A collaboration of researchers including UBC scientists have observed gravitational waves from the collision of what is most likely aneutron star and an object likely to be alight black hole,650 million light-years from Earth.The mass of the black hole is 2.5 to 4.5 times the mass of Earth’s sun,meaning it falls in the so-called‘mass gap’:heavier than heaviest known and theorized neutron stars but lighter than the lightest black holes in our galaxy.The collision,reported in apreprint paper,was detected by one part of an international network of gravitational wave detectors,comprised of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory(LIGO),the Virgo Gravitational Wave Interferometer,and the Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector(KAGRA).“This detection,the first of our exciting results from the fourth LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observing run,reveals that there may be ahigher rate of similar collisions between neutron stars and low mass black holes than we previously thought,”says Dr.Jess McIver,assistant professor at UBC and deputy spokesperson of the LIGO scientific collaboration. 查看详细>>

People around the world have been impressed with ChatGPT,a new chatbot developed by OpenAI that uses natural language processing(NLP)to seemingly answer any question.It works much better than similar technologies that came before it—as long as you prompt it in English.Ife Adebara is working to make sure less widely spoken languages from her home continent of Africa aren’t left behind as NLP technology makes these giant leaps.Adebara is aUBC PhD student in the deep learning and natural language processing group,a diverse team of researchers led by associate professor Muhammad Abdul-Mageed,Canada Research Chair in natural language processing and machine learning.We spoke with Adebara about her team’s work to democratize technology.What is NLP?In simple terms,NLP is about teaching acomputer to process human language.For example,Alexa uses NLP to have conversations with people.Google Translate uses NLP to understand asource language and translate it into atarget language.When you’re writing an email and the system gives you suggestions of what to write next,it’s using NLP.Could somebody build aChatGPT for Swahili or Zulu or Yoruba?There’s barely enough data for any of those languages,which is why we call them“low-resource”languages.If there isn’t enough data,you’re not able to build arobust system.Most African countries use English,French or Portuguese as the official language,so every conversation in government,education and health care is documented in one of those languages.More than 7,000 languages are spoken across the world,and ChatGPT primarily supports English and minimally knows about 20 other languages.It works really well for English because there is alot of data available for the language.What else makes it challenging to bring this technology to low-resource African languages?Even when data is available,it may not be of high quality or properly prepared for atask such as machine translation.Also,these can be very different types of languages.At least 80 per cent of African languages are tone languages.You might have the same sequence of alphabet or letters,but the way the words are pronounced makes adifference in meaning.They’re just so different from English and other Indo-European languages that they might need to be processed differently.What specifically have you been working on?With support from Google and Advanced Micro Devices,I built alanguage identification system called AfroLID.It works for 517 African languages and is publicly available.It’s aprecursor to alot of other AI models.If you want to build alanguage translation model,you need to be able to first identify which language it is before you can translate it.I want to keep improving the model so that every language can be identified to the highest accuracy possible.Most of these languages have not been used for any AI work before,and bringing them into the world of AI is really important. 查看详细>>

Health Canada is currently reviewing regulations for pesticides in Canada,and three UBC researchers say regulators might want to consider what happened in Japan.A lake in Shimane Prefecture has seen its commercial fishery collapse by more than 90 per cent since 1993,when insecticides known as neonicotinoids were first introduced to the area.It just so happens that zooplankton—the tiny creatures in the water that fish feed on—declined by 83 per cent during the same period.That’s just one example of the unanticipated ripple effects of pesticides uncovered by UBC ecologists Dr.Risa Sargent,Dr.Juli Carrillo and Dr.Claire Kremen in their review of recent science.They also found concerning research about glyphosates.Use of this weed-killer has increased 100-fold in recent decades.Because it targets an enzyme that exists only in plants,it was thought to be perfectly safe for animals.However,a study last year showed that it alters the mix of bacteria and microbes in bees’intestines,while also disrupting their ability to keep hives at the optimum temperature.When the chemicals you use to protect crops harm their pollinators,are you really any further ahead?It seems not.A third study showed that the use of neonicotinoid in acornfield produced no increase in corn yields but did depress yields and profits in nearby watermelon fields by 21 per cent.Looking at these findings together,the researchers conclude that scientists have some catching up to do if we are to understand the full picture of the impacts of pesticide use.And regulations need to catch up to the science. 查看详细>>

The University of British Columbia(UBC)Board of Governors has approved UBC’s 2022/2023 budget.The new budget sets spending priorities for the year ahead to advance the university’s key strategic priorities while supporting students,faculty,and staff in their collective pursuit of excellence in learning,teaching,and research.Greater than anticipated enrolment,significant efforts to reduce expenditures,and strong government support have enabled UBC to manage the continuing financial impact of COVID-19.While the 2022/23 day-to-day operating budget projects a$7 million deficit,the total consolidated budget—which includes capital spending for expenditures such as building projects,roads,and other infrastructure,and restricted income earned from land development proceeds,research,and endowments—is projected to result in a$100 million surplus.UBC’s financial health remains strong and external credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Services recently reaffirmed UBC with an Aa1 rating.This allows UBC to continue to move forward,directing limited resources to key areas,including the advancement of the academic mission;expansion of academic and non-academic support for students to enable their success in and out of classrooms;supporting the implementation of the Climate Action Plan and the Climate Emergency Task Force recommendations;advancing the commitments of the Indigenous Strategic Plan;and furthering Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence initiatives.UBC Vancouver plans to invest an additional$3.3 million of ongoing funding to further enhance student mental health resources and expand the Jumpstart program.UBC Okanagan will also invest$2.4 million to enhance the student experience,including admissions,awards,and student employment and wellness.Additionally,$825,000 has been earmarked to kickstart the recommendations from the Student Affordability Task Force Report,which was also approved by the Board of Governors in March.“Supporting an outstanding learning environment remains our overall priority,”says Andrew Szeri,provost and vice-president academic,UBC Vancouver.“Across the university,investments in teaching and the student experience,as well as mental health,wellness supports,and other resources will help further academic excellence at UBC.”In 2022/23,UBC is advancing equity,diversity,inclusion,and anti-racism through its spending priorities,including$2.6 million to support the implementation of the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force recommendations,the expansion of the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program,and gender equity for athletics at UBC Vancouver.The Okanagan campus will also invest afurther$240,000 in the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program and in creating aBlack Resource Centre that will support the learning and engagement of Black students,which will grow to$400,000 in upcoming years.“Promoting equity,diversity,and inclusion is an important pre-condition for attracting and retaining the best and brightest students,faculty,and staff from around the world,”adds Szeri.“These are areas of focus that we have been investing in over time that will continue to transform UBC and its impact.”Building on UBC’s$2.8 million of investment in 2021/22 to support the implementation of the Indigenous Strategic Plan,an additional$4.2 million will be provided for the upcoming academic year for the Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives;expansion of Indigenous student,curriculum,and advising support;and significant renovation to the Laboratory of Archaeology.An additional$856,000 will support UBC Okanagan’s new Indigenous Graduate Entrance Fellowships and the continuation of the Indigenous Undergraduate Research Mentorship,as well as an Admissions Advisor for Indigenous Applicants staff position,and other projects. 查看详细>>

Canada’s high school students may not be getting enough information on the negative impacts of climate change,scientific consensus behind human-caused warming or climate solutions,according to new research from the University of British Columbia and Lund University.Researchers analyzed textbooks and curricula from Canada’s 13 provinces and territories and interviewed curriculum designers.They concluded that while the material did agood job of explaining that climate change is caused by humans,it missed opportunities to educate them on impacts and solutions.In addition,curricula from Manitoba,Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island presented human-caused climate change as being asubject of debate among experts when,in fact,there is overwhelming scientific consensus that humans are driving climate change. 查看详细>>

For the first time,scientists have captured high-resolution,three-dimensional images of an enzyme in the process of precisely cutting DNA strands.The images—captured using atechnique called cryogenic electron microscopy,or cryo-EM—reveal new information about how agene-editing tool called CRISPR-Cas9 works,which may help researchers develop versions of it that operate more efficiently and precisely to alter targeted genes.The findings—published today in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology—hold promise for future treatment and prevention of arange of human diseases caused by DNA m 查看详细>>

The University of British Columbia(UBC)is launching Canada’s first blockchain and distributed ledger technology training path for graduate students.The initiative aims to build capacity for existing master’s and PhD students in this area and help scale Canada’s blockchain industry,while also tackling some of the world’s most complex sociotechnical issues.Set to become the world’s most multidisciplinary blockchain training path,the unique initiative will provide students with next-generation tools and applications to address issues in FinTech,engineering and computer science,and information governance through its disciplinary streams.“As the country’s first graduate blockchain learning path,the initiative is transformative to the blockchain sector in Canada and beyond,”said Victoria Lemieux,UBC iSchool associate professor and Blockchain UBC cluster lead.“The initiative will allow students to develop the skills around emerging technologies that are in high demand as well as drive economic growth as graduates fill the void in the industry.” 查看详细>>

There is aplace at UBC where,without ever leaving aroom,you can experience astroll through Stanley Park,conduct an orchestra and even get awalking tour of the brain’s complex neuroanatomy.Welcome to the Emerging Media Lab(EML)—a unique space where students,faculty and staff come together across disciplines to push the boundaries of technology and create new tools for learning.Established in 2016,the EML operates as asolely experimental space where,as its technical supervisor Kirk Karasin puts it,“Participants have the right to fail.”It’s aresource open to faculty and students from all disciplines,where the only prerequisite is adesire to explore new applications for emerging media,from virtual reality(VR)and augmented reality(AR)to brain-computer interface and artificial intelligence.“It isn’t part of aspecific faculty or department,”says Saeed Dyanatkar,EML lead and executive producer of UBC Studios.“The EML is for everyone.”Currently eight faculty in residence,from an array of UBC faculties and departments,are collaborating with EML on innovative teaching and learning solutions.Most projects are proposed by faculty members,but the tools themselves are developed by teams of undergraduate student volunteers and Work Learn students,with support from industry partners and EML staff.Tools at their disposal include AR HoloLens headsets—donated by Microsoft—as well as VR glasses from Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.And as all the projects are non-credit and purely extracurricular,developers have free rein to test and explore the technologies.“We have,in many disciplines,really creative and innovative faculty who want to be able to experiment with leading-edge technology that they think has potential to enhance their academic domain,”observes Simon Bates,associate provost of teaching and learning.“In the spirit of innovation,they want to do experiments and learn how these technologies can support them,or support student learning.And the EML gives them aspace to do that.” 查看详细>>

The University of British Columbia’s Board of Governors has approved the appointment of Peter Smailes as the new vice-president,finance and operations.Smailes brings more than 20 years of experience to the role.He has served as interim vice-president since January and formally took on the position this week.“As Vice-President,he will work closely with me,the board of governors,executive,deans and other partners,in overseeing the finance and operations portfolio for the university,”said UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa J.Ono.“He will also provide strategic leadership along with other members of the executive team to ensure the university is successful in achieving the vision and goals set out in its strategic plan:Shaping UBC’s Next Century.”Smailes will lead finance,treasury and risk management services across the UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses as well as building operations,energy and water services and infrastructure development.His portfolio also oversees the university’s relationship with the UBC Investment Management Trust which manages the university’s$2.1-billion endowment,the staff pension plan,and UBC Properties Trust,which develops and manages real-estate assets for the benefit of the university.UBC has an operating budget of$2.5 billion,research income approaching$600 million,more than 150 spin-off companies and an estimated$12.7 billion economic impact.“I’m very pleased to take on this role,”said Smailes.“UBC is an exceptional institution and Ilook forward to continuing to strengthen its reputation for research excellence and as auniversity dedicated to the student learning experience.”Smailes is aChartered Professional Accountant and Certified Management Accountant with abachelor of economics degree from Carleton University.He began his career in Toronto at abrokerage firm in 1987.In 1992,he joined UBC as afinance temporary employee,gradually moving through avariety of positions until 1998 when he left UBC to form aprivate consulting business.Smailes returned to UBC in 2001 as associate treasurer,a role he held until 2005.That year he was named interim treasurer,before he was appointed to the treasurer role in 2007. 查看详细>>

Permanent lung damage caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)starts much earlier than previously thought,even before patients are showing symptoms.These are the findings of anew study recently published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.The breakthrough discovery,led by Dr.Tillie-Louise Hackett,associate professor in the University of British Columbia’s faculty of medicine,will dramatically change how patients are treated for COPD,the leading cause of hospital admissions in B.C.and Canada.Hackett,who is also aprincipal investigator at St.Paul’s Hospital Centre for Heart Lung Innovation(HLI),and her research team found that even patients diagnosed with mild COPD have already lost asignificant portion of their small airways—more than 40 per cent—on average.COPD is achronic,progressive condition that slowly damages the tissues of the lungs.Currently,patients with mild disease,as determined by alung function test,are given minimal or no treatment.“These patients often have little to no symptoms,so it was believed their lungs were relatively undamaged,”said Hackett.“Now that we know the severity of the damage,we need to look at earlier intervention to ensure the best outcomes for COPD patients.”The new findings also suggest previous large clinical trials testing new COPD treatments may have failed because patients already had substantial lung damage.“If the same drugs were tested on patients with more mild forms of the disease,and less tissue damage,the results could be very different,”said Hackett.Lung samples from 34 patients were analyzed using an ultra-high resolution microCT scanner,one of only three scanners of this kind in the country.The special scanner,funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and St.Paul’s Foundation,was instrumental to Hackett’s research.Though the HLI Lung Tissue Registry Biobank at St.Paul’s has been collecting specimens for more than 30 years,the recent addition of the microCT scanner made it possible to image samples that are embedded in paraffin in extreme detail.It is estimated approximately one in 10 people over the age of 40 may suffer from COPD.Martin Mannette has been living with the disease for eight years.He is managing well with acareful combination of medication,but the 68-year-old is excited about how this research could impact future patients.“I worry about COPD taking over as the number one killer,”said Mannette,“so anything we can do for the next generation so they can avoid COPD is so important.”Dr.Don Sin,the Canada Research Chair in COPD and aSt.Paul’s respirologist,said the findings have significant implications.By 2020,COPD is expected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide.“This breakthrough finding will allow us to develop new drugs to treat patients with COPD at the earliest stages of their disease when the disease is reversible,”said Sin.“This will prevent disease progression in thousands of patients and help them stay out of the hospital and remain healthy in their own homes.” 查看详细>>