News
-
Researchers use CRISPR and stem cells to discover new chlamydia drug targets
May 2, 2017
University of British Columbia and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute researchers have used gene editing techniques on stem cells to identify novel drug targets for chlamydia, the most commonly reported bacterial STI in Canada. The team identified two immune system genes, IRF5 and IL-10RA, as key… read more
-
UBC evolutionary biologist elected to US National Academy of Sciences
May 2, 2017
UBC biodiversity researcher Dolph Schluter, a leading expert in the evolution of ecological diversity, has been elected a foreign associate of the US National Academy of Sciences. Schluter is among 84 new members and 21 foreign associates elected today in recognition of their distinguished and… read more
-
New coral bleaching database to help predict fate of global reefs
May 1, 2017
A UBC-led research team has developed a new global coral bleaching database that could help scientists predict future bleaching events. Until now, knowledge of the geographic extent of mass coral bleaching has been incomplete. “We know that mass coral bleaching is happening all over the… read more
-
UBC, Max Planck joined by UTokyo in quantum materials collaboration
April 25, 2017
The University of Tokyo has formally joined the University of British Columbia and the Max Planck Society in an international partnership designed to advance quantum materials research and innovation. The new partnership will create the Max Planck – UBC – UTokyo Centre for Quantum… read more
-
Groundwater monitoring for methane required near energy wells: UBC researcher
April 4, 2017
A study published in Nature Geoscience indicates that when methane leaks from energy resource development such as fracking it is highly mobile in groundwater, potentially travelling far beyond a leaky well and posing a safety risk. “Currently monitoring for gas leakage is conducted at… read more
-
Tiny plankton wields biological ‘Gatling gun’ in microbial Wild West
April 3, 2017
Researchers have obtained an unprecedented view of the ‘ballistic’ weaponry of planktonic microbes, including one that can fire projectiles as if wielding a Gatling gun. “We think of plankton as the tiny alphabet soup of the ocean, floating around passively while larger… read more
-
Whale 'breath' reveals bacteria threatening endangered killer whales
March 31, 2017
Droplets and exhaled breath caught from the blowholes of killer whales along the Pacific coast are providing scientists with insights into whale health and revealing bacteria and fungi that may be a threat to the mammals. “We wanted to find out what sort of bacteria and fungi represent in… read more
-
Innovative software converts Wi-Fi data into energy savings
March 30, 2017
For the first time in Canada, a University of British Columbia engineer has found a way to use Wi-Fi to determine the number of building occupants and adjust ventilation accordingly – saving energy without sacrificing air quality. “Every day, thousands of smartphones, laptops and… read more
-
Researchers identify genes that give cannabis its flavour
March 29, 2017
UBC scientists have scanned the genome of cannabis plants to find the genes responsible for giving various strains their lemony, skunky or earthy flavours, an important step for the budding legal cannabis industry. “The goal is to develop well-defined and highly-reproducible cannabis… read more
-
Fish evolve by playing it safe
March 21, 2017
New research supports the creation of more marine reserves in the world’s oceans because, the authors say, fish can evolve to be more cautious and stay away from fishing nets. The research suggests that by creating additional “no-take” areas, some fish will stay within marine… read more