UW News
The latest news from the UW
March 9, 2022
More air pollution present in areas with historical redlining
A team of researchers at the UW and UC Berkeley has found that housing discrimination practices dating from the 1930s still drive air pollution disparities in hundreds of American cities today.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Julian Marshall • population healthMarch 8, 2022
O-pH, a new UW dental tool prototype, can spot the acidic conditions that lead to cavities
You and your dentist have a lot of tools and techniques for stopping cavities, but detecting the specific chemical conditions that can lead to cavities and then preventing them from ever getting started is much harder. Now, in a new study, University of Washington researchers have shown that a dental tool they created can measure…
Tag(s): Center for Pediatric Dentistry • College of Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Department of Mechanical Engineering • Department of Microbiology • Eric Seibel • Human Photonics Laboratory • Manuja Sharma • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • School of Dentistry • Ubiquitous Computing LabMarch 7, 2022
How Black Lives Matter protests sparked interest, can lead to change
A new study by the University of Washington and Indiana University finds that the growing use of anti-racist terms shows how Black Lives Matter has shifted the conversation around racism, raising awareness of issues and laying the foundation for social change.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Sociology • Jelani InceMarch 4, 2022
Ukrainian American professor shares insights on ‘gut-wrenching’ events in Ukraine
Laada Bilaniuk is a professor of anthropology at the whose expertise is Ukrainian culture and society. The daughter of Ukrainian Americans, she shares insights on the Ukrainian people who are resisting, how the conflict relates to the use of language and the perspective of the local Ukrainian community.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Anthropology • Laada BilaniukMarch 3, 2022
Mindfulness meditation can reduce guilt, leading to unintended negative social consequences
Mindfulness meditation is a stress-management practice with ancient lineage that cultivates nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment, often by directing attention to the physical sensations of breathing. Initially inspired by centuries-old Buddhist practices consisting of philosophies and meditations together, today a secular version of mindfulness — consisting of meditations alone — is becoming increasingly popular.
Tag(s): Andrew Hafenbrack • Foster School of Business
Moon jellies appear to be gobbling up zooplankton in Puget Sound
University of Washington-led research suggests moon jellies are feasting on zooplankton, the various tiny animals that drift with the currents, in the bays they inhabit. This could affect other hungry marine life, like juvenile salmon or herring — especially if predictions are correct and climate change will favor fast-growing jellyfish.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Julie Keister • Puget Sound • School of OceanographyMarch 2, 2022
ArtSci Roundup: Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, Space Between: Photographs from the Collection, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band March 8, 7:30 PM | Meany Hall The UW Wind Ensemble (Timothy Salzman, director) performs music by Joseph…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts
UW’s campuses in Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell announce the return of in-person commencement ceremonies
University of Washington’s 147th commencement ceremonies are scheduled to return this June to in-person celebrations in Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium for the first time since 2019. Similar in-person commencement ceremonies are being planned for UW Bothell and UW Tacoma.
Tag(s): Commencement • Denzil Suite • UW Bothell • UW Tacoma
Counties that rely on the courts for revenue sentence more women to incarceration
Washington counties that rely more on revenue from court-imposed fines and fees also sentence more women to incarceration, a study by the University of Washington finds.
Tag(s): Alexes Harris • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Sociology • Ian Kennedy • Kate O'Neill
Multi-state study of monetary sanctions finds widespread inequities, far-reaching consequences
Alexes Harris, professor of sociology at the University of Washington, discusses her team’s five-year, eight-state study of legal financial obligations, and their findings that court-imposed fines and fees perpetuate inequality.
Tag(s): Alexes Harris • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Sociology • Evans School of Public Policy & Governance • Karin MartinMarch 1, 2022
UW celebrates 50 years of the Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center
Visit the University of Washington’s Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center once, and you’ll be impressed by its size, the historic murals and the number of resources available to students.
Tag(s): Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity • Rickey Hall • Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural CenterFebruary 28, 2022
UW statement on recent gift return, status of Israel Studies program
University of Washington Professor Liora Halperin, supported by the Benaroya endowment, expressed views in a statement that were not shared by the donor, Becky Benaroya. Our mission as a university demands that our scholars have the freedom to pursue their scholarship where it leads them and to freely express their views as academics and as individuals. After several months of good faith conversations between University and Stroum Center leadership, Prof. Halperin and the donor, Mrs. Benaroya requested that her gift be returned, and it was determined that returning the gift was the best path forward.
UW authors in IPCC report emphasize threats to human health and well-being
Two University of Washington experts in climate change and health are lead authors of the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The new report titled Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptations and Vulnerability, published Monday morning, details in over three thousand pages a “dire warning” about the consequences of inaction on reducing…
Tag(s): Center for Health and the Global Environment • climate change • Climate Impacts Group • Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences • Jennifer Otten • Jeremy Hess • Karen Levy • Kristie Ebi • School of Medicine • School of Public Health • Yona SiposFebruary 25, 2022
Antibiotic used on food crops affects bumblebee behavior
Scientists at the University of Washington and Emory University report that an antibiotic sprayed on orchard crops to combat bacterial diseases slows the cognition of bumblebees and reduces their foraging efficiency. The study, published Feb. 9 in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, focused on streptomycin, an antibiotic used increasingly in U.S. agriculture during the past decade.
Tag(s): Berry Brosi • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of BiologyFebruary 24, 2022
ArtSci Roundup: Lauren Williams: Wake Work*, Concert and Campus Bands, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Don’t Miss Before it Closes! Lauren Williams: Wake Work* Through March 5 | The Jacob Lawrence Gallery What happens in the wake of…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Classics • Department of English • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of Music • Select Department of Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies Department of Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies • UW Drama
Farms following soil-friendly practices grow healthier food, study suggests
An experiment conducted on 10 farms across the U.S. suggests that crops from farms following soil-friendly practices for at least five years have a healthier nutritional profile than the same crops grown on neighboring, conventional farms. Researchers believe soil microbes and fungi boost certain beneficial minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals in the crops.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • David Montgomery • Department of Earth and Space SciencesFebruary 23, 2022
Andreas Bohman selected as VP for UW-IT and UW’s chief information officer
University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce today announced the selection of Andreas Bohman as vice president for UW Information Technology and UW’s chief information officer. He is set to begin March 16.
Tag(s): Andreas Bohman • UW Information Technology
A new upper limit on the mass of neutrinos
An international research team, including scientists from the University of Washington, has established a new upper limit on the mass of the neutrino, the lightest known subatomic particle. In a paper published Feb. 14 in Nature Physics, the collaboration — known as the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino Experiment or KATRIN — reports that the neutrino’s mass is below 0.8 electron volts, or 0.8 eV/c2. Honing in on the elusive value of the neutrino’s mass will solve a major outstanding mystery in particle physics and equip scientists with a more complete view of the fundamental forces and particles that shape ourselves, our planet and the cosmos.
Tag(s): Center for Experimental Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Physics • Hamish Robertson • Peter DoeFebruary 22, 2022
Q&A: Student Kaden Lee on competing in the ‘Jeopardy! College National Championship’
The “Jeopardy! College National Championship” brought together undergraduate students from 36 U.S. colleges and universities. Kaden Lee, a UW junior from Medical Lake, Washington, majoring in aeronautics and astronautics, appeared in the tournament on Feb. 11.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics • Kaden LeeFebruary 17, 2022
UW biologist and computer scientist named Sloan Fellows
Two faculty members at the University of Washington have been awarded early-career fellowships from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The new Sloan Fellows, announced Feb. 15, are Brianna Abrahms, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology, and Yulia Tsvetkov, an assistant professor in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering.
Tag(s): Briana Abrahms • Center for Ecosystem Sentinels • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Yulia Tsvetkov
ArtSci Roundup: DXARTS Winter Concert: Movement Actuation, Jazz Innovations: Part 1 and 2, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Voice Division Recital February 22, 4:00 PM | Brechemin Auditorium Students of Thomas Harper and Carrie Shaw perform works from the vocal repertoire. Free…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Chemistry • DXARTS • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of MusicFebruary 16, 2022
Unexpected findings detailed in new portrait of HIV
Using powerful tools and techniques developed in the field of structural biology, researchers at the University of Washington and Scripps Research have discovered new details about the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV. The findings bring into focus the basic architecture of the virus just above and below its surface and may help in the design and…
Tag(s): HIV and AIDS • Kelly Lee • School of Pharmacy
Google’s ‘CEO’ image search gender bias hasn’t really been fixed
UW researchers showed that image search results for four major search engines from around the world, including Google, still reflect gender bias.
Tag(s): Chirag Shah • Information School • Yunhe Feng
Faculty programs welcome most diverse cohort in recent UW history
Angélica Amezcua never thought she’d achieve a doctoral degree, never mind landing a tenure-track job at the University of Washington. Raised in Mexico, she moved to California when she was 11, and she’s the first in her family to earn a Ph. D. She once believed that a career in academia was unattainable due to the obstacles placed in society for people of color.
Tag(s): Alexes Harris • Angelica Amezcula • diversity • equity and inclusion in academia • Esther Uduehi • Jelani Ince • Mark Richards • UW MedicineFebruary 15, 2022
eDNA a useful tool for early detection of invasive green crab
As the green crab invasion in the state worsens, a new analysis method developed by University of Washington and Washington Sea Grant scientists could help contain future invasions and prevent new outbreaks using water testing and genetic analysis. The results show that the DNA-based technique works as well in detecting the presence of green crabs as setting traps to catch the live animals, which is a more laborious process. Results suggest these two methods could complement each other as approaches to learn where the species’ range is expanding.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Emily Grason • P. Sean McDonald • Ryan Kelly • School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences • Washington Sea Grant • Washington Sea Grant Crab TeamFebruary 14, 2022
DNA testing exposes tactics of international criminal networks trafficking elephant ivory
A team led by scientists at the University of Washington and special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has used genetic testing of ivory shipments seized by law enforcement to uncover the international criminal networks behind ivory trafficking out of Africa. The genetic connections across shipments that they’ve uncovered exposes an even higher degree of organization among ivory smuggling networks than previously known. The paper, published Feb. 14 in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, incorporates results from DNA testing of more than 4,000 African elephant tusks from 49 different ivory seizures made in 12 African nations over a 17-year period.
Tag(s): Center for Environmental Forensic Science • College of Arts & Sciences • conservation • Department of Biology • Samuel WasserFebruary 11, 2022
Samson Jenekhe, Anna Karlin elected to National Academy of Engineering
Samson Jenehke, a University of Washington professor in both the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical Engineering, and Anna Karlin, a UW professor in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, announced Feb. 9 by the academy.
Tag(s): Anna Karlin • College of Arts & Sciences • College of Engineering • Department of Chemical Engineering • Department of Chemistry • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Smartphone app can vibrate a single drop of blood to determine how well it clots
Researchers at the UW have developed a new blood-clotting test that uses a single drop of blood and a smartphone vibration motor and camera.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine • Justin Chan • Kelly Michaelsen • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • School of Medicine • Shyam GollakotaFebruary 10, 2022
ArtSci Roundup: Charles Yu at Benaroya Hall, Faculty Recital: Melia Watras: The almond tree duos, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Charles Yu at Benaroya Hall February 15, 7:30 PM | Benaroya Hall & Online Shawn Wong, Professor of English, will moderate the Q&A…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of American Ethnic Studies • Department of English • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of MusicFebruary 9, 2022
New IAU center to focus on solutions to satellite interference in astronomical observations
The International Astronomical Union has launched the Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference to coordinate collaborative multidisciplinary international efforts with institutions and individuals — including researchers at the University of Washington’s DiRAC Institute — to help mitigate the negative impacts of satellite constellations on ground-based optical and radio astronomy observations as well as humanity’s enjoyment of the night sky.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Astronomy • DIRAC Institute • Meredith Rawls
New Center for Environmental Forensic Science aims to disrupt and dismantle international illegal wildlife trade
Across the globe, endangered species are at risk for illegal poaching. African elephants are sought out for their ivory, rhinoceros for their singular horns, and armadillo-like pangolins for their protective, brittle scales. Add to that list valuable and environmentally sensitive trees illegally harvested throughout the world where entire ecosystems are being deforested and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing that is devastating oceans. These illicit markets, estimated at $1 trillion annually, cause enormous environmental impacts and have the potential to unleash new, deadly pathogens.
Tag(s): Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Center for Environmental Forensic Science • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology • John Hermanson • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Samuel Wasser • School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences • School of Environmental and Forest Sciences • School of Public Health
UW and Amazon announce creation of the Science Hub
The University of Washington and Amazon today announced the Science Hub, an effort that deepens the relationship between the two organizations and will advance innovation in core robotics, artificial intelligence technologies and their applications.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Joshua Smith • Nancy Allbritton • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringFebruary 4, 2022
Planting trees in pastureland provides significant cooling in the tropics
Farmers struggling to adapt to rising temperatures in tropical regions can unleash the benefits of natural cooling, alongside a host of other wins, simply by dotting more trees across their pasturelands. For the first time, a study led by the University of Washington puts tangible numbers to the cooling effects of this practice.
Tag(s): climate change • College of the Environment • David Battisti • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • population health
Mosquitoes are seeing red: Why new findings about their vision could help you hide from these disease vectors
New research led by scientists at the University of Washington indicates that a common mosquito species — after detecting a telltale gas that we exhale — flies toward specific colors, including red, orange, black and cyan. The mosquitoes ignore other colors, such as green, purple, blue and white. The researchers believe these findings help explain how mosquitoes find hosts, since human skin, regardless of overall pigmentation, emits a strong red-orange “signal” to their eyes.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology • Jeffrey RiffellFebruary 3, 2022
Custodians share COVID experiences, show pride in their work in art exhibit
The UW Custodian Project is advocating for custodians, lifting their voices and raising awareness about their important roles on campus. As part of the project, an art exhibit called “(in)Visibility” is hanging in UW Tower through March. It features photos taken by 16 custodians, paired with their testimonials.
Tag(s): COVID-19 • UW Facilities
For the uninsured, crowdfunding provides little help in paying for health care and deepens inequities
New research from the University of Washington shows that people in states with higher medical debt and lower rates of insurance coverage are more likely to try to raise money but less likely to succeed.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Sociology • Mark Igra • Nora Kenworthy • UW Bothell
ArtSci Roundup: UW 2022 Heritage Language Symposium, Inequity at Boiling Point, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Inequity at Boiling Point February 9, 4:00 PM | Online via Zoom Join us in conversation with Somini Sengupta, an award-winning New York…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing ArtsJanuary 31, 2022
UW wins 2021 EPA Regional Food Recovery Challenge, preventing waste and feeding the hungry
The University of Washington’s Seattle campus saved more than 5 tons of food from being thrown away in 2020, preventing unnecessary waste and helping feed people in the community who struggle with food security.
Tag(s): UW Facilities • UW Housing & Food Services • UW SustainabilityJanuary 27, 2022
Determination of non-significance: Haring Center renovation
Pursuant to the provisions of WAC 197-11-340 and WAC 478-324-140, the University of Washington hereby provides public notice of: Determination of non-significance
ArtSci Roundup: UW Symphony, Photograph 51, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. UW Symphony February 4, 7:30 PM | Meany Hall David Alexander Rahbee leads the University Symphony in a program of music by Klengel,…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of History • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Drama • School of Music« Previous Page Next Page »
