ArtSci Roundup: Journeys of Black Mathematicians, Circa Performance, Building Scyborgs Lecture, and more

February 8, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Journeys of Black Mathematicians, Circa Performance, Building Scyborgs Lecture, and more

This week, head to Kane Hall for the film screening of Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience, attend K. Wayne Yang’s discussion on scyborgs and decolonization, enjoy next level circus by the Australian contemporary circus group Circa, and more. February 12, 3:30 – 5:00 pm | Black Soldiers and the Racial Debilitation of Slavery and the Civil War, Smith Hall As part of the History Colloquium, Professor La Tasha Levy will discuss “Black Soldiers and the Racial Debilitation of Slavery and…

Foul fumes pose pollinator problems

Scientists at the University of Washington have discovered that nighttime air pollution — coming primarily from car exhaust and power plant emissions — is responsible for a major drop in nighttime pollinator activity. Nitrate radicals (NO3) in the air degrade the scent chemicals released by a common wildflower, drastically reducing the scent-based cues that its chief pollinators rely on to locate the flower. The findings, published Feb. 9 in Science, are the first to show how nighttime pollution creates a chain of chemical reactions that degrades scent cues, leaving flowers undetectable by smell. The researchers also determined that pollution likely has worldwide impacts on pollination.

February 7, 2024

Q&A: Helping robots identify objects in cluttered spaces

A shelf in a lab. The shelf contains the following items: a pitcher on its side, a bowl in front of a bottle of Soft Scrub, a mug on a plate and a spoon balanced on the plate. Everything except the plate has a green box around it. The plate has a red box around it.

Robots in warehouses and even around our houses struggle to identify and pick up objects if they are too close together, or if a space is cluttered. This is because robots lack what psychologists call “object unity,” or our ability to identify things even when we can’t see all of them. Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a way to teach robots this skill.

UW-developed smart earrings can monitor a person’s temperature

The temperature sensing earring is shown attached to a person’s ear. The portion touching the earlobe has a gemstone on it. Dangling a few centimeters below it is a small circular circuit board.

University of Washington researchers introduced the Thermal Earring, a wireless wearable that continuously monitors a user’s earlobe temperature. Potential applications include tracking signs of ovulation, stress, eating and exercise. The smart earring prototype is about the size and weight of a small paperclip and has a 28-day battery life.

February 6, 2024

Nancy Allbritton elected to National Academy of Engineering

Nancy Allbritton, the dean of the University of Washington College of Engineering and a UW professor of bioengineering, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

Parents’ conversational approaches about Black Lives Matter differ by race

Signs and people marching for Black Lives Matter

A new study from the University of Washington professor Andrew Meltzoff and Northwestern University showed key differences in the language Black parents and white used to explain Black Lives Matter.

February 1, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: The Big Read, Guest Pianist Recital, Neuroinclusive Teaching Strategies, and more

This week, check out the Guest Pianist Recital with Alexandre Dossin, learn about neurodiverse teaching strategies with Hala Annabi, attend The Big Read hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences, and more. February 6, 7:30 pm | Guest Pianist Recital: Alexandre Dossin, University of Oregon, Brechemin Auditorium The School of Music has invited pianist Alexandre Dossin from the University of Oregon for a solo recital. Alexandre Dossin is a graduate of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory (Russia) and holds a…

January 31, 2024

Determination of non-significance: Anderson Hall Renovation

Pursuant to the provisions of WAC 197-11-340 and WAC 478-324-140, the University of Washington hereby provides public notice of: DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE Project Name: Anderson Hall Renovation Proponent/Lead Agency: University of Washington–Seattle Campus Comment Period Closes: February 14, 2024 Description of Proposal: The proposed University of Washington Anderson Hall project is intended to provide interior renovation to the existing classroom, offices, and other program spaces to improve building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation), structural and unreinforced masonry improvements,…

Determination of non-significance: Lot E18 Solar Canopy Project

Pursuant to the provisions of WAC 197-11-340 and WAC 478-324-140, the University of Washington hereby provides public notice of: DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE Project Name: Lot E18 Solar Canopy Project Proponent/Lead Agency: University of Washington–Seattle Campus Comment Period Closes: February 14 2024 Description of Proposal: The University is proposing to install an approximately 4,820 SF solar canopy over 30 existing parking spaces in parking lot E18. The solar canopy would generate approximately 84kW of electrical power connecting to the City of…

January 30, 2024

Using computers to design proteins allows researchers to make tunable hydrogels that can form both inside and outside of cells

New research led by the UW demonstrates a new class of hydrogels that can form not just outside cells, but also inside of them. These hydrogels exhibited similar mechanical properties both inside and outside of cells, providing researchers with a new tool to group proteins together inside of cells.

January 29, 2024

Q&A: How ‘slow slip’ earthquakes may be driven by deep hydraulic fracturing

New research confirms the cause of slow slip along the Cascadia Subduction Zone and other faults that is accompanied by intermittent tremors or “pops” at the surface. Co-authors Marine Denolle and Joan Gomberg discuss the role of fluid-driven fracturing deep underground.

January 28, 2024

UW community mourns passing of civic leader Nancy Evans

The University of Washington community is mourning the passing of Nancy Bell Evans – a supporter of education, health care, and arts and culture, and someone who brought energy, grace, and passion to public and nonprofit service.

January 25, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Katz Distinguished Lecture, Book Talks, Michelle Cann Piano Performance, and more

This week, listen to the Katz Distinguished Lecture series led by Sasha Su-Ling Welland, join a book talk event with Dr. Alexander Bubb, be awed by Michelle Cann’s piano performance, and more. January 26, 10:00 – 11:00 am | 18/19 GRC Book Talk: Asian Classics on the Victorian Bookshelf with Dr. Alexander Bubb, Zoom UW Textual Studies will host a virtual book talk event with Dr. Alexander Bubb on his latest book, Asian Classics on the Victorian Bookshelf. There will…

January 22, 2024

Shallow soda lakes show promise as cradles of life on Earth

people walking across large white surface

Field observations from an unusual lake show that in environments known as “soda lakes” phosphate can concentrate at the very high levels needed for the basic molecules of life to emerge. A shallow, salty lake in western Canada gives new support to Charles Darwin’s idea that life could have emerged in a “warm little pond.”

Q&A: UW expert on the rise and risks of artificial sweeteners

Eight white sugar cubes set against a black background.

The rise of artificial sweeteners has made it easier for conscious consumers to reduce their sugar intake, but these products may present their own health risks.

January 19, 2024

UW military rhetoric instructor explores trauma through poetry, writing

Abby Murray a black dress smiling and posing in front of a wall painted with colorful umbrellas.

Abby Murray doesn’t have a military background, but she is an instructor and fellowship director for the U.S. Army War College fellowship program at the University of Washington. She’s also a poet who has hosted free writing workshops at locations including community centers, military posts and immigration detention centers.

January 18, 2024

Preliminary permit process starting for UW housing redevelopment plan

University of Washington development partner Greystar submitted permit numbers paperwork this week for a multiphase plan to invest in some of the University’s existing housing in the neighborhoods east of the main Seattle campus to increase housing options, affordability for its students, faculty, and families, and improve student housing quality.

ArtSci Roundup: History Lecture Series, Meany Center Dance Performance, “A Kabluna” Film Screening, and more

This week, attend the History Lecture Series on Mediterranean Imprints and Erasures in Seattle, view the film screening of A Kabluna at the University of Washington, head to Meany Hall to enjoy Spain’s premiere dance group Compañía Nacional de Danza, and more. January 22, 7:30 pm | Frequency: Variations, Meany Hall Chamber group Frequency—violinists Michael Jinsoo Lim and Jennifer Caine Provine, violist Melia Watras, and cellist Sarah Rommel—performs works by Benjamin Britten, Felix Mendelssohn, Kaija Saariaho and the world premiere of a new…

January 16, 2024

UW research helps California forest managers assess smoke hazards from prescribed burns

Forest on fire with smoke billowing, as seen from a helicopter

An international team led by researchers at the University of Washington built a framework to help land managers assess the air quality implications of land management scenarios with different levels of prescribed burning.

January 12, 2024

UW finance, planning and budgeting merge to better serve faculty, staff and students

President Ana Mari Cauce and Provost Tricia Serio announced an organizational and leadership restructuring in the areas of finance, planning and budgeting aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of these areas’ service to the University community. The changes, which take effect Tuesday, Jan. 16, come after an external review determined a unified organization will better serve faculty and academic personnel, as well as staff and students.

January 11, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Patty Berne on Disability Justice, UW Dance Presents, Interrupting Privilege Museum Exhibition, and more

This week, join Patty Berne for a talk on disability justice, enjoy an evening of live dance performance created by UW Dance, head to the Northwest African American Museum for an Interrupting Privilege Museum Exhibition, and more. January 17, 3:30 pm | Book Talk: U.S. – Taiwan Relations with Bonnie Glaser, Husky Union Building and Online Join the UW’s Taiwan Studies Program for a book discussion with Bonnie Glaser, co-author of U.S. – Taiwan Relations: Will China’s Challenge Lead to a…

January 9, 2024

Video: UW football fans grateful for ‘amazing’ season

Cheering woman shakes purple pompom in stadium crowd

At Monday’s CFP National Championship Game in Houston, Husky Nation turned out, proud in purple and gold, and cheering on a UW team that was undefeated this season. Tens of thousands of fans packed NRG Stadium – some fresh off the Huskies’ Sugar Bowl win in New Orleans – and stayed to the end. Though UW lost to Michigan, as one fan said, “We’ll get there again.”

Determination of non-significance: N26 and E2 Lots Fleet Charging Project

Pursuant to the provisions of WAC 197-11-340 and WAC 478-324-140, the University of Washington hereby provides public notice of: DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE Project Name: N26 and E2 Lots Fleet Charging Project Proponent/Lead Agency: University of Washington–Seattle Campus Comment Period Closes: January 23, 2024 Description of Proposal: The University is proposing to install approximately 80 electric vehicle charging stations in the E2 parking lot and 38 charging stations in the N26 lot. Minor excavation will occur to support installation of electrical…

Q&A: UW researchers answer common questions about language models like ChatGPT

A cellphone running ChatGPT sits on a textbook that's slightly out of focus.

A team University of Washington researchers have published a guide explaining language models, the technology that underlies chatbots.

January 5, 2024

Husky football players take their skills from the field to the classroom and beyond

Holly Barker, a University of Washington teaching professor of anthropology, and three current members of the UW football team — Ulumoo Ale, Makell Esteen and Faatui Tuitele — are studying how the skills they develop to maximize their chances of victory on the field have applications outside the stadium. Their work, which is ongoing, is showing that the research methods and analytical abilities of student-athletes are applicable in academic and research settings, as well as jobs in a variety of fields.

January 4, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: History Lecture Series, Dorothy Roberts Lecture, Gallery Exhibits, and more

Start the new year at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery for an exhibition, spend an evening listening to Dr. Dorothy Roberts’ lecture, attend the History Lecture Series, and more. Henry Art Galleries Events January 4, 5:30 – 7:00pm | A/political Rocks and Indigenous Relations to Land: A Lecture with Prof. Christopher Teuton, Auditorium January 11, 5:30 – 7:00 pm | In Conversation: Sophia Al-Maria and Arbella Bet-Shlimon, Auditorium January 12, 3:00 – 4:00 pm | Being a Career Artist: A conversation with…

January 2, 2024

Video: UW Rorrer Lab seeks new life for plastic waste

Close up of woman wearing protective eyewear and a lab coat looking at a small square of clear plastic film she's holding.

At the University of Washington Rorrer Lab, Julie Rorrer, assistant professor of chemical engineering, is teaching students to explore ways to transform plastics into useful chemicals to make new plastic or fuel, shifting away from fossil fuel consumption and reducing waste plastics.