Tree diversity increases carbon storage, soil fertility in forests

Tree diversity increases carbon storage, soil fertility in forestsConservation of tree diversity is key to fighting climate change Keeping tree diversity intact in Canada’s many forests over the long term can help increase carbon capture and mitigate climate change, according to a new University of Alberta study. The study, published in Nature, is the first of its kind to show the sustained benefits…

New tool helps communities defend against wildfires

New tool helps communities defend against wildfiresEasy-to-use, inexpensive method maps where wildfires are likely to blaze a trail into populated areas A fast, easy method to map possible wildfire pathways into a community has been developed by the University of Alberta’s Wildfire Analytics Team. The method assesses the directional vulnerabilities a community has to wildfire. Related Stories Fort Mac wildfire smoke…

Seven reasons we should care about caregivers

Seven reasons we should care about caregiversMillions of Canadians are juggling full-time jobs and unpaid support for loved ones Having a full-time job is challenging enough for most people – but add in a friend or relative who depends on you for their care, and the workload becomes much heavier and more complex. That’s the daily reality for 5.2 million Canadians…

Promising probiotic for dairy cattle headed to marketplace

Promising probiotic for dairy cattle headed to marketplaceShown to promote reproductive health and protect against infections A probiotic developed at the University of Alberta is the first of its kind to have widespread benefits for dairy cows, and is starting to make its way into the marketplace. Immunobiologist Burim Ametaj, a professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, says…

Mild fever helps clear infections faster: study

Mild fever helps clear infections faster: studyResearch on fish shows that waiting before reaching for medications may be beneficial for humans It may be better to let a mild fever run its course instead of automatically reaching for medication, new University of Alberta research suggests. Researchers found that untreated moderate fever helped fish clear their bodies of infection rapidly, controlled inflammation…

Are some cows better at weathering climate change?

Are some cows better at weathering climate change?New research could help cattle — and beef producers — cope with more extreme ups and downs in temperature year-round Some cows are naturally more efficient at converting the food they eat into weight gain: does that ability mean they might also be better at weathering climate change? It’s a question University of Alberta beef…

Claims babies harbour bacteria before birth refuted

Claims babies harbour bacteria before birth refutedContamination actually occurred during vaginal delivery, clinical procedures or DNA sequencing Scientific claims that babies harbour bacteria while still in the womb are inaccurate, according to University of Alberta researchers involved in an international study. The perspective paper, published in Nature, should settle a debate in the research community about whether a fetal microbiome exists,…
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