UW News
The latest news from the UW
May 10, 2017
Arts Roundup: UW Sings, Native Art Market, Emel Mathlouthi, Photomedia Grad Exhibition, and Cherdonna Shinatra
This week in the arts, hear alumni composers play Music of Today; celebrate Native art with the Burke Museum; hear “The Voice of the Tunisian Revolution”; check out capstone Photomedia work at the Jake; and get a first look at the month-long Henry residency of Cheradonna Shinatra. MUSIC OF TODAY: UW ALUMNI COMPOSERS Friday, May 12,…
Seattle Art Museum to exhibit work by UW art professor Denzil Hurley
The Seattle Art Museum will feature work by abstract artist and UW art professor Denzil Hurley. The exhibit, titled “Disclosures,” will be on display from May 20 through November. It’s a fitting tribute, as Hurley will retire from the UW at the end of the school year.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Denzil Hurley • Henry Art Gallery • Jacob Lawrence • School of Art + Art History + Design
Kids, parents alike worried about privacy with internet-connected toys
University of Washington researchers have conducted a new study that explores the attitudes and concerns of both parents and children who play with internet-connected toys. Through a series of in-depth interviews and observations, the researchers found that kids didn’t know their toys were recording their conversations, and parents generally worried about their children’s privacy when they played with the toys.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Emily McReynolds • Franziska Roesner • Maya Cakmak • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Tech Policy LabMay 9, 2017
Shrubs, grasses planted through federal program crucial for sage grouse survival in Eastern Washington
A federal program that pays farmers to plant agricultural land with environmentally beneficial vegetation is probably the reason that sage grouse still live in portions of Washington’s Columbia Basin, according to a new study by UW, state and federal researchers.
Tag(s): Climate Impacts Group • College of the Environment • conservation
Early human fossils found in South African cave system
An international team of scientists, including one from the University of Washington, has announced the discovery of additional remains of a new human species, Homo naledi, in a series of caves northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa. The find includes the remains of two adults and a child in the Lesedi Chamber of the Rising…
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Anthropology • Elen FeuerriegelMay 8, 2017
Pumping up a new record: 10 million gallons of sewage diverted from Washington waters in 2016
In 2016, a record 10 million gallons of raw sewage was diverted from Puget Sound, Lake Washington and other state waterways that previously would have been dumped into vulnerable water.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Washington Sea GrantMay 4, 2017
UW seismologist John Vidale elected to National Academy of Sciences
John E. Vidale, a UW professor of seismology and director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • John VidaleMay 3, 2017
Arts Roundup: Harry Partch’s Oedipus, the Intersections series, Waterlines Class Series, and the Evergreen Trio
This week in the arts, see century maverick composer Harry Partch turn Sophocles’s play Oedipus into a visual and aural extravaganza; hear music inspired by great works of literature; and listen to the co-winners of the School of Music’s 2016 Strings and Piano Chamber Competition. HARRY PARTCH’S OEDIPUS: A MUSIC DANCE DRAMA May 5 – 7| Meany…
University of Washington, City of Tacoma announce Livable City Year partnership for 2017-2018
The UW’s Livable City Year program has selected the City of Tacoma as the program’s community partner for the 2017-2018 academic year.
Tag(s): College of Built Environments • Livable City Year • School of Public Health • Urban@UW • UW Sustainability • UW Tacoma
UW School of Social Work to host May 9 event ‘How Shifting Federal Priorities Impact the Poor’
For social service agencies, pinning down funding is par for the course. But there is heightened interest in the new administration’s priorities, and whether services to the poor will be among them. That lack of certainty — and a need to share information — prompted the University of Washington School of Social Work and the…
Tag(s): Bill Vesneski • Gunnar Almgren • Jennifer Romich • School of Social Work • West Coast Poverty CenterMay 2, 2017
New book by UW’s David R. Montgomery addresses how to rebuild Earth’s soils
“Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life,” is a good-news environment story about how shifts in farming practices can restore health and fertility to soils.
Tag(s): books • College of the Environment • David Montgomery • Department of Earth and Space Sciences
UW Continuum College launches first-ever scholarship program for certificate students
University of Washington Continuum College has launched the first UWPCE Certificate Scholarship program to help Washington residents eager to advance their careers through education.
Tag(s): Continuum College
Documents that Changed the World: Delayed stock market ticker tape, October 1929
Timing is everything, they say. In the latest episode of his Documents that Changed the World podcast series, Joe Janes of the UW Information School explores how an overload of critical information helped trigger the stock market crash of 1929, and thus the Great Depression. “This is a story about fortunes lost, lives ruined, a…
Tag(s): Documents that Changed the World • Information School • Joe Janes
Period tracking apps failing users in basic ways, study finds
A new study finds that smartphone apps to track menstrual cycles often disappoint users with a lack of accuracy, assumptions about sexual identity or partners, and an emphasis on pink and flowery form over function and customization.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering • Information School • Julie Kientz • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringMay 1, 2017
Researchers find more efficient way to make oil from dead trees
A University of Washington team has made new headway on a solution to remove beetle-killed trees from the forest and use them to make renewable transportation fuels or high-value chemicals. The researchers have refined this technique to process larger pieces of wood than ever before ― saving time and money in future commercial applications.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Fernando Resende • School of Environmental and Forest SciencesApril 28, 2017
New augmented reality app ‘GoHuskies’ gives UW community unique look at current and future campus
The University of Washington community has a new tool — designed as a digital scavenger hunt — to explore and learn about the existing Seattle campus as well as plans for the future.
Tag(s): Office of the University Architect • UW Campus Master Plan
Class on Black Lives Matter examines ideas behind the slogan
At first, La TaSha Levy was worried her class on Black Lives Matter would be almost out of date. After all, who hasn’t seen the signs, heard the slogans, watched — or perhaps even participated in — marches to protest racism and violence against African Americans? But that was just it, realized Levy, a new…
Tag(s): Department of American Ethnic Studies • La TaSha LevyApril 27, 2017
Arts Roundup: Orlando, Environmental Writing at the Burke, Photomedia Graduation Exhibitions, and the Brechemin Piano Series
This week in the arts, experience “one of literature’s most beloved fantasies”; attend a one-day environmental writing program in both the field and classroom; celebrate the Photomedia Graduation show at a special reception; and hear the latest installment of the Brechemin Piano Series. ORLANDO April 28-30 and May 3-7| Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theater Virginia Woolf’s Orlando…
Can early experiences with computers, robots increase STEM interest among young girls?
Girls start believing they aren’t good at math, science and even computers at a young age — but providing fun STEM activities at school and home may spark interest and inspire confidence. A study from the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) finds that, when exposed to a computer-programming activity, 6-year-old…
Tag(s): Allison Master • Andrew Meltzoff • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Psychology • I-LABS • Sapna CheryanApril 26, 2017
Invasive green crab found at Dungeness Spit
A new population of invasive European green crab has been found at Dungeness Spit, near Sequim, Washington, rekindling concern over the potential for damage to local marine life and shorelines.
Food photos help Instagram users with healthy eating
A new study describes how some people turn to posting photos on Instagram to track food intake or to be held accountable by followers in meeting healthy eating or weight loss goals.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering • Sean MunsonApril 25, 2017
With autism diagnoses on the rise, UW establishes clinic for babies
To new parents, a baby’s every gurgle and glance are fascinating, from a smile at mom or dad to a reach for a colorful toy. But when a baby doesn’t look at parents and caregivers, imitate gestures and sounds, or engage in play, parents have questions. And a growing number are bringing their babies to…
Tag(s): Annette Estes • autism • Center on Human Development and Disability • Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences • Tanya St. John • UW Autism CenterApril 24, 2017
UW Law School hosts ‘How We Police in America: A Case for Reform’ May 4
Officer-involved shootings. Federal investigations. Body cameras. Civilian review boards. Black Lives Matter. Blue Lives Matter. In cities around the country, the relationship between police and community is fraught with tension — sometimes the direct result of violent incidents, sometimes the reverberations of problems elsewhere. And almost always, talk of police reform is in the air….
Tag(s): Kellye Testy • School of Law • Trevor Gardner
Scientific discovery game significantly speeds up neuroscience research process
Mozak, a new scientific discovery game from the UW team that created Foldit, is allowing video gamers and citizen scientists to speed up a fundamental task in brain science: reconstructing the intricate architecture of brain neurons.
Tag(s): Center for Game Science • College of Engineering • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Zoran Popovic
Conservation not an effective tool for reducing infectious disease in people, study finds
Conservation projects that protect forests and encourage a diversity of plants and animals can provide many benefits to humans. But improved human health is not among those benefits ― at least when health is measured through the lens of infectious disease. That’s the main finding of a paper published April 24 in Philosophical Transactions of…
Tag(s): Chelsea Wood • College of the Environment • School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
Military service boosts resilience, well-being among transgender veterans
Transgender people make up a small percentage of active-duty U.S. military personnel, but their experience in the service may yield long-term, positive effects on their mental health and quality of life. A study from the University of Washington finds that among transgender older adults, those who had served in the military reported fewer symptoms…
Tag(s): Hyun-Jun Kim • Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen • School of Social WorkApril 20, 2017
Research team tracks complex web of monetary sanctions in 9 states
UW sociologist Alexes Harris leads a team of researchers at nine universities who are exploring the role of monetary sanctions in the criminal justice system. They recently completed a review of financial punishments in the laws of each of their home states. Based on their preliminary findings, the impact to a person’s pocketbook depends largely on his or her location on a map.
Tag(s): Alexes Harris • College of Arts & Sciences • criminal justice • Department of Sociology
Toward greener construction: UW professor leads group setting benchmarks for carbon across life of buildings
A UW-led research group has taken an important step toward measuring — and ultimately reducing — the global carbon footprint of building construction and long-term maintenance.
Tag(s): Carbon Leadership Forum • College of Built Environments • embodied carbon • Kate Simonen
UW ranks seventh in Milken Institute’s ranking of universities for technology transfer and commercialization
The University of Washington ranks seventh among national universities in a new Milken Institute report on technology transfer, “Concept to Commercialization: The Best Universities for Technology Transfer.” The report highlights the vital role research universities play in spurring economic growth.
Tag(s): RankingsApril 19, 2017
Official notice: Housekeeping amendments to various Title 478 WAC rules
Notice of Expedited Rule Making (Per RCW 34.05.353) Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Housekeeping amendments to various Title 478 WAC rules. Statutory Authority for Adoption and Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28B.20.130. Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Housekeeping changes to Title 478 WAC rules are…
Two UW faculty named to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Two University of Washington faculty members are among the leaders from academia, business, philanthropy, humanities and the arts elected as 2017 fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • College of Engineering • Department of Chemistry • Karen Goldberg • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Tom Anderson
More than recess: How playing on the swings helps kids learn to cooperate
A favorite childhood pastime — swinging on the playground swing set — also may be teaching kids how to get along. The measured, synchronous movement of children on the swings can encourage preschoolers to cooperate on subsequent activities, University of Washington researchers have found. A study by the UW’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences…
Tag(s): Andrew Meltzoff • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Psychology • I-LABS • Tal-Chen Rabinowitch
Proxima b discoverer to join UW astrobiologists for May 3 lecture, discussion
The lead investigator of the research team that discovered Proxima Centauri b, the closest exoplanet, will join UW astrobiologists May 3 to discuss the planet’s potential for life and even the possibility of sending spacecraft to the world.
Tag(s): Astrobiology Program • Rory Barnes • Victoria Meadows • Virtual Planetary LaboratoryApril 17, 2017
Remembering Ernest Henley, physicist and UW College of Arts & Sciences dean emeritus
Ernest Mark Henley, a celebrated nuclear physicist and University of Washington administrator, died on March 27, 2017, at age 92.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Physics • Ernest Henley
New many-toothed clingfish discovered with help of digital scans
Scientists at the University of Washington, Texas A&M University and the Western Australian Museum have discovered and named a new genus and species of clingfish after stumbling upon a specimen preserved in a jar dating back to the 1970s. High-resolution scans and 3-D printing helped the researchers make their discovery.
Models, observations not so far apart on planet’s response to greenhouse gas emissions
New analysis debunks reports that recent observations are showing that Earth’s temperature responds less to greenhouse gases than predicted by climate models.
Tag(s): climate • climate change • College of the Environment • Department of Atmospheric Sciences • Kyle Armour • School of Oceanography
Retreating Yukon glacier caused a river to disappear
A new study provides a postmortem on the Yukon’s Slims River, whose flow was diverted in early 2016. It is the only documented case of “river piracy” in modern times.
Tag(s): climate change • Dan Shugar • geology • glaciers • UW TacomaApril 14, 2017
UW tax program takes law students to remote corners of Alaska
Tax Day can mean different things to different people: stacks of paperwork; evenings at the kitchen table; appointments with the accountant; the rush to the post office to meet the deadline. For about 20 University of Washington law students, it means a February trip to the frozen tundra. Each year, in advance of the April…
Tag(s): Jeff Feldman • School of Law • Scott Schumacher • UW Rural Alaska Tax Assistance Program
UW, Tohoku University establish Academic Open Space partnership for innovations in aerospace, clean energy, disaster preparedness
The University of Washington and Japan’s Tohoku University have agreed to create an Academic Open Space to foster collaborations and academic exchanges between these two leading research institutions of the Pacific Rim. The agreement, signed April 14 by leaders of both institutions at the UW campus in Seattle, is expected to build upon current collaborations in aerospace design and materials, as well as launch new science and engineering partnerships.
Tag(s): Ana Mari Cauce • Clean Energy Institute • clean or renewable energy • College of Engineering • Fumio OhuchiApril 13, 2017
Married LGBT older adults are healthier, happier than singles, study finds
Same-sex marriage has been the law of the land for nearly two years — and in some states for even longer — but researchers can already detect positive health outcomes among couples who have tied the knot, a University of Washington study finds. For years, studies have linked marriage with happiness among heterosexual couples….
Tag(s): Jayn Goldsen • Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen • School of Social Work« Previous Page Next Page »
