A major breakthrough in Maya archaeology has emerged from Caracol, Belize, where the University of Houston team uncovered the tomb of Te K'ab Chaak—Caracol’s first known ruler. Buried with elaborate jade, ceramics, and symbolic artifacts, the tomb offers unprecedented insight into early Maya royalty and their ties to the powerful...
Florida cat sniffs out another new virus—and scientists are listening
A cat named Pepper has once again helped scientists discover a new virus—this time a mysterious orthoreovirus found in a shrew. Researchers from the University of Florida, including virologist John Lednicky, identified this strain during unrelated testing and published its genome. Although once thought to be harmless, these viruses are...
Tiny fossil with razor teeth found by student — rewrites mammal history
A university student on a fossil-hunting field trip in Dorset made a stunning discovery: a 145-million-year-old jawbone belonging to a previously unknown mammal species with razor-like teeth. With the help of CT scanning, 3D printing, and expert analysis, the fossil was revealed to be Novaculadon mirabilis, a multituberculate that lived...
Strategic Transactions of Colorado River Rights Could Help Conserve Water and Restore Fish Habitat
When the seven states of the Colorado River Basin first divided water rights in the 1920s, they handed out more than the river could reliably deliver, especially during periods of drought.
New Global Index Puts Nature at the Heart of Human Progress
As the world faces an escalating planetary crisis, a new paper published today in Nature offers something we don’t often hear - hope.
The Future of AI in K-12 Education
“AI could potentially change education drastically,” says UC San Diego education scholar Amy Eguchi, who is both excited and concerned about the prospect.
Grasshopper Size Changes Suggest How to Predict Winners and Losers Under Climate Change
As insect populations decrease worldwide — in what some have called an “insect apocalypse” — biologists seek to understand how the six-legged creatures are responding to a warming world and to predict the long-term winners and losers.
Q&A: Who Is in the Most Danger During a Heatwave?
The current heatwave in the Northeastern United States threatens the comfort and even the safety of millions of people.
How to Cool Communities in the Face of Rising Heat
UBC experts Drs Rachel H. White, Lorien Nesbitt and Sara Barron explain how smarter design and nature-based solutions can keep Canadians cool, safe and healthy.
Brighter, bolder, hotter: Why female guppies can’t resist orange
Male guppies that glow with more orange aren’t just fashion-forward — they’re also significantly more sexually active. A UBC study reveals that brighter coloration is linked to virility and is genetically tied to brain development, suggesting a deeper evolutionary function. Researchers found that these bold hues aren't just for attracting...