News
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Metal-eating microbes in African lake could solve mystery of Earth's iron deposits
September 9, 2015
An isolated, iron-rich bay in the heart of East Africa is offering scientists a rare glimpse back into Earth’s primitive marine environment, and supports theories that tiny microbes created some of the world’s largest ore deposits billions of years ago. According to University of… read more
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Phytoplankton waste in ocean spray could trigger ice formation in clouds
September 9, 2015
Organic waste from phytoplankton (plant life) in remote polar oceans contributes to rare airborne particles that trigger ice formation in clouds, according to an international team of researchers that includes University of British Columbia (UBC) and University of Toronto scientists. … read more
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Four UBC Science researchers elected to Royal Society of Canada
September 8, 2015
UBC researchers exploring forest genomics, fish conservation, ocean particle fluxes and software development where elected to the Royal Society of Canada today. They join 30 other UBC Science researchers recognize by the RSC since 2000. The fellowships are the highest academic accolade in the… read more
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First superconducting graphene created by UBC researchers
September 4, 2015
Graphene, the ultra-thin, ultra-strong material made from a single layer of carbon atoms, just got a little more extreme. University of British Columbia (UBC) physicists have been able to create the first ever superconducting graphene sample by coating it with lithium atoms. Although… read more
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Botanists conduct first large-scale genetic study of marijuana, hemp
August 26, 2015
A study by Canadian researchers is providing a clearer picture of the evolutionary history and genetic organization of cannabis, a step that could have agricultural, medical and legal implications for the valuable crop. “Even though hemp and marijuana are important crops, knowledge about… read more
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Prof collected bottle refunds for 25 years, donates $1M to support UBC geology students
August 21, 2015
A $1.1-million estate donation by geologist Wilbert R 'Ted' Danner will increase support for geology students at UBC, including topping up a scholarship originally funded by the proceeds of returned recyclable bottles and cans. “We're truly honoured by this gift,” said UBC Dean of… read more
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UBC physics class drops ‘by-rote’ experiments to boost critical thinking
August 17, 2015
When an experiment doesn’t go as expected in a new introductory physics lab at the University of British Columbia (UBC) this September, students will take a real-world approach to the ‘failure’. They’ll compare their experimental data to other students’ data and to… read more
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New weapon in the fight against malnutrition
August 4, 2015
UBC scientists have opened the doors to new research into malnutrition by creating an animal model that replicates the imbalance of gut bacteria associated with the difficult-to-treat disease. Malnutrition affects millions of people worldwide and is responsible for one-fifth of deaths in children… read more
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UBC positioned as global leader in quantum materials research with $66.5-million federal investment
July 30, 2015
A $66.5-million investment from the Government of Canada—the largest government investment in a single UBC research program—will enhance UBC’s standing as a global leader in quantum matter research and help connect university research with industry. UBC’s Quantum Matter… read more
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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