Measuring the social impact of disruptive weather, plus other stories
New research stories from UU直播.
Using artificial intelligence to study the social impact of disruptive weather eventsDoes a 鈥渄isruptive weather event鈥� imply extreme weather? Not necessarily, say two UU直播 researchers. Instead of focusing on social impacts, weather research tends to focus on meteorology.
Using sound and bubbles to make bandages stickier and longer lasting
Researchers have discovered that they can control the stickiness of adhesive bandages using ultrasound waves and bubbles. This breakthrough could lead to new advances in medical adhesives, especially in cases where adhesives are difficult to apply such as on wet skin.
Study challenges attitudes about young people and pandemic preventative measures, plus other stories
Critical thinking protecting Ukrainians against Russia's disinformation campaign
In disinformation campaigns, like the long-standing pro-Kremlin campaign targeted at Ukraine by the Russian government, who is most at risk of believing false information? A study led by UU直播 and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that Ukrainians who engaged in more analytic thinking were less likely to believe the pro-Kremlin disinformation, even if they were generally pro-Russia.
Why are some birds more intelligent than others?
If you鈥檝e ever seen a starling peck open a garbage bag or a grackle steal your dog pellets, you get a sense that some birds have learned to take advantage of new feeding opportunities 鈥� a clear sign of their intelligence. Scientists have long wondered why certain species of birds are more innovative than others, and whether these capacities stem from larger brains (which intuitively seems likely) or from a greater number of neurons in specific areas of the brain.
No 'Safe Space' for 12 key ocean species on North American West Coast
For the generations who grew up watching Finding Nemo, it might not come as a surprise that the North American West Coast has its own version of the underwater ocean highway 鈥� the California Current marine ecosystem (CCME). The CCME extends from the southernmost tip of California up through Washington. Seasonal upward currents of cold, nutrient-rich water are the backbone to a larger food web of krill, squid, fish, seabirds and marine mammals.
The tiny bodies of bats allow perfect balance between flight costs and heat dissipation
Many mammal species living in cold climates tend to have large bodies and short limbs to reduce heat loss 鈥� a general pattern known as Bergmann鈥檚 rule. However, bats are the exception to the rule, displaying small body sizes in both hot and cold regions. A UU直播-led team of researchers is shedding light on this long-standing debate over bats鈥� body sizes and focus on why bats are seemingly non-conforming to ecogeographical patterns found in other mammals.
No pain, no gain? How the brain chooses between pain and profit
Imagine having to choose over and over between what you enjoy doing and the pain that it might cause you, whether physical or emotional. If you live with conditions such as depression, anxiety, or chronic pain, you are probably familiar with making these difficult choices on a daily or weekly basis. But surprisingly little is known about which areas of the brain are involved in decisions of this kind.
New Vic: UU直播 welcomes the Quebec government鈥檚 support
The Gazette officielle du Qu茅bec published the ministerial decision authorizing the Dossier d鈥檃ffaires for the New Vic project on July 13th, 2022. This important milestone is a key step in this major visionary and transformative project led by UU直播.
Astronomers detect a radio 鈥渉eartbeat鈥� billions of light-years from Earth
Astronomers at UU直播, MIT and elsewhere have detected a strange and persistent radio signal from a far-off galaxy, that appears to be flashing with surprising regularity. Classified as a fast radio burst, or FRB, this new signal persists for up to three seconds, about 1,000 times longer than the average FRB. Within this window, the team detected bursts of radio waves that repeat every 0.2 seconds in a clear periodic pattern.
Is AI good or bad for the climate? It鈥檚 complicated
As the world fights climate change, will the increasingly widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) be a help or a hindrance?
$26.5 million for UU直播 Research from NSERC Discovery Research Programs
Asked to list the most earthquake prone countries, few people would earmark Canada. Yet, in 2021, Natural Resources Canada identified 46 earthquakes, which registered between 1.8 and 5.3 magnitude and to date, 26 earthquakes have occurred in 2022. Damaging earthquakes are surprisingly common in the Western Quebec Seismic Zone, which encloses the Ottawa Valley from Montreal to T茅miscamingue as well as the Laurentians.
A blueprint for life forms on Mars?
The extremely salty, very cold, and almost oxygen-free environment under the permafrost of Lost Hammer Spring in Canada鈥檚 High Arctic is the one that most closely resembles certain areas on Mars. So, if you want to learn more about the kinds of life forms that could once have existed 鈥� or may still exist 鈥� on Mars, this is a good place to look. After much searching under extremely difficult conditions, UU直播 researchers have found microbes that have never been identified before.
Melanoma map shows skin cancer is on the rise in Canada
Rates of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, are on the rise in Canada. Those living in southern and coastal areas are most at risk, according to a new study led by UU直播.
