Science, Health and Technology

Teens prefer harm reduction messaging on substance use

A new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia and University of Calgary found that when it comes to substance use, a harm reduction message resonated the most with teens, instead of the typical “don’t do drugs” talk.

Apr 25, 2019

The study found that when ketamine is added to nitrous oxide and administered as a nose spray, it provides clinically significant pain reduction and improved comfort. Credit: Skil Fibber/Flickr

UBC professor finds ketamine alleviates acute pain during ambulance rides

Dr. Gary Andolfatto didn’t anticipate that furthering his pain management research would become a personal mission—but he didn’t expect to injure himself either.

Apr 25, 2019

Good mousekeeping: en suite bathroom makes for happier mice

Mice have a strong preference to nest away from their own waste and should be housed in a system of cages that allows them to create a toileting area, according to work led by researchers at the University of British Columbia.

Apr 23, 2019

UBC experts on 4/20 cannabis events

Annual 4/20 cannabis events take place this Saturday—the first such events since cannabis was legalized in Canada. The following experts are available to comment on a variety of related topics, […]

Apr 18, 2019

Scientists join UBC as new Canada Excellence Research Chairs

Two internationally recognized researchers join the University of British Columbia as Canada Excellence Research Chairs, bringing international talent in the fields of forest bioproducts and precision cancer drug design.

Apr 17, 2019

Five-year-old Saiya Dhaliwal received oral immunotherapy treatment for peanut allergies with Dr. Edmond Chan at BC Children’s Hospital. She responded well to the treatment, including oral food challenges like this one where she ate 10 peanut M&Ms without experiencing an allergic reaction.

Credit: Ravinder Dhaliwal

Oral immunotherapy safe for preschool-aged children with peanut allergies

New data published today in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice suggests that oral immunotherapy is safe for preschool-aged children with peanut allergies.

Apr 17, 2019

New $21.7 million federal funding expands UBC-led research on nanomedicines, clean water and advanced materials

UBC-led research networks that focus on nanomedicines, safe drinking water, and composites manufacturing received a large boost today with $21.7 million in new funding from the Networks of Centres of Excellence.

Apr 16, 2019

Filtered diesel exhaust may worsen allergy-induced lung impairment more than unfiltered

Filtered air pollution from diesel engines could make allergy-induced lung impairment worse than exposure to unfiltered diesel exhaust, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.

Apr 12, 2019

UBC experts on World Health Day

World Health Day is on Sunday, April 7. This year’s theme focuses on universal health coverage. UBC experts are available to comment.

Apr 5, 2019

Vivid blue spinel with white carbonate in calc-silicate rock, Kimmirut area (Philippe Belley) and a cobalt-blue spinel gemstone, 0.16 carats (0.032 grams), Kimmirut area. Credit: B.S. Wilson

Unearthing the recipe for rare gemstones in the Canadian Arctic

When Philippe Belley came to the University of British Columbia to study how gemstones form, he didn’t think he would need to learn how to protect himself from polar bears.

Apr 4, 2019

Corallicolids are found in 70 percent of corals around the world. Credit: Patrick Keeling Lab/UBC

Scientists discover first organism with chlorophyll genes that doesn’t photosynthesize

For the first time scientists have found an organism that can produce chlorophyll but does not engage in photosynthesis.

Apr 3, 2019

Study to examine how sex hormones affect teenage girls’ emotions

UBC’s Social Health Lab has launched a new study to explore how sex hormones shape teens’ emotions over time.

Mar 25, 2019

Warning tower in Port Alberni, B.C. Credit: Ryan Reynolds/UBC

Port Alberni evacuation offers valuable lessons for coastal communities

Port Alberni, B.C., a small coastal community on Vancouver Island, evacuated its residents on Jan. 23, 2018, following a tsunami warning triggered by a massive earthquake off the coast of Alaska.

Mar 21, 2019

Robot an effective pain management tool for premature babies

Researchers at the University of British Columbia, BC Children’s Hospital, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre have designed a therapeutic robot that simulates human skin-to-skin contact, helping reduce pain for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at BC Women’s.

Mar 21, 2019

Cellulose nanocrystals used for bone implants. Credit: Clare Kiernan/UBC

From foam to bone: Plant cellulose can pave the way for healthy bone implants

Researchers from the University of British Columbia and McMaster University have developed what could be the bone implant material of the future: an airy, foamlike substance that can be injected into the body and provide scaffolding for the growth of new bone.

Mar 19, 2019

MS patients who took beta interferon for at least six months had a reduced mortality risk when compared to MS patients who did not take beta interferon.

Common treatment for multiple sclerosis may prolong life

Researchers from the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute have found that a widely prescribed drug for multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with longer survival for patients.

Mar 18, 2019

VardMarine designs icebreakersand ice-capable ships such as the Polar Icebreaker, currently proposed to be built by Seaspan. Credit: Vard

Vard $1.5 million gift advances marine engineering research and learning at UBC

The University of British Columbia has received a $1.5 million donation that is expected to advance naval architecture and marine engineering education and promote innovative technologies in Canada’s shipbuilding industry.

Mar 15, 2019

Left image: In this image, the researchers used a molecule called Gap19 to block the hemichannels, which resulted in smaller stroke damage.

Right image: This image shows the size of a stroke in a mouse’s brain without treatment by Gap19.

New approach to stroke treatment could minimize brain damage

A new treatment for a common type of stroke may soon be possible, thanks to a discovery by an international team of researchers led by the University of British Columbia.

Mar 14, 2019

Farmed salmon pens. Credit: Sam Beebe/Flickr

Cardiorespiratory fitness of farmed Atlantic salmon unaffected by virus

The respiratory systems of Atlantic salmon function normally even when carrying large loads of piscine orthoreovirus (PRV), new UBC research has found.

Mar 13, 2019

New technique reveals big data from tiny babies

The first week of a newborn’s life is a time of the most rapid biological change in life as the baby adapts to living outside the womb, suddenly exposed to new challenges including bacteria and viruses. Yet surprisingly little is known about these early changes.

Mar 12, 2019