UVic researchers played a significant role in Canada's Changing Climate Report 2026, providing detailed assessments of past and future climate changes in Canada. The report finds that human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are driving widespread changes, including extreme heat, warming oceans, and rising sea levels.
Two new research chairs at UVic will focus on improving climate-ready ocean stewardship and prevention-focused health research. Elliott Hazen will lead efforts to identify early ecosystem warning signals and collaborate with Indigenous communities to support climate-responsive ocean stewardship. David Almeida will establish a digital a...
A systematic review and meta-analysis found a dose-response relationship between pancreatic cancer and drinking, with drinking more than two standard Canadian drinks associated with a 10-30% increased risk. Pancreatic cancer is particularly deadly, with only 12% of Canadians surviving five years after diagnosis.
Researchers analyzed over 7,000 salmon stomachs to understand their diet in different regions of the Salish Sea. The study found that year-round, herring are the most important food for adult Chinook salmon, while seasonal changes affect the diversity of prey.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution found that optimal birth weight for minimal kidney damage during extreme endurance events is around eight pounds. Individuals with lower or higher birth weights may face a greater risk of kidney stress or damage.
A new study found that nearly 1,200 TBI respondents used psychedelics to treat or manage physical health conditions, with 208 participants using them to manage brain injury-related symptoms. Researchers reported a 90% self-reported symptom improvement rate.
A University of Victoria study found that implementing strong alcohol policies, including warning labels and minimum unit pricing, could prevent hundreds of cancer diagnoses and deaths in Canada. The combination of a $2.00 minimum price and a cancer warning label showed the strongest reduction in cancer cases and deaths.
Researchers used high-resolution simulations to identify the impact of stellar rotation on element transport across a barrier layer in red giant stars. They found that rapid rotation amplifies wave mixing, resulting in observed chemical signatures.
Researchers at the University of Victoria have developed open-source code that labels data without slowing down its ultra-high-speed delivery. This breakthrough enables real-time visibility and optimization of large-scale scientific data movement, benefiting individual research projects and networks like BCNET and CANARIE.
A new online tool provides information and tools for clinicians to respond to emerging patient care needs, enhancing trauma-informed healthcare for individuals with C-PTSD. The resource was co-developed by researchers and survivors, aligning with best practices and patient-centered research.
A new study from the University of Victoria found that higher insulin levels at age 47 predicted younger onsets of hot flashes and night sweats. Insulin may be a stronger predictor of hot flashes when taking other metabolic variables into account, while body mass index (BMI) appeared more closely associated with estrogen level changes.
The ACET-Estonia project partners to co-design and deliver applied clean energy research, fostering innovative solutions for Estonian island communities. Canadian expertise supports international partners in addressing similar energy challenges.
Next Steps: Rebuilding Indigenous Law is a new research initiative that empowers Indigenous communities to renew and rebuild their own legal systems. The project, supported by a $10 million investment, aims to rebuild entire Indigenous legal orders and revitalize traditional legal traditions.
New research reveals drift logs causing widespread destruction of rocky intertidal ecosystems, leading to population decline in barnacle beds and interstitial invertebrates. This disturbance is comparable to ice-scouring or heatwaves, emphasizing the need for conservation measures to protect organisms in the intertidal zone.
A study from the University of Victoria suggests that humans can smell testosterone and associate it with dominance. The research found that participants rated men with higher testosterone levels as more dominant than those with lower levels, indicating a link between body odour and perceptions of social status.
Researchers at University of Victoria developed a novel imaging technique for sub-Ångström resolution using compact, low-energy scanning electron microscopes.
Researchers found that Reelin-based therapeutics could help restore the integrity of the gut barrier, reducing inflammation and symptoms of depression. The study suggests a promising new treatment targeting both brain and gut processes.
A new review from the University of Victoria suggests that psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT may help treat concussions and traumatic brain injuries by increasing neuroplasticity and reducing inflammation. The compounds have shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, and other conditions in clinical research.
A global analysis using machine learning predicts glacial erosion rates for 180,000 glaciers worldwide, with most experiencing erosion between 0.02-2.68 millimeters per year. The study identifies complex factors influencing erosion, including temperature, water under the glacier and rock type.
A recent study found that the 2014-2016 Northeast Pacific marine heatwave caused unprecedented ecological disturbance, resulting in widespread kelp and seagrass declines and mass mortality events. The research highlights cascading impacts on species interactions, plankton communities, and offshore ocean productivity.
Researchers have identified a previously unrecognized source of seismic hazard for the Yukon Territory, finding evidence of multiple large earthquakes on the Tintina fault in recent geologic history. The team's findings confirm that the fault continues to accumulate strain, posing a future earthquake threat with potential magnitudes ex...
A recent study published in Addiction analyzed 268 critiques of alcohol and health studies by the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research (ISFAR) and found a strong industry-friendly bias. Studies supporting health benefits from alcohol were ten times more likely to receive positive reviews than those suggesting otherwise.
Researchers analyzed ancient human bones to assess puberty stages in 13 Ice Age teens, ages 10-20. Most entered puberty at 13.5 and reached adulthood between 17-22 years old.
A team of researchers discovered that some white dwarf stars stopped cooling due to the formation of floating crystals, which displace heavier material and release gravitational energy. This phenomenon challenges the traditional view of white dwarfs as 'dead stars' and requires a revision of astronomy textbooks.
Ocean Networks Canada is establishing a new Antarctic Ocean observatory in partnership with the Spanish National Research Council. This initiative will provide year-round, near real-time data on ocean conditions, advancing scientific understanding of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic Ocean.
Researchers discovered that some corals can survive prolonged heatwaves and recover their food source, providing a glimmer of hope for coral reef survival. The study's findings suggest that protection from local stressors may help corals recover, offering an innovative strategy for conservationists to support coral survival.
A four-year research project aims to deliver safe and reliable carbon dioxide removal by injecting CO2 into ocean basalt, where it will mineralize and remain permanently as rock. The project combines state-of-the-art technologies in a way that has never been conceived before.
A new study by researchers at the University of Victoria and Australia's National Drug Research Institute found a statistically significant dose-response relationship between alcohol intake and risk of prostate cancer. Current drinkers who consumed high volumes had an increased risk, even at low-volume drinking levels.
Researchers have found the oldest evidence of protein residue on stone tools used 250,000 years ago in Jordan, providing insights into the subsistence strategies of early humans. The discovery reveals that these ancient humans were adaptable and capable of taking advantage of various prey sources.
Scientists estimate nearly 23 million cubic kilometres of total groundwater, with most modern groundwater found in tropical and mountain regions. The study highlights the need to manage this precious resource sustainably due to increasing demand and climate change.
A study published in Science reveals that humans exploit adult fish populations at 14 times the rate of marine predators and hunt large land carnivores nine times faster than their wild counterparts. This unprecedented level of predation highlights humanity's role as a 'super predator' driving widespread wildlife extinctions.
Researchers from UVic will discuss climate change impacts on Canada's water supply, explore the intersection of neuroscience and pop culture, and address energy efficiency solutions. Climate modeling indicates rapid permafrost melting could lead to significant loss of high-latitude wetlands.
Stephanie Willerth's research on HIV has significantly advanced understanding of the virus and its resistance to medications. Her study of over 15,000 different versions of the virus has led to the identification of specific genes resistant to drugs, paving the way for more effective treatments.
A 2008 Kasatochi volcano eruption sparked a record-breaking phytoplankton bloom in the North Pacific Ocean, with iron-laden ash from the eruption taking up only a modest amount of atmospheric CO2
Researchers found binary systems in the Kuiper Belt would be destroyed by Neptune's interaction, contradicting previous assumptions. The study suggests the region formed near its present location and remained undisturbed over the age of the solar system.
The University of Victoria-led NEPTUNE Canada observatory will receive a significant boost in funding, allowing for expansion of its scope and scientific impact. The additional $20 million will enable more comprehensive studies on ocean-climate interactions, fisheries, gas hydrate deposits, and seafloor ecology.
The VENUS facility offers a unique window into the world under the sea, with a centralized data management system providing unrestricted access to long-term ocean observations. The observatory has already archived over 35 million measurements and dozens of gigabytes of acoustic and visual data.
The VENUS observatory will support two cable arrays in British Columbia waters, enabling scientists to study the oceans continuously and access data online. The project marks a new era of ocean exploration, driven by cutting-edge technology developed in BC.
The University of Victoria has received a new vector-based supercomputer to aid in climate research. The machine will enable faster climate simulations and models that represent economic, social, technological, and biogeochemical factors. This is the first such computer in Western Canada, which can speed up simulations by a factor of 20.
American bullfrogs are non-native to western Canada, but their population is expanding rapidly due to human activity. Purnima Govindarajulu, a UVic graduate student, is studying the impact of these invasive frogs on native species and ecosystems.
The University of Victoria has established a research chair to study ecological processes contributing to safe drinking water. The chair will evaluate watershed management activities, supply operations, and food chain changes to optimize water quality and minimize treatment costs.