News
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Common food thickeners – long thought to pass right through us – are actually digested
August 12, 2025
It turns out those cellulose-based thickening agents found in common foods can be digested.Researchers at the University of British Columbia have shown that our gut bacteria can feed on these large molecules – something thought to not be possible – thanks to enzymes that normally help us break down… read more
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Why these hairy caterpillars swarm every decade – then vanish without a trace
August 11, 2025
Western tent caterpillars might not be on your mind every year, but during their peak outbreaks, they’re impossible to ignore—hairy larvae wriggling across roads and swarms of caterpillars climbing houses to form yellow silken cocoons.They’re certainly on the mind of Dr. Judith Myers, professor… read more
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New mega RNA virus may hold the key to mass oyster die-offs
August 5, 2025
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown virus in farmed Pacific oysters during a mass die-off in B.C., Canada. The discovery serves as a reminder that growers should exercise caution when moving young oysters internationally and domestically, to prevent potential spread of pathogens,… read more
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‘Disease detectives’ discover cause of sea star wasting disease that wiped out billions of sea stars
August 4, 2025
Researchers have identified the cause of the wasting disease that has killed billions of sea stars from Mexico to Alaska since 2013: a strain of the Vibrio pectenicida bacteria.The strain, named FHCF-3, is detailed in a new paper published today in Nature Ecology & Evolution by scientists… read more
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Wildlife show wide range of responses to human presence in U.S. national parks
July 31, 2025
The presence of humans and human infrastructure in U.S. national parks has lasting effects on the behaviours of the large animals that call them home, according to a new study. “Wildlife all around the world fear people and avoid areas of high human activity, but it was surprising to see that… read more
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Nations will see half their straddling fish stocks move toward the high seas by 2050
July 31, 2025
Fish stocks are on the move due to climate change, impacting the sustainability of important fisheries. New research by the University of British Columbia (UBC) finds that 37 per cent of straddling stocks are projected to have significant shifts between Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and the high… read more
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Orange is the new aphrodisiac—for guppies
July 2, 2025
It turns out colour isn’t just a fashion statement for guppies. According to a new University of British Columbia study, the more orange the male guppy, the more virile it is.The research, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution shines light on an enduring evolutionary mystery—why male guppies… read more
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Bacterial fingerprints in soil show where copper is buried
June 30, 2025
Researchers have identified buried copper ore by testing the DNA of microbes in the surface soil.These ‘biological fingerprints’ can reveal copper-containing ore buried tens of metres below the earth’s surface without having to drill, according to new research in Geology.“Copper is essential for… read more
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Predicting how plants will fare in the heat is not so easy
June 24, 2025
Anticipating how plants will respond to rising temperatures is critical—not just for plants, but for whole ecosystems. How organisms respond to heat is often studied at small scales—such the behavior of a single leaf or branch—and then extrapolated to predict what might happen across whole… read more
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How kids can keep their maths skills sharp this summer
June 23, 2025
Parents may be looking for fun ways for their kids to avoid a summer slump and keep vital math skills razor sharp after school ends in June.Dr. Melania Alvarez (she/her), outreach and education coordinator at the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences and the UBC department of mathematics,… read more