The latest news from the UW

Engineering | Research | Science | Social science | UW News blog

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.

Learning | News releases | Research | Science | Technology

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.

Arts and entertainment | News releases | UW and the community

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…

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

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.

Honors and awards | UW News blog

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.

Environment | News releases | Research | Science | UW and the community

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

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.

News releases

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.”

Video

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.

News releases

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.

Arts and entertainment | News releases

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…

Engineering | News releases | Research | Technology

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.

News releases

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.

Honors and awards | UW News blog

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.

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

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.

News releases

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.

News releases | Science

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.

Arts and entertainment | News releases | UW and the community

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,…

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

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.

Expert quotes | Soundbites

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.

Expert quotes | Soundbites

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.

Arts and entertainment | Video

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.

UW News blog | Video

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.

Arts and entertainment | Education | For UW employees | Learning | UW and the 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.

Politics and government | Research | Social science | Technology | UW News blog

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.

Environment | Research | Science

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.

Honors and awards | News releases

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.

Arts and entertainment | News releases | UW and the community

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.

Health and medicine | Research | Science | UW News blog

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.

Social science | UW News blog

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.

Engineering | Video

Video: Origami-inspired materials are designed to soften impact

University of Washington researchers have developed a novel solution to change the feeling of impact when one thing hits another. It has potential for use in spacecraft, cars and beyond — inspired by origami.

Education | News releases | Research | Social science | UW and the community

May 24, 2019

UW books in brief: Mindful travel in an unequal world, day laborers in Brooklyn, activist educators

Recent notable books by University of Washington faculty explore mindful international travel, men seeking work as day laborers, and activist teachers.

Engineering | News releases | Research | Science

Origami-inspired materials could soften the blow for reusable spacecraft

University of Washington researchers used the paper folding art of origami to develop a novel solution to help reduce the forces associated with impact — like in car crashes, football helmets, landing spacecraft and more.