UW astronomer Woody Sullivan, who has made Seattle the unlikely sundial capital of North America, has re-created a Renaissance ceiling sundial in his home office.
May 15, 2013
The latest news from the UW
Documents that Changed the World: ‘What is the Third Estate?’ 1789
Joe Janes of the UW Information School reached back two centuries to pre-revolutionary France for the latest installment of his podcast series, “Documents that Changed the World.”
Tropical air circulation drives fall warming on Antarctic Peninsula
New UW research shows that, in recent decades, fall is the only time of extensive warming over the entire Antarctic Peninsula, and it is mostly from atmospheric circulation patterns originating in the tropics.
May 14, 2013
Symposium features undergraduate research
More than 1,000 undergraduates will showcase their contributions to innovative and groundbreaking research at the 16th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 17 in Mary Gates Hall. Some presentations will also occur in Johnson Hall and Meany Studio Theater. In conjunction with the symposium, another 50 undergraduates from UW and nine other universities will present results from research collaborations through the McNair scholars and other such programs, May 16 to 18. The UW Undergraduate Research…
DNA analysis unearths origins of Minoans, the first major European civilization
The maternal genetic information passed down through many generations of mitochondria is still present in modern-day residents of the Lassithi plateau of Crete.
Engineered biomaterial could improve success of medical implants
University of Washington engineers have created a synthetic substance that fully resists the body’s natural attack response to foreign objects. Medical devices such as artificial heart valves, prostheses and breast implants could be coated with this polymer to prevent the body from rejecting an implanted object.
May 13, 2013
New report released on health impacts of Duwamish River cleanup
The UW report recommends ways to protect the health of Native American tribes and others affected by the cleanup.
Celebration of life of Bryan Pearce, UW Book Store CEO, May 19
A celebration honoring the life and legacy of Bryan Pearce, who served as CEO of the University Book Store from 2002 to 2013, will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Sunday, May 19 at the UW Club.
Using earthquake sensors to track endangered whales
Oceanographers are using a growing number of seafloor seismometers, devices that record seafloor vibrations, to carry out inexpensive and non-invasive studies of endangered whales.
May 10, 2013
News Digest: Underwater robot competition Saturday, Honors: Cecilia Bitz, Anthony Greenwald and Patricia Kuhl
UW underwater robot team competes Saturday || Cecilia Bitz recognized for decade’s worth of work || Greenwald, Kuhl among 25 honored as part of 25th anniversary
May 9, 2013
Arts Roundup: Music, art, poetry — and the 2013 MFA Dance Concert
This week there’s experimental music, a string quartet, photos about food, a health-minded art walk, student exhibits and the combined talents of the Dance Program and School of Drama.
UW ranked sixth in US and eighth in world for academic performance
A new ranking has determined that the University of Washington is the sixth best university in the United States and eighth in the world.
May 8, 2013
Do peppers reduce risk of Parkinson’s?
New study suggests dietary nicotine may protect against this disorder, which results from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.
Pioneer bacteria lay down trails that draw new recruits
New research shows bacteria may draw other bacteria to an infection site by laying down trails of a “molecular glue” that attract free-swimming individual bacteria.
Affordability drives Washington housing recovery in first quarter of 2013
The UW’s Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies shows Washington state’s housing market improved in the first quarter of 2013 for the third consecutive quarter.
News digest: Recyclemania results, professor speaks on career journey, Honor: Rodney Ho
UW outcompetes PAC-12 schools in Recyclemania || MIT engineering professor to speak on research, career journey || Pharmaceutical science association recognizes Rodney Ho
Herbert Blau remembered as teacher, history-making theater pioneer
Herbert Blau, who died on May 3, will be remembered as a theater innovator and scholar who introduced American audiences to avant-garde playwrights such as Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter.
New ‘academic redshirt’ program to support undergraduate STEM education
The University of Washington in collaboration with Washington State University is developing an “academic redshirt” program that will bring dozens of low-income, Washington state high school graduates to the two universities to study engineering in a five-year bachelor’s program.
May 7, 2013
Spokane physician participates as patient in breast cancer vaccine trial
Dr. Alisa Hideg, who teaches UW medical students, is grateful for the chance to move science forward toward a future with more options for other patients.
Guggenheim names Braester, Daniel as fellows
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation names 173 fellows for 2013.
May 6, 2013
UW research vessel Clifford A. Barnes marks its 1,000th cruise
This week marks the 1000th cruise for the UW’s Clifford A. Barnes research vessel, a converted tugboat that has spent decades exploring Puget Sound and Pacific Northwest waters and is now reaching the end of its UW career.
Celebration May 7 showcases student leadership, service
More than 100 UW undergraduates will share information about their volunteer activities at the Spring Celebration of Service and Leadership, Tuesday, May.
UW study: Exercise cuts women’s kidney stone risk
New device can extract human DNA with full genetic data in minutes
A new device will give hospitals and research labs a much easier way to separate DNA from human fluid samples to help with genome sequencing, disease diagnosis and forensic investigations.
May 2, 2013
News briefs: Bike to campus month, drag-racing math, campus tree prize
May is bike to campus month || Math at top speed: Exploding drag racing myths || UW recognized for campus tree management
Mountain going solo in May; time for fountain tune up
The mountain is going to have to go it alone when the fountain is shut down this month for routine maintenance.
Arts Roundup: Art, the music of Charles Ives — and privacy goes public with Facebook-fueled ‘Sanctum’
“Sanctum” by James Coupe and Juan Pampin opens at the Henry Art Gallery and the School of Music celebrates the life and music of Charles Ives.
May 1, 2013
2013 Awards of Excellence recipients announced
The UW has announced this year’s Awards of Excellence recipients, recognizing achievements in teaching, mentoring, public service and staff support.
National Academy of Sciences selects Mary Lidstrom, David Kaplan
Mary Lidstrom and David Kaplan are among the 84 new members announced by National Academy of Sciences.
Notice of Expedited Rule Making: Housekeeping amendments
Notice of Expedited Rule Making (Per RCW 34.05.353) Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Housekeeping amendments to WAC 478-120-020, 478-120-140, and 478-124-020. Statutory Authority for Adoption and Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28B.20.130. Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: In both WAC 478-120-020 and 478-124-020 one subsection is edited to include a federal statute citation in order to clarify the continuing illegality of non-licensed alcohol or controlled substances on the UW premises….
April 30, 2013
The challenge of finding what challenges students
A yearlong project to learn how UW students were being challenged academically in their majors attracted volunteers from 33 degree-granting departments and programs.
Tactics of new Middle East virus suggest treating by altering lung cells’ response to infection
The Erasmus virus resets 207 genes in lung cells to hamper the cells’ ability to launch an antiviral reaction. Available drugs might correct this sabotage.
April 29, 2013
Blast concussions could cause pituitary deficiencies in war vets
Low pituitary hormone levels can mimic symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome, but are easily treated.
Dinosaur predecessors gain ground in wake of world’s biggest biodiversity crisis — with photo gallery
Newly discovered fossils reveal a lineage of animals thought to have led to dinosaurs taking hold in Tanzania and Zambia, many millions of years before dinosaur relatives were seen in the fossil record elsewhere on Earth.
Arts and sciences academy selects Eggers, Moon
UW faculty members Susan Eggers and Randall Moon have been elected fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Grocery delivery service is greener than driving to the store
New University of Washington research shows it’s much more environmentally friendly to leave the car parked at home and opt for groceries delivered to your doorstep.
April 25, 2013
Arts Roundup: Student music and art, a staged Western — and wind ensemble (with tuba)
Art students show their work, music students play jazz with famous guests, the Burke invites all for a celebration of Salish Coast art, and more.
Also, the School of Music’s Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band unite for an evening of music featuring a tuba concerto, of course.
Astronomer studies far-off worlds through ‘characterization by proxy’
A UW astronomer is using Earth’s interstellar neighbors to learn the nature of certain stars too far away to be directly measured or observed, and the planets they may host.
Keeping beverages cool in summer: It’s not just the heat, it’s the humidity
Drops forming on the outside of your drink don’t just make the can slippery. Experiments show that in hot, humid weather, condensation heats a drink more than the surrounding air.