Red light, green light invention prevents work interruptions
A UBC computer scientist has invented a unique desk light that automatically switches from green to red when you are ‘in the zone’ and shouldn’t be disturbed by colleagues.
Computer scientists put some skin in the game of visual effects
UBC computer scientists are examining exactly how skin folds, stretches, wrinkles and bounces, with the goal of creating a realistic computer model of the human body.
Scotiabank funds $2-million cybersecurity and financial data initiative at UBC
UBC is poised to accelerate cybersecurity and financial risk research in Canada and beyond, thanks to a $2-million donation from Scotiabank.
Researchers capture first glimpse of important, abundant ocean microbe
A rare microbe that was once thought to be insignificant has turned out to be one of the most abundant single-celled hunters in the ocean, and a team of researchers led by UBC have captured the first glimpse of these elusive predators.
High seas fisheries management could recoup losses due to climate change
Closing the high seas to fishing could increase fish catches in coastal waters by 10 per cent, helping people cope with the expected losses of fish due to climate change.
Spider sharing isn’t always caring: Colonies die when arachnids overshare food
Spiders living together in colonies of tens of thousands can go extinct from sharing food equitably, finds new UBC research.
Songbirds’ epic migrations connected to a small cluster of genes
Scientists from the University of British Columbia have shown that there is a genetic basis to the migratory routes flown by songbirds, and have narrowed in on a relatively small cluster of genes that may govern the behaviour.
Hummingbird vision wired to avoid high-speed collisions
Hummingbirds are among nature’s most agile fliers. They can travel faster than 50 kilometres per hour and stop on a dime to navigate through dense vegetation.
UBC astronomy student discovers four new planets
Michelle Kunimoto’s bachelor degree in physics and astronomy sent her on a journey out of this world—and led to the discovery of four new worlds beyond our solar system.
Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute launched with $11-million gift
Vancouver-based diamond pioneer and philanthropist Stewart Blusson and his wife, Marilyn, have donated $11 million to quantum materials research at UBC
High school students compete in “Physics Olympics”
More than 400 high school students and teachers from across B.C. will compete in the 38th annual UBC Physics Olympics
Humans speeding up evolution by causing extinction of ‘younger’ species
Just three years after crayfish were introduced to a B.C. lake, two species of fish that had existed in the lake for thousands of years were suddenly extinct. But it’s what took their place that has scientists fascinated.
UBC expert on gravitational waves
A UBC professor is available to speak about today’s announcement that a team of scientists detected gravitational waves. The discovery supports some of the unproven parts of Einstein’s Theory of […]
UBC receives $27 million from federal government to support researchers
UBC received a $27.2-million boost today when 31 professors were appointed Canada Research Chairs.
Four gut bacteria decrease asthma risk in infants
New research finds that infants can be protected from getting asthma if they acquire four types of gut bacteria by three months of age.
Metal-eating microbes in African lake could solve mystery of the planet’s iron deposits
An isolated, iron-rich bay in the heart of East Africa is offering scientists a rare glimpse back into Earth’s primitive marine environment, and supports theories that tiny microbes created some of the world’s largest ore deposits billions of years ago.
Why we live on Earth and not Venus
Compared to its celestial neighbours Venus and Mars, Earth is a pretty habitable place. So how did we get so lucky? A new study sheds light on the improbable evolutionary path that enabled Earth to sustain life.
New physicist hits the ground running
Ultra-marathoner and quantum physicist Jennifer Hoffman joins UBC as new CERC.
NSERC awards UBC $3.3 million to train young researchers of tomorrow
UBC students and postdoctoral fellows in the fields of biological engineering and bioinformatics have received $3.3 million in grants from NSERC.
MESSENGER reveals Mercury’s ancient magnetic field secrets
New data from MESSENGER, the spacecraft that orbited Mercury for four years before crashing into the planet a week ago, reveals Mercury’s magnetic field is almost four billion years old.