A recently introduced homebuilding subsidy program in Japan put logs and lumber imported from the U.S. and other countries at a competitive disadvantage.
February 14, 2014
The latest news from the UW
February 12, 2014
Arts Roundup: Music, art — and ‘Short Takes on Dam(n) Science’
Music and museums lead this week in the arts as Ludovic Morlot, Seattle Symphony music director, joins the University Symphony for a special Valentine’s Day performance.
Jake Rosenfeld explores the sharp decline of union membership, influence
Jake Rosenfeld, a University of Washington associate professor of sociology, examines the far-reaching economic and social consequences of the decline of organized labor in his new book, “What Unions No Longer Do.”
February 11, 2014
UW tied for second in number of Peace Corps volunteers
The University of Washington this year tied for second among large universities in the number of Peace Corps volunteers.
Washington housing market uneven in fourth quarter 2013
Washington state’s housing market softened in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the quarter before, but remained stronger than a year ago, according to the UW’s Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies.
Data on today’s youth reveal childhood clues for later risk of STDs
Findings from UW longitudinal surveys of nearly 2,000 participants suggest that efforts to curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases should begin years before most people start having sex.
February 10, 2014
News Digest: Rideshare treats, state fourth in exonerations, husky green nominations
Care packages offered this week to carpoolers, vanpoolers || Washington state fourth in exonerations nationwide || Husky Green Award nominations sought through March 10
Newly found tactics in offense-defense struggle with hepatitis C virus
People who are genetically equipped to stop hepatitis C viruses from turning off a type of interferon generally have a robust antiviral response. Findings on the mechanisms governing this ability suggest new avenues for treatment research.
February 8, 2014
UW among 19 campuses – out of 1,700 – getting nod for access, affordability, success
Only 19 universities – including the University of Washington– met the bar for access, affordability and student success set by the Center on Higher Education Reform.
February 7, 2014
Board of Regents — Feb. 13 Meeting Announcement
The Board of Regents will hold a Regular Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 12:15 p.m. in the Petersen Room of the Allen Library. The full agenda is available online.
Use humans in your UW research? More info on the new forms you need
The Human Subjects Division has updated and streamlined its forms, which should bring some administrative relief to UW researchers involved in the university’s 6,000 active studies using human subjects.
February 6, 2014
UW’s James Riley elected to National Academy of Engineering
James Riley, a University of Washington professor of mechanical engineering, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Election to the academy is among the highest professional distinctions accorded an engineer.
Documents that Changed the World: The Book of Mormon
Joe Janes of the UW Information School discusses the famous book and its origin as part of his ongoing podcast series, “Documents that Changed the World.”
Credit card-sized device could analyze biopsy, help diagnose pancreatic cancer in minutes
University of Washington scientists and engineers are developing a low-cost device that could help pathologists diagnose pancreatic cancer earlier and faster. The prototype can perform the basic steps for processing a biopsy, relying on fluid transport instead of human hands to process the tissue.
February 5, 2014
Arts Roundup: Exhibits, lectures — and the Mallethead Series
It’s a packed week in the arts presenting you with a diverse array of options. The Henry Art Gallery presents “Danny Lyon: The Bikeriders” through May 4; the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture hosts a trivia night at the College Inn Pub and don’t miss the final weekend of “Reading to Vegetables” at the Penthouse Theater.
Public lecture series will explore the science of decision making
The ninth annual Allen L. Edwards Psychology Lecture Series will delve into “The Science of Decision Making,” to explain how the brain and an individual’s expectations influence decisions made in uncertain conditions.
February 4, 2014
News Digest: Campuswide big-data event, Paws-on Science deadline, Green Seed Fund awards
UW president, provost headline campus-wide data science event Friday || Participant deadline Feb. 14 for Paws-on Science || Green Seed Fund awards $279,000 to initial slate of projects
Does caregiving cause psychological stress? Study says, it depends
The results break the longstanding belief that caregiving directly causes psychological distress, and make a case for genetics and upbringing influencing vulnerability.
Fruit flies – fermented-fruit connoisseurs – are relentless party crashers
That fruit fly appearing moments after you poured that first glass of cabernet, has just used a poppy-seed-sized brain to conduct a finely-choreographed search and arrive in time for happy hour.
Personal experience, work seniority improve mental health professionals’ outlook
One might think that after years on the job, mental health workers would harbor negative attitudes about mental illness, but a new UW study suggests the opposite.
February 3, 2014
Greenland’s fastest glacier sets new speed record
Observations of Jakobshavn Glacier from 2012 and 2013 show the fast-moving glacier has set new records for the speed of ice flowing toward the ocean.
Solving a physics mystery: Those ‘solitons’ are really vortex rings
The same physics that gives stability to tornadoes lies at the heart of new UW research and could lead to a better understanding of nuclear dynamics in studying fission, superconductors and the workings of neutron stars.
January 30, 2014
When songs trumped rifles, new book by Guntis Šmidchens
In his new book “The Power of Song,” Šmidchens explores what is often dubbed “the Singing Revolution,” a passive resistance movement that took hold in the Baltic nations.
Arts Roundup: Drama, Music — and ‘Katinka Bock: A and I’ at the Henry
This week there is a smattering of events with a highlight being the School of Drama’s show “Reading to Vegetables,” directed by Tina Polzin.
January 29, 2014
Deaths attributed directly to climate change cast pall over penguins
Climate change is killing penguin chicks from the world’s largest colony of Magellanic penguins, not just indirectly but directly because of drenching rainstorms and heat.
Neanderthal lineages excavated from modern human genomes
A fossil-free method of sequencing archaic DNA may provide insight into human evolution.
January 28, 2014
New book explores mixed success of China’s ‘Emperor Huizong’
Patricia Ebrey, professor of history, is the author of “Emperor Huizong,” a new biography of a Chinese emperor who lived from 1082 to 1135 and ruled for 26 years during China’s Song Dynasty.
Environmental sciences lab ups bar for green labs at UW
A soils lab has achieved the highest score yet in the University of Washington’s 10-month-old Green Laboratory Certification Program.
January 27, 2014
Debra Friedman, UW Tacoma Chancellor, dies
University of Washington Tacoma Chancellor Debra Friedman died on Jan. 26 at the age of 58, following a short battle with lung cancer.
‘Achieving Health for All’ is topic of 38th Annual Faculty Lecture Feb . 6
Dr. Stephen Gloyd, professor of global health and health services, will discuss creative responses to reducing inequity worldwide.
Facelift complications eased with help of new 3-D imaging technique
New imaging technology from University of Washington engineers allows scientists to analyze what happens within the smallest blood vessels during a cosmetic facelift. This finding could be used to prevent accidents during procedures and help clinicians reverse the ill effects if an injection doesn’t go as planned.
News digest: Shrunken heads, ethics bowl, Honor: Odegaard renovation
Samoan cruise with blog, shrunken heads || First high school ethics bowl || Odegaard renovation architects honored
January 24, 2014
News writer survives kettlebell workout – with photos from The Whole U’s kickoff event
More than a thousand people participated in a Jan. 24 kettlebell workout as the kickoff event for The Whole U, an initiative to make it easier for UW faculty and staff to access the university’s health, arts, culture and other resources and to connect with people with similar interests.
How strong of a football fan are you? There’s a test for that
UW psychologist Anthony Greenwald has developed a scientific test to measure the strength of one’s support for a football team.
January 22, 2014
UW names undergraduate medalists for academic performance
Three students have been named UW academic medalists, the most outstanding students in their respective classes, for 2012-13.
Arts Roundup: Music, dance — and students perform ‘Reefer Madness’
Dance and drama lead this busy week of UW Arts, with the Dance Program’s Dance Faculty Concert and later, “Reefer Madness” by the Undergraduate Theater Society and the School of Drama’s production of “Reading to Vegetables.”
Gene therapy leads to robust improvements in animal model of fatal muscle disease
The experimental treatment restored muscle function and prolonged lives in animals with a condition similar to X-linked myotubular myopathy in children
January 21, 2014
Dental school researchers patent new antibacterial agent
Titanium-based materials can inhibit bacterial growth when bound to metal ions. If proven beneficial in clinical trials, certain titanates could be applied after a dental procedure to prevent infection or decay.
A new record: UW Combined Fund Drive raises $2.18 million
The 2013 University of Washington Combined Fund Drive raised $2,181,617, pledging $63,789 more than last year.
January 20, 2014
Montlake Triangle/Rainier Vista project breaks ground, expect Burke-Gilman detour
Burke-Gilman Trail users will see a detour starting the early weeks of February as work on the Montlake Triangle Project – the triangular area from the corner of Northeast Pacific and Montlake to Stevens Way – gets underway.