Beats

Black female boss leading corporate meeting talking to diverse

Q&A: How racism holds Black women back from leadership positions

Black women are woefully underrepresented in leadership positions in North American businesses. A new study from the UBC Sauder School of Business finds that stereotypes about Black women put them at a serious disadvantage in the workplace.

Jan 24, 2022

A humpback whale from Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Massachusetts. Credit: Ari Friedlaender

Here’s why whales don’t drown when they gulp down food underwater

Ever wondered whether whales can burp, and why they don’t drown when they gulp down gallons of water and krill? New UBC research may just hold the answer.

Jan 20, 2022

Nearly half of countries’ shared fish stocks are on the move due to climate change, prompting dispute concerns

Climate change will force 45 per cent of the fish stocks that cross through two or more exclusive economic zones to shift significantly from their historical habitats and migration paths by 2100, a challenge that may lead to international conflict, according to a new UBC study.

Jan 18, 2022

Sunflowers in half UV. Credit: Marco Todesco

Sunflowers’ invisible colours help them attract bees and adapt to drought

It turns out sunflowers are more than just a pretty face: the ultraviolet colours of their flowers not only attract pollinators, but also help the plant regulate water loss, according to new UBC research.

Jan 18, 2022

UBC experts on Pfizer antiviral treatment for COVID-19

Health Canada has authorized Pfizer’s PAXLOVID™ antiviral treatment for adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of progressing to serious disease, including hospitalization or death. UBC experts are available to comment.

Jan 17, 2022

UBC experts on Black Excellence Day

The B.C. government has proclaimed Black Excellence Day for the first time in the province. UBC experts are available to comment.

Jan 14, 2022

Before cannabis was legalized, 3.8 per cent of drivers had blood THC concentrations above the Canadian legal driving limit of 2 nanograms/ml. That percentage rose to 8.6 per cent after legalization.

More Canadians may be driving high since cannabis legalization: UBC study

THC is being detected in twice as many injured drivers since cannabis was legalized in Canada, according to new UBC research published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Jan 13, 2022

Photo of William Shakespeare’s First Folio, published in 1623, and gifted to the UBC Library.

William Shakespeare’s First Folio published in 1623 gifted to UBC Library

The University of British Columbia has acquired a complete first edition of William Shakespeare’s Comedies Histories and Tragedies—an extremely rare book published seven years after Shakespeare’s death and credited with preserving almost half of his plays.

Jan 12, 2022

The Mend the Gap project will develop soft gels that can help regrow nerve fibres in an injured spinal cord. Photo credit: Martin Dee

UBC researchers lead $24 million project to treat spinal cord injury

A UBC-led team is working on a new treatment that can bring hope to people with spinal cord injuries.

Jan 12, 2022

UBC experts on Quebec ‘anti-vaxx’ tax

The Quebec government has announced that it will apply a significant financial penalty for residents who refuse to get vaccinated. UBC experts are available to comment.

Jan 11, 2022

UBC experts on flooding

Another atmospheric river with torrential rains is forecast this week for parts of B.C.’s south coast. UBC experts are available to comment.

Jan 11, 2022

For every hour’s delay in providing treatment, the risk of death increases by as much as 7.6 per cent, highlighting the need for rapid detection. Credit: Camilo Jimenez on Unsplash

Machine learning and AI used to rapidly detect sepsis, cutting risk of death dramatically

A groundbreaking advance in quickly detecting sepsis using machine learning has been pioneered by researchers in the Hancock Lab and the department of microbiology and immunology at UBC.

Jan 10, 2022

Photo: Prasesh Shiwakoti (Lomash) / Unsplash

UBC experts on COVID-19 pandemic

UBC experts are available to comment on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jan 4, 2022

UBC clinical trial supports new self-administered rapid antigen test

Thanks to new research compiled with data from UBC’s first on-campus clinical study, a new self-administered rapid antigen test will soon be available in Canada. It’s a tool that could help combat growing uncertainty, prevent transmission and potentially save lives.

Dec 23, 2021

COVID-19: Planning for 2021/22 Winter Session, Term 2

As we approach Winter Session Term 2 in January, we would like to update you on recent discussions around COVID-19 and the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Dec 22, 2021

Atomic structure of the Omicron variant spike protein (purple) bound with the human ACE2 receptor (blue). Credit: Dr. Sriram Subramaniam

UBC scientists unveil world’s first molecular-level analysis of Omicron variant spike protein

UBC researchers are the first in the world to conduct a molecular-level structural analysis of the Omicron variant spike protein.

Dec 22, 2021

Statement regarding health and safety during exams

Throughout the pandemic, UBC has worked closely with the Provincial Health Officer and Regional Health Authorities to ensure we are following their guidance in our campus operations and that we are keeping our community safe.

Dec 19, 2021

Over half a million Canadians are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia. Credit: Unsplash

UBC researchers launch first-in-Canada testing program for Alzheimer’s disease

For the first time, Canadians can access a new test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, thanks to a study being led by researchers at UBC’s faculty of medicine.

Dec 16, 2021

The Fraser Valley in November 2021. Credit: UBC Engineering

Event: B.C. disaster recovery technical briefing

UBC engineering researchers will share preliminary observations on the natural disaster, informed by a combination of recent aerial reconnaissance of the disaster sites, together with applied research and specialist expertise.

Dec 14, 2021

Canada’s Food Price Report 2022 projects record high food prices next year

Food prices in Canada are projected to rise between five to seven per cent in 2022, according to the recently released 12th edition of Canada’s Food Price Report.