A roundup of UW talents and presentations in AbSciCon2019, the national conference on astrobiology — the search for life in the universe — to be held in Bellevue, June 24-28.
June 20, 2019
The latest news from the UW
Video: Surprising discoveries in coral reefs found in low-light waters
Jacqueline Padilla-Gamiño, an assistant professor in the UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, spent up to eight hours at a time in the cramped quarters of a submersible watercraft, studying the largest known coral reef in the mesophotic zone, located in the Hawaiian Archipelago.
Mammals and their relatives thrived, diversified during so-called ‘Age of Dinosaurs,’ researchers show
Old myths state that, during the time of the dinosaurs, mammals and their relatives were small and primitive. But new research shows that, during the time of the dinosaurs, mammals and their relatives actually underwent two large ecological radiations, diversifying into climbing, gliding and burrowing forms with a variety of diets.
June 19, 2019
Partnerships for Impact: NSF Awards an additional $4M to the West Big Data Innovation Hub co-led by the UW eScience Institute
The National Science Foundation is awarding a second round of funding for the Regional Big Data Innovation Hubs — organizations launched in 2015 to build and strengthen data science partnerships across industry, academia, nonprofits and government to address scientific and societal challenges. The University of Washington, in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Diego, will continue to coordinate the West Big Data Innovation Hub.
Abundance of gases in Enceladus’s ocean are a potential fuel — if life is there to consume it
The subsurface ocean of Saturn’s moon Enceladus probably has higher than previously known concentrations of carbon dioxide and hydrogen and a more Earthlike pH level, possibly providing conditions favorable to life, according to new research from planetary scientists at the UW.
ArtsUW Roundup: Last week to see MFA + MDes exhibition at the Henry, opening of Beverly Semmes, concert at the library, and more
This week in the arts, visit an exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery or the Center for Urban Horticulture, attend a concert at the library, attend a field poetics workshop, and more! Closing weekend: 2019 School of Art + Art History + Design Graduation Exhibitions Each year we celebrate graduating Art and Design undergraduate and graduate students with a series of exhibitions in the Jacob Lawrence Gallery and Henry Art Gallery. May 25 – June 23 – MFA + MDes…
Deep submersible dives shed light on rarely explored coral reefs
Just beyond where conventional scuba divers can go is an area of the ocean that still is largely unexplored. In waters this deep — about 100 to at least 500 feet below the surface — little to no light breaks through. Researchers must rely on submersible watercraft or sophisticated diving equipment to be able to study ocean life at these depths, known as the mesophotic zone. These deep areas span the world’s oceans and are home to extensive coral…
‘Alexa, monitor my heart’: Researchers develop first contactless cardiac arrest AI system for smart speakers
UW researchers have developed a new tool to monitor people for cardiac arrest while they’re asleep — all without touching them. The tool is essentially an app for a smart speaker or a smartphone that allows it to detect the signature sounds of cardiac arrest and call for help.
June 18, 2019
UW holds No. 4 position on global rankings among US universities
The University of Washington again placed fourth among U.S. higher education institutions, according to the NTU Rankings released Tuesday.
First book published on fishes of the Salish Sea
The first book documenting all of the known species of fishes that live in the Salish Sea is now available.
Soundbites: UW Commencement 2019
More than 6,000 graduates attended the University of Washington’s 144th commencement ceremonies held June 15 at Husky Stadium. UW President Ana Mari Cauce presided as nearly 13,795 degrees were conferred.
Study: Marijuana use increases, shifts away from illegal market
A new article published by researchers from University of Puget Sound and University of Washington reports that, based on analysis of public wastewater samples in at least one Western Washington population center, cannabis use both increased and substantially shifted from the illicit market since retail sales began in 2014.
Of octopuses and astrobiology: Conference talk speculates on cognition beyond Earth
Of the many papers and presentations scheduled for AbSciCon2019, the conference on astrobiology and the search for life in space happening in Bellevue the week of June 24, the UW’s Dominic Sivitilli’s is perhaps unique — he’ll discuss his research into how octopuses “think.”
June 14, 2019
Video: Largest-ever class graduates from UW
More than 8,000 graduates attended the University of Washington’s 144th commencement ceremonies on Saturday.
June 13, 2019
People using third-party apps to analyze personal genetic data
The burgeoning field of personal genetics appeals to people who want to learn more about themselves, their family and their propensity for diseases. More and more consumers are using services like 23andMe to learn about their genetic blueprint.
June 12, 2019
ArtsUW Roundup: Design show reception, DMA recitals, and more
This week in the arts, partake in the Design Show reception at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery or the MFA + MDes Thesis Exhibition at the Henry, attend a DMA recital, and more! 2019 School of Art + Art History + Design Graduation Exhibitions Each year we celebrate graduating Art and Design undergraduate and graduate students with a series of exhibitions in the Jacob Lawrence Gallery and Henry Art Gallery. May 25 – June 23 – MFA + MDes Thesis Exhibition…
June 11, 2019
Behind the magic: Making moving photos a reality
UW researchers have figured out how to take a person from a 2D photo or a work of art and make them run, walk or jump out of the frame. The system also allows users to view the animation in three dimensions using augmented reality tools.
June 10, 2019
Golden State Warriors President and COO Rick Welts to speak at UW’s 144th commencement on Saturday
A record 5,900 graduates, along with 50,000-plus family members, friends, faculty and other observers, are expected to attend the 144th University of Washington commencement ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Husky Stadium.
UW is a top place to work in Washington, and top school nationally for LGBTQIA+ students
The has been ranked the No. 5 best place to work in the state by Forbes. The UW also topped the national list of best colleges for LGBTQIA+ students published by Best Colleges, an organization that ranks higher education institutions in various categories.
UW’s Pacific Northwest English Study seeking new group of research participants for summer 2019
The Pacific Northwest English Study, headed by UW linguist Alicia Beckford Wassink, is about to begin a new, three-year research project listening to voices from throughout the region and is looking for participants.
Mysterious holes in Antarctic sea ice explained by years of robotic data
Why did a giant hole appear in the sea ice off Antarctica in 2016 and 2017, after decades of more typical sea ice cover? Years of Southern Ocean data have explained the phenomenon, helping oceanographers to better predict these features and study their role in global ocean cycles.
June 6, 2019
UW professor leads students to hidden history in a small Tennessee town
Uncovering the “hidden history” of two eastern Tennessee communities is the goal of Off the Map, a project with high school students led by Katie Headrick Taylor, a University of Washington assistant professor of education.
June 5, 2019
Urgent action on climate change will prevent heat-related deaths in major U.S. cities
The planet will warm by about 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century if the U.S. and other nations meet only their current commitments under the Paris climate agreement to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases. According to a paper by U.S. and U.K. scientists published in Science Advances today, accelerating ambition to reduce global warming emissions to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius could prevent thousands of extreme heat-related deaths in cities across the U.S.
June 4, 2019
ArtsUW Roundup: A site responsive exhibition, #HEREproject, Strange Coupling 2019 exhibition reception, Daniel Alexander Jones reading and more
This week in the arts, partake in the #HEREproject – a celebratory interactive art installation honoring places around campus that have defined our #HuskyExperience and set us on our path, attend one of the 2019 School of Art + Art History + Design Graduation Exhibitions, attend a performance by UW Symphony and Choirs, and more! ASUW Shell House: A Site Responsive Exhibition June 6, noon – 4 PM | 3655 Walla Walla Road, Seattle, WA Students in ART 360: Site-Responsive Interventions,…
Early lives of Alaska sockeye salmon accelerating with climate change
An ample buffet of freshwater food, brought on by climate change, is altering the life history of one of the world’s most important salmon species.
How early-life challenges affect how children focus, face the day
Experiences such as poverty, residential instability, or parental divorce or substance abuse, can affect executive function and lead to changes in a child’s brain chemistry, muting the effects of stress hormones, according to a new University of Washington study.
Soundbites: Graham Pruss on vehicle residency
Graham Pruss has been researching vehicle residency in Seattle for nearly a decade. He established the methodology for counting the vehicle-resident population for All Home’s annual point-in-time count, conducted on one night each January.
Soundbites: UW marching band says thank you to Grant County
The Husky Marching Band returned to central Washington June 2 to say thank you to the Grant County community after a bus crash there last Thanksgiving.
Video: UW MFA + MDes students exhibit thesis work at Henry Art Gallery
The annual thesis exhibition by graduating art and design students with the University of Washington School of Art + Art History + Design brings together the dreamy and the practical to cohabit at the Henry Art Gallery. This year’s exhibit features the work of 10 artists and 11 designers, and will be at the Henry through June 23.
June 3, 2019
UW marching band says thank you to Grant County after Thanksgiving bus accident
The Husky Marching Band returned to central Washington on Sunday to say thank you to the Grant County community after a bus crash there last Thanksgiving.
Documentary films by UW faculty members Jeff Shulman, David Shields to screen
Two films by UW faculty members — business professor Jeff Shulman and English professor David Shields — will have screenings in Seattle in coming days — both with strong connections to the city.
May 31, 2019
Seattle’s forgotten street community: UW anthropologist talks about the unique circumstances of vehicle residency
Vehicle residents are a significant proportion of Seattle’s unsheltered population. The University of Washington’s Graham Pruss, a doctoral candidate in anthropology, has studied vehicle residency for a decade and speaks about the challenges and solutions facing this community.
May 30, 2019
Design, art thesis projects fill Henry Art Gallery for eclectic annual exhibition
The annual thesis exhibition by graduating art and design students with the UW School of Art + Art History + Design reliably brings together the dreamy and the practical to cohabit at the Henry Art Gallery. This year’s exhibit features the work of 10 artists and 11 designers, and will be at the Henry through June 23.
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things among topics at May 31 xTech + Impact Summit
Academics will gather May 31 at the UW with policymakers, entrepreneurs, and representatives of corporations, foundations and nonprofits for The xTech + Impact 2019 Summit, a daylong seminar exploring the role of exponential technology and its impact on society.
Seismologists seek space on volunteers’ floors and lawns to study Seattle seismic risks
A series of seismic experiments will take place this summer in the Seattle area. The researchers are looking for volunteer sites throughout the region.
16 UW students awarded Fulbright fellowships
Sixteen UW students and alumni were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships for the 2019-20 academic year, and one has been named an alternate, joining about 1,900 students and recent graduates from around the country to study and teach abroad this coming year.
May 29, 2019
ArtsUW Roundup: You Are Not Invited, world premier of ‘Lynch: A History’ at SIFF, last week to see ‘Nina Simone: Four Women’, Edgar Arceneaux’s Library of Black Lies, and ‘The Learned Ladies’, and more!
This week in the arts, visit one of the School of Art + Art History + Design exhibitions, attend the premier of “Lynch: A History’” – an official selection in SIFF’s documentary competition, see “Nina Simone: Four Women” at the Seattle Rep., and more! You Are Not Invited: A Critical Survey of Seattle Art History May 30, 6 to 8 PM | Jacob Lawrence Gallery This lecture is presented by Emily Pothast: In 1953, Morris Graves sent out cards reading…
Young herring ‘go with the older fish’ a key finding in Ocean Modeling Forum’s efforts
A collaborative group led by the University of Washington has released a set of research papers, fact sheets and modeling tools to help agencies incorporate traditional knowledge and human dimensions into Pacific herring management.
New study identifies patterns of growth in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
In a paper published May 29 in Nature, scientists report that the growth of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is apt to follow one of three trajectories: relentlessly upward, steadily level or something in between. The particular course the disease takes is tightly linked to the genetic makeup of the cancer cells, particularly the number of growth-spurring “driver” mutations they contain.
UW, collaborating institutions awarded $9.5 million for detecting autism earlier in childhood
A multicenter research team that includes the University of Washington Autism Center has received a five-year, $9.5 million grant to further evaluate whether brain imaging can help detect very high risk of autism spectrum disorder in early infancy.