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December 7, 2012
The latest news from the UW
Greenland ice sheet carries evidence of increased atmospheric acidity
Research suggests rising atmospheric acidity is probably why levels of the isotope nitrogen-15 in Greenland ice samples dropped around the time of the Industrial Revolution.
December 6, 2012
Arts Roundup: Art, plays, the University Symphony — and ‘Pippin’ continues
The University Symphony and the Undergraduate Theater Society’s popular production of “Pippin” lead this week’s busy UW arts schedule.
Moths wired two ways to take advantage of floral potluck
Moths are able to enjoy a pollinator’s buffet of flowers because of two distinct “channels” in their brains, scientists have discovered.
Tipsy? UW expert’s tips for reining in holiday drinking
The omnipresence of alcohol at holiday gatherings and the social ease that a little buzz provides make it hard to limit ourselves. UW’s Dennis Donovan offers advice for how to drink moderately, and treatment approaches he’s used with people recovering from alcohol problems.
December 4, 2012
Crowdsourcing the cosmos: Astronomers welcome all to identify star clusters in Andromeda galaxy
Astronomers are inviting the public to search Hubble Space Telescope images of the Andromeda galaxy to help identify star clusters and increase understanding of how galaxies evolve. The new Andromeda Project, set to study thousands of high-resolution Hubble images, is a collaboration among scientists at the University of Washington, the University of Utah and several other partners. “It’s an amazing opportunity to discover something new,” said Julianne Dalcanton, UW astronomy professor. “Anyone can look at these beautiful Hubble images and…
Scientists find oldest dinosaur – or closest relative yet
Researchers have discovered what may be the earliest dinosaur, a creature the size of a Labrador retriever, but with a five foot-long tail, that walked the Earth about 10 million years before more familiar dinosaurs.
‘Fiscal cliff’ challenge explored in ‘Congress and the Politics of Problem Solving’
UW political scientist John Wilkerson and coauthor explore the challenges of the “fiscal cliff” in their book, “Congress and the Politics of Problem Solving.”
December 3, 2012
Russian Far East holds seismic hazards that could threaten Pacific Basin
The Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands, long shrouded in secrecy by the Soviet government, are a seismic and volcanic hotbed with a potential to trigger tsunamis that pose a risk to the rest of the Pacific Basin.
November 30, 2012
Electrically spun fabric offers dual defense against pregnancy, HIV
Electrically spun cloth with nanometer-sized fibers show promise as a cheap, versatile platform to simultaneously offer contraception and prevent HIV. New funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will further test the system’s versatility and feasibility.
November 29, 2012
Rules devised for building ideal protein molecules from scratch
These principles could allow scientists to custom-make, rather than re-purpose, protein molecules for vaccines, drugs, and industrial and environmental uses.
AAAS names 11 UW researchers as fellows
Eleven University of Washington researchers are among 702 new fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
News Digest: Faculty Senate vice chair nominations due, carbon efficient cities subject of book
Nomination deadline Monday for vice chair of Faculty Senate || ‘The Carbon Efficient City’ discusses sustainable development
Arts Roundup: Music galore, plus ‘Pippin’ and choirs combine for holiday CarolFest
Music — and musical theater — rule this packed week in UW arts. Take your pick from choirs and choruses, jazz, percussion, world music and campus bands, the musical “Pippin” and the opera “Die Fledermaus.”
International study provides more solid measure of shrinking in polar ice sheets
Climatologists have reconciled their measurements of ice loss in Antarctica and Greenland during the past two decades. A second article looks at how to monitor and understand accelerating losses from the planet’s two largest continental ice sheets.
November 28, 2012
Harmful protein-coding mutations in people arose largely in the past 5,000 to 10,000 years
The spectrum of human genetic diversity today is vastly different than what it was only 200 to 400 generations ago.
Hungry salmon a problem for restoration efforts
Food webs needed by young salmon in the Columbia River basin are likely compromised in places, something that should be considered when prioritizing expensive restoration activities.
News Digest: Honor: International Green Award bronze, research-collaboration website launches
UW receives International Green Award bronze || UW launches website to help foster research collaboration
Official notice: Opportunity to comment on access to public records
There will be a public hearing Friday, Dec. 7, concerning proposed amendments to rules governing access to public records.
UW regent: Renew commitment to higher ed funding
State unveils ideas on tackling ocean acidification
UW to host Institute of Medicine regional meeting Dec. 6
The Institute of Medicine is holding a regional meeting in Seattle Dec. 6.
November 27, 2012
University of Washington to sever business relationship with Adidas
University of Washington President Michael K. Young has instructed the university’s Office of Trademarks and Licensing to sever the university’s business relationship with Adidas.
November 26, 2012
Minorities could redraw state’s political landscape
November 21, 2012
Arts Roundup: Exhibits, theater, museum activities — and School of Music jazz and ensemble concerts
Exhibits, weekend fun at the Burke Museum and an ensemble concert by the Chamber Singers and University Chorale highlight the week in campus arts.
UW rates gold in sustainability assessment, strongest performer in Pac-12
The UW has the strongest sustainability performance in the Pac-12 according to a new rating system.
The radical roots of Yesler Terrace
News digest: WWI Christmas Truce lecture, winter-weather policy overviews, Honor: Rob Corser
WWI Christmas Truce subject of Dec. 5 lecture || Winter weather on the way, UW has policies || Rob Corser among 30 ‘most admired educators’ in design
Official notice: Rules for residence halls, family apartments under review
A public hearing is scheduled Nov. 29 concerning proposed amendments to rules for the University of Washington residence halls and family housing apartments.
November 20, 2012
New study suggests charter schools may not systematically under-enroll students with special needs
Charter schools may be doing better at enrolling students with special needs than many believe, according to a new report by UW’s Center on Reinventing Public Education.
Why E.T. would also breathe oxygen
November 19, 2012
Mutations in genes that modify DNA packaging result in form of muscular dystrophy
Studying the molecular basis of progressive muscle weakness may lead to therapies to prevent or reduce symptoms.
Can life emerge on planets around cooling stars?
UW astronomers find that planets orbiting white and brown dwarfs are unlikely to be good candidates for sustaining life.
Admissions director holds key to UW’s door
November 16, 2012
Documents that Changed the World: Gutenberg indulgence, 1454
Joe Janes goes back to the fifteenth century and the work of Johannes Gutenberg for this installment in his series of podcasts, Documents that Changed the World.
Leadership award given to late Pharmacy Dean Emeritus Sid Nelson
Nelson, and several other School of Pharmacy alumni, were honored for their contributions to their profession, their patients and their community at large.
Life on Earth’s ceiling
November 15, 2012
Arts Roundup: Music, drama, art, ballet — and happy birthday, Claude Debussy
Art is on display this week at the School of Social Work and on sale at the School of Art. Plus, there’s ballet, drama, a concerto competition and a two-day conference on feminist art.
November 14, 2012
December deadlines approach for Awards of Excellence nominations
Nominations are due next month for many Awards of Excellence categories including a new award for teaching innovation.
News Digest: Audiologists blog from Brazil, Information School fair Thursday, Honor: Richard Catalano, students write resolution, campus memorial for Olson, Bridges center celebrates 20 years
UW audiologists blogging this week about work in Brazil || Information School holds 2012 Research Fair Thursday || Richard Catalano becomes American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare Fellow || Public health association adopts water resolution written by UW students || Campus memorial for David Olson || Harry Bridges Center celebrates 20 years