Science, Health and Technology

UBC researchers join with partners to develop portable ultrasound scanner network for COVID-19

UBC researchers have designed a network of portable, handheld ultrasound scanners that can soon accelerate COVID-19 diagnosis in B.C. and potentially beyond.

May 26, 2020

Majority of cannabis use in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for therapeutic purposes, may also reduce opioid overdose risk

Most people at high risk of overdose in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside who use cannabis do so for pain relief and other therapeutic reasons—and they may be at lower risk of overdosing on opioids as a result, suggests new research.

May 26, 2020

How small-scale fishers are struggling amid COVID-19 crisis

As COVID-19 affects global food systems, tremendous impacts are being felt by coastal communities and small-scale fishers, many of whom are self-employed and rely on the catch to feed their own households or local communities.

May 25, 2020

UBC researchers develop biodegradable medical mask for COVID-19

The shortage of medical grade masks worldwide has hobbled health care professionals responding to the novel coronavirus—highlighting the need for improving supply lines and manufacturing more masks locally.

May 21, 2020

UBC scientist identifies a gene that controls thinness

Why can some people eat as much as they want, and still stay thin?

May 21, 2020

Webinar: COVID-19 drug trials and vaccine development

Scientists around the world are hard at work trying to find potential treatments and vaccines to protect against COVID-19.

May 19, 2020

Caring for seniors living with dementia during COVID-19

Physical distancing is now part of every day life, but it can be particularly challenging for seniors living with dementia and their caregivers.

May 13, 2020

Midwifery student Emily Baxter. Credit: Paul Joseph/UBC

Midwifery student connects midwives with personal protective equipment

Midwifery student Emily Baxter’s living room looks a bit different these days. Along with the usual evidence of a busy life of a mom and her three kids, it has also been a collection point for loads of donated personal protective equipment (PPE) destined for midwifery clinics in communities across B.C.

May 12, 2020

A thorny seahorse photographed in Indonesia. Credit: Rudi Rombouts/GuyLian

UBC seahorse expert wins top animal conservation award

University of British Columbia marine biologist Amanda Vincent has won the 2020 Indianapolis Prize, the world’s foremost award for animal conservation, for her trailblazing work to protect seahorses and other marine life.

May 12, 2020

How to protect seniors living in long-term care from social isolation

In many ways, seniors have become the face of COVID-19, with nearly 80 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in Canada connected to long-term care homes. With tightened visiting restrictions in place, social isolation has become a real threat for many living in care, increasing the risk of loneliness, anxiety and depression.

May 6, 2020

iPads-on-wheels connects hospitalized COVID-19 patients with loved ones

When nurse Jenifer Tabamo saw how lonely some of her patients were in hospital, she knew she wanted to do something to help them stay connected to the outside world.

May 4, 2020

Artist rendering of the MAVEN satellite. Credit: NASA

UBC researchers establish new timeline for ancient magnetic field on Mars

Mars had a global magnetic field much earlier—and much later—in the planet’s history than scientists have previously known.

May 1, 2020

Q&A: How to regrow plants from kitchen scraps (and nourish your soul)

As we watch spring blossom outside our windows and try to minimize trips to the grocery store, UBC Media Relations asked horticulturist Egan Davis for tips on how to re-grow food from kitchen scraps.

May 1, 2020

UBC experts on flooding

Parts of Alberta and the B.C. Interior are starting to experience the impacts of flooding. UBC experts are available to comment.

Apr 29, 2020

Protecting the health of seniors during COVID-19

While public health experts recommend seniors stay home and protect themselves, concerns have also been raised about the potential negative effects of isolation. Join UBC experts who will address these issues and answer your questions.

Apr 29, 2020

UBC Forestry professor receives ‘Nobel Prize’ of forest research

The Faculty of Forestry at UBC has announced faculty member and Canada Research Chair in Remote Sensing, Nicholas Coops, is the recipient of the world’s most prestigious forestry honour, the Marcus Wallenberg Prize.

Apr 28, 2020

Although honey bees are quite resilient compared to other non-social insects, they are a useful proxy because they are managed by humans all over the world and are easy to sample.

Honey bees could help monitor fertility loss in insects due to climate change

New research from the University of British Columbia and North Carolina State University could help scientists track how climate change is impacting the birds and the bees… of honey bees.

Apr 27, 2020

DNA genotyping and sequencing. Courtesy National Cancer Institute via Unsplash.

DNA testing could help in COVID-19 patient care

UBC’s Dr. William Gibson discusses how human DNA testing could improve outcomes for patients with COVID-19.

Apr 23, 2020

UBC students design low-cost ventilator for COVID-19

UBC engineering students have developed a simple, low-cost COVID-19 ventilator that may very well save lives.