a go at walking a tight rope and learning to juggle. Free food was also provided (which always goes down well with students!).

Scientists in Thailand have developed a vaccine that reduces the likelihood of catching the AIDS disease by a massive 31%

News

20/10/2009

The President

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‘Smart drugs’ are being compared to use of illegal drugs in sport Continued page 3...

After attending a very glamorous night at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane hosted by the times higher education supplement we walked away victorious! Queen Mary was nominated for five different categories including university of the year and most improved student experience, and we won the latter. This was the only award that was decided by students and not the judges. So well done to everyone at QM. It truly is an award to be proud of. The new gym obviously played a big part in the decision but also the satisfaction of our international students was mentioned and the quality of teaching.

In a day and age when the job market is plummeting and unemployment stands rife, there is fierce competition in recruitment, we as students need something more then just a degree from a university, we need employers to know where we come from and what kind of institution we have studied at, we need something unique, therefore it is in everyone’s interest to get our name out there as much as possible. Winning this award is definitely a step in the right direction for us. Let’s work on making sure our university stands out from the crowed. There is so much that can be done, let’s find those creative instincts within us all and make them happen.

I have heard several ideas that really are different from the rest recently, the best one yet was the ‘on campus farm’ proposal by our environmental officer. With some of the open grass spaces we have on campus he is proposing we have farm plots to grow our own fruit and vegetables. There are many other really innovative ideas students come up with, and I want to dedicate this column to those creative, innovative and exciting ideas. I want to hear more from you all, so please do come up with ideas and please do get in touch and let’s try and make them happen!

Finally, I would like to thank all those who organised and participated in the world mental health day ‘how’s your balance’ on campus. It was very vibrant and really did liven up the campus. It was all about finding that balance, balance of study, work and play which is really important to have in our life.

Nasir Tarmann

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The report has added to the increasingly public debate about the ethics of using ‘smart drugs’ and the harm they can cause. The main issue lies in the unfair advantage that users have over their peers, although some supporters of the brain boosting drugs compared them to simply having private education or better school equipment. The ethical debate is clearly an important point. However, the underlying issue of why the students are taking these drugs is the bigger issue but is largely ignored. If students are us-

ing ‘smart drugs’ then it illustrates flaws in how degrees are assessed and attention should be paid to this rather than the degradation of students’ work ethics. However, is it really a serious problem in UK education? There have been no UK studies carried out to find out the number of students using illegal prescription drugs to help their education and any study in this country has been based purely on anecdotal evidence, that of hearsay rather than actual research. The fears have spread from the US where prescription drug use by students is far more prolif-

ic but the education system highly competitive and very different to ours. Deputy Head of Advice and Counselling service at Queen Mary University, Terry Patterson, says that she personally has not come across ‘smart drug’ usage as a problem for students. She said: “There are 12 or 13 counsellors in the team and they might have seen some students with this problem but in my case it has not been a major issue. Very few people come with drug use problem. They don’t seem to view it as a problem, just a part of life.” Patterson highlights the fact that this is-

sue is nothing new. “Over the years students have been using them but they were under a different name,” she said. “They were just called prescription drugs.” So perhaps the theory that prescription drug use is on the rise is an overreaction. Certainly, calls for drug screening are over the top and the idea that students could be suspiciously scrutinised like that is discouraging news for the relationship between educational institutions and their students.

Businesses need a kick up the backside as recession draws to a close Philip Keech The doom and gloom of the economic recession has meant that the spirit of business is at an extreme low. Widespread coverage of bankruptcy and redundancies has left us asking why and how could this have happened.

However, with experts claiming the worst of the recession is over, there appears to be a growing light at the end of the tunnel, and there is now a call for existing business to up their game and the opportunity for new business to exploit a steadying market.

General elections are due in May next year and how parties plan to soothe the pain of the recession will be a key part of their manifestos. At this time everything points to a Conservative government who will need to encourage the birth of new business and the people behind the businesses – the entrepreneurs.

So now may be the time for budding entrepreneurs to make a change since the collapse of businesses has meant a more vacant market is among us. Furthermore, recession forces change and creativity so fresh ideas from fresh faces could be of major benefit in business.

The economy is now more prone to look more beneficially upon new businesses rather than save an ailing existing business.

We’ve all seen the demise of highstreet favourite Woolworths and international car company MG Rover.

Yet those currently in business will be looking to reinvigorate their organisation with a wide choice of graduates from all over the world.

With experts claiming the worst of the recession is over businesses have the perfect opportunity to rebuild Though particularly in the U.K. new initiatives such as The Higher Education Innovative Fund has seen a large increase in the flow of commercial ideas from universities to industry.

Yet some things also need to change, though the UK performs well in the World Bank’s league table of countries ranked by ease of

doing business (ranked fifth), its performance is worse in areas such as starting-up in business and employment legislation which could have damaging effects later on to small and medium sized enterprises.

In addition, G7 polls have measured the UK’s entrepreneurs as some of the most unmotivated also

lacking the necessary understanding to setting up a business. Therefore the government need to put in the hard work and change business for the up and coming, we ourselves need to be able to take the plunge and change the business world.

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20/10/2009

Boris Johnson to reverse 2001 abolishment of museum entry fees

Arts and humanities attempt to reach out

Carl Poffley

Edward Martin

London has for a long time been a major worldwide cultural center, and nowhere is this more obvious than the many varied museums and galleries. One of their main strengths was that the absence of entry fees made this cultural legacy available to everyone.

All this may change soon however, due to new proposed measures by the mayor.

Boris Johnson has been arguing in favour of London museums putting more pressure on patrons to feel obliged to donate, adopting a ‘New York system’ which works on ‘suggested’ or ‘recommended’ entrance fees, which are voluntary, but the museums robustly, even aggressively, make people feel compelled to pay.

“It might be a good idea for

people to price the value of their visit. I think it would work extremely well and I think we should do it.

He went on to say that an unintended side-effect of free admission to museums was that “cynical young people think they’re seeing something that isn’t prized.”

Mr. Johnson was joined in a conference on arts and the recession by actor Kevin Spacey, who shares the Mayor’s views that more vigorously pursued voluntary fees could potentially encourage investment into London’s museums and galleries.

But understandably, these proposed measures are not without their criticisms.

Mark Jones, director of the Victoria and Albert museum, feels that such measures can discourage people. He was once refused entry into the New York Met after he declined to pay the $20 “voluntary” charge.

He said: “I’m not in favour of anything that makes people feel they won’t want to go because they feel they will have to pay. We don’t want people to feel inhibited because they’re under a moral pressure to pay up.”

Colin Tweedy, chief executive of Arts & Business, said: “Britain is leading the world in allowing its treasures to be freely available. To return to museum charging would be a return to the dark ages.”

Entrance fees to museums in London were abolished in 2001, and the visitor numbers collectively rose by almost 70% as a result. Will the proposed measures reverse this increase of museum patronage like Mr. Jones believes? Or will it help preserve the cultural heritage of the city and encourage investment in the arts as Mr. Johnson claims?

Academics across the country are currently trying to bring academic studies in the arts and humanities to, and for the benefit of, an audience outside of university walls.

These attempts at knowledgetransfer vary in success and type but include joint PhDs between universities and organisations, such as a joint PhD currently on offer between the Globe theatre and Queen Mary, and direct teaching and productions of literature.

The first piece of literature from this project ‘What Poetry brings to business’ will be released in 2010 and shows the scope and wide range of this project in bringing relevance of humanities to the general public.

This along with consultancies and other projects listed above hope to

vastly improve connections between academic studies outside of the sciences and the rest of the nation to bring both intellectual and economic advantages.

As aside from the obvious intellectual benefits brought about through this there are noticeable economic benefits.

For instance PricewaterhouseCoopers have calculated, albeit crudely, that for every £1 spent on UK humanities research there is up to £10 immediate gain and up to £15-20 in long term gains.

However despite this it still remains to be seen if this project can ever become more than niche appeal and gain a wide and permanent audience among the general public.

QM students forced to defer due to UK immigration system chaos George Ramsay

At least 60 Pakistani students are being forced to defer or abandon their studies at Queen Mary as an insurmountable mass of visa applications throws a new UK immigration system into chaos.

Twenty students have already missed their chance to study this year and another 40 are still anxiously awaiting their visas, but there has been

little or no word from the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) on the progress of these applications.

In an attempt to mitigate the situation, Queen Mary has granted an extension to those students awaiting their visas until 16 October. But this is the “very latest anyone may enrol” according to Pat Power, Head of International Office [at QM].

He added: “The College has tried to be as flexible as possible by offering late enrolment to affected students, but of course there

comes a time when it would no longer be fair to allow students to join a course, as they might then not be able to catch up.”

The UKBA moved its Pakistani offices to Abu Dhabi a year ago after Taliban attacks in Islamabad.

Relocation and a new points-based system of immigration have been attributed to the disarray.

The new system -implemented in February last year - assesses the eligibility of visa applicants based upon their skills or the intent of

their stay in the UK. Many have described it as “grindingly slow, faceless and error-prone”. The delays are more disruptive due to the UKBA’s policy of holding the passports of those being processed – sometimes for months.

British high commission spokesman Rob Murphy has stipulated that the situation is being taken “very seriously” adding that “we are now prioritising the students”. But this has come too late for nearly all affected – an estimated 40 percent will miss

the 09/10 academic year.

5,000 students applying to other UK universities have been affected and 9,000 more are appealing rejections, forcing many of the 5,000 to put their lives on hold, including a possible 60 Queen Mary students.

According to a university representative, “the students are genuinely disappointed and angry as they might lose a full academic year”.

At least 60 Pakistani students are being forced to deter or lose out on their studies and Queen Mary after chaos in the new UK immigration system has lead to a mass of Visa applications

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20/10/2009

What’s going on in America?

QM’s Nick Thomson reports from across the Atlantic

Female students are the “perk of the job” according to Buckingham Vice-Chancellor Emma Aldridge

I always had the quite irrational assumption that California is always 30 degrees, not a cloud in the sky in which the healthy and attractive go roller skating down the sidewalk in swim wear. Unfortunately this isn’t the case. At the moment I’m freezing my bollocks off resenting myself for assuming this and only packing summer clothes.

Such assumptions can be dangerous, but it is not always my ignorance that is to blame. California, the Golden State, has been to many the symbol of success and prosperity. It was until recently the 8th biggest economy in the world and in pop culture it has become synonymous with wealth, fame and power. Packing your bags and heading ‘out californi-way’ has been the the theme of many stories, films and books...maybe even this column.

So apart from the weather, which was my fault, I am surprised to be living in a state in which Professor Kevin Starr, who has written an acclaimed history of the state, recently declared as being “ on the verge of becoming the first failed state in America”. As I have already seen, the university I attend went on strike in face of imminent budget cuts and tuition fee hikes. Even though claims that state employees were receiving IOUs turned out to be false, the fact that camps reminiscent of Hovervilles from the 1930s are springing up all over the state, and that so many people are moving away that the state might lose two congressmen by 2010 makes that claim, ridiculous as it sounds, believable.

Yet despite these grilling facts, the general mood on the ground has remained optimistic. The californian dream; associated with prosperity of Holywood and Silicon Valley creating a utopian-like way of life at the epicentre for many new social movements, has taken a beating at the hand of the budget crisis but still is widely believed in. After all, here is no such thing as a ‘London dream’, and this gives the Golden State a sort of unique status and outlook. Most californians I have asked think this dream, though modified will continue and evolve. Considering my initial expectations, the dream is defiantly not over.

Terence Kealey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham made a big faux pas recently by claiming that “female students are the perk of the job”. This tactless remark is, for many, another example of the challenges faced by female scholars trying to break into the male dominated world of academics.

In an attempt to defend poor, old Mr Kealey, I looked at the context surrounding this comment, which was originally made in an article for the Times Higher Education magazine entitled, ‘The Seven Deadly Sins of Academia”. In this article, Kealey states that ‘most male lecturers know that, most years, there will be a girl in class who flashes her admiration and who asks for advice on her essays. What to do?

Enjoy her! She’s a perk.’

However in an attempt to be funny, Kealey is left looking somewhat more like a creepy old man lost in the minefield of political cor-

rectness. I feel sympathy for the female students that have been taught by Kealey, knowing that he was having a good perv in a lecture. In response to the criticism of his remarks, Kealey claims that ‘it is legitimate to use humour to illuminate the ways that people finesse the dissonance between what is publicly acceptable and what is sometimes privately desired.’

Although the comments are of course funny and many of us smirk at the thought of the class-whore or fit lecturer, Kealey should have used a little more thought for the students he has and will teach as well as his female contemporaries to whom the comments will surely have been most offensive.

The comments have caused such a stir that some people have even asked for his resignation.

However I couldn’t help but notice that his article has promoted his book ‘Sex, Science and Profits’.

The extra attention Kealey has recently received will ultimately benefit him greatly, much to my disappointment.

Kealey recently claimed female students are ‘the perk of the job’

Queen Mary plays host to Olympics inspired event to promote healthy living John Seymour

living.

With the Olympic games less than three years away, Queen Mary has already hosted an Olympics inspired event designed to promote participation in sport and healthy

The event was hosted in the Octagon, a fitting venue that matches the prestige of the games. Specialist events company, Altyerre, organized the event on behalf of multinational company, Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola’s aim was to offer an insight into the cultural diversity of the East End and encourage local people from different cultures to get involved in sport or simply highlight the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.

Alex Shephard from Altyerre described the event as a “great suc-

While work continues on the Olympic 2012 site down the road, QM are running Olympic-inspired events

cess”.

“The majority of the attendees rated the Olympics inspired ‘legacy’ themed event as ‘the best ever’ they had attended.”

Coca-Cola is the longest continuous sponsor of the Olympics so gave the event significant support.

The company immersed 120 of its executives into the local area to gain a sufficient understanding of the diverse and colourful history of London’s East End. The knowledge gained by the executives will prove invaluable in assisting Tower Hamlets Council develop and implement a visitor strategy for the area during the 2012 Olympics and post games.

Simon Barlow, spokesperson for Queen Mary is confident that more similar events will be held at the university.

“We’ve seen a dramatic spike of interest in the College from organisations looking to maximize from a location close to the Olympic site”, he said.

The university has a selection of venues on offer that can cater for groups varying in size from 20 to 800 and offers value for money to London businesses.

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20/10/2009

University of the People could give QM a run for its money James McMillan

If £3000 a year plus change sounds too much for your degree what do you think would be a fairer price?

The few hundred quid generations before used to pay? Expenses only? In the mind of Shai Reshef only one price is fair: nothing.

The financial chasm of tuition fees and Student Loans that stands between many people and their education could at last be starting to close as Shai’s new online university “UoPeople” takes on its first pupils.

The purpose of UoPeople is to remove the financial barriers that may dissuade the world’s lower income earners to take the necessary training to further their careers. Teaching is provided on a voluntary basis by lecturers from around the world who take time out of their usual jobs to design courses, mark work and arrange teaching material. Running costs are covered exclusively by charitable donations which is

likely to remain sustainable as many of the course materials are provided free online allowing UoPeople to keep its running costs to a minimum.

Despite the offer of a release from the financial burdens of education that UoPeople seeks to provide, current QM students seems less than envious with several questioning the quality of service UoPeople could provide on such a small budget.

UoPeople recognises this as a valid concern but many of its voluntary employees are confident that the quality of information available online is now high enough to rival traditional vaults of knowledge such as QMs own evolving library. And it seems those staff know what they’re talking about, many being retired or current higher education professors who produce the material that further their fields.

However, UoPeople is not without its limitations; very few courses are currently offered with specialist courses such as Pymouth Universi-

University of the People are offering degrees entirely for free, but are currently way down the league tables ties Surf Science and Technology Bsc remaining unchallenged. Additionally, UoPeople is yet to build up the prestige and league table positions that play a large role in attracting

students and proving that a university is successful an worth attending. Nevertheless, UoPeople claims this is something to address at a later date, right now its getting educa-

tion to people who have no other alternative and that alone is success enough.

Piatt, director general of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, has stressed the need for any new university places to be fully funded.

The Conservatives have once again called on the government to undertake an independent review of student finance which is expected to begin before the end of this year.

Sam Cunningham

in league-table ranking.”

Aspects of the student experience that were voted on include campus environment, extra-curricular activities, the relationship between students and teaching staff, academic workload and the quality of student accommodation.

In addition to the college’s contribution, the Students’ Union also played a key role in providing some of these services. President of the Students’ Union, Nasir Tarmann, said that: “We strive to enhance the student experience with everything we do, this a particular strategic objective of the Students’ Union. We are very happy that, along with college, we are achieving that object.”

As QMessenger reported last fortnight, the university was nominated in five categories - including the top prize of ‘University of the Year’ - and having not been shortlisted for a single award in 2008, it is impressive that QM has managed to secure one award this year.

Tories pledge 10,00 extra universty places QM wins Most Improved Student Experience award

Sian Griffith

In a bid to avoid a repeat of this year’s squeeze on university places, the Tories have pledged to provide 10,000 extra places for prospective students in 2010 should they win the general election. Shadow higher education spokesman David Willetts criticised the government’s “failure” to provide school leavers with the access to the university education they deserve. He also revealed plans to introduce a scheme whereby a 10% discount will be provided to students who repay their student loans ahead of schedule. It is hoped that the scheme will provide an incentive for students who otherwise would not be able to afford higher education, and should it be implemented, would raise an estimated £300 million worth of voluntary repayments.

The proposals represent somewhat of a turnaround for the Conservative party, who in the past have been vocal about their opposition to Labour’s push to get 50% of students into higher education. Whilst there are now more students studying at university than ever before, a 9% rise in applications combined with the provision of only 3,000 extra full-time undergraduate places lead to thousands of students finding themselves disappointed this summer. The news follows the government’s promise in July to provide an extra 10,000 places, which was rejected by many

universities who could not fund such an expansion.

President of the National Union of Students Wes Streeting welcomed the proposals, but expressed some concern regarding the repayment scheme, saying: “We would be concerned if this approach set a precedent whereby those from more affluent backgrounds enjoyed preferential repayment conditions on loan debt.” Additionally Dr. Wendy

NUS President Wes Streeting welcomes the extra university places

Queen Mary has won the ‘Most Improved Student Experience’ award in the prestigious Times Higher Education Awards 2009.

The category is based entirely on anonymous student feedback, as opposed to a voting panel of professionals, and is considered to be a result of the £6 million investment made by the university in the Students’ Union-run health and fitness centre QMotion and union bar Drapersbar. The college was also accredited for its improvement in scores for its lecturers and connections with industry.

Ben Marks, managing director of Opinionpanel Research, who conducted the poll, commented that Queen Mary was the “clear winner” due not only to its scores in student experience but also “because it showed the largest improvement

The £6 million spent on the new gym and bar helped win the prize

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20/10/2009

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Brown or bust: The future of Britain Aleister Griffin

At the time of writing this article, Gordon Brown is at the Labour Party conference refuting his own chancellor’s claims that the party has lost the will to live. Brown may not have lost the will to live, but I certainly have. A reasonable performance at the conference was a welcoming change from the recent debacles, but reasonable is not good enough when you are 20 points behind in the polls. Even the resounding praise of politics’ answer to Hallow-

een’s Mike Myers, Peter Mandelson, seemed hollow in the face of such general misery. Mandelson’s immortality worries me and it certainly wasn’t enough to convince The Sun to back anyone else other than the Tories for the next election. The announcement, although not fatal, was a disheartening announcement on the day of the leader’s speech.

Now, my first few words may seem gloomy enough to make a Roman Polanksi film seem like Love Actually; and life as a Labour party activist certainly is hard work at the moment, but it’s vital we keep going. My parents were at university during the last time a Conservative party raped and pillaged the nation like its own personal play thing and the next potential Tory government will be no different. Tory con-

ference announcements of disability benefit cuts combined with changes to inheritance tax that will only benefit the rich exemplifies the ‘Nasty

Party’s’ commitment to elitism and abandonment of those who need help. Change for changes sake will only damage our country and hurt those who cannot defend themselves.

Now, even as a committed campaigner for the party, I have many reservations of my own about Labour’s actions: Iraq, privatisation, scrapping of the 10% tax rate, etc. I do understand people’s anger, as I share much of it myself, but the reality is our country is a lot better off under a Labour government than it ever would be under a Tory one. A minimum wage, Sure Start centres for the under fives, a doubling of investment in the NHS, better schools, and more police officers are just snippets of how our nation is a better place

Postal strikes

Peace Prize Farce

Tom Maltby

Sacha Novik

The CWU (Communications Workers’ Union) have voted unanimously (76%) in favour of a national strike, in addition to existing local strikes in London and elsewhere. With everyone concerned about the length of postal delivery, just why are these workers striking?

According to CWU, the postal industry has suffered from decades of under-investment, failed privatisation attempts and a botched regulatory regime. The growth in digital communications and competition from private companies have also hit Royal Mail, and, on top of that, it faces a pension deficit of £3bn.

All of this makes job losses inevitable. However, with many companies such as eBay and Argos threatening to pull delivery deals (Amazon is already working with other deliv-

ery firms) will striking not exacerbate the issue?

The strike hopes to prevent increased privatization to curb some job loses and the CWU are hoping that gains will outweigh the loses.

Private companies are also unlikely to gain much, as 99% of the UK mail (weighing less than 350 grams) is still currently delivered by the Royal Mail.

The importance of this strike action must further be seen in its wider context, as part of an ongoing struggle to fight privatization of the existing nationalised services. Health, education and transport are other areas under threat, so this strike will have implications that will determine the direction for the whole of society on this island.

Last Friday, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King and Lech Walesa were joined in the great pantheon of Nobel Peace Prize Winners by a new associate. Although we surrendered the right to comment on U.S. politics at Yorktown, I confess that I have never had much time for Barrack Obama, who seems to be doing a worryingly good impression of Tony Blair. Despite this, it would be perfectly correct to award him the prize for some monumental feat of diplomacy. Yet, one would be hard pressed to present his withdrawal of proposed missile sites in central Europe as equivalent to a CubanMissile-like crisis. All he did was to reverse a silly policy enacted by the neo-cons (a bunch of third rate former Trotskyites who, after dropping International Socialism, took up In-

ternational “Americanism”), which was purposely meant to rile the Russians. For this, Obama might deserve a pat on the back perhaps, but a Nobel Peace Prize?

This, I am afraid, is in line with the present thinking of the Nobel Committee. In 2007, the award went to Al Gore, whose major contribution to world peace seems to

because of Labour.

Many of you who agree with my general principles on society will think to themselves, ‘but what about that other socially caring group: the Liberal Democrats’. A world run by the Lib Dems would not be a catastrophic event, but it will never happen. They do not have the organisation, principles or ability to win a general election and all they can achieve is to take votes from Labour.

In a recent article in QM Messenger, someone said ‘The Liberal Democrats Do Matter’. Alas, this is true.

Not for any possible place in government, but for allowing a Tory government to sweep aside the socially democratic majority of our nation in favour of a harsh individualism. If we do want a nation of opportunity and hope, it is Gordon Brown or bust.

Disagree? Email comment@qmessenger.co.uk.

be jetting around the world promoting his rather dull film about the dangers of, well, jetting around the world. That the Nobel Committee made such a political decision is bad enough, but to award the Nobel Peace Prize to a politician whose foreign policy supports a bloody, costly and I fear utterly ineffective war in Afghanistan is sheer lunacy.

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20/10/2009

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Theatre

Queen Mary Theatre Company Variety Show Hatty Evans

My previous experiences of the QMTC Variety Show have been mixed. In fact, in my first year I think I spent the duration of the show hiding behind my hand! However, this year the show really did give us variety, and I mean variety in performance, not talent. The new presidents of Queen Mary Theatre Company unveiled to a lively audience wide ranging musical performances and acting from the sexually explicit to the surreal.

The first of two short plays, Love and Cruelty by Simon Haithwaite, gave shrewd insights into all men’s perennial debate of sex versus love. Haithwaite teased his audience with his characters’ colourful discussion, concluding with the comforting thought that friendships are

the only love that won’t “fuck you”.

The second play Spiders and Flies

by Joe Mcloughlin, took a surrealist look at the way our society worships the material world. All three characters had an unnerving and disturbing inhuman aspect. This partnered with impressive acting and comic timing left the audience impatient for more.

There were many notable music performances; yet, these enjoyable renditions would not have been possible without Jim O’Hagan and Seb Hartzell on guitar and piano.

Their recurrent appearances and excellent improvising and accompanying, held the performances together. Henry Bishop and Jonny Williams’ acoustic comedy group Bishops Willie delighted us with their German adaptation of Britney Spears’ Hit Me baby, and a song of love for Gordon

Brown had us all gasping for air.

Singer/songwriter, Tara P’s creative songs and tuneful voice were strikingly accomplished.

All in all this was a dynamic and optimistic evening of what we shall see in the year to come, and you will

Musicals

Priscilla Queen of the Desert Rebecca Wynter Musical theatre has let itself down in the past few years. It has indulged in pathetic attempts to attract audiences through cheap ripoffs that trail through tributes of retired bands, with no relevant storylines to paste the regurgitated songs together. A simple sing-along to tributes should be exercised at home karaoke on New Years Eve by drunken relatives, not urinated over the West End for ridiculous prices... or so I thought.

Being a lover of the ‘real musical’ such as Miss Siagon, Chicago, or Oliver!, I hated the modern genre, until a good friend of mine dragged me along to one of these use-somekaraoke-classics-to-make-a-musical shows.

An array of feathers, sequins and tightly clenched buttocks, Pricilla Queen of the Desert has enough glittery madness to dazzle the biggest of disco divas. Camper than a weekend dogging at Butlins with Graham Norton, the show is full of tits-and-teeth (both fake of course), witty bitchy gags, crude puns and corny innuendo. Following the story of two drag queens and a transsexual stranded in the Ozzy desert, it combines a selection

of 80s and 90s hits into a journey of love, self-belief and unhealthy obsessions with Kylie Minogue.

Such classics as I’m Your Venus, Downtown and I Will Survive, are well complemented by costumes that can only be described as fantabulous! The set boasts a shimmering pink campervan (accessorised with a “Rear Entry Upon Request” sign) and the iconic man– sized sparkling stiletto on the roof.

If that’s not enough to lure you in the show also has a road-kill tele-

tubby and a Thai bride with a disturbing ping pong trick…

Yes, it’s not west end gold; it’s loosely scripted with stolen classics, but I left the theatre in such a good vibe. For a mediocre musical, I guarantee you’ll be grinning and shaking your hips uncontrollably from the first shimmy to final flash of high-heeled masculinity.

not have to wait long. From 13th-15th November they will be presenting a Pinter Festival weekend plays including The Birthday Party and Dumb Waiter, and Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing will take to the stage from 1st-4th December.

Now the fun and games are over, bring on the theatrics!

RATING... 8/10

Books

Rough Weather W K Hon

RATING... 7/10

Author: Robert B. Parker They don’t make men like Boston private detective Spenser anymore - if they ever did. Modern knight in shining armour Spenser has featured for years in Robert B Parker’s classic hardboiled crime fiction series.

If you’ve not read Parker, consider starting with the first (‘The Godwulf Manuscript’), although each book is self-contained. Avoid the appalling TV shows!

In ‘Rough Weather’ socialite Heidi Bradshaw, for purposes un-

clear, hires Spenser to attend at her daughter’s wedding. There, Spenser is unable to stop his old adversary the Gray Man from kidnapping the bride and killing groom, so he sets out to find her. But, of course, things are never as they appear...

The Spenser books are alike but never boring: transparent, witty, page-turning prose, with major recurring themes that believably bring together interesting contradictions. Ex-boxer Spenser, his shadiest friend Hawk and many other characters are tough men you wouldn’t mess with, but there is a core of integrity and honour to their violence, and the oft quotable wisecracks are streetwise yet literary.

Spenser’s girlfriend Susan Silverman is a shrink, and psychotherapy’s value is another common theme. So too Spenser’s cooking: Parker always spells out ingredients, and there’s even an unofficial collection of Spenser recipes (http:// bullets-and-beer.com/cookbook. html). Diversity, both racial and sexual, is another thread - e.g. the books regularly contain positive depictions of non-stereotypical lesbians and gay men. Oh, and cute dogs.

RATING... 6/10

Reviews

Written a review? reviews@qmessenger.co.uk

9

20/10/2009

Food

Cafe Sol,

Jamie’s Italian,

Greenwich

Ellis King & Chloe Rogers

It would be all too easy to spend that student loan on a night out at the pub and a kebab, but why not branch out and swap that beer for a cheeky sex on the beach, and the soggy pitta for an authentic Mexican fajita wrap?

While Leicester Square may boast the standard array of restaurant chains, Greenwich offers a different approach to a London night out and provides a selection of pubs, bars and individual restaurants.

Café Sol, the first established Mexican south of the River Thames, offers a student’s ideal merge of spice and sangria. Upon arrival the restaurant excels expectation with its ambient-come-electric environment, subdued lights and impres-

Canary Wharf sive display of liquors, cocktails and spirits. Sombreros and shooters combined with an affordable TexMex menu make it the perfect student evening. From pastas to steaks and burgers to burritos, everyone is catered for with generous portions and prices ranging from £3.95 for your standard starter, to £12.95 for a sizzling steak. Dishes are fresh, and as you’d expect are served with the typical Mexican garnishes of chunky salsa and cool guacamole. A significant contribution to the evening was the quick and friendly service. In particular from the manager, who ensured everyone was enjoying their courses. However this was reflected in the 10% service charge added to the bill to some customer’s annoyance.

All in all Café Sol promises a night to remember, devoid from the more obvious touristic diners which tend to lack in character and taste.

It compromises a lively atmosphere with a tranquil tequila-fuelled experience, entertaining for both large groups and couples. Head to this Mexican for a fiesta you won’t forget.

RATING... 7/10

Josephine O’Hare

The slick, clean architecture of canary wharf, with its towering green glass buildings and imposing ‘city’ vibe juxtapose everything I understand to be ‘authentic Italian food’rustic and wholesome; an interesting location for Jamie Oliver’s first central London Italian eatery. Yet somehow it works very well.

The decoration is that of an Italian grocery, (this is not at all as corny as it sounds!); wooden racks of colourful peppers and citrus fruits, walls of wine and champagne and legs of cured meats encourage the relaxed and surprisingly authentic vibe. The red and green iron chairs, and simply laid tables give of an air of Mediterranean al fresco dinning.

I arrive much before the other members of my party, and witness the restaurant fill at an impressive rate. Jamie’s Italian doesn’t take bookings and in order to be seated right away it is necessary to arrive before seven. Later into the evening the wait averages forty-five minutesunderstandable for a new high profile restaurant, but twenty minutes to order a drink seems less so. Af-

Bars

RATING... 8/10

Romeo & Juliet

Heddon Street

Ever dreamed of experiencing your own 007 lifestyle of glamorous parties, coded conversations, leggy women in fur-lined hats, sipping vodka martinis - shaken not stirred?

Well a slice of this classy chimera can be located just off Regent Street in what is essentially a very big fridge.

Ice Bar is one of only four unique Absolut bars to exist in the world. Past the special air-locked entrance is a single frozen chamber where everything is constructed from ice imported from northern Sweden, kept at -6 degrees, even the cocktails are served in glasses made from imported crystal clear ice. Creatively named, they include the Absolut Icy River, Absolut Snowy Syrup and the signature cocktail Absolut Below Zero. The ceiling and the floor are the only surfaces ice free, so bond-girls needn’t worry about icerink conditions when wearing stiletto shoes.

Sauntering past ice sculptures and serene pillar structures, it be-

ti with capers, chilli, fennel and anchovies was brilliant, stealing the show from the Italian Sausage Pappardelle, which by comparison was quite dry and thus stodgy. This dish however, was the only to underwhelm, and really, it wasn’t even bad! Lamb Chop Lollipops, market fish of the day, (the char grilled sardines were as fresh and firm as it’s possible to hope for), ‘Flash Steak’ with salsa, and hearty, adventurous salads compile the main course choices (average price, £12.50 with an astoundingly generous portion size).

Just like Jamie the restaurant is ballsy, charming and unpretentious.

It is generous, well-priced and definitely worth a special-occasion visit.

Classics

Ice Bar, Rebecca Wynter

ter wading through the wall of suits to reach the bar, the staff seem slow and over-worked, (on a Monday evening?!) The Orange and Basil Mojito (cocktail of the day, £7) sweetened the wait considerably, as did the complementary antipasti. Elongated wooden boards of prosciutto, salami, parmesan and olives continuously circulated the waiting diners, a much appreciated gesture, distracting ones attention from his dormant pager!

Having never eaten at any of Jamie’s restaurants I was curious to see if he had remained true to his ethos of powerful, exciting flavour combinations that speak for themselves in a somewhat unrefined manner; indeed he had. The menu is extensive with attractive options for all diners. Perhaps the most exciting is the plethora of ‘antipasti, olives & bits’, ranging in price from £2.50 to £6.50. A fellow dinner had the ‘Mozzarella di Bufala with Lush Basil Pesto’. Indeed a simple, traditional combination, but the tastiest and richest pesto of the most vibrant green I’ve eaten. Pasta courses, either as primis or secondris are delicious as the pasta is made daily on the premises. The crab spaghet-

comes easy to slip into the secret agent fantasy. Lounging on the glassy seats and tables you find your mind wandering as to which laser-gun Rolex gadget Q would recommend to deface the etched artwork or melt the supporting pillar structures. Chilled-out music seeps through speakers embedded in the walls of ice, enhancing the atmospheric possibility of meeting a mysterious lover under the elaborate crystal chandelier.

Unfortunately it’s not worth wearing your sophisticated tuxedo or seductively silky backless dress, as the cloakroom will provide you with an unflattering padded poncho.

But don’t be disheartened, this just means you’ll have to alter the fantasy slightly... Men; remember, Bond was assigned to a mission in space and the blue chrome cape provides this futuristic flair. Ladies; the fetching fur-lined hoods are an excellent modelling accessory for practising for that all important Vogue frontpage winter edition photo shoot.

One chilling factor to freeze your enthusiasm is the pricing. For a

45 minute slot, entry costs £15 but includes one free drink. Prices after that begin at £6 a drink (£3 for nonalcoholic drinks) which isn’t ideal for the bond on a budget. Ice Bar does not offer any student nights or student discounts; you have to pay for the exclusivity factor.

Another disappointing aspect is that it does not have a helicopter landing pad. However it is accessible by limousine or, for the classiest of students - the tube, Piccadilly Circus being the closest underground stop.

The Ice Bar, although expensive, is worth the money for a special visit. Be it for the alluring atmosphere or the visually stunning bar itself, you’ll certainly feel glamorous in this prestigious setting and experience the glitz of the cinematic secret agent. I went with the girls the other day and the only blip in our sophistication was when one of us thought it would be hilarious to ask for some ice in her drink....

RATING... 7/10

Alexander Penn

Author: William Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet’s all-out domination of pop culture stretches across the Globe (excuse the pun). Who isn’t familiar with this play? And furthermore, who hasn’t heard of the starcrossed lovers? As I read through this play, I tried to guess why it is so extraordinarily famous. Yet I soon realised that guessing really isn’t necessary.

Shakespeare’s tragedy follows the romance of Romeo and Juliet as they fight against deep family prejudice that threatens to halt their short but adorable relationship. As the production’s sub-genre suggests, the naïve fling certainly doesn’t end well! No running off into the sunset or ‘happily ever after’s’ unfortunately. But what we do have is a finely written, beautiful piece of literature from maybe the greatest playwright to put pen to paper. Smooth, coherent, harmoni-

ous sonnets dazzle the mind whilst the consistent undertones of death and despair in the language add an entirely new dimension that is often overlooked. This is no frothy love story – Shakespeare throws out hints of ostracism, violence, cold sexuality and, of course, death. Like many of Shakespeare’s other works, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ is at times, a politically prominent piece of social commentary. The play is backed up further with the provision of some utterly intriguing characters – like Mercutio, a witty, comical yet sexually ominous figure or Tybalt, the aggressive semi-antagonist.

So why didn’t I award ‘Romeo and Juliet’ a perfect 10? While I can’t deny the astonishing influence the work poses in pop culture; I can pick at its prominence as a piece of literature when compared to some of Shakespeare’s other masterpieces like ‘Hamlet’ or ‘Macbeth’. However, this is a positive review, I don’t want to dwell on the negatives.

RATING... 9/10

10

Film

Like films? film@qmessenger.co.uk

20/10/2009

Is the Union in a State?

Alex MacDonald

State of the Union The Frank Capra film that’s not Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. This one involves honest man-of-people Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy) and his attempts to work his way up to the White House. Katherine Hepburn plays his wife, Mary, who watches with despair as her husband’s noble aspirations and radical policies give way to corruption, compromise and badgering from crooked union bosses and media tycoons.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the film is how relevant it still is to contemporary society for a

film made in 1948. Any of Grant’s monologues about how he plans to improve America through his social and political overhauls would still resonate in today’s political climate and would still be just as controversial.

What’s also a sad truth is how the desire for mass popularity leads to personal compromise and the breaking of his ideals. The film was based on a stage play – not surprising, as the scenes are very setbound and the dialogue is fast, witty and complex.

The 1940’s was a great time for a great writing and this is an exemplary example. The acting is also terrific – Hepburn and Tracy are great

as always; also look out for a young Angela Lansbury playing Grant’s conniving mistress. Films supposedly about the breakdown of the American Dreams have become so common nowadays as to be enough to choke you to death, but this is an original and brilliant stab at it.

Film Soc Screening The Party and the Guests

Even Dwarfs Started Small

Surreal and slyly political, Jan Nemec’s 1966 gem of the Czech New Wave centres around a group of friends enjoying an afternoon’s picnic. This lazy ideal is shattered by the appearance of a charmingly sardonic man-child played by Ivan Vyskocil who forces the group to participate in seemingly sadistic authoritarian games. Those of the group who have not escaped are invited to attend a bizarre forest side banquet in which more strange games will be played. In The Party and the Guests Nemec creates a visually intriguing landscape that is both weird and wonderful. The film’s critique of society’s blind conformity is at once brutal and playful, highlighting the apparent ridiculousness of its contradictory rules.

The more than a bit crazy debut of legendary cult director Werner Herzog, the film involves the goings on at a mental hospital after the inmates revolt and take control, causing chaos and evoking a miniature (in more ways than one) breakdown of society. A literal case of the lunatics taking over the asylum and the collapse of barriers, norms and boundaries. Oh, and all the actors in the film are dwarves. Go figure.

To celebrate the completion of the film, Werner Herzog jumped into a field of cacti. As you do.

Pixar’s best goes Up, Up and away

Alex MacDonald

Up Pixar is a reliable company. With the exception of the maudlin toss that was Finding Nemo, all of their films have ranged from perfect to merely pretty good, with the Toy Story films as perfect and, let’s say, A Bug’s Life as merely pretty good.

Well, Up is definitely closer to pretty good than perfect. The plot revolves around aged grouch Carl Frederickson (excellently voiced by Ed Asner) who, after being threatened with eviction, decides to fulfil his lifelong dream of going to

South America by anchoring his house with thousands of helium balloons. As you do. Let’s get the obvious thing out the way first – it looks wonderful. Pixar never fail to make their films with dazzling visual flare, emotive character design and technical flawlessness; Up is no exception. Following the stylised humanity of The Incredibles (with Carl following the recurring “old grumpy guy” character that cameos in a lot of Pixar productions), the characters are exaggerated but believable. The problem is... the plot tries to be, too. The opening sequence of the film, showing a montage of Carl’s earlier life, from

his early childhood to the sad death of his wife is played with a totally straight face intending to hit the emotional centre. The sudden shift into flying houses, talking dogs, crazed explorers and the like gives the film an uneasy, schizoid mood.

Introducing moments of nostalgic contemplation when a guys hanging from a hosepipe hanging from a flying house...it doesn’t really work and at times the film veers dangerously close to sentimentality which made Finding Nemo so nauseous.

The other key problem it shares with that film is more important though – it isn’t very funny. OK, Finding Nemo wasn’t funny at all,

but Up still is a bit short on laughs.

Other than the classic Pixar sight gags and a few very funny moments to be had with the talking dogs, there’s not really much else. None of the satire of The Incredibles, none of the deadpan wit of Toy Story – just a bit flat. Not because the jokes aren’t funny – they’re just not there. Still, y’know, there’s nothing WRONG with the film. I mean, I have to compare it to other Pixar films, because it’s still far ahead of anything else that’s been released – it’s a film of imagination, style, personality and holds your attention throughout. There is a distinctive style that runs through all Pixar films – it’s an evocation of WW2era nostalgia projected through the most modern of mediums. This is often shown directly in the plotlines – Toy Story references traditional toy styles and classic TV shows, The Incredibles references golden age comic book figures and Up begins with a pastiche of 1940’s newsreel footage and deals with a lead character whose dreams and aspirations are mixed up in post-war American enthusiasm. Even the soundtracks, which range from western swing to classic jazz to vaudeville, are steeped in the times. The films completely dismiss contempory culture, moods and styles and while some people might think of this as a criticism, I think it’s the key to their appeal. Hey, they’re timeless, damn it! Anyway, like I said before, Pixar almost never release anything less than pretty good and this is no exception. It’s just not perfect.

RATING: ****

Both films are screening on Wednesday 21st October. For more information email qmulfilmsociety@gmail.com

What other people thought...

“Close to masterpiece. Well, at least it’s my favourite film of the year so far, and my favourite Pixar film. The montage at the beginning is some of the best stuff I’ve seen in any Animated Feature, and it actually made me cry (I would cry for 3 or 4 times during the movie). Very moving indeed. Simply amazing” – Fotodude “Beautiful intro. Wasn’t crazy about it overall.” – Good_Will_Harding “I think it’s a wonderful film, the final 20 minutes weren’t up to the standard to the preceding 75 but it is the best film I’ve seen this year.

Utterly enchanting.” – willchadwick “A film that approaches transcendence but falls into the typical Disney trap of childish and patronizing humor in it’s last half.” - Emir_Isosceles_Kramer “Up had a good idea and it did great until it had to exploit said idea. I’ll try to be more clear. The premise was good: the old man goes off in the sky with his house to prevent of from being taken away from him. Best of all - he does so with balloons. And from the beginning to the 30 minutes mark it sets up that situation with fun and imagination. It feels inspired. And then, when he’s gone, what happens? Giant birds. Talking-through-their-collar dogs. An adventure that seemed to be going nowhere. What I think is that they just didn’t know what to do once the house had started to fly, because that wasn’t part of the original concept. The rest of the film just feels clumsily pasted on. It didn’t even feel necessary.” - BillieDove Views compiled from IMDb.com

Science & Environment

Got a story? science@qmessenger.co.uk

11

20/10/2009

Another Nobel Laureate for QM, bringing total to six A part of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Honorary Fellow Professor Charles Kao for his work on fibre optic technology in the 1970s, which he carried out whilst holding the position of Visiting Research Associate at Queen Mary.

Kao and his colleague, visiting Professor George Hockham are recognised around the world as the pioneers of fibre optic technology, which some QM students may commonly associate with their Virgin Media fibre optic broadband and other optical fibres which make up the cir-

culatory system that nourishes our communication society.

In 1966, Charles Kao made a discovery that led to a breakthrough in fibre optics. He carefully calculated how to transmit light over long distances via optical glass fibres. With a fibre of purest glass it would be possible to transmit light signals over 100 kilometers, compared to only 20 metres for fibres available in the 1960s. Kao’s enthusiasm inspired other researchers to share his vision of the future potential of fibre optics.

According to the news article published on QM’s website, “The significant prediction made by Kao was

that by using a quartz glass, the signal loss in optical fibres could be reduced to a level which would allow transmission of information over long distances feasible. Hockham’s major contribution was in predicting the optimum diameter of the fibre core.”

Both professors have continuing associations with QM. Professor Kao now holds an Honorary Fellowship as well as being chairperson and chief executive of a successful technology company. Hockham is a visiting Professor in the department of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science.

QM researcher honoured

by Chinese Government In another move to honour the excellence of medical research at Queen Mary, University of London, Professor Nick Lemoine of the Institute of Cancer has been awarding with the 2009 Yellow River Friendship Prize. The prize is the most prestigious awarded to a foreigner given by the Government of China.

The award recognised Professor Lemoine’s “outstanding contribution to the wealth and social wellbeing of the people of Henan Province.”

He has worked for the Sino-British Centre for Molecular Oncology, a collaboration between Queen Mary and Zhengzhou University in Henan Province which is developing viruses to treat cancer. The use of viruses to cure cancer may strike the aver-

age Queen Mary student as reminiscent of the 2007 film ‘I am Legend,’ where the engineered virus mutates in an apocalyptic manner.

Cancer is an increasing problems both in China and the rest of the world, and the centre at Queen Mary enables Chinese scientists to take part in an exchange to train in cutting-edge molecular oncology technology.

Peace deal - between humans and elephants?

In a move to bring peace and harmony to an already war-torn country, conservationists in Cambodia have “brokered an agreement which should see elephants living more peacefully alongside their human neighbours.”

Conflict between humans and elephants can develop wherever the

animals live too close to one another. As villagers seek to expand their territory, elephants are increasingly shunted and moved further back into the jungle.

A spokesperson from conservation turned international peacekeeping group Fauna and Flora International gave advice on how to prevent these unwelcome neigh-

bours from becoming unwelcome guests on farmland: “Elephants don’t like chillies, so they will naturally turn the other way. If that doesn’t work, or if chillies aren’t available, then we can deploy solarpowered electric fences. A spokesperson from the injured party could not be reached for comment.

n The warmest year recorded globally was in 1998 and for the last 11 years we have not observed any increase in global temperatures. The revelation adds fuel to the beliefs of skeptics who avidly claim that there are natural cycles which govern the earth’s climate over which we have no control.

n Scientists at Queen Mary have developed micrometer-sized capsules which safely deliver drugs inside living cells. In the future, the technique will allow full courses of prescription drugs to be effectively buried under the skin or inside the body with their load of specific doses of medication. Once inside the body, they can be opened remotely, releasing their contents.

Did you know...

n A trial of a scanner that produces “naked” images of passengers has begun at Manchester Airport. The scanners cost £80,000 each and work by beaming electromagnetic waves onto a passenger while they stand in a booth. A virtual three-dimensional image is then created from the reflected energy. The airport has reassured passengers that the images are not pornographic. An “authority” at the airport says it will speed up security checks by quickly revealing any concealed weapons.

Science & Environment compiled by Richard Dodwell and Craig Ferriman

QM Environment

Powershift - the future starts here We now know that the governments plans to reopen the Kingsnorth coal fired poewr plant in Kent and to build a third runway at Heathrow have been shelved. This is a huge boost to environmentalists but the fight goes onto to ensure all countries in the UN committ to significantly reduce their carbon emissions in the Copenhagen treaty this December. The UK and Japan (bizarrely) are considered the most proactive nations in leading the way on climate change. This month something very significant proved just why the youth of this country are giving credence to that claim.

From 9-12th October, young people from across the country gathered in Russell Square at the Insti-

mate change as a strong and united force. The event was held as a conference for the first three days with top guest speakers included Jason Isaacs aka Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films and author Chris Rose. On the final day, many of the 250 attendees ascended on Parliament Square to hold an impromptu ‘flashdance’ in front of the Houses of Parliament.

Powershift is an event that had already been held in the USA and Australia and now it has happened in the UK. Powershift UK was the brainchild of the UK Youth Climate Coaltion (UKYCC). Co-director Emma Biermann told Qmessenger: “Young people in the Uk are oftern portrayed as apathetic, but grow-

tute of Education for an event called Powershift. The audience could not have been more diverse with everyone from faith groups, local youth groups and environmental organisations across the country coming together to learn how to tackle cli-

ing numbers are coming together to learn the skills to campaign for change... after this event we’re feeling totally energised and ready to lead the way to a cooler, smarter, low-carbon future.”

The climate change Day of 350 What are you doing on this Saturday 24th October. This date is etched in many diaries around the world as the Day of 350 – a global action awareness raising day on climate change.

This Saturday, people young and old will be raising awareness of climate change in a unique and thought provoking manner. The 350 campaign is about bringing to attention that the safe levels of emissions of carbon dioxide are 350 parts per million (ppm). Current figures show we are emitting 390ppm of CO2 per year into our atmosphere and this needs to be drastically curtailed. If the world’s levels of CO2 can stabilise at 350 ppm by 2015, the world may just about stay on course to avoid the cataclysmic stories we so often hear about the effects of dramatic climate change. This is because, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the 350 ppm figure is considered the tipping point. In raising awareness of this key number, 350, people will be holding all kinds of weird and

wonderful events all around the planet. This will range from people haging a banner with 350 painted on it over the Sydney Harbour Bridge to local youth groups being photographed making a 350 sign out of bodies on the ground here in the UK. There will literally be events going all over the country and Queen Mary isn’t missing out on this either.

‘Green Mary’ have teamed up with the ‘Green Group’ at SOAS to hold a joint University of London day of action raising awareness of this key number and how it is so vital that we reduce our carbon emissions to keep in line with stabilising at the key 350ppm per year target.

The action is being kept a surprise at time of going to press but the aim of the day is to unite London colleges together as a stronger, empowered force tackling the very urgent and significant issue of climate change.

Students from UCL and King’s are reported to be getting involved there too.

Games

12

20/10/2009

Sports Club & Society listings...

Stuck for something to do? Get involved!

QUEEN MARY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY COMEDY CLUB This Tuesday, 20th October, Queen Mary Amnesty International Society will be holding a comedy club to celebrate Protect the Human Week. It will take place upstairs at the New Globe pub and starts at 19.30. Tickets cost £5 and all the proceeds will be donated to Amnesty International. Performing at the club will be Jim Smallman, the man whose act is described as ‘deliciously dark humour’

by Bottle Rocket Comedy. Also performing will be two promising newcomers, Alex Maple and Angela Barnes. The night will be compered

by Mark Simmons. For tickets email qmulamnesty@yahoo.co.uk. Hope to see you there! Laura Patton QMAmnesty.

Barts Pathology Society Welcome, QMers, to a brand new year! I bring you greetings from the distant land of the medics and dentists at Whitechapel: Barts Medical School.

The brand new Barts Pathology Society. We really think that it’s time

to get to know you guys; don’t stay hidden at Mile End. As a society we plan on organising lectures and anatomical museum tours as well as letting members attend post mortems during the year. Anyone can join, we don’t care what course you are doing but if you have an interest in pathology or even just a little curious just come along to our first lecture on 10th November. The lecture is on pathology and pathologists. We’ve even set up a website to make life easier for everyone which tells you all about our upcoming events so you can choose which ones you want to attend. Our website is at *http://blpathologysociety. webs.com/*<http://blpathologysociety.webs.com/> so check it out and contact details are available on there if you need directions.

Calling all Clubs and Societies!

Got an event coming up? Want to attract new members? This space is for you. Email a 100 word advert or high resolution digital flyer or poster to listings@qmessenger. co.uk to let students know what you’ve got going on.

This talk of studying disease and death can get geeky for some people we can’t pretend we understand very well. As geekdom goes, we are socially adjusted and friendly geeks.

We’re right up there on the list of geeks you want to know. We think you guys should have a chance to be a part of our awesome new society, having an opportunity to share our curiosity for all things morbid.

Crossword No. 3

Suduko No. 5 & 6

Across 6. Ray of sunlight (7) 7. Tropical eel (5) 8. Indian of Mexico (5) 10. Weirdest (7) 12. Flowering shrubs (6) 13. Tree-like grass (6) 15. Scolding (6) 17. Make hard (6) 20. Stiff and formal (7) 22. Class of Indian society (5) 24. Burdened (5) 25. In the place of (7)

Medium

Hard

Down 1. Informal test 2. Swordsman (6) 3. Yellowish brown colour (5) 4. Lectern (6) 5. Ventilates (4) 8. Eternal (7) 9. English royal house (5) 11. Thrash (7) 14. Waits (5) 16. Person who operates a farm (6) 18. Right to enter (6) 19. Sarcastic doubter of sincerity (5) 21. Small dabbling duck (4) 23. Conjunction (4)

Last week’s solution (Crossword no. 2)

Last week’s solutions (Sudukos no. 3 & 4)

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14

Sport

Interested in sport? sports@qmessenger.co.uk

20/10/2009

McGuinness’ Moment

Fresh(er) blood bring Basketball win

Finally the season is underway.

For me, at least, it seems as if it couldn’t have come soon enough (not least because I’m the Sports Editor and without Sports I don’t have any content!).

The weeks, and in some cases months, of preparation for the moment last Wednesday (14 th) when almost every team stepped out onto their pitches, pistes, courts or arenas was worth every second; every drop of bodily fluid that has been shed in the effort to strive for success will not be in vain.

There’s a lot of history at these Universities, so alongside the Leopards and Griffins that took centre stage stood the ghosts of previous triumphs, the ghouls of defeats and the memories of heroes and heroines that may have been forgotten in folklore but will remain in myth.

So it is time that the new batch started engraving their names onto the minds of those that follow their every step, the supporters who’ll cheer their boys in blue and yellow, their black and white babes. The battles fought over this coming year may well determine promotion, relegation, a cup run or an invaluable Merger point, but it is more than that, for me at least.

Playing Sport here makes you a hero, it really does. Whether anyone else will tell you as much makes no difference; know that without you this whole journey is meaningless. What’s life without Sport?

Some might argue that there are more pressing issues in the world, others might suggest that money keeps the planet turning.

But that’s not true. Fact. Sport, like Art, is timeless. Sport, like Politics, is a battleground. Sport, like Science, is always developing new theories. Sport, like famine, keeps people hungry for more.

(OK, so that last one was a little out of place, but I think you get the gist of where I’m going with this.)

So I would like to congratulate all those who pulled on their colours for the first time in what will be a legacy, for those who have done it all too often but can’t stop themselves or for those who just wanted to try it out. Congratulations, and thanks, because without you life is hollow.

(At time of writing I can not disclose any more information than, barring a disaster of epic magnitudes, they played and I’m assured that they played well.)

Tobi Ozzie Osibodu

Darren McGuinness

Men’s Basketball Essex 1s 69-79 Queen Mary 1s The Basketballers tipped off in their first game of the season (14th October) against a strong Essex side who had just been demoted from the league above. It had the makings of a tough side, especially as the Basketball team has gone into a new vibrant young era having had nine out of 15 squad players leave or graduate. So with the new fresh-

ers, new plays and new coaches it was uncertain how a team so young could fit together so quickly.

The first quarter was shaky; they were slack on defence and let one Essex player kill our whole team. After two quarters the Leopards were down by six. Something needed to change…

So QM went into a zone defence which baffled the Essex team: this, and outstanding shooting displays from captain Joel Symons and fresher Matt Woods, allowed the visitors to grab the lead back. The performance was capped off by Woods,

who received the ball on the three point line, faked a shot to leave his defender jumping to attempt to block the shot, with his man out of the way he calmly disposed of the three ball sending the bench wild.

A great team effort in the game and the Basketball team are again doing wonders for QM Sport. They are at home on the 21st against Roehampton before travelling to UCL on the 4th November.

Captain Joel Symons scored well

Why I love Rugby League...

Sport Ops: Got an opinion about sport?

Email it to sports@qmessenger.co.uk Chris Eveleigh

Last weekend was the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, Salford, Manchester. The two top teams from the regular season, Leeds Rhinos and Saint Helens, fought through the Play-Offs to play out one of the best and most tense finals in recent memory, and although the points were in short supply, the drama, controversy and excitement definitely weren’t.

As a whole, rugby league has had probably one of its most competitive seasons ever with seemingly any team able to beat any other. Unfancied teams like Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Castleford Tigers both made the end of season Play Offs, ahead of more traditionally successful teams like Bradford Bulls and Hull FC and the Challenge Cup Final was played out by teams with relatively unsuccessful recent histories in Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants, the former winning the Cup for the first time since 1974.

For the third season running all Super League teams participated in a Magic Weekend, this time at Murrayfield following successful trips to Cardiff.

Following on from the successful introduction of French club Catalan Dragons, who in their short history in Super League have reached the Challenge Cup Final and the Super League Play Off Semi Final, the RFL opened the door to Bridgend based Celtic Crusaders, who, like the Dragons had a tricky first season but will hopefully go on to achieve similar successes as the French team have.

Despite traditionalists being nervous of SkySports taking the game into an era of foam fingers, summer fixtures and scary animals for names, the sport has come on leaps and bounds both on and off the field without losing much of the character us Northern folk feared it might.

Indeed many of the off field initiatives have been taken on by Rugby League’s southern cousin. The sportsmen turning professional, the use of video replay technology, the end of season Play Offs, and starting this season, a franchise system without relegation have all been successfully taken over to Rugby Union.

The quality of Rugby League has also been of an extremely high quality on the field and has continued to gradually improve in pace, power and technical skill, as margins have got finer as teams become closer in quality. The offloads out of the back of the hand, the unbelievable hold up on the line to prevent the try, the pin point grubber kicks, the powerful weaving runs, the duck and dive to put down in the corner, the last ditch tackle to bring down a winger in full flight have all been a joy to watch this year and I can’t wait for more.

Roll on the four nations this Autumn and Super League Round One in the New Year.

Of course there will always be a debate about the merits of one code compared with the other and ultimately which you prefer comes down to personal preference. The fast paced, sharp off-loading and intricate kicking game against the eye gauging, kicking in the ruck and fake blood.

Leeds Rhinos competed in one of the memorable Super League finals

Sport

Interested in sport? sports@qmessenger.co.uk

15

20/10/2009

VP Activities Speaks...

Hail Mary Sport dissatisfaction in Brief Darren McGuinness

The life of a Sabb, three hours of work a day and partying all night. I wish! Think 12 hours a day and partying all night. That has been the routine of my life over the last month. The annually chaotic Freshers Week showed no signs of slowing down as Freshers Ball, sporting fixtures and Drapers events keep things at a frantic pace.

Living up to my election promise of a Freshers Ball, it went off with barely a hitch.

Selling out four days before the event, which unfortunately meant we had to turn away hoards of late comers. It was a civilised affair with the some of the non-Freshers on board giving the Freshers a run for their money in the drunk and disorderly stakes.

All our sports clubs kicked off the new season with spectacular results. Men’s Tennis 1s team obliterated Kent Uni 9-1; a result that Tim Henman would sell his Grandmother for! Both our Rugby teams destroyed their opposition as well as Hockey Women’s 1s team beating Goldsmiths 6-0. This is an early sign that this maybe our finest sporting year to date with trophies, leagues and the Merger Cup falling under the mighty QM. This month sees QM’s very first popcorn party in the newly refurbished Drapers. Think Mahiki mixed with the back row of the cinema. Tonnes of popcorn will rain from the ceiling meaning free food for all freshers! This should be a great event so do check it out. Also if you haven’t joined any Sports Clubs or Societies yet then get on it, the sooner you will join up the more you will gain out of your membership and the more friends you will make.

If you have any questions regarding Student Activities then please don’t hesitate to contact me at vpactivities@qmsu.org or pop in and see me in the Blomeley Centre.

Vratislav Domalip III VP Activities

Being sent off by a cheer of, “see you later, dick” was perhaps not the best way to finish what was a surprisingly under-par Wednesday night at Drapers, but when I got home I remembered that it had been branded on my forehead due to my rather dreadful performance earlier in the day.

No grudges should be held!

Standing in the crowd through the Rugby Club’s video I was informed that it was a rehashed, if not completely resubmitted, attempt of a piece they had put together four years ago (before most of us even came to University). While the content was probably good, the acoustics of the room matched with the sound quality made for a lot of angry observers, and by the time the drinking games came around many heroes and heroines, hoping to be represented on the main stage, were left bemused, if not a little underwhelmed by the proceedings of the occasion.

It transpired that the under-represented Women’s Football Club had won 4-0, and the men’s Rugby Club won handsomely in both their fixtures on Wednesday 14th October,

rightfully earning them the prestigious Club of the Month honour.

The Hockey Club split their results, with the Men going down 4-1 in Surrey against the Russell Square-based UCL 2s and the Women picking up a 6-0 drubbing of Goldsmith’s. No other results were declared, although this roving reported picked up that the Male Fencers had done their job earlier in the day.

I propose now that the rules for all stage-based drinking games come through me and the Sportsdesk and subsequently get published to avoid any confusion for next time, with the Presidents’ and Representatives’ ‘Banana Race’ being somewhat retarded in front of hundreds of onlookers. So much so, in fact, that the Cheerleaders managed to finish most of their vessels before the games had actually begun. The declaration that the Presidents had won made no sense and I call now for an alteration in the way Hail Marys are run in the future. Hoping that drunk Sporsters will know what’s going on is asking for a little bit too much in the opinion of not only this section’s Editor, but many of the heroes and heroines I encountered on the evening.

Men’s hockey team hammered by UCL ...Continued from back ground running, and while the goal difference is fantastic it is their clean sheet that will scare most of their opponents in the coming weeks.

Men’s Hockey UCL 2s 4-1 Queen Mary The Men set off to Hinchley Wood, Surrey, to face the UCL second team.

Why they had to travel across two counties to play against a side based only a few Hammersmith and City line stops away beggars belief, but such is the organisation of a number of Clubs in this part of the world that they mustered up the muscle.

Limited though it was, nursing injuries and notable absences, the ten heroes that stepped onto Old Cranleighans’ pitch out beyond Surbiton started brightly and deserved more from the game.

Playing with Chairman Tom Langley in goal once again as a makeshift padsman, the Leopards dominated proceedings in the first quarter of an hour, with the onlooking UCL 1s opponents cheering on our boys

in blue with every completed pass, every tricksy piece of skill and every attempted, if sometimes unsuccessful, aerial chuck. However, after two costly mistakes, one in possession and one in missing a tackle, from your very own Darren McGuinness, the hosts found themselves two up with little justification.

A well-worked third took the two sides into half time, but an inspirational geeing-up from captain Sam Ecott spurred the Leopards into action as they sought to close and then eradicate the deficit. Eventually, with 20 minutes still to play, Matt Stott finished off a neat short corner move, only for a momentary defensive lapse to restore UCL’s threegoal advantage.

There it remained, despite the best efforts of all on pitch (and a shocking umpiring call that led to a clear shot on goal from two yards out being called up for a lifted ball), and though the result didn’t reflect the performance, it perhaps reflects the attendance. Alex Reeves, playing his first game for QM, was solid at the back and picked up hero of the match, while muggins here McGuinness ended up as Dick of the Day.

Tennis QM Men 1st smashed Kent Uni Men 1st 9-1! They only lost 1 doubles just by a small margin but thrashed them on four singles and the other doubles match. This is another great omen for a very talented side.

Fencing With the QMBL Women now in the Premier League, it was down to the Boys to show that they are Men on Wednesday. In their first match this season they threw down the gauntlet to the rest of the division by annihilating the University of Essex (ironically nicknamed the Blades), losing only in one round and slaughtering them in the other two.

Football The Men’s first team were 3-1 winners at Chislehurst on the 14th October against the University of Kent 2nds, while the Women enjoyed great success with a 4-2 win over bitter rivals Sussex University.

Badminton Once again the Men’s 1st team go from strength to strength as they beat the University of Hertfordshire’s second team 6-2 on their own turf. Notoriously a ‘sports’ University, the Phoenixes will have to hope for a rebirth the next time they face our Leopards. The second team crashed to a 7-1 defeat to the University of Essex 1sts.

Basketball Out in Colchester the Leopards found themselves a long way from home, but that mattered little as a tight affair eventually became a formality, the visiting heroes rounding off a good performance against the University of Essex by closing out 79-69 victors.

Rugby Club October’s Club of the Month piled more pressure on their league opponents on Wednesday 14th when both teams recorded victories against their esteemed rivals.

After an immense victory against Middlesex 1s the previous week, a resounding 24-13 win, Sam Kirby’s first team crushed Greenwich 1s on Wednesday on the hallowed turf of Chislehurst (closer to their visitors’ campus than their own, but nonetheless the home of the fabled Leopards). The result was never in doubt as they sliced their opponents with great poise, eventually ending up 36-12 winners.

Elliot Clarke’s 2nd team proved just as tough as they travelled across London to take on RUMS 3s. While the victory was perhaps not as emphatic, the action was plentiful and they, too, have started with a perfect record.

Barts Rugby Charlie Warburton (“Britain’s Favourite”) and his first team took Barts to the top of the league with a 19-0 victory over Kings 1s on the 7th October.

Netball The Women’s 1sts absolutely SMASHED Hertfordshire 3rds 48-7 on Wednesday, 14th October, whilst the 2s almost whitewashed Essex 3rds 26-4. However, the hat-trick wasn’t completed as they 3rds unfortunately succumbed to a massive 35-6 defeat to UEL 1s.

Badminton The Men’s 1s fell to an 8-leg defeat to UCL 1s and the 2s mustered only scant resistance against the Essex 2s (6-2 defeat).

QSPORT

Bringing you all the latest fixtures and results from the QM Sports teams Sports Editor: Darren McGuinness sports@qmessenger.co.uk Sub Editor: Rebecca Ngakane proofing@qmessenger.co.uk 20th Oct ‘09 • Issue 15 • FREE

Women’s hockey back with a bang but Men’s team struggle When BUCS 2009-2010 commenced on Wednesday 14th October, both the Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams were hoping to start their season off with a bang. While the Women pulled their result off, the Men were ruing too many injuries and players missing ‘important’ lectures the previous week.

Women’s Hockey Queen Mary 6-0 Goldsmiths The Women showed their bones down at Mile End in the evening as they sauntered to a well-deserved routing of Goldsmiths.

The visitors didn’t start too badly, as the affair was quite even, but eventually midfielders Elaine Penniket and Anastasia Nicholl proved their class as they relentlessly ripped through the visitors’ defence to apply the pressure required, with Penniket bagging two goals before the break to take the Leopardettes in 2-0.

Rose McCourt sneaked a deflection in off the post somehow shortly after half time

before Drapers’-staffer Nicholl grabbed a quick brace herself, the first a superb reverse stick strike from the top of the ‘D’ through a crowd of bodies, whilst Fresher Jess McMenemy finished the scoring after a well-worked move mid-way through the second half.

All of a sudden the women found themselves on the back foot, albeit briefly, as skipper Emily Dobson was forced into a number of good saves, and they would have extended their lead had Kirsten Mejnertsen been able to keep her shots from short corners at backboard height.

With this win the girls have hit the Continued page 15...

The Women’s Rugby 1s began their campaign with a storming 6-0 victory against Goldsmiths