Scientists observe ‘fastest’ evolution
UBC scientists say they’ve observed one of the fastest evolutionary responses ever while studying a fish species’ ability to survive in colder water, reported United Press International, Agence France Presse, ABC News, the New Zealand Herald and others.
A small fish known as the stickleback took only three years to develop a tolerance for water five degrees colder than what their ancestors could handle.
“Our study is the first to experimentally show that certain species in the wild could adapt to climate change very rapidly—in this case, colder water temperature,” said study author Rowan Barrett, from the UBC Department of Zoology.
Ottawa plans new rules for boat migrants
The BBC, the Globe and Mail, the Canadian Press, CTV, the Vancouver Sun and others spoke to Benjamin Perrin, a professor of law at UBC who specializes in issues surrounding human smuggling, about the arrival of hundreds of Tamils from Sri Lanka.
With the arrival of these migrants there is a growing concern about human smuggling and trafficking. This is the second Tamil ship to arrive in Canada in less than a year. In October, the Ocean Lady brought 76 Tamil men to Canada.
“The Ocean Lady was a probe to test the system. We certainly know that Canada has been a destination for smuggling and trafficking,” said Perrin.
Canadian trade missions ineffective, study says
The Globe and Mail, Maclean’s and the Vancouver Sun picked up a report by John Ries and Keith Head, professors at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, suggesting that Canadian trade missions are ineffective.
Canadian trade missions are designed to bolster business relationships and increase bilateral trade. Head and Ries looked at 23 missions between 1994 and 2005, and analyzed trade data from one, two and four years after. The figures showed the missions did not significantly boost the exchange of goods and services.
“If following the mission there’s no increase in trade, how can we say there are any benefits?” asked Head.
Polygamy has troubling implications for any society
The Guardian, Postmedia News and Q on CBC Radio spoke to UBC’s Joseph Henrich, a member of the Departments of Economics, Psychology and Anthropology, about a paper he produced on the harms of polygamy.
Henrich found that polygamy increases crime, prostitution, anti-social behaviour and creates a greater inequality between men and women. Monogamy, on the other hand, gives huge advantages to societies which practice it.
“Monogamy seems to direct male motivations in ways that create lower crime rates, greater wealth (GDP) per capita and better outcomes for children,” Henrich concludes.
Tattooing linked to higher risk of hepatitis C
People with multiple tattoos covering large parts of their bodies are at higher risk of getting hepatitis C and other diseases, according to study led by Dr. Siavash Jafari, of UBC’s School of Population and Public Health.
United Press International, the Vancouver Sun and others reported on the study that linked the incidence of hepatitis C after tattooing with the number of tattoos an individual receives. They suggest prison inmates and other groups with multiple tattoos should be the focus of infection prevention programs.
“Clients and the general public need to be educated on the risks associated with tattooing and tattoo artists need to discuss harms with clients,” said Jafari.
