A team led by University of Washington researchers found that large language models, such as ChatGPT, can make social media bots more sophisticated at evading detection. But these models can also improve systems that detect bots.
August 28, 2024
The latest news from the UW
August 21, 2024
Human-wildlife overlap expected to increase across more than half of Earth’s land by 2070
The overlap between humans and animals will increase substantially across much of the planet in less than 50 years due to human population growth and climate change, according to a collaborative study by scientists at the University of Michigan, the University of Washington and University College London. By 2070, the overlap between humans and more than 22,000 vertebrate species will rise across nearly 57% of Earth’s land, according to the team.
August 20, 2024
New independent venture capital fund accelerates and enhances innovation ecosystem at the UW
Pack Ventures, a new venture capital fund that is collaborating with the University of Washington, aims to help entrepreneurs launch new innovations and grow startups that emerge across the UW, while also giving Husky alumni access to investment opportunities.
August 16, 2024
Why isn’t Colorado’s snowpack ending up in the Colorado River? New research suggests the problem might be the lack of spring rainfall
The Colorado River and its tributaries provide water for hydropower, irrigation and drinking water in seven U.S. states and Mexico. But since 2000, water managers have struggled to predict how much water will come from the snowpack. The problem lies with the lack of rainfall in the spring, according to new research from the UW.
August 14, 2024
Galaxies in dense environments tend to be larger, settling one cosmic question and raising others
A new study has found galaxies with more neighbors tend to be larger than their counterparts that have a similar shape and mass, but reside in less dense environments. In a paper published Aug. 14 in the Astrophysical Journal, the team, which used a machine-learning algorithm to analyze millions of galaxies, reports that galaxies found in denser regions of the universe are as much as 25% larger than isolated galaxies. The findings resolve a long-standing debate among astrophysicists over the relationship between a galaxy’s size and its environment, but also raise new questions about how galaxies form and evolve over billions of years.
August 13, 2024
Q&A: Using marijuana can worsen outcomes for young adults with psychosis – how can mental health professionals help them stop?
Young adults with psychosis tend to use cannabis at extremely high rates, and their symptoms can be exacerbated by long-term marijuana use. A team of University of Washington researchers is focused on this particular group.
August 12, 2024
Report describes the barriers Pacific Northwest coastal Tribes face in adapting to climate change
The University of Washington, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and others held collaborative listening sessions with Northwest coastal Tribes to hear their experiences in adapting to climate change. A new report summarizes those experiences, while an upcoming grant program hopes to help address barriers identified in the report.
August 8, 2024
Many survey respondents rated seeking out sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’ as more acceptable than creating or sharing them
In a survey of 315 people conducted by researchers at the University of Washington and Georgetown University, respondents largely found creating and sharing sexually explicit “deepfakes” unacceptable. But far fewer respondents strongly opposed seeking out these media. Previous research has shown that other people viewing non-AI image-based abuse harms the victims significantly.
August 7, 2024
Using photos or videos, these AI systems can conjure simulations that train robots to function in physical spaces
Two new studies introduce AI systems that use either video or photos to create simulations that can train robots to function in the real world. This could significantly lower the costs of training robots to function in complex settings.
August 5, 2024
Randy Hodgins, vice president of the Office of External Affairs, to retire in June 2025
After more than two decades with the University of Washington, Vice President Randy Hodgins announced today that he will step down from his role leading the UW Office of External Affairs and retire at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. During his upcoming final year as Vice President, Hodgins said he will remain committed to advancing the University’s mission and ensuring a smooth transition.
August 1, 2024
15 UW professors among new class of members to the Washington State Academy of Sciences
Fifteen faculty members at the University of Washington have been elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences for 2024. They are among 36 scientists and educators from across the state announced Aug. 1 as new members. Selection recognizes the new members’ “outstanding record of scientific and technical achievement, and their willingness to work on behalf of the academy to bring the best available science to bear on issues within the state of Washington.”
July 29, 2024
UW model shows cortical implants like Elon Musk’s Blindsight unlikely to ‘exceed normal human vision’
New research from Ione Fine and Geoffrey Boynton, UW professors of psychology, shows Elon Musk’s projection for the latest Neuralink project rests on the flawed premise that implanting millions of tiny electrodes into the visual cortex, the region of the brain that processes information received from the eye, will result in high-resolution vision.
July 25, 2024
How iBuyers are changing real estate racial disparities and individual homeownership rates in one major city
University of Washington researchers investigated how iBuyers — companies that use automated algorithms to quickly buy and sell homes — have affected the well-documented racial bias against Black home sellers. Looking at Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, they found that on average iBuyers paid more equal prices to Black and white home sellers than individual buyers, largely because iBuyers paid white sellers significantly less on average than an individual buyer. They also discovered that iBuyers were significantly more likely to resell homes to institutions, such as large rental companies that’ve been tied to high eviction rates and rent-gouging.
Q&A: Nail salon air is filled with fragrance chemicals — could they harm workers’ health?
A study led by UW researcher Diana Ceballos is most comprehensive study to date of the specific fragrance chemical mixtures found in nail salon air, and will allow researchers to further study the potential health risks.
July 23, 2024
Q&A: UW researcher aims to understand common women’s sports injuries
Several common injuries seem to haunt women’s sports. Jenny Robinson, a University of Washington assistant professor, is interested in designing better methods to help female athletes train to prevent and recover from injuries.
July 17, 2024
New faculty books: Traditional Syrian cuisine, Indigenous ecological knowledge, data science for researchers
Three new faculty books from the University of Washington cover the recipes and culture of the world’s largest Syrian refugee camp, traditional ecological knowledge of Indigenous peoples and data science for neuroimaging researchers. UW News spoke with the authors to learn more. Documenting history and rituals of Syrian cuisine When Karen E. Fisher was invited to Zaatari, the world’s largest Syrian refugee camp, she noticed that stories of the camp rarely included women’s voices. As she learned more about their…
July 16, 2024
Q&A: The climate change toll on roads — two UW professors weigh in
Two University of Washington researchers are investigating how to mitigate the effects of climate change on common road pavements, such as asphalt and concrete.
Even on Instagram, teens mostly feel bored
New research from the University of Washington finds that teens open Instagram because they’re bored. Then they sift through largely irrelevant content, mostly feeling bored, while seeking interesting bits to share with their friends in direct messages. Then, eventually bored with what researchers call a “content soup,” they log off.
July 10, 2024
Wolves’ return has had only small impact on deer populations in NE Washington, study shows
Wolves returned to Washington state in 2008. A new study shows that, despite their rising numbers, wolves are not having much of an impact on white-tailed deer, one of their primary prey. In a paper published June 18 in Ecological Applications, scientists from the University of Washington and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife report that the biggest factor shaping white-tailed deer populations in northeast Washington is the quality of habitat available, which is largely determined by human activity. Cougars were second in their impact. Wolves were a distant third.
July 1, 2024
Q&A: How the H5N1 bird flu outbreak could become humanity’s problem
A major outbreak of a new strain of bird flu — formally named Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 — has killed millions of wild birds and infected poultry, dairy cattle, domestic cats and a small number of humans. UW experts explain how bird flu evolves and what it could mean for humans.
June 27, 2024
UW ranks in the top 10 on a US News & World Report list of best global universities
The University of Washington tied for No. 7 on the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Universities rankings, released on Tuesday. The UW maintained its No. 2 ranking among U.S. public institutions.
June 26, 2024
UW taps Hilaire Thompson to be next dean of the School of Nursing
University of Washington Provost Tricia Serio today announced the appointment of Hilaire Thompson as next executive dean of the School of Nursing, effective Aug. 1, pending approval by the Board of Regents.
June 21, 2024
ChatGPT is biased against resumes with credentials that imply a disability — but it can improve
UW researchers found that ChatGPT consistently ranked resumes with disability-related honors and credentials — such as the “Tom Wilson Disability Leadership Award” — lower than the same resumes without those honors and credentials. But when researchers customized the tool with written instructions directing it not to be ableist, the tool reduced this bias for all but one of the disabilities tested.
June 20, 2024
Changes to WaNPRC protocols, procedures following recent incidents
The University of Washington’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) was informed on Thursday of recent significant incidents at the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC), which have prompted changes to protocols and procedures to ensure high standards of animal welfare and research integrity.
June 14, 2024
ArtSci Roundup: Summer Art Exhibitions
Throughout the summer, check out art exhibitions across campus at the Burke Museum, Henry Art Gallery, and the Jacob Lawrence Gallery. Through June 21 | DESIGN SHOW – BDES + MDES, Jacob Lawrence Gallery The Division of Design presents the work of the graduating Bachelor of Design (BDes) students from Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Visual Communication Design. Free | More info June 20, 6:00 – 7:00 pm | Henry Art Gallery Association: Annual Meeting, Henry Art Gallery The Henry Art Gallery…
Statement on leadership change for the Washington National Primate Research Center
After careful consideration, the University of Washington ended the appointment of Dr. Michele Basso as Director of the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC), effective May 31. Her scientific leadership and contributions to neuroscience are appreciated, and Dr. Basso will continue her work as a core scientist in the Center.
June 13, 2024
Q&A: Finding varieties of corn that are adapted to future climates
Research led by the University of Washington used computer models to pinpoint varieties of corn that will be best adapted to produce high yields in future U.S. climates. The study combined weather and climate projections across the U.S. for 2050 and 2100 with a plant model that simulates corn’s growth to find the mix of traits that will produce the highest, most reliable yield under future conditions across the country.
June 12, 2024
UW President Ana Mari Cauce will step down in June 2025, following a decade in office
University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce announced Wednesday that she will step down from her leadership role at the conclusion of her second five-year term in June 2025 — a transition that has been planned for several years with the UW Board of Regents — and return to her faculty position. In her upcoming final year in office, Cauce said she is committed to advancing the work of the UW and ensuring a smooth transition.
June 11, 2024
Q&A: Why social media rarely leads to constructive political action
But in her new book “Log Off: Why Posting and Politics (Almost) Never Mix,” Katherine Cross, a UW doctoral student in the Information School, argues that social media has limited political value.
June 3, 2024
Video: Before they bite — UW researcher homes in on which scents, colors make us a tempting target for hungry mosquitoes
Jeffrey Riffell, a University of Washington professor of biology, wants to understand how female mosquitoes find find a host to bite for a bloody meal. His research has shown that hungry mosquitoes find us by following a trail of scent cues, including chemicals exuded by our skin and sweat, as well as the carbon dioxide gas we exhale with each breath. Mosquitoes also like colors, at least certain ones. His team is closing in on how the sense of smell and vision work together to help a mosquito zero in for the final strike and get her blood meal.
UW celebrates Class of 2024 as thousands march in events in Husky Stadium, the Tacoma Dome and T-Mobile Park
More than 7,000 UW graduates of the Class of 2024 plan to participate in the June 8 ceremony for UW Seattle. Officials expect about 40,000 family and friends to cheer the graduates from the Husky Stadium grandstands. UW Tacoma will hold its commencement June 7; UW Bothell’s graduation ceremonies are June 9. UW President Ana Mari Cauce will present 18,006 degrees to the Class of 2024 across all three UW campuses’ ceremonies.
Q&A: Microinclusions improve women’s workplace belonging and commitment
New research from the University of Washington published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, shows how “microinclusions” — brief instances of positive treatment, especially from members of the dominant group — help women feel valued at work.
UW study abroad returns to pre-pandemic participation levels, helps increase graduation rates
As the academic school year comes to an end, many students will continue their studies by packing a suitcase and heading overseas.
About 3,000 University of Washington students will study abroad this school year, a number that surpasses the previous high set in 2018-2019. That means study abroad participation is back to pre-pandemic levels. UW leaders say these programs promise profound experiences and lifelong memories. and new research shows that college students who study abroad are more likely to graduate.
May 30, 2024
ArtSci Roundup: Design Show, Grandmothering While Black Book Celebration, Astrobiology Careers Panel and more
This week, check out graduating Design students’ works at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery, attend the Astrobiology Program’s careers panel, enjoy an evening of conversation at the Grandmothering While Black book celebration, and more. June 5 – 21, DESIGN SHOW – BDES + MDES, Jacob Lawrence Gallery The Division of Design presents the work of the graduating Bachelor of Design (BDes) students from Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Visual Communication Design. Free | More info June 5, 12:30 pm | First Wednesday…
Infants hear significantly more speech than music at home, UW study finds
A new University of Washington study, published May 21 in Developmental Science, is the first to compare the amount of music and speech that children hear in infancy. Results showed that infants hear more spoken language than music, with the gap widening as the babies get older.
Dana Robinson Slote becomes director of media relations, leading UW News
Dana Robinson Slote, who for more than a decade ran communications efforts for the Seattle City Council, is the new director of media relations at the University of Washington, effective May 20.
May 29, 2024
Q&A: How AI affects kids’ creativity
“We asked one 11-year-old how he’d feel if his favorite book series was written by AI instead of an author, and he said it would ‘dismantle’ the joy of reading for him. We often don’t think about kids having these deep, existential questions about what it means to be an artist,” said Michele Newman, a University of Washington doctoral student in the Information School.
May 28, 2024
UW’s Larry Dalton and wife, Nicole Boand, make $10 million bequest to the School of Nursing for scholarships and clinical education
The University of Washington School of Nursing today announced a $10 million bequest from UW chemistry professor emeritus Larry R. Dalton and his wife, Nicole A. Boand.
In the Field: UW researcher headed to Alaska to study factors that lead to permafrost thaw and to educate foster care youth
UW doctoral student Joel Eklof has been investigating which environmental factors contribute to permafrost thaw and the release of methane into the atmosphere. For years, Eklof has traveled to a field site southwest of Fairbanks, Alaska.
May 23, 2024
ArtSci Roundup: 53rd Psychology Research Festival, Undergraduate Senior Essay Symposium, Design Show, and more
This week, attend the 53rd Annual Psychology Research Festival, check out the Department of Classics’ Undergraduate Senior Essay Symposium, a Design Show from graduating seniors in the School of Art + Art History + Design, and more. May 27 – 31, UW Innovation Month Innovation Month is a campus-wide celebration of the innovative work that happens everywhere at UW, every day, across disciplines. It highlights students and researchers who are entrepreneurs, designers, engineers, scientists, artists, and other leaders who are…