June 3, 2013
The latest news from the UW
June 2, 2013
New book tells stirring story of UW crew winning Olympic gold
In 1936, when Jesse Owens made headlines by winning Olympic gold in front of Adolf Hitler, nine University of Washington rowers improbably did the same in competition that had been dominated by Germany. An upcoming book vividly tells the tale.
May 30, 2013
Transportation fuels from woody biomass promising way to reduce emissions
Two processes that turn woody biomass into transportation fuels have the potential to exceed current Environmental Protection Agency requirements for renewable fuels.
Arts roundup: Exhibits, one-act plays, music aplenty — and undergraduates stage Hitchcock
Late spring is perhaps the busiest time for arts at the UW. This week, ongoing productions and exhibits, plus a production of “The 39 Steps” and lots of music — including the powerful, 100-voice UW Gospel Choir.
News Digest: Seattle Science Festival June 6-16, Honor: Alison Wylie, Charles Wolfe e-book
UW part of second Seattle Science Festival || Alison Wylie honored by Society for Women in Philosophy || Sustainability studied in Charles Wolfe’s ‘Urbanism Without Effort’
Big feet preference in rural Indonesia defies one-size-fits-all theory of attractiveness
In most cultures, a woman’s small feet are seen as a sign of youth and fertility, but that’s not true of all cultures, including the Karo Batak on the island of Sumatra.
May 29, 2013
Early brain responses to words predict developmental outcomes in children with autism
The pattern of brain responses to words in 2-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder predicted the youngsters’ linguistic, cognitive and adaptive skills at ages 4 and 6, according to a new study by UW’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences.
Traffic air pollution turns good cholesterol bad
Exposure to diesel exhaust undermines one of the body’s protections against heart and blood vessel disease.
Public Hearing Notice: “Alcoholic Beverage Policy”
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held at Noon on Friday, June 7, 2013, in Room 142 of Gerberding Hall, on the UW Seattle campus. The purpose of the hearing is to allow all interested persons an opportunity to present their views, either orally or in writing, on the proposed amendments to WAC 478-136-041, “Alcoholic Beverage Policy.” Currently, the UW’s alcoholic beverage policy does not provide for licensing under a sports entertainment facility license. The proposed…
Inside the Professional Actor Training Program
Coming Soon: A new, faster search for University Libraries, partners
In late June, the University Libraries home page will feature a new unified search system that will enable the campus community to find and request books, journal articles and media of all formats, all combined in a single search.
UW to host student steel bridge competition this weekend
Just a week after the Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge collapse north of Seattle, the University of Washington will host a national steel bridge competition for undergraduate civil engineering students. Forty-nine finalist teams will converge on campus for the 2013 National Student Steel Bridge Competition.
May 24, 2013
‘The Return’ illustrates Native American environmental health story
“The Return,” a dreamlike account of a Native woman and her baby, is an allegory for passing environmental health values to the next generation.
Infrastructure experts: Engineers who can speak about bridge collapse
University of Washington structural engineers, architects and freight transportation experts are available to speak with reporters about the I-5 Skagit Bridge collapse on Thursday, May 23. Charles Roeder Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Office: 206-543-6199 E-mail: croeder@uw.edu Web: http://www.ce.washington.edu/people/faculty/faculty.php?id=36 Expertise: Gusset plates and steel bracing frames; seismic behavior of steel and composite structures; fatigue of steel structures; temperature effects in structures; movements in bridges; bridge bearings and expansion joints Jeffrey Berman Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering…
May 23, 2013
Clinical trial aims to prevent type 2 diabetes through medication
The UW and the VA Puget Sound will be among the sites for the national RISE study. The researchers want to see if treating patients to preserve insulin secretion keeps diabetes from forming or slows its progression.
Arts roundup: Springtime concerts, exhibits — and vintage one-act plays
Spring is a great time for the arts at the UW, with the School of Music, School of Drama and School of Art all offering shows or exhibits — and a lot more.
Depression raises diabetics’ risk of severe low blood sugar episodes
Evidence points to importance of recognizing and treating depression in people with diabetes to reduce medical complications.
Denzil Suite selected as UW vice president for student life
Denzil Suite has been selected as vice president for student life.
May 22, 2013
News Digest: Seaglider technology licensed, lecture revisits the Boldt decision, U. of Minnesota president to speak
UW Seaglider technology is licensed commercially; Richard Whitney, emeritus professor of fisheries, will deliver a talk about the Boldt decision; U. of Minnesota president and former UW faculty member Eric Kaler will deliver a talk about challenges facing research institutions.
New documentary on cabled ocean observatory airs on UWTV
A new half-hour documentary about a UW research expedition to Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano off the Washington coast, airs tonight at 9:30 p.m. on UWTV.
Practicing medicine pharma-free in a drug rep-filled world
A rural family medicine group is an example for other community physicians seeking to wean themselves from pharmaceutical industry influence.
UW joins edX to provide more free online courses
The University of Washington announced May 21 a new partnership with edX, the Massive Open Online Course provider from Harvard/MIT.
May 21, 2013
UW expands online courses
Sounds of the sea: Stones clanging
Bjong Wolf Yeigh selected as chancellor for UW Bothell
Bjong Wolf Yeigh, professor and president of SUNYIT, the State University of New York Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome, has been selected as the next chancellor at the University of Washington Bothell.
The tea party and the politics of paranoia
New research argues that the tea party owes more to paranoid politics of the John Birch Society and others than traditional American conservatism. “True conservatives aren’t paranoid,” says political scientist Chris Parker. “Tea party conservatives are.”
May 20, 2013
New K-12 science standards add focus on practices, engineering and early learning
The recently updated K-12 science education learning goals outline a vision for what all U.S. citizens should know about science. Philip Bell, director of UW’s Institute for Science and Math Education, talks about what’s new about the goals.
Amazon River exhales virtually all carbon taken up by rain forest
A study published this week in Nature Geoscience shows that woody plant matter is almost completely digested by bacteria living in the Amazon River, and that this tough stuff plays a major part in fueling the river’s breath.
May 17, 2013
Youth bullying because of perceived sexual orientation widespread and damaging
Harmful effects of bullying are profound for youth struggling with identity and self-worth, and can lead to depression and thoughts of suicide.
May 16, 2013
Arts Roundup: Dance, poetry, art, music — and slapstick ballet
Dance and drama talents lead a busy week in UW arts with the annual MFA Dance Concert, the 50th annual Theodore Roethke Poetry Reading and more.
May 15, 2013
Seattle’s ‘Mr. Sundial’ takes his passion to next level
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.
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