News
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Asteroid impact erosion helped make Earth habitable
July 22, 2015
Compared to its celestial neighbours Venus and Mars, Earth is a pretty habitable place. So how did we get so lucky? A new study sheds light on the improbable evolutionary path that enabled Earth to sustain life. The research, published this week in Nature Geoscience suggests that Earth’s… read more
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Raising a generation of astronomers in Nigeria
July 21, 2015
As Jupiter and Venus completed a dazzling planetary conjunction this month, UBC's Linda Strubbe was wrapping up an astronomical convergence of a different sort under the clear, dark night skies of Nsukka, Nigeria. Strubbe, a Science Teaching and Learning Fellow with UBC Physics and Astronomy, is… read more
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As the oceans warm, wide-ranging species will have an edge
July 20, 2015
Marine species that already have large ranges are extending their territories fastest in response to climate change, according to new research from University of British Columbia biodiversity experts. The study is one of the first comprehensive looks at how traits—other than thermal niche… read more
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Q&A: What New Horizons could tell us about Pluto and the Kuiper Belt
July 13, 2015
On July 14, 2015 the space probe New Horizons will fly roughly 12,500 kilometres above the surface of Pluto, the closest we have ever been to the dwarf planet. The probe will snap photos and gather data that astronomers hope will yield valuable clues about the formation of the Solar System four… read more
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Human activities, shifts in local species reshaping coastal biodiversity
July 9, 2015
While human activities have caused extinctions across the globe, your favourite beach or diving site may actually be home to as many, or more, species then it was a few decades ago. That’s the conclusion of a synthesis of 50 years of marine biodiversity data conducted by University of… read more
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Fish will have to find new habitats or perish if global warming is left unchecked
July 2, 2015
Climate change is forcing fish out of their current habitats and into cooler waters and many more species will soon be affected if climate goals are not met, say scientists. An international team of researchers compared the future of the oceans under two climate change scenarios. In one scenario,… read more
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Single-celled predator evolves tiny, human-like 'eye'
July 1, 2015
A single-celled marine plankton evolved a miniature version of a multi-cellular eye, possibly to help see its prey better, according to University of British Columbia (UBC) research published today in Nature. In fact, the 'ocelloid' within the planktonic predator looks so much like a complex eye… read more
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Freshwater and ocean acidification stunts growth of developing pink salmon
June 29, 2015
Pink salmon that begin life in freshwater with high concentrations of carbon dioxide, which causes acidification, are smaller and may be less likely to survive, according to a new study from UBC. The risks of ocean acidification on marine species have been studied extensively but the impact of… read more
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Renowned quantum physicist joins UBC from Harvard as new Canada Excellence Research Chair
June 26, 2015
UBC welcomed quantum physicist Jennifer Hoffman today as its newest Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC). She joins a team of leading-edge quantum matter researchers at UBC, building a critical mass of expertise in this emerging field. The CERC program was established by the federal… read more
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New physicist hits the ground running
June 26, 2015
Jenny Hoffman ran almost five consecutive marathons in one day last September. The epic 203-kilometre day garnered her the 2014 National Championship in USA Track and Field’s 24-Hour Run, a gruelling endurance challenge. Now, the ultra-marathoner and Harvard University professor joins UBC… read more