Science, Health and Technology

How hot yoga can make an athlete’s heart more efficient

When the Canadian Olympic women’s field hockey team was preparing for the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, a team of researchers from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University had an idea. They wanted to determine if heat stress could enhance the athletes’ performance by increasing the volume of plasma in their blood.

Aug 28, 2018

The CLASP protein helps cells divide within the roots and shoots of the thale cress plant.

UBC researchers unlock secrets of plant development

University of British Columbia researchers have discovered an internal messaging system that plants use to manage the growth and division of their cells.

Aug 23, 2018

Gut enzymes could hold key to producing universal blood

For blood transfusions to be safe, the donor and patient blood types must match. Now researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified a new, more powerful group of enzymes that can turn any type of blood into the universally usable type O—expanding the pool of potential blood donors and making blood matching safer and easier.

Aug 21, 2018

This optical super-resolution microscope patented by UBC allowed researchers to observe virus-like particles at higher resolutions than they could have just five years ago. Credit: Lou Corpuz-Bosshart/UBC

Super-resolution microscope reveals secrets of deadly Nipah virus

The deadly Nipah virus and others like it assemble themselves in a much more haphazard manner than previously thought, new UBC research has found. The discovery could allow scientists to develop more effective vaccines and rule out many approaches to fighting these viruses.

Aug 16, 2018

UBC experts available to comment on wildfires and associated air quality

B.C. declared a state of emergency Wednesday due to the ongoing wildfire situation. The state of emergency will be in place for 14 days, and may be extended or rescinded as necessary. UBC experts are available to discuss the wildfire situation in B.C., associated poor air quality and health risks.

Aug 15, 2018

Students show off Star Wars-style rescue robots in competition at UBC

In a scene reminiscent of Star Wars, 16 student-designed robots will attempt to rescue the good guys—Ewoks and Chewbacca, represented by plush dolls—from the evil Empire stronghold.

Aug 8, 2018

UBC researchers analysed data from 1,226 voluntary cleanups organized by the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup (GCSC). Photo: Monica Phung.

Cigarettes account for half of waste recovered on Vancouver and Victoria shorelines

Plastic waste—particularly from smoking– still dominates litter collected from B.C. coastlines, a recent study from the University of British Columbia has found.

Aug 2, 2018

Fishing fleets travelling further to catch fewer fish

Industrial fishing fleets have doubled the distance they travel to fishing grounds since 1950 but catch only a third of what they did 65 years ago per kilometre travelled, a new study has found.

Aug 1, 2018

Breaking up ‘fatbergs’: UBC engineers develop technique to break down fats, oil and grease

Cooking oil and similar waste can clog pipes, harm fish and even grow into solid deposits like the “fatbergs” that recently blocked London’s sewage system. But UBC researchers may have found a way to treat these fats, oils and grease—collectively called FOG—and turn them into energy.

Aug 1, 2018

Researchers observed that a third of pedestrians were distracted by their cellphones, texting and reading or talking and listening.

Distracted pedestrians walk slower and are less steady on their feet: UBC study

Distracted drivers are responsible for more collisions in Canada than impaired drivers, but with smartphones becoming ubiquitous, distracted walking is also on the rise. Now, University of British Columbia engineers have analyzed just how mobile device use affects pedestrians, and their findings could help develop safer roads and autonomous cars in the future.

Jul 31, 2018

Breakthrough discovery will change treatment for COPD patients

Permanent lung damage caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) starts much earlier than previously thought, even before patients are showing symptoms.

Jul 10, 2018

Urban greenways can reduce neighbourhood carbon emissions

A new UBC study has found that greenways significantly reduce carbon emissions, with 300 metres being the optimal distance for maximum environmental benefits.

Jul 5, 2018

Bacteria-powered solar cell converts light to energy, even under overcast skies

UBC researchers have found a cheap, sustainable way to build a solar cell using bacteria that convert light to energy.

Jul 5, 2018

Simulated image of star system studied by researchers.

Theory of general relativity proven yet again in new research

In a novel test of Einstein’s theory of general relativity, an international group of astronomers has demonstrated that the theory holds up, even for a massive three-star system.

Jul 4, 2018

Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) waddling along on a white sand beach.

As penguins dive, their location data takes flight

Data sent from penguins to space and back to UBC could help researchers determine why the species’ breeding population fluctuates so dramatically.

Jun 27, 2018

Researchers found that feelings of powerlessness, a mismatch between reality and expectations of motherhood, and unmet expectations of support contributed to anger in the context of postpartum depression.

Anger overlooked as feature of postnatal mood disorders: UBC study

Women in the postpartum period should be screened for anger in addition to depression and anxiety, new research from the University of British Columbia suggests.

Jun 26, 2018

Some seniors entering long-term care homes too soon: UBC expert

With seniors now outnumbering children in Canada, an increasing number of families are caring for aging loved ones.

Jun 26, 2018

The results are particularly important for patients with cystic fibrosis who often deal with dense, chronic infections in the lungs.

UBC researchers create matchmaking service to combat antibiotic resistant infections

UBC researchers have matched small proteins, called peptides, with antibiotics so they can work together to combat hard-to-treat infections that don’t respond well to drugs on their own.

Jun 21, 2018

The study showed that asking men to describe their experiences of grief and loss through photographs and storytelling could be therapeutic.

Self-care and social ties can help men recover from the suicide of a loved one

Recovering from the suicide of a friend, partner or family member can be emotionally challenging for men, largely due to masculine ideals that dictate men should remain stoic and keep their feelings bottled up.

Jun 20, 2018

UBC experts on recreational cannabis legalization

The Senate voted Tuesday to pass Bill C-45—the government’s legislation to legalize cannabis—meaning that recreational cannabis will soon be legal across Canada.