Science, Health and Technology

boy with mask on on the steps waiting for school

How to ease back-to-school stress for school-age kids

Heading back to school can be stressful for young people even when there’s no global pandemic to worry about, says Dr. Tyler Black, assistant clinical professor at UBC’s department of psychiatry.

Sep 2, 2021

Photo by Veronica Dudarev on Unsplash

New tool estimates how much affordable housing a city needs

A UBC team led by housing expert Dr. Penny Gurstein developed a new tool to assess people’s housing needs and set realistic targets for housing supply.

Aug 31, 2021

Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash

Do you hate seeing people fidget? New UBC research says you’re not alone

According to new UBC research, approximately one-third of the population suffer from misokinesia, a psychological phenomenon defined by a strong negative emotional response to the sight of someone else’s small and repetitive movements.

Aug 31, 2021

Photo: Jamie Street /Unsplash

Companion animals in the climate crisis: How pet owners can reduce their environmental impacts

Pet ownership doesn’t have to be so tough on the planet, according to new UBC research. In this Q&A, Dr. Alexandra Protopopova shares why it’s important to make pet ownership sustainable, reduce waste, and more.

Aug 19, 2021

An aerial photo of narwhals swimming in Archer Fjord in Canada's Arctic. Credit: Katie Florko and Cody Carlyle

How to spot the elusive narwhal

UBC researchers were surprised when the infrared video camera they brought aboard their plane captured narwhals swimming off the coast of Ellesmere Island, Nunavut.

Aug 12, 2021

PhD candidate Sara Cannon conducting surveys in Abaiang. Photo: Dr. Simon Donner

‘Sticky questions’ raised by study on coral reefs

A new UBC study on the impact of climate change on coral reefs is raising sticky questions about conservation. It found coral in more polluted and high traffic water handled extreme heat events better than a more remote, untouched reef.

Aug 11, 2021

Flower of Triantha occidentalis in a bog at Cypress Provincial Park, British Columbia. Photo: Danilo Lima.

Insects beware! This west coast plant wants to eat you

Triantha occidentalis – a species of false asphodel – is the first new carnivorous plant to be identified by botanists in 20 years. It is notable for the unusual way it traps prey with sticky hairs on its flowering stem.

Aug 9, 2021

Photo: National Cancer Institute /Unsplash

Innovative coating for blood vessels reduces rejection of transplanted organs

Researchers have found a way to reduce organ rejection following a transplant by using a special polymer to coat blood vessels on the organ to be transplanted.

Aug 9, 2021

Photo: Mark Mallory

Surprising insights into the migration pattern of world’s farthest-migrating species

The Arctic tern—which has the world record for the longest annual migration—uses just a few select routes, a key finding that could help efforts to conserve the species, according to a new University of British Columbia study. 

Aug 5, 2021

Up to 64 per cent of streams are now off-limits to salmon due to in-stream barriers like dams, floodgates and road culverts. Photo: April Bencze/Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Up to 85 per cent of historical salmon habitat lost in Lower Fraser region

For perhaps the first time ever, researchers have mapped out the true extent of habitat loss for salmon in the Lower Fraser River, one of the most important spawning and rearing grounds for Pacific salmon in B.C.

Aug 5, 2021

Photo: Jonathan Borba / Unsplash

When maternity care providers don’t take ‘no’ for an answer

People who decline maternity care services such as prenatal testing or epidurals often face pressure or scolding from their care providers, according to new UBC-led research.

Aug 5, 2021

Dr. Anna Blakney, assistant professor at UBC’s Michael Smith Laboratories and school of biomedical engineering. Photo: UBC

Beyond COVID-19: How mRNA technology could transform how we treat disease

Dr. Anna Blakney, assistant professor at UBC’s Michael Smith Laboratories and school of biomedical engineering, describes how mRNA technology could transform how we treat disease.

Aug 4, 2021

Dr. Kira Hoffman at work in Helliwell Park on Hornby Island where she and her colleagues were doing a fire history reconstruction of the site. Photo by Dr. Kira Hoffman

‘Cultural burning’ important for biodiversity: UBC expert

As wildfires blaze around the province, a UBC researcher reminds us that some types of fire can be life-giving and help protect the planet.

Aug 3, 2021

Photo: Camilo Jimenez / Unsplash

What really goes on in a hospital emergency department

Dr. Fred Voon, a clinical assistant professor with UBC’s department of emergency medicine, helps demystify the emergency room visit in his new book, Your Inside Guide to the Emergency Department—And How to Prevent Having to Go!

Aug 3, 2021

Photo: Matt Palmer /Unsplash

UBC experts on heat and wildfires

UBC experts are available to comment on heat, wildfires and associated issues.

Jul 29, 2021

Photo: Glenn Carstens-Peters / Unsplash

New book helps readers spot online health scams

Internet health scams have increased in recent years, often spread through social media and causing untold harm, according to a new book by UBC nursing professor, Dr. Bernie Garrett.

Jul 28, 2021

Radio image of Andromeda galaxy at 6.6 GHz (inset), captured using the Sardinia Radio Telescope in Italy. Credit: S. Fatigoni et al. (2021)

Scientists capture most-detailed radio image of Andromeda galaxy to date

Scientists have published a new, detailed radio image of the Andromeda galaxy – the Milky Way’s sister galaxy – which will allow them to identify and study the regions of Andromeda where new stars are born.

Jul 28, 2021

Photo: Gabriel Porras /Unsplash

Virtual contact in pandemic prompts over 60s’ loneliness

Older adults who had more virtual contact than their peers during the pandemic actually experienced increased loneliness, according to new research published today.

Jul 26, 2021

Photo: Marcus Kauffman /Unsplash

Wildfires are here to stay: How to protect against smoky skies

As wildfires rage across many parts of Canada, the health effects of smoke remain a pressing concern for many people—particularly for those recovering from COVID-19 or anyone with pre-existing medical conditions.

Jul 22, 2021

Photo: Masaaki Komori / Unsplash

How the pandemic shaped the sex lives of Canadians

A new UBC study, recently published in the International Journal of Sexual Health, uncovers a more nuanced picture of how COVID-19 has shaped the sex lives of Canadians.

Jul 20, 2021