University of Washington researchers have found that misinformation spread widely on Twitter after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing despite efforts by users to correct rumors that were inaccurate.
March 17, 2014
The latest news from the UW
March 14, 2014
Board of Regents — April 10 Meeting Canceled
The Regular meeting of the Board scheduled for Thursday, April 10, is canceled. The next Regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, in the Petersen Room of the Allen Library. Agendas and schedule will be available Friday, May 2.
Distance to supermarket makes no difference to diet quality, UW study says
A new UW study conducted in Seattle shows that people bypass supermarkets and ethnic stores near their homes to shop at their preferred grocery.
March 13, 2014
2014 UW cherry tree watch, March 21 update: Bloom at 100 percent
The cherry trees in the Quad are at about 75 percent of their full bloom, according to the UW arborist.
Negative effects of joining a gang last long after gang membership ends
Joining a gang in adolescence has significant consequences in adulthood beyond criminal behavior, even after a person leaves the gang. Former gang members are more likely to be in poor health, receiving government assistance and struggling with drug abuse than someone who never joined a gang.
Tethered robots tested for Internet-connected ocean observatory
The UW this fall will complete installation of a huge high-tech ocean observatory. Dozens of instruments will connect to power and Internet cables on the seafloor, but the observatory also includes a new generation of ocean explorers: robots that will zoom up and down through almost two miles of ocean to monitor the water conditions and marine life above.
March 12, 2014
Arts Roundup: Mammoth tusk, art – and JACK Quartet
Winter quarter is coming to a close but there are still several events to take advantage of on the Seattle campus. This week, see the Mammoth tusk on display at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture or attend one of the many exciting music events– a perfect way to jump start spring!
News digest: Faculty lecturer nominations, Celebrate UW Women, language of science
Nominations due March 17 for annual faculty lecturer || Nominate outstanding UW women by Friday || Book: Should English be the language of science?
March 11, 2014
Justice Sonia Sotomayor on finding life’s work, facing discrimination
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor told a UW audience about life lessons spanning discrimination, public service, power and what makes her optimistic.
No one likes a copycat, no matter where you live
Very young children often don’t view an artistic copycat negatively, but that changes by the age of 5 or 6, even in countries that place less value on intellectual property rights than the U.S.
UW regains top U.S. News rank in medicine; other areas get high marks
U.S. News & World Report’s new rankings give high marks to UW programs in medicine, education, law, business and engineering and rate the medical school No. 1 overall for primary care.
March 10, 2014
Scientists build thinnest-possible LEDs to be stronger, more energy efficient
University of Washington scientists have built the thinnest-known LED that can be used as a source of light energy in electronics. The LED is based off of two-dimensional, flexible semiconductors, making it possible to stack or use in much smaller and more diverse applications than current technology allows.
March 7, 2014
Board of Regents — March 13 Meeting Announcement
The Board of Regents will hold a Regular Meeting on Thursday, March 13, at 12:30 p.m. in the Tacoma Room of the Garretson Woodruff Pratt Building on the UW Tacoma campus. The full agenda is available online.
Lifesaving milestone for Washington’s fishing industry
Washington Sea Grant field agents have conducted their 100th Coast Guard-certified Safety at Sea class for tribal and commercial fishers.
UW composers discuss collaboration with visiting JACK Quartet
UW music faculty and composers Richard Karpen and Juan Pampin discuss their collaboration with the visiting JACK Quartet.
March 6, 2014
Arts Roundup: Dino Day, music — and Cloud Gate
This coming week in the arts there’s an array of dance, theater and exhibitions to enjoy. Don’t miss Dino Day and ArtVENTURES at the Burke Museum and Henry Art Gallery or Cloud Gate presented by the UW World Series.
March 5, 2014
Reflection makes sense: New initiative prompts engineering students to look back to go forward
The University of Washington’s Center for Engineering Learning & Teaching has received a $4.4 million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to develop and promote teaching practices that help undergraduate engineering students reflect on their experiences. The award establishes the Consortium to Promote Reflection in Engineering Education that focuses on first- and second-year undergraduates who want to be engineers, especially those from underrepresented populations
March 4, 2014
Polar science this weekend at Pacific Science Center
The 9th annual Polar Science Weekend will bring polar research, art and an actual ice core to the Pacific Science Center.
‘Dimer molecules’ aid study of exoplanet pressure, hunt for life
UW astronomers have developed a new method of gauging the atmospheric pressure of exoplanets, or worlds beyond the solar system, by looking for a certain type of molecule. And if there is life out in space, it may one day be revealed by this method.
March 3, 2014
Denny Hurtado to receive UW’s 2014 Odegaard Award
Denny Hurtado, former chair of the Skokomish Tribe and retired director of Indian Education for the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, is the 2014 recipient of the University of Washington Charles E. Odegaard Award.
UW astronomer Eric Agol’s seven-planet system part of major NASA discovery
UW astronomer Eric Agol played a key role in the windfall of 715 new exoplanets recently announced by NASA. Agol was on a team that found seven of those worlds, all in orbit around the same star.
February 27, 2014
Kenyon Chan named interim chancellor at University of Washington Tacoma
Kenyon Chan, former chancellor of the University of Washington Bothell, has been named interim chancellor of the University of Washington Tacoma.
Battery-free technology brings gesture recognition to all devices
University of Washington computer scientists have built a low-cost gesture recognition system that runs without batteries and lets users control their electronic devices hidden from sight with simple hand movements. The prototype, called “AllSee,” uses existing TV signals as both a power source and the means for detecting a user’s gesture command.
February 26, 2014
Arts Roundup: Exhibits, dance — and ‘The Arabian Nights’
Exhibit openings, music, theater and dance performances fill this especially busy week in the arts.
Pine forest particles appear out of thin air, influence climate
German, Finnish and U.S. scientists have discovered how gas wafting from coniferous trees creates particles that can reflect sunlight or promote formation of clouds.
Whales, ships more common through Bering Strait
A three-year survey of whales in the Bering Strait reveals that many species of whales are using the narrow waterway, while shipping and commercial traffic also increase.
February 25, 2014
Joel Migdal book ‘Shifting Sands’ considers American role in Middle East
Migdal, UW professor of international studies, discusses his latest book, “Shifting Sands: The United States in the Middle East.”
February 24, 2014
Healthy Generations Hartford Center of Excellence opens with lecture on changing culture of aging
The University of Washington’s School of Social Work will launch a new center – called the Healthy Generations Hartford Center of Excellence in Geriatric Social Work – with a public lecture and reception Thursday, Feb. 27.
News Digest: Justice Sotomayor visit, donate frequent flyer miles
Tickets available starting Tuesday for Justice Sotomayor visit || Donate frequent flyer miles to UW Combined Fund Drive, Make-A-Wish
Vitamin water: Measuring essential nutrients in the ocean
Oceanographers have found that archaea, a type of marine microbe, can produce B-12 vitamins in the ocean.
February 21, 2014
News Digest; Literary conference; Honor: Classics department
Writers to gather in Seattle for literary conference || Classics department wins new award for professional equity
February 20, 2014
Notice of Possible Rule Making — Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (per RCW 34.05.310)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 478-136-041, Alcoholic Beverage Policy, and WAC 478-137-050, Limitations on Use Statutes Authorizing the University to Adopt Rules on This Subject: RCW 28B.20.130. Reasons Why Rules on This Subject May Be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Due to recent changes in the state Liquor Control Board’s rules for the special occasion license, the University proposes making administrative changes to its alcoholic beverage policy. The University also proposes to clarify rules pertaining to third-party vendors, restrictions…
NASA’s ‘Mohawk Guy’ advocates ‘audacious,’ creative engineering
Bobak Ferdowsi, a NASA flight engineer who became known as “Mohawk Guy” after sporting a mohawk hairstyle during the 2012 rover Curiosity’s landing on Mars, spoke to a class of University of Washington aeronautics and astronautics engineering students on Feb. 19. Ferdowsi was a student in the department and graduated from the UW in 2001.
February 19, 2014
Arts Roundup: Drama, music — and the Dance Majors Concert
As we reach the final stretch of February, drama music and dance round out this week in the arts.
Seminar will celebrate courageous UW alum Gordon Hirabayashi
The Presidential Medal of Freedom bestowed posthumously on UW alum Gordon K. Hirabayashi will come to the UW on Feb. 22 in an afternoon-long seminar and celebration of the man and his legacy.
UW President Young comments on passage of Real Hope Act
The vote Feb. 18 “was a vote of confidence in students and their importance to the future of our state,” UW president said.
February 18, 2014
Personal stories behind Exxon Valdez spill in book ‘Red light to Starboard’
Angela Day, UW doctoral student in political science, discusses her book, “Red Light to Starboard: Recalling the Exxon Valdez Disaster.”
Chemistry’s Matthew Bush named Sloan fellow
UW’s Matthew Bush has been selected as one of 126 Sloan Research Fellows for 2014.
Anti-kickback, Conflict of Interest and Whistleblower Regulations
Anti-Kickback, Conflict of Interest and Whistleblower Regulations Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR 52.203-7) require the University to implement procedures designed to prevent and detect violations of the Anti-Kickback Act of 1986 (41 USC 51-58). This is published as a reminder of the policies and procedures in place at the University of Washington 1. Kickback Defined. “Kickback” as defined by FAR means any money, fee commission, credit, gift, gratuity, thing of value or compensation of any kind that is provided directly or…
Embarking on geoengineering, then stopping, would speed up global warming
Carrying out geoengineering for several decades and then stopping would cause warming at a rate more than double that expected due to global warming.