July 14, 2021Researchers launch study into COVID-19 vaccine uptake and efficacy in vulnerable urban populationsBritish Columbia is in the midst of two public health emergencies. While the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues across the province and country, fatal drug poisonings have been on the rise. Researchers with UBC and the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU)—in partnership with the BC Centre for Disease...Learn more
July 12, 2021UBC research shows wastewater genomic testing can effectively track COVID-19 variants of concern within a regionWastewater testing can accurately and rapidly identify levels of COVID-19 infections in the community, including the rise of variants of concern, suggests new research led by UBC professor Dr. Ryan Ziels. Dr. Ryan Ziels Ziels and his colleagues analyzed sewage samples from five municipal wastewater...Learn more
June 28, 2021Study highlights pandemic impact on adolescent mental healthAdolescents who were in a good headspace before COVID-19 suffered a decline during the pandemic, whereas those with poor mental health fared better, according to new research. The study, published today in the Journal of Adolescent Health , fills an important gap in research examining adolescent...Learn more
June 11, 2021Pandemic underlines need to address physician burnout, study findsTwo out of three Vancouver physicians surveyed in a new UBC study faced burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers from UBC’s faculty of medicine reviewed survey responses from 302 internal medicine physicians who worked for Vancouver General Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital between August...Learn more
May 25, 2021UBC experts on COVID-19The provincial government is expected to announce plans for the gradual easing of COVID-19-related restrictions in B.C. at a 1 p.m. news conference today. UBC experts are available to comment on related topics. Interviews will be conducted by phone or virtually in order to practice effective...Learn more
May 19, 2021Researchers launch COVID-19 vaccine registry for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals in CanadaAs the COVID-19 vaccine rollout ramps up across the country, the risks and benefits of immunization for pregnant and breastfeeding people remain largely unknown because the initial vaccine clinical trials did not include these populations. In an effort to fill the knowledge gap, researchers are...Learn more
May 18, 2021Debunking COVID-19 myths: As the weather warms, UBC vaccine expert separates fact from fictionAs the days grow longer and the weather warms, more Canadians are heading outside to safely enjoy activities during the pandemic. Dr. Anna Blakney , assistant professor in UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Michael Smith Laboratories and vaccine expert, regularly fields questions about...Learn more
May 11, 2021Canadian researchers lead development and testing of promising treatment for COVID-19 variantsA new anti-viral drug could improve COVID-19 outcomes and survival rates — and is highly effective against multiple variants — according to a new study led by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Université de Sherbrooke. The drug, called N-0385, blocks the SARS-CoV-2 virus from...Learn more
May 5, 2021UBC experts on Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine approval for adolescentsUBC experts are available to comment on Health Canada’s approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for adolescents aged 12 and up. Dr. Ran Goldman Professor, Department of Pediatrics Tel: 604-785-6887 Email: rgoldman@cw.bc.ca Interview language(s): English COVID-19 in children Clinical trials on COVID...Learn more
May 3, 2021UBC researchers unveil first molecular images of B.1.1.7 COVID-19 mutationUBC researchers are the first in the world to publish structural images of the N501Y mutation on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein—a change believed to be partly responsible for the highly infectious nature and rapid spread of variant B.1.1.7. Dr. Sriram Subramaniam The pictures, taken at near-atomic...Learn more