Research

At-home exercise reduced depression levels significantly during COVID-19 lockdowns

At-home, app-based workouts were very effective at reducing people’s depression levels during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, finds a new UBC research trial whose findings were released today in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Sep 28, 2021

Heightened food worries linked to worse mental health during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns may have worsened worries over food insecurity among many Canadians and negatively impacted their mental health, according to a nationwide survey conducted during the first wave.

Sep 23, 2021

How to make the transition back to the office easier on your pandemic pet

After more than a year of working and schooling from home, many offices and schools are re-opening as the COVID-19 vaccine uptake rises.

Sep 14, 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

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

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

Study author Xuan Lin, a PhD student in civil engineering is holding a frozen wastewater RNA sample that is used for sequencing. Photo credit: Paul Joseph

UBC research shows wastewater genomic testing can effectively track COVID-19 variants of concern within a region

Wastewater testing can accurately and rapidly identify levels of COVID-19 infections in the community, including the rise of variants of concern, suggests new research led by UBC professor Dr. Ryan Ziels.

Jul 12, 2021

New survey aims to improve care for families grieving loss of baby

A new University of British Columbia survey looks to improve future care for Canadian families coping with stillbirth and neonatal loss. The findings will contribute to an international study led by researchers in Australia.

Jul 8, 2021

Study highlights pandemic impact on adolescent mental health

Adolescents who were in a good headspace before COVID-19 suffered a decline during the pandemic, whereas those with poor mental health fared better, according to new research.

Jun 28, 2021

Better mental health supports for nurses needed, study finds

Working in the highly charged environment of COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the mental health of nurses, according to a new survey by researchers at UBC and the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto.

Jun 24, 2021

Researchers launch COVID-19 vaccine registry for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals in Canada

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout ramps up across the country, the risks and benefits of immunization for pregnant and breastfeeding people remain largely unknown because the initial vaccine clinical trials did not include these populations.

May 19, 2021

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, also called the UK variant. The green depicts viral DsRNA and red shows viral nucleocapsid protein – these are both viral biomarkers, and indicate that the cell shown is infected by SARS-CoV-2. Credit: Dr. Guang Gao, UBC LSI IMAGING

Canadian researchers lead development and testing of promising treatment for COVID-19 variants

A new anti-viral drug could improve COVID-19 outcomes and survival rates — and is highly effective against multiple variants — according to a new study led by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Université de Sherbrooke.

May 11, 2021

UBC experts on Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine approval for adolescents

UBC experts are available to comment on Health Canada’s approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for adolescents aged 12 and up.

May 5, 2021

Using cryo-electron microscopy, UBC researchers have revealed the structure of the N501Y spike protein mutant, shown above (in blue) bound to two copies of the ACE2 receptor (in red).

UBC researchers unveil first molecular images of B.1.1.7 COVID-19 mutation

UBC researchers are the first in the world to publish structural images of the N501Y mutation on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein—a change believed to be partly responsible for the highly infectious nature and rapid spread of variant B.1.1.7.

May 3, 2021

COVID-19 survey shows almost eight out of 10 adults are worried, bored, stressed, lonely or sad

The pandemic continues to take an emotional toll on people in Canada, with 77 per cent of adults reporting negative emotions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest mental health survey by UBC researchers, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

May 3, 2021

Screenshot of video showing spike protein and lectins. Credit:
Daniel Canena and Peter Hinterdorfer, Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University

Potential ‘Achilles’ heel’ of SARS-CoV-2 virus captured on video

Proteins known as lectins can bind to the spike protein on the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevent it from accessing human cells, an international team of researchers led by the University of British Columbia’s Dr. Josef Penninger has demonstrated.

Apr 30, 2021

UBC-grown biotech companies lead global pandemic efforts

Millions of Canadians have received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, but what many may not realize is that a key component of the injection was developed right here at UBC.

Apr 26, 2021

The study shows that a lockdown can, for example, reduce air pollution from traffic and industry but at the same time increase pollution from residential sources such as heating. Credit: Unsplash

COVID-19 lockdowns only reduced air pollution in some parts of the world

When COVID-19 lockdown measures were first introduced last year, schools and shops closed, tourist spots were deserted due to international travel restrictions, and economies slowed down as most people adjusted to life in the confines of their home.

Apr 6, 2021

Knowing someone with COVID-19 increased men’s anxiety more than women’s

It started as a research project to track student mental health over an entire term at university. Then, COVID-19 hit. Suddenly, a group of UBC researchers and their partners had an unprecedented opportunity to learn how students were faring emotionally as a global pandemic inched closer and closer to them.

Mar 25, 2021

Researchers analyzed blood samples collected in late 2020 and early 2021 from residents and staff of long-term care homes in the Metro Vancouver area. Credit: Unsplash

Weaker antibody response to first COVID-19 vaccine dose found in long-term care residents

A single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine produces a much weaker antibody response in long-term care residents than it does in younger healthy adults, new research has found.