Researchers have found a galaxy cluster with scorching hot gas just 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang, five times hotter than predicted, and containing three supermassive black holes that pumped energy into the surroundings. This discovery could upend current models of galaxy cluster formation and evolution.
A recent UBC study found that half of the global population needs to change their diets to prevent severe planetary warming. The study suggests that individuals can make simple dietary changes, such as eating only what they need and reducing beef consumption, to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions.
A University of British Columbia study found that visually pleasant bus stops are more likely to make riders feel thermally comfortable, despite high temperatures. The research highlights the importance of integrating experiential design into urban planning to improve public spaces during extreme heat.
Scientists have found that active galactic nuclei are two to six times more common in merging galaxies than non-merging counterparts. Galaxy mergers were most strongly associated with bright, dust-cloaked supermassive black holes linked to rapid growth.
A UBC-led study found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces hospitalization, intensive care admission, and preterm birth risks for pregnant women. Vaccination is associated with lower risks even as the virus evolved from Delta to Omicron variants.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a solvent-efficient technique to produce rayon, reducing chemical use by up to 70%. The process uses microfibrillated cellulose and dissolved cellulose to create continuous fibres with improved sustainability.
The UBC robotic platform helps scientists understand how the brain keeps us standing by mimicking delays in sensory feedback. By tweaking forces and adding short delays, the robot reveals that our sense of space and time work from the same playbook.
Researchers have identified a key mechanism behind statin-induced muscle damage, paving the way for new statins with reduced side effects. By understanding how statins interact with muscle proteins, scientists can design safer alternatives that preserve cholesterol-lowering benefits.
A new study led by UBC with Coast Salish Nations and regional research partners identifies Indigenous-led hunting as the most successful strategy for managing hyperabundant deer on the Southern Gulf Islands. This approach delivers significant ecological and cultural benefits, increasing human and ecological wellbeing by nearly 60%.
Researchers found that regional differences in environmental conditions, rather than diet quality, drive divergent health trends in California Sea Lions. Despite similar diets, populations in Mexico are declining while those in the US are thriving.
Research reveals West Coast transient killer whales are two distinct subpopulations, differing in diet, hunting grounds and social behavior. The inner coast transients are expert navigators of nearshore inlets, while the outer coast whales thrive in deep canyons and rugged underwater terrain.
A UBC-led study found that most pharmacies in British Columbia can provide the abortion pill mifepristone within days, but uneven access still poses barriers for some women. The study highlights the need for better communication between pharmacies and clearer referral systems to close remaining gaps.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified eight per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in B.C. sea otters, with concentrations three times higher on average in otters near major cities and shipping routes. This proximity effect highlights the need for government regulation to prevent PFAS spread.
A UBC study found that purposeful hand gestures can make speakers appear more competent and persuasive. Illustrators, which visually depict spoken content, had the strongest effect on audience understanding and perception of speaker competence.
A new study found that investing $7 per Ontarian in eight conservation strategies could help 75% of at-risk species recover. The strategies include habitat protection, wildlife management, and invasive species control, with a potential cost of less than one-tenth of Ontario's provincial budget.
Researchers found that common viral infections shrink a queen's ovaries, reducing egg-laying capacity and methyl oleate production. This reduction triggers worker bees to prepare a new queen, which can lead to colony instability and economic losses for beekeepers.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown bacterium in the Natronincolaceae family that plays a crucial role in converting organic waste into renewable natural gas. The newly discovered microbe tolerates high ammonia levels, allowing it to thrive in systems where other methane producers would fail.
A healthy microbiome promotes overall well-being, influencing areas like cognition, mood, immunity, and disease susceptibility. By incorporating proven dietary interventions, regular exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep, individuals can harness their microbiome for optimal health.
A new three-year agreement between the Pacific Marine Science Alliance Society and MEOPAR aims to strengthen national ocean research collaboration across Canada's coasts. The partnership will focus on addressing key challenges such as climate resilience, marine hazard prediction, and sustainable resource use.
A UBC study reveals that even modest increases in river flows can dramatically raise flood frequency, with major implications for infrastructure and community safety. The researchers call for a shift in flood management, focusing on tracking how often floods occur, rather than just their size.
Researchers at UBC have successfully transplanted an enzyme-converted kidney into a brain-dead recipient, showing promise for universal donor organs in transplantation. The breakthrough uses special enzymes to remove blood-type antigens, making it possible to use mismatched organs from deceased donors.
Large language models like ChatGPT are more persuasive than humans, especially when convincing people to adopt veganism or attend graduate school. The AI's ability to provide concrete logistical support and use authority-boosting vocabulary contributes to its persuasiveness.
Researchers at UBC have developed a new NFC-based gesture system that can distinguish between nine distinct gestures with high accuracy. This technology has the potential to improve accessibility for users with mobility issues and reduce the spread of germs through touchpads.
A UBC-led study found that migrant youth in Canada are less likely to be sexually active than their Canadian-born peers, with declining contraception use among those who do participate. Systemic barriers, including language barriers and stigmatization, hinder access to accurate information and services.
A recent study from the University of British Columbia found that AI-powered digital streamers, used to promote products through livestreams, barely outperform having no streamer at all. Improving form realism and behavioral realism, such as real-time Q&A interactions, can lead to significant sales boosts.
A new global study shows that hotter and drier conditions are affecting yield swings of three major food crops: corn, soybean, and sorghum. The study highlights a compounding danger: instability. Crop failures could become more frequent, with 'once-in-a-century' crop disasters happening every decade by 2100.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a theoretical model for vacuum tunnelling in a 2D superfluid, where vortex pairs appear spontaneously. This work has significant implications for our understanding of quantum mechanics, phase transitions, and superfluids.
A new 'dual-mode' tracer agent shows promise in helping surgeons image and plan prostate cancer procedures while also providing guided surgery with real-time radiation detection. The tracer targets PSMA, a protein highly expressed on prostate cancer cells, offering high-resolution visual guidance and targeted radiation density detection.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have demonstrated that electrochemically loading a solid metal target with deuterium fuel can increase fusion reaction rates by an average of 15%. The approach uses a room-temperature reactor and achieves this boost without generating heat, paving the way for clean energy generation.
Researchers found that gut bacteria can feed on large molecules like cellulose derivatives when primed with natural polysaccharides, highlighting a new aspect of digestion. This discovery suggests potential effects on nutrition in humans and warrants further exploration.
A new study reveals benztropine, a Parkinson's treatment, can boost the body's natural immune response to combat tuberculosis (TB) bacteria. The research found that benztropine can dramatically reduce TB bacterial counts in experiments with human and mouse immune cells.
Researchers found that the caterpillars' cycles interact with natural controls like viral disease, and they're highly adapted to their environment. Outbreaks can be predicted and damage controlled, but the exact timing is linked to specific factors.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown virus in Pacific oysters linked to annual mass die-offs, highlighting the importance of disease prevention measures. The discovery also underscores the need for further research into the causes of mortality in oyster populations.
People with MS show higher healthcare use up to 15 years before symptoms appear, highlighting opportunities for earlier identification and intervention. The study analyzed health records of over 12,000 people in BC and found distinct patterns of healthcare engagement before symptom onset.
A new study reveals how US national parks influence wildlife behavior, with some species avoiding humans while others adapt to developement, affecting ecological dynamics and conservation efforts.
An international research team has proposed a comprehensive global framework for regulating tire additives, which are a significant source of environmental contamination. The framework aims to address the impacts of these chemicals on ecosystems and human health worldwide.
A new study found that B.C.'s universal, no-cost coverage policy led to a significant increase in the use of long-acting reversible contraception among reproductive-aged women. The study tracked nearly 860,000 women and discovered that cost was a major barrier to accessing effective birth control methods like IUDs and implants.
A new UBC study found that clear-cutting can lead to an 18-fold rise in extreme floods, with effects lasting over 40 years. The study also reveals that landscape factors, such as slope direction, play a crucial role in shaping a watershed's response to treatment.
A study found that five-day-old newborns prefer watching videos of helpful actions over hindering ones, indicating an innate sense of social goodness. The research suggests that humans may be born with basic social preferences that shape moral understanding.
A new University of British Columbia study reveals that male guppies with more orange coloration are up to two times more sexually active and perform for females longer periods. The research identifies a genetic link between guppy color and behavior, suggesting healthier and fitter individuals may be more attractive to females.
Researchers at UBC propose a silicon-based device that can convert microwave to optical signals with high efficiency, paving the way for long-distance quantum communication. The technology preserves entangled links between particles, essential for quantum networking.
A new study found that people recycle 47% more bottles when offered a lottery-style refund, rather than the traditional 10-cent deposit return. This approach increases the thrill of possibly winning a big prize, making recycling more enjoyable and motivating.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers suggests the summer solstice is an optimal day for plant growth and reproduction. However, in a changing climate, relying on this fixed signal may no longer help plants to survive or thrive.
A new study challenges long-held beliefs about how to win public backing for social change. Researchers found that Americans generally support the idea of civil rights in abstract terms but are less likely to support government action when contemporary issues are framed as civil rights problems.
A University of British Columbia-led study found that colorectal cancer survivors experience a range of long-term sexual health issues, including dyspareunia and pelvic inflammatory disease. The study highlights the need for better education and support for women after cancer.
A study analyzing online seizure records found over 300 seizures of dried seahorses in 62 countries, with most occurring in transit or destination countries. The illicit trade is estimated to be worth CAD$29 million over 10 years, and emerging routes involve Europe and Latin America.
A one-year study of 53 healthy women with regular ovulatory cycles found that mild breast tenderness and swelling before menstruation are common and expected. The study suggests that these symptoms may occur more frequently during normal ovulation than previously thought, contradicting previous assumptions about premenstrual syndrome.
Researchers have discovered a selfish X chromosome in fruit flies that manipulates inheritance in both males' sperm and females' eggs. The supergene's unique structure allows it to expand and accumulate repetitive DNA sequences contributing to its ability to cheat during female reproduction.
A study analyzing data from nearly 5,000 people in 20 countries revealed significant cultural differences in optimal sleep hours, contradicting the universal 8-hour recommendation. People who slept closer to their own culture's norms tended to have better overall health.
A new approach, GlycoCaging, delivers medicine directly to the lower gut at significantly lower doses than current treatments, potentially helping people with inflammatory bowel disease. The technique has been shown to be effective in mice and has potential for treatment in humans, as most people have the ability to activate the drugs.