research

A coated (left) versus uncoated catheter. The UBC-developed coating shows promise for preventing infection from implanted medical devices. (Credit: Kizhakkedathu Lab)

UBC-developed silver coating could be answer to bacteria-free catheters, feeding tubes

Implanted medical devices carry a high risk of infection

A coated (left) versus uncoated catheter. The UBC-developed coating shows promise for preventing infection from implanted medical devices. (Credit: Kizhakkedathu Lab)
NIC exchange students from Belgium, Maxime Boufflette (centre) and Wouter Jansen (right), with supervisor Logan Zeinert (left) are studying the degradation of plastics used on oyster farms on Vancouver Island. Submitted photo

Belgian exchange students tackle problematic plastic from B.C. shellfish farms

Wouter Jansen and Maxime Boufflette are taking applied studies program at NIC’s Campbell River campus

NIC exchange students from Belgium, Maxime Boufflette (centre) and Wouter Jansen (right), with supervisor Logan Zeinert (left) are studying the degradation of plastics used on oyster farms on Vancouver Island. Submitted photo
Julia Baum pictured on Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati, in 2014 during reef composition surveys. UVic was recognized as a global leader in climate action by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. (Courtesy of Trisha Stovel/UVic)

UVic #2 for climate action, 12th overall in global post-secondary sustainability rankings

Times Higher Education report based on impact across UN’s sustainable development goals

Julia Baum pictured on Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati, in 2014 during reef composition surveys. UVic was recognized as a global leader in climate action by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. (Courtesy of Trisha Stovel/UVic)
People take part in a climate change protest in Montreal, Nov. 21, 2020. A new project by a team of Simon Fraser University researchers aims to build a tool by monitoring social media that can determine Canadians’ climate distress in real time. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

B.C. researchers developing tool to measure climate distress in real time

Social media data will be key to Simon Fraser University team’s multi-year work

People take part in a climate change protest in Montreal, Nov. 21, 2020. A new project by a team of Simon Fraser University researchers aims to build a tool by monitoring social media that can determine Canadians’ climate distress in real time. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Vancouver seafood menus are shifting as climate change impacts ocean temperatures, a new UBC study has found. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Jumbo flying squid landing on menus as climate shifts seafood supply: UBC study

Researchers say warming sea temperatures are impacting what we eat

Vancouver seafood menus are shifting as climate change impacts ocean temperatures, a new UBC study has found. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A giant rainbow flag is carried on Robson Street during the Vancouver Pride Parade in 2017. A new report out of UBC suggests the lives and health of LGBTQ youth in B.C. are improving. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Health, lives of LGBTQ youth in B.C. improving but not yet equal: report

UBC report shows positive signs between 2008 and 2018

A giant rainbow flag is carried on Robson Street during the Vancouver Pride Parade in 2017. A new report out of UBC suggests the lives and health of LGBTQ youth in B.C. are improving. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Canadians aged 65+ are experiencing higher levels of depression and loneliness since the pandemic began, according to a Simon Fraser University study. (Credit: Pixabay)

Loneliness, depression on the rise among older adults amid pandemic: B.C. study

Women aged 65 to 74 reported 67 per cent increase in loneliness, according to study

Canadians aged 65+ are experiencing higher levels of depression and loneliness since the pandemic began, according to a Simon Fraser University study. (Credit: Pixabay)
Mark Saunders, director of the International Year of the Salmon, introduces the team of researchers behind their latest expedition. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Scientists return to Victoria from winter expedition researching Pacific salmon

Researchers studying impact of changing climate on decreasing salmon population

Mark Saunders, director of the International Year of the Salmon, introduces the team of researchers behind their latest expedition. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Using a specialized chamber, UVic microbiology professor Caroline Cameron works with the bacterium that causes syphilis. She’s researching a better diagnostic test and vaccine for the STI. (Courtesy UVic Photo Services)

UVic researcher working to develop syphilis vaccine after spike in new cases

More than 1,400 B.C. residents contracted the STI in 2021

Using a specialized chamber, UVic microbiology professor Caroline Cameron works with the bacterium that causes syphilis. She’s researching a better diagnostic test and vaccine for the STI. (Courtesy UVic Photo Services)
University of Victoria’s Ralph Evins (left), Haris Shamsi, Rajeev Kotha and Mahsa Torabi are part of team called ReBuild, which is working on a database of building retrofit best practices aimed at making them more energy efficient, low carbon and resilient to climate change. (Photo courtesy of Armando Tura/University of Victoria)

UVic-based initiative building database on energy efficiency retrofit best practices

ReBuild to guide how to make emissions-reducing retrofits in affordable way

University of Victoria’s Ralph Evins (left), Haris Shamsi, Rajeev Kotha and Mahsa Torabi are part of team called ReBuild, which is working on a database of building retrofit best practices aimed at making them more energy efficient, low carbon and resilient to climate change. (Photo courtesy of Armando Tura/University of Victoria)
RCMP underwater recovery team members Cpl. Todd Kaufmann, left, Cpl. Steve Wells and Const. Tim Cucheran worked with ‘Fab’, a Seamor Marine Chinook ROV to recover a bulldozer operator’s body in Nunavut in February. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo company’s tech recovers body after bulldozer breaks through Arctic ice and sinks

Seamor Marine remotely operated vehicle used in deepest recovery operation in RCMP history

RCMP underwater recovery team members Cpl. Todd Kaufmann, left, Cpl. Steve Wells and Const. Tim Cucheran worked with ‘Fab’, a Seamor Marine Chinook ROV to recover a bulldozer operator’s body in Nunavut in February. (Photo submitted)
Researchers recovering a core from Little Woss Lake. Photo Duncan McLaren

Parts of Northern Vancouver Island missed by last Ice Age — researchers

Lake on west side of Island not covered by ice, prompting questions about early human habitation

Researchers recovering a core from Little Woss Lake. Photo Duncan McLaren
This is a scanning electron microscope photo of some of the sediment from deep in the core from Topknot Lake (ca. 16,500 years ago), showing the remains of several species of diatoms, the identification of which indicates whether the water in the lake was fresh or marine at that time. In Topknot Lake there is no sign of marine diatoms, implying that relative sea level never rose to the height of the lake (13 metres above modern sea level). Photo: T. Holmes, NRCAN

Parts of Northern Vancouver Island missed by last Ice Age — researchers

Lake on west side of Island not covered by ice, prompting questions about early human habitation

This is a scanning electron microscope photo of some of the sediment from deep in the core from Topknot Lake (ca. 16,500 years ago), showing the remains of several species of diatoms, the identification of which indicates whether the water in the lake was fresh or marine at that time. In Topknot Lake there is no sign of marine diatoms, implying that relative sea level never rose to the height of the lake (13 metres above modern sea level). Photo: T. Holmes, NRCAN
FILE – Mark Scheifele (55, Winnipeg Jets, blue) hits Jake Evans (71, Montreal Canadiens, white) with a violent hit to the head last June in a Stanley Cup playoff game (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Should head shots be banned in the NHL? 89% of hockey fans say yes

1000 Canadians and “hockey fans” were polled and believe the game would be more appealing

FILE – Mark Scheifele (55, Winnipeg Jets, blue) hits Jake Evans (71, Montreal Canadiens, white) with a violent hit to the head last June in a Stanley Cup playoff game (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)
New studies suggest constant light alcohol consumption puts you at risk for various cancers just as much as binge drinking. (Pixabay photo)

Light alcohol consumption just as risky as binge drinking, BC Cancer study says

One out of seven new cancers were caused by light to moderate drinking in 2020

New studies suggest constant light alcohol consumption puts you at risk for various cancers just as much as binge drinking. (Pixabay photo)
Ryan Rhodes is a University of Victoria professor and expert in exercise science, studying the psychology behind healthy behaviours. He offers tips to remain on board with resolutions through sustainable practice. (Photo courtesy of the University of Victoria)

New year’s resolutions are cliche – adopting healthy habits takes time, UVic expert says

Try pairing something you enjoy with health changes that might initially feel like a burden

Ryan Rhodes is a University of Victoria professor and expert in exercise science, studying the psychology behind healthy behaviours. He offers tips to remain on board with resolutions through sustainable practice. (Photo courtesy of the University of Victoria)
University of Victoria psychologist Nigel Mantou Lou led a research project studying Asian-Canadian discrimination in Canada. He and his team found that anti-Asian racism has increased during the pandemic. (Courtesy UVic Photo Services)

UVic study shows hate crimes against Asian Canadians increase during pandemic

Many survey participants fear their children will be bullied due to their Chinese identity

University of Victoria psychologist Nigel Mantou Lou led a research project studying Asian-Canadian discrimination in Canada. He and his team found that anti-Asian racism has increased during the pandemic. (Courtesy UVic Photo Services)
Tim Naimi, director of the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, says higher levels of consumption seen in the first few months of COVID were not the result of stockpiling, but of an overall increase in drinking sustained over the year. (Amanda Farrell-Low/Courtesy UVic)

B.C. alcohol consumption rates hit a 20-year peak in 2021

UVic researcher says increased availability leads to people drinking more

Tim Naimi, director of the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, says higher levels of consumption seen in the first few months of COVID were not the result of stockpiling, but of an overall increase in drinking sustained over the year. (Amanda Farrell-Low/Courtesy UVic)
UVic professor and researcher Natalie Ban won a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada fellowship for her dedication to finding real-world solutions for marine issues. (Photo courtesy of the University of Victoria)

UVic prof receives fellowship for marine conservation protection research

Program sees recipients relieved of teaching duties while devoting time to research

UVic professor and researcher Natalie Ban won a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada fellowship for her dedication to finding real-world solutions for marine issues. (Photo courtesy of the University of Victoria)
A five-year Statistics Canada survey on victimization found rates of respondents self-reporting physical and/or sexual violence in their spousal or partner relationships came down between 1999 and 2019. (Pixabay)

Self-reported spousal violence on decline; women still more likely to suffer

Findings capture conditions before COVID-19 pandemic sent many into isolation

A five-year Statistics Canada survey on victimization found rates of respondents self-reporting physical and/or sexual violence in their spousal or partner relationships came down between 1999 and 2019. (Pixabay)