A single transnational corporation has registered 47% of marine genetic sequences, while entities in only 10 countries account for 98% of patents. The study highlights the need for a legal framework to regulate access and use of marine genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction.
A recent study found that employing envy in marketing can boost brands but also completely backfire, depending on a consumer's self-esteem. People with high self-worth are more likely to want the envied brand and stay motivated to attain it.
A new UBC study found that disasters with significant human toll strengthen religious faith, while those with mostly economic damage do not. For every one per cent increase in injured people due to a climate disaster, attendance at religious services rises by four per cent.
A new study by the University of British Columbia suggests that teachers can strengthen students' memories without causing assessment fatigue. The researchers found that students who were tested on a portion of their study material performed better on other, related questions - even if they weren't included in the initial test.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a low-cost membrane that can switch between oil-removal and water-removal modes using a single electrical charge. The membrane achieved near-perfect separation of light and heavy oils from water, with an 98% purity rate.
Researchers at UBC created a system where software engineers can use simple voice commands to automate mundane tasks, increasing productivity and speed. The tool also enables typing minimal requests, allowing engineers to focus on important parts of their jobs.
A new study finds that Vancouver's construction cycle is leading to increased emissions, even with energy-efficient new homes. The study estimates that new single-family home construction will result in one to three million tonnes of added emissions between 2017-2050.
New research by the University of British Columbia reveals that industrial fisheries using bottom trawling methods waste 437 million tonnes of fish and miss out on $560 billion in revenue. Small-scale fisheries, on the other hand, generate significantly more value due to their targeted fishing practices.
New UBC research suggests access to flexible work arrangements, such as working from home and choosing hours, improves wages for mothers, particularly those with a university degree. Flexible work benefits primarily by reducing barriers to employment in higher-paying firms, offering an important lesson for hiring managers.
A recent study by University of British Columbia researchers found that the Jerusalem artichoke's ability to produce a large number of tubers is a major driver of its invasive success. The trait evolved independently multiple times in invasive populations, highlighting the potential for invasiveness to evolve repeatedly.
A new UBC study explores the benefits of team mindfulness in reducing interpersonal conflicts and improving teamwork. When teams practice mindfulness, they experience reduced conflict and better focus on tasks, leading to improved job satisfaction and psychological well-being.
The Persian Gulf may lose up to 12% of its marine biodiversity if climate change is not addressed. Some species may migrate north, but the area suitable for them will shrink under climate change.
Older adults are more likely to adhere to a group exercise program when they work out with people their own age. A recent University of British Columbia study found that participants in age-targeted groups attended an average of 9.5 more classes than those in mixed-age groups.
Young Canadian men prioritize selflessness, openness, and health, marking a shift from traditional masculine values. The study found that 91% of participants believed a man should help others, while 88% valued being open to new ideas.
A new study shows that rapid expansion of British Columbia's Take Home Naloxone program significantly reduced opioid overdose deaths. Between January 1 and October 31, 2016, the program prevented 226 deaths or 26% of all possible overdose-related deaths in that time period.
Researchers are rethinking microbial ecology, arguing that niche is more important than names. Microbes have many ways to get energy, and co-exist in redundant systems. The study's findings have major implications for interpreting changes in microbial communities, predicting health, and understanding environmental perturbations.
Research published in City and Community found that straight people living in traditionally gay neighborhoods often practice subtle forms of discrimination against their gay and lesbian neighbors. Despite claiming to support gay rights, many interact with their neighbors on the street in ways that contradict those sentiments.
Researchers developed a gravity separation process to cleanly lift organic resins from inorganic fibreglass, making it possible to recycle non-metal parts of cellphones. The process has the potential to create raw materials for construction and insulation.
A University of British Columbia bioengineer has created platelets with extra powers to aid in the coagulation process, potentially rescuing blood from massive bleeding. The modified platelets showed improved clotting times and stronger clots in various blood samples.
Researchers at University of British Columbia developed a new hydrogel-based eye drop that effectively treats glaucoma by quickly absorbing and reaching the back of the eye. The treatment, which contains cannabigerolic acid, was tested on donated pig corneas and showed promising results.
A new protocol for treating fentanyl overdoses has shown that most patients can be safely discharged within two hours of arrival if given the antidote promptly. The study found that only one in nine patients required hospital admission, and complications were extremely rare.
A recent study analyzing 44 million claims from 68,000 physicians found that Medicaid billing complexity is surprisingly similar to private insurance, contradicting conventional wisdom. The research suggests that Medicaid managed care programs have slightly lower billing complexity than state-run fee-for-service Medicaid.
A University of British Columbia study found that indoor sex workers in Canada use creative strategies to protect themselves from violence, but these efforts are limited by stigma and lack of legal protections. The study highlights the need for clear laws and policies to recognize sex work and prevent harm.
Researchers studied the behavior of southern pied babblers in the Kalahari Desert, finding that better prospects and family dynamics influence when offspring disperse. Female birds tend to remain at home in larger groups, while males leave for improved chances of leading a group elsewhere.
Researchers have uncovered previously unknown reservoirs of trans-verbenol in juvenile mountain pine beetles, which could aid in predicting outbreaks. The study found that female beetles accumulate and store the pheromone during their larval and pupal stages.
A new study found that despite the Philippine government's ban on destructive fishing methods in 1932 and 1998, many fishers continue to use explosives and poison, causing significant damage to coral reefs. The research suggests that ensuring young fishers engage with sustainable fishing methods is crucial to reducing this harm.
New research reveals that larger coral reefs can moderate the impact of ocean warming on Caribbean fish populations, leading to a reduction in fish population decline. The study found that doubling reef area can reduce changes in fish composition by 30-80%, highlighting the potential effectiveness of reef conservation and restoration.
Researchers have discovered a way to create an ultracold plasma that naturally forms a robust many-body localized state, enabling the spontaneous creation of quantum materials. This breakthrough could pave the way for more practical applications of quantum technology.
Researchers surveyed 246 students before and after therapy dog sessions, finding significant reductions in stress and increased happiness. The benefits were equally distributed across both genders and lasted for at least 10 hours.
Researchers at UBC developed a simple technique to create smart windows with dynamic tinting, reducing energy losses by switching between clear and tinted states. The new method reduces production costs compared to conventional glass windows, making it more feasible for commercial use.
New research from the University of British Columbia has found that non-smokers with oral precancerous lesions are more than twice as likely to progress to cancer compared to smokers. Oral precancerous lesions in non-smokers progressed faster to cancer than smoking-associated lesions.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that restricting food access to a six-hour window per day stimulated autophagy and lowered mutant huntingtin protein levels in mice with Huntington disease. This suggests a potential new treatment approach for the disorder, which could be complementary to existing therapies.
A new study found that low-income mothers, especially black and Latina mothers, are subject to greater scrutiny over their children's weight. The mothers worry about losing custody of their kids if they can't meet the health standards.
Research suggests that medical school textbooks widely used in North America contribute to racial bias through underrepresentation of dark skin tones. The study analyzed over 4,000 human images and found that only a few percent of photos featured dark skin tones.
As climate change raises summer temperatures, research suggests that wetter summers could produce unexpected impacts such as disease outbreaks and crop failures. Subtropical and temperate regions are expected to experience warmer, wetter extremes, threatening ecosystems and human communities.
A recent study from the University of British Columbia suggests that using smartphones during dinner with friends and family decreases enjoyment. The researchers found that participants who used their phones during meals reported feeling more distracted and experiencing less enjoyment compared to those who kept their devices away.
Research found that women with less marital power have lower fertility autonomy and are more likely to succumb to pressure for a second child. The study highlights the need for policies to enhance women's status and address the disadvantages of childbearing
ILC2 cells play a crucial role in preventing or slowing metastasis in lung and prostate cancer by unleashing the killing power of T-cells. Researchers have concluded that ILC2 cells may be a potent weapon in stopping cancer from spreading, offering potential treatment for blood-borne and solid tumours.
A study found a strong correlation between midwife integration and better birth outcomes, with higher rates of vaginal births and breastfeeding. States with high midwife integration, such as Washington and Oregon, had lower rates of premature births, cesarean deliveries, and newborn deaths.
A case study published in JAMA Neurology reports improved side effects for a man with a spinal cord injury after receiving an experimental electrical implant. The treatment, known as epidural stimulation, has shown positive changes in blood pressure control, bowel function, and energy levels.
A study by University of British Columbia researchers found that April 20 was associated with a 12% increase in the risk of a fatal traffic crash. The overall increase amounted to 142 additional deaths over a 25-year study period.
Researchers found that dairy calves are naturally optimistic or pessimistic, just like humans, and that these individual differences can affect their well-being. The study suggests that recognizing and addressing these personality traits can lead to better treatment and living conditions for farm animals.
New research reveals that larger hummingbirds can compensate for their greater body masses by adapting their physiology. The study found that acceleration is primarily driven by muscle capacity, while wing size plays a key role in maneuverability.
Researchers quantify viruses swept up into free troposphere, carried thousands of km before being deposited back onto Earth. The majority of viruses were found to have originated from sea spray, indicating long-range transport through the atmosphere.
A University of B.C. study found Indigenous people suffered transportation-related injuries at a rate 1.89 times higher than the province's total population between 1991 and 2010. The injury rate for those living on reserves was significantly higher, while those off-reserves had a lower risk.
Climate change is affecting the size of organisms, including British Columbia beetles. Larger beetle species have shrunk by up to 20% in the last 45 years due to warmer temperatures.
Researchers analyzed over 270 million years of data to find that mammals and birds are better equipped to evolve and adapt to a changing climate. They have the ability to regulate their body temperature, allowing them to thrive in colder temperatures.
Scientists have discovered a protein called Setd7 that regulates stem cell growth and differentiation. Inhibiting this protein allows stem cells to remain undifferentiated, facilitating tissue regeneration and improved muscle function.
Financial aid to fisheries in developing countries has declined significantly, impacting food security and livelihoods. Sustainable fishing practices are crucial for climate change resilience, nutritional value, and employment opportunities.
A new study reveals that lesbian and bisexual girls lack knowledge on safe sex practices with female partners, leading to low barrier use. The study highlights the need for more inclusive sex ed curriculum to address these knowledge gaps.