UW News
The latest news from the UW
August 13, 2019
HUB closed starting at 2 p.m. on Aug. 14 and Sept. 4 for police training activities
The Husky Union Building (HUB) will be closed from 2 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 14 and Sept. 4 for the UW Police Department to conduct training exercises inside the building.
James Webb Space Telescope could begin learning about TRAPPIST-1 atmospheres in a single year, study indicates
New research from astronomers at the UW uses the intriguing TRAPPIST-1 planetary system as a kind of laboratory to model not the planets themselves, but how the coming James Webb Space Telescope might detect and study their atmospheres, on the path toward looking for life beyond Earth.
Tag(s): Andrew Lincowski • astronomy & astrophysics • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Astronomy • Jacob Lustig-Yaeger • James Webb Space Telescope • NExSS • Victoria Meadows • Virtual Planetary Laboratory
Dr. Nancy Allbritton named dean of UW’s College of Engineering
Dr. Nancy Allbritton has been named the next Frank & Julie Jungers Dean of the College of Engineering, University of Washington Provost Mark Richards announced today. Allbritton’s appointment, set to begin Nov. 1, is subject to approval by the UW Board of Regents.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Nancy Allbritton
Air pollution can accelerate lung disease as much as a pack a day of cigarettes
Air pollution—especially ozone air pollution which is increasing with climate change—accelerates the progression of emphysema of the lung, according to a new study led by the University of Washington, Columbia University and the University at Buffalo.
Tag(s): Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences • Joel Kaufman • School of Public HealthAugust 12, 2019
First cells on ancient Earth may have emerged because building blocks of proteins stabilized membranes
Scientists have discovered that the building blocks of proteins can stabilize cell membranes. This finding may explain how the first cells emerged from the primordial soup billions of years ago: The protein building blocks could have stabilized cell membranes against salt and ions that were present in ancient oceans. In addition, membranes may have been a site for these precursor molecules to co-localize, a potential mechanism to explain what brought together the ingredients for life.
Tag(s): cell biology • College of Arts & Sciences • College of Engineering • Department of Bioengineering • Department of Chemistry • evolution • Roy Black • Sarah Keller • School of Medicine
First evidence of human-caused climate change melting the West Antarctic Ice Sheet
A new study by U.S. and U.K. scientists finds that in addition to natural variations in winds that drive warmer water to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which last about a decade, there has been a longer-term change in the winds that can be linked with human activities.
Tag(s): climate change • College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • Eric Steig • polar scienceAugust 9, 2019
Scientists can now control thermal profiles at the nanoscale
Scientists have designed and tested an experimental system that uses a near-infrared laser to actively heat two gold nanorod antennae — metal rods designed and built at the nanoscale — to different temperatures. The nanorods are so close together that they are both electromagnetically and thermally coupled. Yet the team measured temperature differences between the rods as high as 20 degrees Celsius and could change which nanorod was cooler and which was warmer, even though the rods were made of the same material.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • David Masiello • Department of Chemistry • Institute for Nano-Engineered Systems • Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute
Artificial intelligence could yield more accurate breast cancer diagnoses
Researchers at UW and UCLA have developed an artificial intelligence system that could help pathologists read biopsies more accurately, and lead to better detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Linda Shapiro • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringAugust 8, 2019
UW, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley receive $5M NSF award to simplify researcher access to public clouds
The National Science Foundation has awarded a five-year, $5 million grant to the University of California, San Diego, the University of Washington and the University of California, Berkeley to develop CloudBank, a suite of managed services to simplify public cloud access for computer science research and education.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Ed Lazowska • eScience Institute • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Study shows gun shops can aid in preventing suicides
Firearm retailers throughout Washington are willing to learn about suicide prevention but are reluctant to talk to customers about mental health issues, according to a new study by Forefront Suicide Prevention at the University of Washington.
Tag(s): Forefront • Jennifer Stuber • School of Social Work • Thomas Walton
More than 100 years of Arctic sea ice volume reconstructed with help from historic ships’ logbooks
A new study provides a 110-year record of the total volume of Arctic sea ice, using early U.S. ships’ voyages to verify the earlier part of the record. The longer record puts the recent loss into perspective.
Tag(s): Applied Physics Laboratory • Axel Schweiger • climate change • College of the Environment • Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean and Ecosystem Studies • Kevin Wood • Polar Science CenterAugust 6, 2019
How the Pacific Ocean influences long-term drought in the Southwestern U.S.
Analyzing the full life cycle of long-term droughts and how they relate to El Niño and La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean could eventually lead to better prediction of damaging, multiyear droughts in the Southwestern U.S.
Tag(s): climate • College of the Environment • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • oceanography • weatherAugust 2, 2019
B-roll: UW Population Health Building topping out
The University of Washington today announced the topping out of the new $230 million Population Health Building. The UW also has selected two artists whose work will help tell the story of the education and research that will take place within the new facility. Construction of the eight-story building at the corner of 15th Avenue Northeast and…
UW selects artists and tops out Population Health Building
The University of Washington today announced the topping out of the new $230 million Population Health Building. The UW also has selected two artists whose work will help tell the story of the education and research that will take place within the new facility.
Tag(s): Population Health InitiativeAugust 1, 2019
UW Division of Design faculty, Seattle Children’s physicians collaborate on more effective anesthesia cart organization
In recent years, physicians at Seattle Children’s Hospital have worked with UW faculty members in design to come up with a better, safer, more reliable way to order and use drugs on an operating room’s anesthesia cart.
Tag(s): Axel Roesler • College of Arts & Sciences • School of Art + Art History + Design • Seattle Children's Hospital
ArtsUW Roundup: The American Superhero, 500 Years of Prints, and more
In the arts, visit an exhibition of portraits and stories that celebrates differences, highlights our commonalities, and embraces what makes us each uniquely American, explore a collection of prints that date back to the 1490s, and more! Exhibition | The American Superhero July 25 – October 4 | UW Tower Mezzanine Lounge There is a…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Dance • Henry Art Gallery • Jacob Lawrence Gallery • School of Art + Art History + DesignJuly 30, 2019
UW study: House move during early pregnancy linked to heightened premature birth risk
Moving to a new residence during the first three months of pregnancy is linked to a heightened risk of premature birth and low birthweight, as well as a slightly higher risk of a smaller-than-expected-size baby, according to new research from the University of Washington published online today in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
Tag(s): Department of Epidemiology • Julia Bond • School of Public Health
Soundbites: UW hosts student robotics ‘moon landing’ challenge
A robotics challenge July 20th at the UW featured twenty-eight teams of middle and high schoolers from Forks to Walla Walla and from Bellingham to Olympia. The event marked a half-century since the Apollo 11 mission landed on the moon and two U.S. astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, walked its surface.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • Robert Winglee • Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium
Video: UW hosts student robotics ‘moon landing’ challenge
A robotics challenge July 20th at the UW featured twenty-eight teams of middle and high schoolers from Forks to Walla Walla and from Bellingham to Olympia. The event marked a half-century since the Apollo 11 mission landed on the moon and two U.S. astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, walked its surface.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • Robert Winglee • Washington NASA Space Grant ConsortiumJuly 29, 2019
Medicaid expansion may prevent child neglect, UW study shows
More than 4 million reports of child maltreatment involving about 7.5 million children were made in 2017 to Child Protective Services. While much work has been done to reduce these high rates of child abuse and neglect in the United States, few programs have been consistently effective.
Tag(s): Department of Epidemiology • Emily Brown • School of Medicine • School of Public Health • Seattle Children's Hospital
Stressed at school? Art therapy reduces teenage girls’ headaches
In a pilot study led by the UW, researchers explored art-based mindfulness activities that schools could use to reduce headaches, a common side effect of stress in adolescent girls. After three weeks of twice-weekly mindfulness and art therapy sessions, eight teenage girls reported experiencing significantly fewer headaches.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering • Elin BjörlingJuly 26, 2019
UW moves up to No. 5 on Kiplinger’s list of ‘best value’ public universities
The University of Washington is now fifth on Kiplinger’s list of best values among U.S. public universities, according to a new ranking published this week. Last year, the UW placed No. 7.
Tag(s): RankingsJuly 25, 2019
Decades after a grade-school program to promote social development, adults report healthier, more successful lives
University of Washington researchers have found that that “good life” in adulthood can start in grade school, by teaching parents and teachers to build stronger bonds with their children, and to help children form greater attachments to family and school.
Tag(s): David Hawkins • Richard Catalano • Rick Kosterman • School of Social Work • Social Development Research GroupJuly 24, 2019
How to consider nature’s impact on mental health in city plans
An international team led by the UW and Stanford has created a framework for how city planners and municipalities around the world can start to measure the mental health benefits of nature and incorporate those into plans and policies for cities and their residents.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Greg Bratman • health care and mental health • School of Environmental and Forest Sciences • urbanizationJuly 23, 2019
What motivates people to join — and stick with — citizen science projects?
After more than 20 years, the UW’s Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team, or COASST, is itself the subject of scientific study. Social scientists are studying the program’s success to extract lessons for all citizen science efforts.
Tag(s): COASST • College of the Environment • Julia Parrish • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesJuly 22, 2019
University of Washington to create UW Center for an Informed Public with $5 million investment from Knight Foundation
The University of Washington today announced a $5 million investment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to create the UW Center for an Informed Public, led by an interdisciplinary group whose mission is to resist strategic misinformation, promote an informed society, and strengthen democratic discourse. The Center is also funded by a $600,000 award from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Tag(s): Chris Coward • College of Engineering • Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering • Emma Spiro • Information School • Jevin West • Kate Starbird • Ryan Calo • School of LawJuly 19, 2019
Offspring of pregnant women exposed to high level of pollutants may have lower IQs
A new study found that pregnant women exposed to higher levels of air pollutants had children with lower IQs, compared to the children of women exposed to lower levels.
Tag(s): Christine Loftus • Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences • School of Public HealthJuly 18, 2019
François Baneyx named director of UW’s CoMotion and Interim Vice Provost for Innovation
François Baneyx has been named the new director of CoMotion and Interim Vice Provost of Innovation at the University of Washington, Provost Mark Richards announced today. Baneyx fills a position formerly held by Vikram Jandhyala, who died in March. “François is a respected researcher, teacher and innovator with connections throughout academia and industry, as well…
Tag(s): Center for the Science of Synthesis Across Scales • College of Engineering • CoMotion • Department of Chemical Engineering • Francois Baneyx
Scientists discover how the mosquito brain integrates diverse sensory cues to locate a host to bite
A team, led by researchers at the University of Washington, has discovered how the female mosquito brain integrates visual and olfactory signals to identify, track and hone in on a potential host for her next blood meal: After the mosquito’s olfactory system detects certain chemical cues, the mosquito uses her visual system to scan her surroundings for certain shapes and fly toward them, presumably associating those shapes with potential hosts.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology • Jeffrey Riffell • neuroscience & brain science • population healthJuly 17, 2019
Video: ‘Pickled’ sharks from the UW Burke Museum fish collection
The Burke Museum at the University of Washington has North America’s largest fish collection that includes a number of sharks, including many species that live in Pacific Northwest waters.
Tag(s): Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Katherine Maslenikov
UW steady at No. 28 in the world, fourth among U.S. public institutions; No. 1 on CNBC US public colleges that pay off the most
The University of Washington was recognized this week for its global impact in teaching and research, as well as for its value to graduates compared to cost of attendance.
Tag(s): Rankings
UW hosts student robotics challenge Friday to mark 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing
This Friday, teams of 5th- through 12th-grade students from across Washington state will complete a challenge in Kane Hall to mimic the 1969 Apollo moon landing, using drones and Lego robots.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • Robert Winglee • Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium
First-ever visualizations of electrical gating effects on electronic structure could lead to longer-lasting devices
Scientists have visualized the electronic structure in a microelectronic device for the first time, opening up opportunities for finely tuned, high-performance electronic devices. Physicists from the University of Washington and the University of Warwick developed a technique to measure the energy and momentum of electrons in operating microelectronic devices made of atomically thin — so-called 2D — materials.
Tag(s): Clean Energy Institute • College of Arts & Sciences • College of Engineering • David Cobden • Department of Materials Science & Engineering • Department of Physics • Institute for Nano-Engineered Systems • Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute • Xiaodong Xu
Magdalena Balazinska named director of UW’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Magdalena Balazinska has been named the new director of the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering. The appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2020, and is subject to approval by the UW Board of Regents.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Magdalena Balazinska • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringJuly 16, 2019
8 UW professors elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences in 2019
Eight scientists and engineers from the University of Washington have been elected this year to the Washington State Academy of Sciences.
Tag(s): Anne McCoy • Chris Bretherton • College of Arts & Sciences • College of Engineering • College of the Environment • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • Department of Chemistry • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences • Department of Mechanical Engineering • Department of Pharmacology • Department of Physics • Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences • Elaine Faustman • Evans School of Public Policy & Governance • Mari Ostendorf • Mark Long • Martin Savage • Nephi Stella • Per Reinhall • School of Medicine • School of Public Health • Washington State Academy of Sciences
ArtsUW Roundup: writing workshop, exhibition opening, festival:festival, and more
In the arts, stop by the Allen Library North Lobby for a free lunchtime concert with UW Voice students, take a writing workshop hosted by the Henry Art Gallery and Hugo House, stop by James Coupe’s exhibition at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery, partake in a free two-day arts festival – festival:festival – that presents and…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • College of Arts & Sciences • DXARTS • Henry Art Gallery • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of Music • UW LibrariesJuly 12, 2019
Video: Friend or foe? Fun facts about sharks
In honor of Shark Awareness Day on July 14, UW News sat down with Katherine Maslenikov, manager of the UW Fish Collection, to learn about sharks in the Pacific Northwest and other fun facts about sharks.
Tag(s): Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Katherine Maslenikov • UW Fish Collection
UW School of Law receives $3.75 million gift to support environmental law
The University of Washington today announced a $3.75 million gift to the School of Law that will support UW Law graduates pursuing public interest environmental law, enhancing their opportunities to gain the experience and knowledge necessary to tackle some of Washington’s and the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
Tag(s): School of LawJuly 11, 2019
B-roll: Middle school students study mechanics, gravity at UW engineering camp
Sixty middle school students from all over Washington state came for a week-long camp on the UW campus in late June. The camp, which is part of the Early Learning Institute, culminated in a chance to improve the basic design of a toy-sized “gravity car.”
Tag(s): Early Engineering Institute • UW GEAR-UP program
Super salty, subzero Arctic water provides peek at possible life on other planets
A UW team has discovered thriving communities of bacteria in Alaskan “cryopegs,” trapped layers of sediment with water so salty that it remains liquid at below-freezing temperatures. The setting may be similar to environments on Mars, Saturn’s moon Titan, or other bodies farther from the sun.
Tag(s): astrobiology • College of the Environment • Jody Deming • oceanography • polar science • School of Oceanography« Previous Page Next Page »
