Artificial brains, called organoids, are created using traditional Japanese flower arranging techniques, providing a more authentic model for studying brain tumours and their growth. The technique enables researchers to test hundreds of different chemical combinations on patient cells to identify promising treatment options.
Coastal Indigenous communities consume an average of 74 kilograms of seafood per capita, compared to the global average of 19 kilograms. The study emphasizes the importance of considering food sovereignty and cultural identity in fisheries policy and Indigenous human rights.
A team of researchers has captured the first direct observation of diplonemids, a diverse group of single-celled hunters in the ocean. These microbes are found to be abundant, diverse and hunt both bacteria and larger algae.
A new study combining dozens of existing researches predicts how ocean acidification will impact marine habitats like coral reefs, seagrasses, and kelp forests. The results show that these habitats are vulnerable to acidification, with potential declines in species diversity and complexity.
Researchers from BC Cancer Agency, UBC and SFU published key papers on epigenetic profiles and methodology for analyzing stem cells. The study aims to understand gene regulation in response to environmental signals and develop new ways to diagnose and treat diseases.
Researchers found that Ceftriaxone reduces synaptic disruption and clears neuronal lines of communication in mice with Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid plaques prevent cell communication, leading to nerve cell death. The antibiotic restores glutamate levels, mostly restoring neuronal activity.
A recent UBC study found significant variations in kindergarten vaccination rates across Metro Vancouver, with some areas having rates as low as 60%. The study used Vancouver Coastal Health data and analyzed the impact of location, school type, and other factors on vaccine coverage.
A UBC study analyzing Trump's speech style and Twitter usage found grandiosity, informal language, and vocal pitch variation as statistical predictors of his success in the Republican primaries. The researchers suggest that these communication styles helped Trump win the nomination despite being shocking to many viewers.
A University of British Columbia-led review of mind-wandering research provides a new framework for understanding thought dynamics, potentially improving mental illness diagnosis and treatment. The framework suggests that spontaneous thought processes, including mind-wandering, are essential for creative thinking and dreaming.
Researchers discovered that sharks absorb toxic ammonia through their gills and convert it into non-toxic urea. This process helps maintain the fish's moisture levels in salty seawater.
A UBC study recommends cyclists ride at 12-20 km/h and pedestrians walk at 2-6 km/h to reduce air pollution inhalation. The ideal travel speeds, or minimum-dose speeds, vary by age and sex group, with faster speeds increasing pollution risk.
Cephalosporins have shown promise in treating tuberculosis (TB) through an in vitro study, with the antibiotics demonstrating potent anti-mycobacterial properties when used in synergistic combinations with traditional therapies. The results suggest that these drugs could be part of new combinatorial TB therapies.
A recent UBC study found that 5% of sexually active transgender youth have been pregnant, similar to the general adolescent population. This challenges common assumptions about trans youth and highlights the need for improved sex education and healthcare.
A new study finds that global fisheries will lose an estimated $10 billion in annual revenue by 2050 if climate change continues unchecked. Developing countries, which rely heavily on fishing for food and income, will be the most vulnerable to these losses.
Scientists at the University of British Columbia have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to treatments for fibrosis in Crohn's patients. Researchers found a mutation in mice that prevented fibrosis after infection, targeting a hormone receptor responsible for stimulating part of the immune response.
Researchers have developed a noninvasive method to measure cortical spreading depression, a brainwave linked to migraines and epilepsy, using scalp electrodes and specialized amplifier. This breakthrough could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
New research suggests that closing the high seas to fishing could increase fish catches in coastal waters by up to 10% and help reduce climate change impacts. This approach can benefit tropical countries with high dependence on fisheries for food and livelihood, particularly those affected by rising carbon dioxide levels.
Research on the southern pied babbler reveals that dominant males preferentially treat their biological sons, while alienating their stepsons, which may have evolved as a survival strategy. This behavior has significant impacts on group dynamics and cooperative breeding habits.
A UBC research team created a comprehensive model of creping to improve the quality of tissue paper. The new model allows manufacturers to tailor the creping process for optimal softness, flexibility, and strength.
Researchers found that THC increases laziness in rats, making them less willing to perform challenging tasks, but CBD had no effect. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding cannabis' impact on cognitive effort and decision-making.
A new study found that plants adapt differently to elevated CO2 levels depending on the diversity of surrounding plant species. The research tested Kentucky bluegrasses exposed to high and low CO2 levels in different communities, revealing that adaptation benefits disappear when experiencing a change in neighborhood diversity.
Spiders in large colonies can go extinct when they share food equitably, new UBC research reveals. The study found that large colonies struggle to capture prey, leading to massive die-offs.
Researchers have identified a genetic basis for songbirds' migratory routes, linking them to a small cluster of genes governing behavior. The study found that differences in migration patterns help maintain the diversity of songbirds.
A University of British Columbia study finds that evolution accelerates the speed of plant migration in response to climate change. Plants that undergo evolution disperse seeds and migrate farther than their non-evolving counterparts, even in challenging conditions.
A new study by UBC researchers reveals Montreal's low greenhouse gas emissions due to affordable hydropower and electric heating, while Edmonton's high emissions are attributed to extreme weather, low density, and coal reliance. The study also found a decline in average household GHG emissions across Canada from 1997 to 2009.
A new study out of UBC and Ryerson University found that streetcar tracks are involved in a third of bike crashes in Toronto's downtown. The researchers argue that creating separated bike lanes could minimize interactions with rail tracks and reduce the risk of accidents.
Researchers at UBC and PSI developed a microneedle system that measures drug levels in patients' bloodstream without drawing blood. The system uses a tiny needle to collect a small sample of fluid beneath the skin, allowing for quick and easy monitoring of vancomycin levels.
A UBC professor found that government policy professionals give more credibility to reports from academics than think tanks or advocacy groups. The study's results suggest policymakers are skeptical of biased reports and may be relying too heavily on academic research.
A new study found that sexual minority boys and girls are more likely to engage in unhealthy eating habits, with lesbian and bisexual girls facing a widening gap in rates. The study analyzed data from youth ages 12-18 and found disparities in disordered eating behaviors between sexual minority teens and their heterosexual peers.
Hummingbirds process visual information uniquely to navigate through dense vegetation at high speeds. They rely on the size of objects to determine distance and use image velocity to assess altitude.
A new UBC study found that telling stories depicting black individuals positively can reduce implicit racial bias in children aged 9-12. This intervention was more effective than previous research, which showed biased attitudes from as young as five.
A UBC study reveals that undiagnosed hearing loss in seniors aged 60-69 is associated with increased social isolation and cognitive declines equivalent to almost four years of chronological aging. The study found a 52% increase in odds of social isolation for every 10-decibel drop in hearing sensitivity.
Research from the University of British Columbia shows that people in areas with high temperatures and social deprivation are more likely to die during extreme heat events. The study found pockets of risk throughout Vancouver's region, including Downtown Eastside and low-income neighborhoods.
A UBC study suggests that teacher burnout and student stress are linked, with elevated cortisol levels found in students in classrooms where teachers experience more emotional exhaustion. This connection highlights the need for adequate resources and support for teachers to prevent a cyclical problem of stress contagion in classrooms.
The discovery could lead to more efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity and fuel by minimizing the distance electrons travel through chemical bonds. This finding has implications for both solar fuel devices and biological systems, where understanding electron transfer is crucial.
A virus has been found to use a 'stolen' CRISPR system to hijack its host's immune response, allowing it to fight off other viral infections. The Cyanophage N1 virus uses a CRISPR sequence typically used by bacteria to defend against viruses.
Researchers used genome sequencing to determine when TB outbreaks ended by analyzing genetic mutations and transmission patterns. The method helped public health officials declare the end of an outbreak in January 2015, after no disease transmission occurred since mid-2012.
A new University of British Columbia study finds that ships flagged for illegal fishing can obtain insurance; researchers propose using vessel list checks to block such vessels from securing coverage. This approach is cheaper and more effective than traditional methods to combat illegal fishing.
A UBC study found that men who live outside major cities and have sex with other men are less likely to get an HIV test. Internalized feelings of homophobia contribute to reluctance to disclose sexual preferences, posing physical health risks.
Scientists have discovered a single genetic mutation that causes multiple sclerosis in two-thirds of those affected, providing a potential target for therapies. The mutation leads to a defective protein that disrupts communication between the brain and body, resulting in vision problems, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairments.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that eyewitness memories are biased against black suspects in drive-by shootings, with incorrect recall rates as high as 80%. This study highlights the potential for wrongful convictions and emphasizes the need to consider eyewitness testimony's limitations in the justice system.
A new UBC-developed method isolates cancer cells that have escaped from a tumour, paving the way for improved diagnosis and treatment. The device captures cells based on their internal structure, producing fewer false positives compared to conventional methods.
Researchers tracked over 2,000 juvenile salmon on their 1,000-kilometer journey to the Pacific Ocean. The study found that survival rates increased significantly when salmon traveled in large groups, confirming the 'safety in numbers' strategy for avoiding predators.
A UBC study found that nearly one-third of British Columbia women aged 65 and older received inappropriate prescriptions, compared to one-fourth of men. The study highlights the importance of addressing gender-based disparities in healthcare prescribing practices.
A UBC study found that taking psychedelic drugs like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA reduced the rate of domestic battery among released inmates. The observational study followed 302 inmates for six years, suggesting a potential public health benefit.
The SALOME study found that injectable hydromorphone is as effective as diacetylmorphine for long-term street opioid users not currently benefiting from available treatments. Participants reported significant reductions in opioid use and illicit activities, with over 80% retained in treatment at six months.
A study found high-intensity 'sprint' training causes muscle tissue stress, weakened antioxidant defenses, and reduced mitochondrial function in untrained individuals.
A UBC study found that high-speed and inexperience are top contributing factors to injuries on the Whistler sliding track. The study also revealed that more experienced sliders had lower injury risks, with those logging over 150 runs showing reduced risk.
A new study has found that gay and lesbian Canadians experience more mood and anxiety disorders than other Canadians, with bisexual Canadians reporting the highest rates. The research is based on data from over 220,000 Canadians who participated in the Canadian Community Health Survey between 2007 and 2012.
Research from UBC's Okanagan campus found that traditionally successful manipulators lack compelling online messages, making face-to-face negotiations more effective. Higher-ranking DT participants were 12.5% less successful in online negotiations than those ranking lower on the spectrum.