Science, Health and Technology

Global COVID-19 treatment trial shows current antivirals are of little benefit to hospitalized patients

Interim results from the Solidarity Therapeutics Trial indicate that remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon regimens appeared to have little or no effect on 28-day mortality or the in-hospital course of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients.

Oct 16, 2020

UBC experts on disaster preparedness, Great BC Shakeout

British Columbia will hold the Great BC Shakeout today as part of efforts to prepare communities in the event of a big earthquake in the region.

Oct 15, 2020

On-scene care saves more lives than transporting cardiac arrest patients to hospital

If someone experiences cardiac arrest—a condition in which the heart suddenly stops beating—what’s the best way to keep that person alive?

Oct 14, 2020

Will we ever shake hands again?

Dr. Lakshmi Yatham, professor and head of the UBC department of psychiatry, explores the psychological toll of COVID-19 and offers his advice on combating stress and anxiety.

Oct 9, 2020

Nearly half of parents willing to accept less rigorous testing of COVID-19 vaccine

A new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia reveals many parents are willing to accept less rigorous testing and expedited approval of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Oct 6, 2020

Spinal cord injury research at UBC receives $48M grant

An international research team, co-led by researchers at the University of British Columbia, has received a $48 million grant (US$36.5M) for research that aims to improve long-term outcomes for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Oct 1, 2020

Webinar: Growing up in a pandemic

Join UBC experts from the faculty of medicine to learn more about how changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic are impacting the brain, and how to help children and teens thrive during the pandemic.

Sep 30, 2020

New survey shows links between COVID-19 pandemic and B.C. nurses’ mental health

B.C. nurses working in the front lines at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced high levels of emotional exhaustion, depression and anxiety, finds a new survey by UBC nursing researchers and the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU).

Sep 29, 2020

Earlier testing and tracing could have prevented spread of COVID-19 in U.S. and Europe

Earlier testing and contact tracing might have prevented SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from becoming established in the United States and Europe, suggests a new study recently published in Science.

Sep 25, 2020

Camera traps show impact of recreational activity on wildlife

The COVID-19 pandemic has fired up interest in outdoor activities in our parks and forests. Now a new UBC study highlights the need to be mindful of how these activities may affect wildlife living in protected areas.

Sep 24, 2020

The microscopes measure up to 13 feet in height, as tall as a double decker bus.

Powerful, double-decker bus-sized microscopes help scientists uncover possible COVID-19 treatment

Researchers at UBC’s faculty of medicine are working with microscopes—some up to 13 feet tall—to help prevent and treat COVID-19.

Sep 17, 2020

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Credit: CDC/Unsplash

UBC experts on COVID-19

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

Sep 17, 2020

Easing restrictions on abortion pill greatly improved access to care in Canada

Removing restrictions on how mifepristone—the medical abortion drug—can be prescribed and dispensed in Canada greatly improved access to abortion, especially in rural communities across the country.

Sep 14, 2020

Webinar: Global projections of potential lives saved from COVID-19 from using face masks

Most health authorities recommend wearing non-medical face masks in crowded spaces where physical distancing is not possible to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Sep 11, 2020

UBC experts on air quality and wildfires

Smoke from wildfires in the United States has started affecting air quality in southern B.C.

Sep 9, 2020

UBC researchers run tests to find best materials and styles for face masks

A team of UBC researchers decided to test the most popular types of mask fabrics to find out how well they filtered particles while remaining breathable.

Sep 9, 2020

Queen cells ready to go into mating colonies for a queen production operation.

Long live the queen: UBC scientists find clues to queen bee failure

Scientists at UBC are unravelling the mysteries behind a persistent problem in commercial beekeeping that is one of the leading causes of colony mortality—queen bee failure.

Sep 8, 2020

Credit: Mark Myers, ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav)

UBC researchers help detect the most massive black hole collision ever observed

An international team of researchers, including scientists with the University of British Columbia’s gravitational wave astrophysics group, has detected a signal from what may be the most massive black hole merger yet observed.

Sep 2, 2020

Q&A: How parents can identify anxiety warning signs as students return to school

Steven Taylor, professor at UBC’s department of psychiatry, a clinical psychologist, and author of The Psychology of Pandemics has some expert advice for parents of school-aged children.

Aug 31, 2020

High walk and bike scores associated with greater crash risk

Neighbourhoods with high bikeability and walkability scores actually present higher crash risks to cyclists and pedestrians in Vancouver, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.

Aug 27, 2020