Male northern elephant seals can hold their breath up to 90 minutes and dive more than 2,000 metres.

Elite free divers can hold their breath for 10 minutes after years of rigorous, sometimes dangerous training. Northern elephant seals practically live underwater, taking up to 90 minutes between breaths.

A new study from UBC Okanagan’s Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health examines how the animals eclipse their human counterparts so quickly, with an eye on improving human health.

“Our study highlights key physiological traits in seals that could inspire new information and treatments for conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute pulmonary edema,” says Courtney Brown, the doctoral student who led the research.

“These conditions involve similar blood gas imbalances, and understanding how seals manage these can guide the development of therapeutic strategies.”

The research reveals significant differences in human-seal responses to apnea, or holding your breath.

Brown and her interdisciplinary team measured the blood responses of these two adept divers. The findings show that northern elephant seals exhibit superior pH buffering and higher carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels—the amount of hemoglobin with carbon monoxide bound to it—an adaptation that enables them to dive for extended periods without the adverse effects experienced by humans.

“By understanding how seals keep their blood stable during long dives, we might find new ways to help patients with respiratory conditions and improve their quality of life,” Brown says.

She analyzed arterial blood samples from 14 elite free divers and three juvenile northern elephant seals.

Despite similar increases in partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO₂), only humans experienced significant reductions in pH, underscoring the seals’ enhanced buffering capacity.

This means seals can better maintain stable blood pH levels, which is crucial for prolonged dives. Seals also maintained higher COHb levels, potentially offering protection against oxidative stress and inflammation.

Dr. Phil Ainslie oversaw the research and said it underscores broader implications.

“By studying how seals and elite human free divers can manage their blood and oxygen levels during long dives with no breathing, we can gain fundamental insights into how the body might adapt to a complete cessation of oxygen. Ultimately, this is the cause of death in every one of us,” he says.

“Whether this research may inform the understanding of pathology is unclear at this stage, but probing the mechanisms by which someone can adapt to a lack of oxygen is an important scientific goal.”

The research appears in the American Journal of Physiology’s July issue.

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Dr. Jian Lui leads UBCO’s Battery Innovation Centre. This week the provincial government announced $2 million in funding that will be used to conduct research on battery innovation that will investigate new materials, recycling options and improvements in solid-state battery technology.

From phones to computers and vehicles, the number of battery-powered devices that people depend on continues to increase, leading to the need to find more efficient and sustainable methods of battery production.

Now, a cutting-edge laboratory at UBC Okanagan will provide a world-class space for researchers, government and industry partners to work together to tackle this pressing need. Josie Osborne, BC’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, was at UBC Okanagan Monday to announce $2 million in funding for a new Battery Innovation Centre that will empower UBC researchers to advance battery innovation in the province.

“We are proud to support UBC Okanagan’s Battery Innovation Centre, which will place British Columbia at the forefront of battery technology innovation and create more jobs for people through an inter-provincial circular economy,” says Osborne. “By advancing solid-state battery technology, we are not only investing in groundbreaking research but also contributing to a sustainable and low-carbon future.”

Located in UBCO’s Innovation Precinct 1, the centre will be led by UBC Okanagan’s Dr. Jian Liu, who is already working with Canadian and international industry leaders to design, develop and create prototypes of the next generation of batteries.

“We are grateful to the BC government for this critical investment in next-generation battery technology,” says UBCO Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lesley Cormack. “Energy storage is the missing piece of the puzzle that will allow us to fully utilize clean, renewable energy. This investment will position UBC Okanagan and the region as a hub of battery innovation and allow Dr. Liu and our industry partners to continue to develop a stronger battery ecosystem and a circular battery economy.”

New Methods and Materials

Over the past seven years, Dr. Liu and fellow researchers have been working with many small and medium-sized businesses across Canada to improve the country’s battery supply chain.

“Many companies lack the ability to test and demonstrate their materials, and in Canada there is a lack of ability and infrastructure for battery prototyping. The new facility will help us fill this gap,” says Dr. Liu, who in addition to serving as an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering with UBCO’s School of Engineering, also leads UBCO’s Battery Innovation Cluster and is the Principal’s Research Chair in Energy Storage Technologies.

Up until now, Dr. Liu and his team have been fixated on studying batteries at the atomic structural level, focusing primarily on testing innovative new materials in coin cell batteries like those used in watches and key fobs.

As Dr. Liu explains, the new centre will help researchers move to the next phase using new materials and innovations in pouch and cylindrical cells, such as those used in electric vehicles.

“The new centre will expand our capacity and allow us to apply the leaps we have made with materials at the atomic level into practice in these new and larger cells for a wider range of applications.”

When many people think of batteries, they think of the cells commonly found in households, which are fueled by traditional materials that have been in use for decades, like lithium.

Dr. Liu and his team are constantly exploring new materials and techniques that represent the next generation of energy storage systems, including combinations of zinc and alkali metals which he and fellow researchers have shown in a recent study to offer higher voltage, better stability and improved safety. This type of work will be further enhanced in the new research space.

Innovation Through Collaboration

The Battery Innovation Centre will provide an invaluable space for academic researchers to partner with Canadian industry leaders to test materials and accelerate battery development and deployment in Western Canada. Dr. Liu hopes it may one day serve as a national hub for the development of a stronger battery ecosystem

“We want to ensure everyone is aware of this facility, across academia, industry and communities so that they understand the benefits it can bring. It will significantly boost the battery ecosystem in BC,” says Dr. Liu.

Fenix Advanced Materials, a clean technology company that specializes in the manufacture of ultra-high-purity metals, is an industry partner working with the researchers to test more efficient battery materials.

“We are thrilled to work with UBC Okanagan on battery research,” says Don Freschi, Fenix CEO. “The new centre is going to be a great benefit to our company and the entire battery industry in Western Canada. It’s going to allow us to continue to develop and commercialize our existing materials, and to explore new and emerging materials, giving us the potential to expand our market. This is a perfect example of UBC researchers and industry working together to innovate.”

Metal Tech Alley, based in Trail, is another. The economic development agency aims to advance the circular economy movement in BC by bringing together leaders across academia, industries and municipalities to make more environmentally and community-focused strides.

Dr. Liu’s research team has been working with Metal Tech Alley to develop new recycling methods to recover and repair graphite anode materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and then place that recovered material into new batteries. He notes that by circling critical battery materials in the supply chain, it will reduce the dependence on mining and the related energy, environmental and ethical issues.

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Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation announces $2 million investment to establish the Battery Innovation Centre

The Province is charged up over its game-changing $2 million investment to establish the Battery Innovation Centre (BIC) at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus (UBCO). This cutting-edge facility will put the Okanagan at the forefront of the booming battery sector, solidifying its role as a powerhouse in clean energy innovation.

“The Battery Innovation Centre at UBCO is a monumental leap forward for British Columbia’s clean energy sector,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “This project not only aligns with our vision for the electrification of the energy system but also promises to drive economic growth by fostering innovation and creating high-quality jobs. We are investing in the future of B.C., and the future is green.”

The BIC is set to supercharge B.C.’s economy by positioning the province as a leader in the critical minerals and global battery supply chain. By advancing technology in battery recycling, metal processing, and critical mineral mining, this initiative will create significant economic development opportunities, including high-tech jobs and partnerships with leading industries.

“We are grateful to the government of BC for this significant investment in the Battery Innovation Centre,” said UBCO Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lesley Cormack. “Effective energy storage is a critical element of a low carbon energy future and the work of our research team has already improved Canada’s battery supply chain. This investment will elevate that work even further by providing the necessary space to create and test battery prototypes on a larger scale.”

The BIC will be the first of its kind in Western Canada, serving as a critical hub for testing and scaling up next-generation battery technologies. It will support regional economic development, including battery recycling and metal processing in the Kootenays, battery manufacturing in the Lower Mainland, and critical mineral mining throughout B.C. By fostering academic-industry collaborations, the Centre will help secure B.C.’s position as a leader in the clean energy economy.

The new BIC, located within this hub, will further support CleanBC’s electrification goals and B.C.’s Critical Mineral Strategy. Using locally available materials like sulphur from mining and oil refineries and tellurium recycled from smelting wastes, the project follows a “circular battery economy” model, reducing reliance on overseas critical minerals, supporting North American energy security and strengthening domestic production.

Quick Facts:

• The innovators behind Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund projects are on the leading edge, building connections, developing and demonstrating technology that will help B.C. transition to a low carbon economy.
• C. is home to a growing clean-energy sector that accounts for approximately 20% of Canada’s clean-technology firms.
• Since 2008, the ICE Fund has committed approximately $114 million to support pre-commercial clean-energy technology projects, clean-energy vehicles, research and development, and energy-efficiency programs.
• ICE partnerships have included the federal government agencies, universities, local government, First Nations and many emerging clean-technology companies and organizations throughout British Columbia.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Innovative Clean Energy Fund, visit:
https://www.gov.bc.ca/innovativecleanenergyfund

The CleanBC plan helps us reduce pollution and power our future with renewable energy: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/

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UBCO Professor Mary Jung’s Type 2 diabetes prevention program Small Steps for Big Changes is being rolled out across Canada. The program is also available in Portugal and will soon be running in Australia.

Thousands of Canadians with prediabetes will soon be able to sign up at participating YMCAs for a diet and exercise counselling program proven to lower their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

The program, Small Steps for Big Changes, currently delivered at select YMCAs in BC, is poised to expand to more YMCAs across Canada and Australia. By the end of 2025, the program is expected to be available at more than 40 YMCA locations across eight provinces in Canada. In the same time frame, the program will grow globally beyond its current YMCA locations in Portugal to include four new locations in Queensland, Australia.

The scale-up of Small Steps for Big Changes is the result of a tried-and-tested partnership between YMCA Canada, Diabetes Canada and UBC researchers. Dr. Mary Jung and her Diabetes Prevention Research Group based at UBC’s Okanagan campus, with support from Diabetes Canada, designed the program based on evidence from close to a decade of clinical trials on behaviour change. YMCA locations in BC’s Okanagan region then offered the ideal real-world setting to pilot the program for people at risk of Type 2 diabetes.

“One in eight Canadians are at risk of Type 2 diabetes and we know that up to 80 per cent of Type 2 diabetes cases are preventable by adopting healthy behaviours,” says Dr. Jung. “The goal of Small Steps for Big Changes is to help as many Canadians as possible make this change. The YMCA, by virtue of its many locations across Canada and commitment to inclusiveness, is helping us make a giant leap forward.”

The program is offered at no cost to participants thanks to the funding of the Canadian Institute of Health Research, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council. Participants receive access to the YMCA for one month, plus six one-on-one sessions with a YMCA coach specifically trained to deliver the program. Each session includes a discussion on nutrition and physical activity followed by up to 30 minutes of supervised exercise. Coaches use a person-centred approach to help participants commit to their health changes.

“Small Steps for Big Changes aligns with the YMCA philosophy that we all have it in us to shine, but sometimes we just need a supportive coach and environment where we feel like we belong to take the first step, and the ones after that,” says Peter Dinsdale, President & CEO of YMCA Canada. “We are excited by this partnership because it reflects our goal to positively impact the health of individuals and families in an inclusive and sustainable manner, while reducing financial barriers.”

The cross-Canada rollout of Small Steps for Big Changes comes just as Diabetes Canada launches its new six-year research strategy, which, among other objectives, aims to maximize the real-world impacts of diabetes knowledge and solutions.

“Every three minutes someone in Canada is diagnosed with diabetes. It’s an alarming statistic that demands urgent action,” says Dr. Rachel Reeve, Executive Director of Research and Science at Diabetes Canada. “Investing in research is a priority for Diabetes Canada because we see so clearly how new knowledge and solutions can benefit people with diabetes or people at high risk of developing this complex chronic condition. Small Steps for Big Changes is an example of successful diabetes research being applied to new communities across Canada.”

Small Steps for Big Changes accords with the Government of Canada’s Framework for Diabetes in Canada released in 2022, in particular the aim of supporting improved access to Type 2 diabetes prevention, as well as the principles of addressing health equity, applying a person-centred approach, supporting innovation and promoting leadership, collaboration and information exchange.

To determine eligibility for the program and to find a participating YMCA location people can visit www.smallstepsforbigchanges.com.

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UBCO’s Visual Arts students have been working on a mural at the Landmark District all summer. This is the largest mural yet for the Public Art Project and it will be unveiled at a celebration Thursday afternoon.

What: Landmark mural unveiling
Who: UBCO Visual Arts students and faculty, local contributors and stakeholders
When: Thursday, Aug. 17, from 3 to 5 pm
Where: Landmark District Market parking lot, 1717 Harvey Ave., Kelowna

Inspired by the strength and freedom of wild horses, UBC Okanagan’s Public Art Project will unveil its largest project to date this Thursday.

This is the fourth mural painted by UBCO’s Visual Arts students who collaborated with instructors David and Jorden Doody to paint a colourful, large-scale mural. Throughout the course, students learned to plan, pitch and paint a public mural using projectors, mechanical lifts and various paint applications and techniques typical to large-scale artwork.

The mural’s scale is 38 metres wide by nine metres high (125 by 30 feet). The students were critical to making this large-scale project happen, putting significant time and energy into the painting, says David Doody.

“A mural of this size requires more than 400 hours of work,” he adds. “Our students are excited about the painting and are dedicated to working hard each day to create something they can be proud of. And, of course, to finish on time.”

The 18 students enrolled in the course have been busy painting a new mural outside the Landmark District Market throughout July and August. The mural will be celebrated on Thursday, August 17.

The theme for this year’s UBCO Public Art Project draws inspiration from wild horses of the Okanagan, explains Jorden Doody.

“Wild horses have long been a symbol of strength and freedom for many cultures. As our fourth mural in our local flora and fauna series, this mural uses the wide panorama of the architecture to illustrate a fantastical view of our picturesque region,” she says.

UBCO’s Department of Creative Studies partnered with Stober Group for the 2023 mural course, helping to secure a highly visible wall in the growing Landmark District.

“We are thrilled to be able to contribute to a growing body of public art in Kelowna while helping UBC Okanagan visual arts students grow and thrive through this wonderful experience,” says Ken Stober, Managing Director of Stober Group and President of the Stober Foundation. “We congratulate everyone involved in creating another amazing mural for us all to enjoy.”

The public is invited to the launch of the completed mural Thursday at the Landmark District Market parking lot from 3 to 5 pm.

“With the location being so close to the main highway through the city, this mural will receive thousands of daily views. It offers a moment of pause for passersby,” David Doody adds.

The students and instructors will be on hand to answer questions.

David Doody is currently a Lecturer in the Visual Arts program at UBCO and a 2008 alumnus. Jorden Doody recently completed her Master of Fine Arts and is also a UBCO BFA alumna. Together, they run Fresh West Official and coordinate the Uptown Mural Project in Rutland.

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UBCO researchers Jonathan Holzman and Alexis Guidi are exploring the potential of terahertz radiation to improve the quality of medical diagnostic imaging.

Medical imaging via X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds provide health-care professionals with unique perspectives and a better understanding of what’s happening inside a patient’s body. Using various forms of waves, these machines can visualize many unseen ailments and diseases.

This imaging is beneficial for health-care professionals to make correct diagnoses, but the added insight of spectroscopy provides even more detail. Spectroscopy offers a means to identify biomolecules within specimens through their characteristic signatures for absorption in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Now, researchers at UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering want to take that diagnostic imaging a step further.

By recognizing the benefits of imaging and spectroscopy, the researchers in UBCO’s Integrated Optics Laboratory (IOL) are now developing imaging systems that apply terahertz radiation. Terahertz radiation lies in the electromagnetic spectrum, with frequencies between radio and visible waves. This opens the door to fast and accurate terahertz characterizations of biological specimens—and can ultimately help with the creation of effective technologies for cancer detection.

“By working with terahertz radiation, we’re able to glean details on the underlying characteristics of biological specimens,” explains Alexis Guidi, a School of Engineering master’s student and lead author of a new study published in Nature’s Scientific Reports Journal. “This insight comes from the nature of terahertz radiation, which is intricately sensitive to the biomolecular make-up of cells.”

Nonetheless, according to Dr. Jonathan Holzman, IOL Principal Investigator and Electrical Engineering Professor, there are pressing challenges in developing these terahertz systems.

“The characteristics of terahertz radiation that make it an effective probe of biomolecules, in terms of its long wavelengths, also make it challenging to focus and resolve in images. Our recent work solved this by demonstrating terahertz spectroscopy can show a resolution approaching the cellular scale.”

The researchers plan on applying their findings in emerging areas of medical diagnoses, with a particular emphasis on carcinogenesis—the process by which healthy cells become cancerous.

The research is partially funded through support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation and Western Economic Diversification Canada.

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