Researchers propose a new way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in its earliest stages, allowing for earlier treatment and potential prevention through vaccines or targeted drug therapies. The new guidelines focus on advanced brain imaging techniques and biomarkers, enabling early detection of the disease.
Researchers at UBC find that priming people with 'god concepts' promotes altruism, regardless of whether participants identify as believers or not. The study also reveals that secular notions of civic responsibility promote cooperation and generosity.
A study by UBC researcher Whitney Weikum found that infants can distinguish between languages based on visual speech patterns. Babies from bilingual homes outperform those from monolingual environments in this skill at four and six months old, but this ability declines by eight months.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified a peptide that can fight infection by boosting the body's own immunity, reducing bacteria counts and mortality in animal models. The innate defense regulator peptide (IDR-1) may be useful as a supplement to antibiotics in combating common hospital infections.
A UBC discovery reveals a protein that changes tumour cells' shape and adhesive quality, allowing them to grow and spread. Researchers aim to develop targeted, non-toxic treatments using 'smart' molecules to block its function.
Researchers analyzed DNA data from mammal and bird species in the Americas to find speciation occurs faster in temperate zones than tropics. This is due to a higher turnover of species in temperate areas, resulting in more new species emerging.
A team of UBC researchers has re-classified an ancient line of aquatic plants as closely related to water lilies, challenging long-held botanical assumptions. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of flowering plants, dating back at least 135 million years.
A new drug delivery method developed by UBC researcher Kishor M. Wasan has shown promising results in treating devastating fungal infections, including candidemia and aspergillosis, with minimal toxic side effects compared to traditional intravenous administration.
A new cost-benefit model measures the value of ecosystem services benefiting humans, such as flood control and crop pollination. This approach fosters win-win solutions between wilderness advocates and landowners. The study analyzed six ecosystem services in the California Central Coast region, finding overlaps with biodiversity priori...
Women's math performance varies depending on whether they attribute gender differences to genetic or social causes. UBC researchers found that those who believed in genetic explanations performed worse than those who saw it as a social issue.
An international team of astronomers has identified the dimmest stars in globular star cluster NGC 6397 using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The discovery provides clues to the age of the Universe and the formation time of one of its earliest generations of stars.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have successfully prevented Huntington disease in a mouse model by blocking the cleavage of the mutant huntingtin protein. This discovery provides new hope for effective treatment and potentially a cure for the devastating disorder.
A new device called DLS-PM measures the quality of blood platelets, allowing for longer storage and improved matching with patients. This innovation has the potential to increase the availability of platelets globally, particularly in crisis situations.
Researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-inflammatory drugs were 10 times less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration. This study suggests that anti-inflammatory drugs may be a promising approach for treating the intractable disease.
Researchers use genetic analysis to trace a genetic gradient across distance, challenging the theory of speciation by distance. The findings have broad implications for conservation approaches, highlighting the importance of preserving gradients of forms rather than well-defined groups.
Researchers identified HIP14 as a key enzyme in palmitoylation, a process essential for normal nervous system function. The discovery sheds light on mechanisms underlying diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington Disease.
Researchers design medication that corrects abnormal brain functions in targeted areas, reducing side effects found in existing medications. The new type of drug could be available within five to 10 years and has the potential to improve treatment options for Canadians affected by psychiatric disorders.
UBC researchers found a direct link between fish supply and the demand for bushmeat in Ghanaian villages, with bushmeat contributing to a 76% decline in mammal biomass since 1970. The study suggests that EU fishing fleets may be to blame for reduced fish stocks.
A team of UBC scientists aims to use stem cells to regenerate bone cells and improve the success rate of artificial joint replacements. By combining minerals and slow-release growth factors, they hope to create a strong, organic environment to secure prosthetic joints.
Researchers have found that astrocytes play a key role in regulating blood flow within the brain, and may hold promise as a target for new therapies to treat strokes. The study, funded by CIHR and Canadian Stroke Network, could lead to new treatments within 5-10 years.
The MOST team discovered that star Procyon shows no pulsations, overturning 20 years of previous research and forcing future space missions to revise their strategies. The tiny satellite measured brightness variations more precisely than any other instrument, revealing a new perspective on the stars in our Galactic backyard.
Wilfred Jefferies and his team have discovered a cellular pathway that triggers immune responses and identified a specialized organelle within dendritic cells controlling immune system activation. The findings hold enormous implications for patients, enabling targeted treatment adjustments to regulate immune responses.
A UBC-led research team has confirmed the existence of the universe's oldest and farthest planet, a gas giant formed 13 billion years ago. The ancient world takes a century to complete each orbit and is unlikely to support life due to its metal-poor composition.
Marine biologist Sara Lourie identifies a new species of pygmy seahorse, Hippocampus denise, found in tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean. The diminutive fish, averaging 16mm in length, may be safe from over-exploitation due to its camouflage abilities.