Research

October 25, 2011

Linking of mutations in 12 genes to ovarian cancers may lead to more effective prevention

More patients with ovarian carcinoma carry cancer-predisposing mutations, and in more genes, than previously thought. Relying on family history as an indication for testing would have missed one-fifth of the cases. The study used a quick, accurate genome sequencing method that could become a single test to screen for a broad range of cancers.

October 21, 2011

Housing, health care contribute most to rising costs of living in Washington

It costs 8 percent more on average than it did two years ago for Washington residents to make ends meet, according to a new report from a UW research group.

October 19, 2011

Spiral arms indicate possible planets in a star's gas-and-dust disk — with video

A new image of a gas-and-dust disk around a sun-like star is the first that scientists, including a UW astronomer, have seen that displays structures that could hint at the presence of still-unseen planets around the star.

The first scientists to witness exploding rock and molten lava from a deep sea volcano, seen during a 2009 expedition, also collected boninite, a rare lava that accompanies the formation of Earths subduction zones. Current subduction zones are continually evolving but most formed 5 million to 200 million years ago.

October 13, 2011

Differences in jet lag severity could be rooted in how circadian clock sets itself

Researchers have found hints that differing molecular processes in one area of the brain might play a significant role in the differences of jet lag severity between long-distance west-to-east travel and east-to-west travel.

Aeronautical engineers are devising ways to boost the efficiency of open-air refrigerated cases, which are increasingly common in supermarkets. Results could lower the energy use of existing cases by up to 15 percent — potentially saving $100 million in electricity costs each year.

October 12, 2011

College students limit technology use during crunch time

A new University of Washington study found college students – only weeks away from final exams and in the library – tend to pare use of electronics. Its their way to manage technology that permeates their lives.

October 11, 2011

Learning to not be afraid: UW psychologists treat PTSD with drug known to enhance learning

Lori Zoellner, director of UWs Center for Anxiety & Traumatic Stress, has a new study aimed to make PTSD treatment more efficient.

October 10, 2011

Chronic dialysis for kidney disease patients now initiated substantially earlier, UW-Group Health-led study finds

Researchers from Washington state and California found that over a ten-year period, from 1997 to 2007, patients are starting dialysis approximately five months earlier on average.

New research indicates that simple life in the form of photosynthetic algae could have survived a “snowball Earth” event, living in a narrow body of water with characteristics similar to todays Red Sea.

October 7, 2011

Babies show sense of fairness, altruism as early as 15 months

A new study by a UW psychologist presents the first evidence that a basic sense of fairness and altruism appears in infancy

October 6, 2011

Turning slash piles into soil benefit

Students of the University of Washington have teamed up on a startup that promises to turn slash piles of forest refuse into biochar, a commodity for sale to landscapers, farmers and gardeners.

October 4, 2011

Sixteen regions of the genetic code newly discovered to influence lung function

The discovery of 16 additional sections of the human genome that influence lung function brings the total known variants to 26. These findings in the genetic code hold promise for future screenings and treatment of lung disease.

Dr. Waranuch Pitiphat of Thailands Khon Kaen University urged UW dental students to consider global oral health research. At the poster presentation after her talk, Peter Yamamura won the annual dental student research competition.

Hormonal contraception use doubles HIV risk, according to UW study in Lancet

A UW-led study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases shows a troubling link between hormonal contraception and HIV. The study is getting widespread press coverage because of the popularity of injectable birth control like Depo-Provera in parts of Africa hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic.

October 3, 2011

Community effort brings lasting drop in smoking, delinquency, drug use

Tenth graders in towns using Communities That Care, a prevent system developed by UW School of Social Work researchers, were less likely to have tried drinking or smoking and showed less delinquent behavior.

September 28, 2011

Genome map of advanced, lethal prostate cancers reveals 'hypermutations'

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the UW scientists have conducted the first comprehensive assessment of DNA errors that drive advanced prostate cancer.

Seventeen years ago, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans, mostly members of the Tutsi tribe, were massacred in only 100 days. Now, as remaining court judgments are rendered, “Voices from the Rwanda Tribunal” presents a record of what has been done with an interactive website that brings together video interviews with judges, lawyers, interpreters, investigators and other personnel.

NW biofuels coming of age with $80 million in separate projects led by UW, WSU

The University of Washington and Washington State University are leads for two separate grants of $40 million each that will use Pacific Northwest woody biomass to expand whats been a Midwest-centric biofuels industry into Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and northern California.

September 26, 2011

Returning genetic results to study participants will be addressed nationally

Holly Tabor, a UW and Seattle Children’s bioethics scholar, is among the experts in law, medicine and ethics to receive a NIH grant Sept. 26 to look at if, when and how the results of genome studies should be told to research participants.

UW computer scientist Dieter Fox will co-lead an Intel Science and Technology Center that will focus on “pervasive” computing, which aims to incorporate computing and sensing into everyday devices and environments.

September 22, 2011

Model provides successful seasonal forecast for the fate of Arctic sea ice

Relatively accurate predictions for summer sea ice extent in the Arctic can be made the previous autumn, but forecasting more than five years into the future requires understanding of the impact of climate trends on the ice pack.

September 21, 2011

33 percent drop in physical bullying in schools using Steps to Respect

Schools using Steps to Respect saw a reduction in physical bullying and in the number of teachers reporting fighting as a big problem, according to a new study from researchers in the UW School of Social Work.

September 20, 2011

Proton-based transistor could let machines communicate with living things

Materials scientists at the University of Washington have built a novel transistor that uses protons, creating a key piece for devices that can communicate directly with living things.

September 19, 2011

Gamers succeed where scientists fail

The structure of a retrovirus enzyme had stumped scientists for more than a decade. With the game Foldit, players quickly made an accurate model of the enzyme. The model opens doors to AIDS drug design.

September 14, 2011

Salmon and other fish predators rely on ‘no guts, no glory survival tactic

The phrase “no guts, no glory” doesnt just apply to athletes who are striving to excel. Salmon and other fish predators take the adage literally.

Katze lab signs contract with Revalesio to study novel approaches to viral diseases

Revalesio, a pioneering biotechnology company based in Tacoma, recently signed an 18-month contract with the Katze lab at the University of Washington to bring hope to sufferers of influenza, HIV and hepatitis C.

Alzheimer’s patients have reduced insulin levels in their brains. An insulin nasal spray improved cognitive function in these patients in a pilot study. Intranasal delivery reaches the brain faster than other methods.

September 13, 2011

Census estimates show increase in U.S. poverty but not in Washington state

Preliminary data released by the U.S. Census Bureau today show that the poverty rate for the U.S. increased from 14.3 percent to 15.1 percent from 2009 to 2010. However, the rate in Washington State remained essentially unchanged at 11.5 percent, or 774,000 residents.

September 12, 2011

New study quantifies use of social media in Arab Spring

After analyzing more than 3 million tweets, gigabytes of YouTube content and thousands of blog posts, a new study finds that social media played a central role in shaping political debates in the Arab Spring.

An international consortium has identified 28 blood-pressure influencing regions on the human genome. UW scientists played key roles in analyzing the massive amounts of data collected for the study.

September 6, 2011

Gene defect that predisposes people to leukemia discovered

Those at risk of acute myeloid leukemia because of family history may soon obtain tests to detect the genetic error before symptoms emerge. Clinical trials are under way to learn the best way to monitor and treat people with the GATA2 mutation.

August 31, 2011

UW anthropologist explores Seattles Dumpster diving community – with video

A UW anthropology graduate student is studying the economics of food production, food waste and how social networks of Dumpster divers can help provide food for those in need.

Registration still open for conference on integrity in conduct of research

Registration continues for the upcoming conference Ethical Considerations in Research Collaboration, which will be held Sept 22 and 23 in Meany Hall.

August 29, 2011

Bilingual babies vocabulary linked to early brain differentiation

Researchers at UWs Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences are investigating the brain mechanisms that contribute to infants prowess at learning languages, with the hope that the findings could boost bilingualism in adults, too.

August 25, 2011

Ocean acidification science, societal needs meld in new training program

Students already knowledgeable about the science behind ocean acidification and warming will learn more about the challenges those ocean changes pose for tribes, shellfish growers and other sectors of society – as well as helping seek solutions ¬– under a just-announced National Science Foundation grant of $3 million.

August 24, 2011

Scented laundry products emit hazardous chemicals through dryer vents

The researcher who used chemical sleuthing to uncover whats in scented products now has turned her attention to the air wafting from household laundry vents. Air from laundry machines using the top-selling scented liquid detergent and dryer sheet contains hazardous chemicals, including two that are classified as carcinogens.

August 22, 2011