Global seabird food consumption decreased by 13 million tonnes between 1970 and 2010, while fisheries increased their catches of prey species. Seabirds are facing extinction due to unfair competition with massive vessels for food, entanglement in fishing gears, and plastic waste.
A new model for calculating property tax could help combat Vancouver's housing affordability problem by transferring tax burden from owners to renters. The proposal aims to raise property taxes and lower income and sales taxes, stimulating the economy and making it easier for workers to afford housing.
A recent review by University of British Columbia sleep expert Wendy Hall emphasizes the importance of good sleep hygiene for children, recommending regular bedtimes and limiting technology use before bedtime. The study found that these practices can help promote healthy sleep and prevent problems at school and development delays.
A new UBC study found that 55% of Canadians consider physical inactivity a serious public health concern. The social climate around physical activity is seen as a key factor in addressing the issue, with two-thirds believing it is both a private and public health matter.
Researchers discovered a newly found species of wasp transforming social spiders into zombie-like drones, abandoning their colonies. The wasps' parasitic relationship involves injecting hormones to alter the spider's behavior, making it leave its nest and spin new structures.
Research from the Sea Around Us initiative reveals that fishing companies could have increased profits by $50 million and $3-9.1 million by adopting sustainable fishing practices for menhaden and anchoveta stocks, respectively.
Researchers have found that pulse oximeters can detect normal, elevated, and high blood pressure with high accuracy. The studies, conducted in the US and China, used large sample sizes and a unique mathematical program to identify electrical signatures that correlated with hypertension.
New research reveals modern slavery promotes overfishing by allowing distant-water fishing fleets to remain profitable, with crews from China, Taiwan, and Russia facing high risk of labour abuses. Global marine fish catches are declining at a rate of 1.2 million tonnes per year.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found a 43% increase in pedestrian deaths on Halloween compared to control days. The risk of fatal crashes is 10 times higher for children between 4-8 years old, highlighting the need for improved pedestrian safety measures.
The University of British Columbia study suggests that cacao was domesticated around 1,500 years earlier than previously thought in South America. Archaeological evidence from Ecuador shows that people were harvesting and consuming cacao 3,900 years ago.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that waiting at least 18 months between pregnancies reduces risks for both mothers and babies. The research suggests that a gap of 12-18 months is the optimal interval, with risks to the mother decreasing significantly after this period.
Researchers have developed a new technique to measure the magnetic field in the atmosphere, 100 km above the planet, using ground-based lasers. The method provides new insights into space weather and atomic processes.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have discovered that reducing mutated Huntington disease protein can restore cognitive and psychiatric impairments in mice. This breakthrough offers new hope for preventative treatment, as approximately one in seven thousand people in Canada suffer from the debilitating disease.
A new study found that exercising at least three times a week for six months reduced stress in family caregivers and even lengthened their chromosomes, slowing down cellular aging. The researchers also observed improved cardiorespiratory fitness, weight loss, and lower levels of perceived stress among the participants.
Research at University of British Columbia and Harvard University found distinctive methylation differences in DNA of adult men who experienced child abuse as kids. The study suggests that methylation could be used as a biomarker for investigators or courts in weighing allegations of child abuse.
A new study from the University of British Columbia and Princeton University found that intense competition fosters pro-social behavior, including sharing, co-operation, and volunteering. This results in higher levels of contribution to collective pools and reported increases in generalized trust among coworkers.
A study published in Neuropsychologia suggests that human brains are innately attracted to sedentary behaviors and must work harder to avoid them. The research found that participants were faster at moving towards active images but required more brain resources to move away from inactive images.
A new tool developed by UBC researchers helps conservationists make data-driven decisions about which species to recover with limited funds. By analyzing empirical data and expert knowledge, the Priority Threat Management tool prioritizes conservation strategies for endangered species.
The study found that shark catches have increased by more than double since six decades ago, leading to almost 60% of shark species being threatened. Sustainable fishing practices are challenging to enforce in the high seas, particularly in unmanaged fisheries of less economically developed countries.
A new screening tool at UBC evaluates online health ads for deception by assigning points based on persuasion techniques used. The tool found that bodybuilding, medicinal products, and lifestyle ads are most common deceptive types.
Engineers at the University of British Columbia have developed a new ultrasound transducer that could lower costs to as low as $100. The device uses tiny vibrating drums made of polymer resin, reducing manufacturing costs.
New research found that for every one-degree-Celsius increase in temperature, mountaintop species shift upslope by 100 metres, resulting in shrinking inhabited areas and dramatic population declines. This supports predictions of extinctions among top species due to global warming.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a plasma treatment method that modifies electrode surfaces to facilitate efficient water transport in fuel cells. This innovation enables fuel cells to operate effectively without excessive moisture, improving overall performance and energy conversion rates.
Researchers detected myelin loosening in concussed athletes two weeks after injury, even though they felt fine. This can slow signal transmission between brain cells and may lead to long-term damage.
New research highlights the risks of cardiovascular disease in even the fittest middle-aged athletes, who often don't exhibit symptoms. Regular health check-ups and moderate exercise are crucial for prevention, according to study findings published in BMJ Open.
A new study reveals that IT jobs have grown by 19.5% between 2004 and 2017, while less IT-intensive occupations grew only 2.4% over the same period. The growth in IT jobs is more than eight times the growth rate of other jobs.
Fewer teens are experiencing physical abuse from their dating partners, with five percent of teens reporting dating violence in 2013. The researchers found 5.8 percent of boys and 4.2 percent of girls reported experiencing dating violence in the past year.
A new UBC study analyzed 825 marine fish species and found that 499 are projected to face very high extinction risks due to overfishing and climate change. Effective fisheries management and low greenhouse gas emissions can reduce this risk by up to 63%, saving hundreds of fish stocks from becoming endangered.
UBC researchers have discovered an internal messaging system in plants that regulates cell growth and division, enabling them to survive harsh conditions and compete successfully under favorable conditions. The system is driven by a protein called CLASP, which plays a crucial role in cell growth and division.
Researchers have successfully observed a Lyman-alpha transition in antihydrogen, a key milestone towards cooling and manipulating antimatter. The achievement uses laser pulses to manipulate the antihydrogen atoms and could lead to precision spectroscopy and gravity measurements.
A recent UBC study reveals that men assign less importance to care-oriented careers than women, possibly due to internalized values. The research found that men tend to devalue HEED careers and have lower communal values than women.
Researchers used a super-resolution microscope to observe viral assembly, finding that envelope proteins are randomly scattered on the cell membrane rather than recruited by matrix proteins. This discovery could lead to more effective vaccines for enveloped viruses like influenza and HIV.
A new study found that global fishing fleets have doubled their distance traveled to catch only a third of what they did 65 years ago. The top 20 fishing countries are responsible for 60% of the world's industrial fishing catch, with declines in catch rates and increased fuel consumption.
A UBC study analyzed pedestrian behavior at a busy intersection in Kamloops, B.C., finding that over a third of pedestrians were distracted by their cellphones. Distracted pedestrians had slower walking speeds, more unstable gait patterns, and took longer to cross the road, increasing the risk of conflicts with vehicles.
A recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution found that bacteria undergo substantial extinctions over time, with estimates suggesting between 45,000 to 95,000 bacterial lineages going extinct in the last million years alone. This contradicts widely held scientific thinking that microbe taxa rarely die off.
A new screening tool developed at the University of British Columbia can pinpoint the highest risks of forced labor in seafood supply chains. The tool was tested with 18 companies and identified areas where working conditions met minimum principles, were unknown, or were inadequate.
A genetic marker associated with an adverse drug reaction in people with multiple sclerosis has been found. The discovery may lead to more individualized approaches to MS treatment and care.
A study of 14,000 people with MS found common conditions like fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and mood disorders preceding the diagnosis. This research may enable early detection and treatment, possibly slowing disease progression.
Researchers found that even mild COPD patients have lost over 40% of their small airways, suggesting early intervention is crucial. The study's findings could lead to the development of new drugs to treat patients with COPD at earlier stages.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a cheap and sustainable way to build solar cells using bacteria that convert light to energy. The cell generated a current stronger than any previously recorded and worked efficiently in dim light, offering a promising solution for regions with frequent overcast skies.
A new study by UBC researchers reveals that urban greenways can significantly reduce daily car travel distances and resulting carbon emissions. Participants living within 300 meters of Vancouver's Comox-Helmcken Greenway showed an 18% decrease in car travel, while those farther away experienced increased motorized travel.
A team of astronomers tested Einstein's theory of general relativity using a three-star system and found almost no detectable difference between the pulsar and inner white dwarf, indicating little room for alternative theories of gravity. The study confirms that relativity still applies even in extreme gravity systems.
Research found people selectively identify with ethnicities they view as positive while disregarding others. White respondents were more likely to embrace new racial identities if they felt others would still accept them.
A UBC study suggests that anger is a significant feature in postpartum mood disturbances, contributing to feelings of powerlessness and unmet expectations. Ignoring anger in women with postnatal mood disorders may exacerbate symptoms and negatively impact mothers, children, and families.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a matchmaking service to pair peptides with antibiotics, increasing treatment success rates against antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Seven combinations were identified that worked better than antibiotics alone, offering up to a 100-fold improvement.
Men who experienced a male friend or family member's suicide found solace in self-care and social connections, revealing that masculinity is not mutually exclusive with emotional expression. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging men's grief in a way that respects their values.
A new UBC study found that 70 of 281 seafood samples were mislabelled, with restaurants having the highest rate. The most commonly mislabelled fish was snapper, often replaced by less valuable species like tilapia.
Researchers have developed a smart stent that continuously tracks blood flow through the artery, detecting subtle changes in its condition. This allows for early diagnosis and treatment of restenosis, reducing the risk of additional complications.
A recent study found that climate change is causing fish species to migrate across national boundaries, leading to new conflicts over fisheries resources. The researchers suggest implementing flexible arrangements for trading fishing permits or quotas across international borders to avoid these disputes.
A study published in Science Advances found that ancient agricultural activity caused significant changes to soil nutrients and plants, leading to a lasting effect on the environment. Researchers analyzed animal bones from 90 archaeological sites in Ireland and discovered an increase in deforestation and agriculture during the Bronze Age.