University of British Columbia Archives

The Clasp protein, seen here in an image from an electron microscope,  helps cells divide within the roots and shoots of the thale cress plant.

Calling all plant cells

Internal communication system aids and  guides plant development, researchers say

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff September 5, 2018

Western Canadian researchers have discovered an internal messaging system plants use to manage the growth and division of cells. These growth-management processes are critical for all organisms, because without them, cells can proliferate out of control — as they do in cancers and bacterial infections. Researchers from the University of British Columbia, along with colleagues

The Jerusalem artichoke has revealed the genetic advantage of invasive species.

Did you know?, News, Other

Invasive weeds have genetic advantage

A single trait, which developed independently in multiple situations, drives invasive success

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff May 23, 2018

They say a weed can grow almost anywhere, and researchers at the University of British Columbia have found the reason is genetic. They looked at one successful weedy plant, the Jerusalem artichoke, to see why it survives, thrives and spreads. Understanding how invasive plants evolve and the genetic underpinnings that enable them to thrive in

Developing a love of nature at an early age can help produce a next generation that will care about the environment.

Country Crossroads

Children who play outside more likely to protect nature

Development of environmental awareness  necessary for next generation to care for the Earth

By University Of British Columbia Release April 18, 2017

University of British Columbia researcher Catherine Broom says children who play outside are likely to care more about nature as adults than kids who don’t spend time outdoors. Research by Broom, assistant professor in the faculty of education at UBC Okanagan, shows that 87 per cent of study respondents who played outside as children expressed

Editorial, Opinion

Editorial: Family feud

By Gord Gilmour March 23, 2017

Everyone has that cousin, uncle or sibling. You love them, they’re family after all, but sometimes you just don’t like them much. Maybe it’s their insistence on talking about their controversial politics over Christmas dinner. Perhaps it’s the way they can’t just talk about how much they like their new tractor without running down yours.

University of Manitoba professor, Martin Entz says tensions between conventional and organic producers appear to be softening.

Crops, Local news

Organic agriculture no panacea: study

Too many uncertainties exist to say it’s the only solution

By Ron Friesen March 23, 2017

Organic agriculture has benefits but it is not a silver bullet for global food security, a new study says. Too much scientific uncertainty exists for organic agriculture to be considered a better alternative to conventional farming, says the study by two University of British Columbia researchers. “(O)rganic agriculture cannot be the Holy Grail for our

Opinion, Other livestock

Deep waters: how can we protect our oceans and fisheries?

When it comes to animal protein, Canadians, despite having the  longest coastline in the world, don’t think about fish

By Mike Smit, Sylvain Charlebois October 19, 2016

Typically when Canadians discuss protein-related foods, they look to our key livestock industries: cattle, hogs and chicken. In comparison to those terrestrial food sources, fish stocks are transient and invisible. That can make oceans and their issues easily overlooked. But fish and seafood must be part of any discussions about sustainable food systems. Oceans feed

Country Crossroads, Local news

Researchers zero in on Dutch elm disease genes

Study compares resistance and susceptibility of trees and may provide helpful info for cloning tolerant ones

By University Of Guelph March 30, 2016

A new study by University of Guelph biologists has brought researchers closer to the goal of restoring American elms resistant to Dutch elm disease (DED) in cities and forests across Canada and the United States. The paper published in Nature Scientific Reports offers a closer look at specific genes that allow elms to resist the most destructive shade

Most farmers consider themselves professionals. Some are suggesting they make it official.

Livestock

Should livestock farmers need a degree?

Profound changes in society require a different response to reassuring the public about animal care

By Alex Binkley December 16, 2015

With growing public scrutiny of livestock production, the time has come to consider requiring livestock farmers to be professionals like lawyers, doctors and accountants, said a veteran animal welfare educator. The training and certification a livestock production professional would require “would be the most powerful way to assure the public about animal care,” said David

Did you know?, Livestock, News

Cows learn better with a buddy

Calves housed individually took longer to adapt to new things

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 25, 2014

Cows learn better when housed together, which may help them adjust faster to complex new feeding and milking technologies on the modern farm, a University of British Columbia study has found. The research, published in PLOS ONE, shows dairy calves become better at learning when a “buddy system” is in place. The study also provides

A mile-high, 100-mile-wide dust storm that blew through Phoenix, Arizona in July 2011 is pictured in this NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Day turned into night as the billowy plumes of dust rolled over the mountains and clogged the skies over and around Phoenix. photo: REUTERS/MODIS Rapid Response Team/NASA/Handout

Did you know?, News

The answer is blowing in the wind Researchers find the West is dustier than it was before

June 26, 2013

The answer is blowing in the wind Researchers find the West is dustier than it was before The amount of dust being blown across the landscape has increased over the last 17 years in large swaths of the West, according to a new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder. The escalation in dust

Daily Network News

U.S. grains: Chicago grain prices fall amid profit-taking and dollar rebound

U.S. livestock: Cattle fall back as inventory hits 75-year low

Farm family income gains driven by off-farm earnings: StatCan

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