Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

The UBC Food System Project : summary report 2012

The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the 2012 iteration of the UBCFSP. Specifically, in this report a summary of the objectives, methods, findings and recommendations of the 2012 student projects are described. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofUnreviewedUndergraduat

Food security and nutritional status in fishing communities in Bolivia's Northern Amazon : results of a household survey

Background: Bolivia faces both under and over nutrition. Fishing communities are thought to be at particularly high risk of malnutrition; however, their household food security and nutrition status is unknown. Objective: To examine the prevalence and correlates of household food insecurity, childhood stunting and maternal overweight in fisher populations in Bolivia’s Northern Amazon Basin. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 304 urban and 327 rural households with a head female of child bearing age (15-49 years) during the low water (October-November) and 186 urban and 297 rural households during the high water (February-March) seasons. Household food insecurity was measured with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, Household Hunger Scale and the Household Dietary Diversity Score. Demographic, socioeconomic and other relevant data were collected. Weight and height were measured for children (<60 months) and their mothers. Results: 45% of urban and 69% of rural households were food insecure. Only 9% of urban and 13% of rural households reported hunger. The average dietary diversity score was nine and seven out of 12 among the urban and rural groups respectively. For both groups, significantly fewer households were food insecure during the high versus low water season (urban P=0.01 and rural P=0.03). Over 34% of urban and 42% of rural children were stunted and 57% of urban and 46% of rural women were overweight/obese. No significant associations were found between food insecurity and childhood stunting or maternal obesity or between childhood stunting and maternal obesity. Independent correlates of household food insecurity included unemployment and consuming wild meat for both populations as well as receiving food assistance and having inadequate floor materials for the urban population and being Indigenous and having more household members for the rural population. The household survey identified inappropriate dietary intake, unhealthy environments and high rates of diarrhea in both populations, which may contribute stunting. Maternal overweight/obesity was associated with older age and some socioeconomic variables. Conclusion: Household food insecurity, childhood stunting and maternal overweight are highly prevalent, but not significantly associated. It is questionable whether improving household food insecurity alone would eliminate childhood stunting or maternal obesity.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofGraduat

Seguridad alimentaria y estado nutricional en comunidades pescadoras de la amazonia boliviana : resultados de una encuesta de hogares

There are high levels of food insecurity in the Bolivian Amazon, and fishing communities have particular kinds of under nutrition and food insecurity. A primary focus of this study is the relationship between household food insecurity and childhood stunting. Variables that have been associated with stunting in other contexts are not associated with stunting in this population. Parasitic intestinal infections contribute to stunting rates in the Amazon Basin and variables found to correlate with childhood stunting included incomplete knowledge of breastfeeding and of feeding a sick child, and inadequate toilet facilities. Maternal overweight was associated with older age and some socio-economic variables.Master's degre

The UBC Food System Project Summary Report 2009

Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofUnreviewedUndergraduat

The UBC food system project : summary 2010

Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofUnreviewedUndergraduat

UBC Food Systems Project: Exploring Ways to Lighten the Ecological Footprint of Blue Chip Cookies

Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofUnreviewedUndergraduat