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UW and the community | UW Notebook

October 10, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Election Events, Meany Hall Performances, Artist Panel and more

This week, attend the Conversation on Race, Gender, & Democracy lecture at Kane Hall, check out performances at Meany Hall, learn from a panel of artists at Henry Art Gallery, and more. Election & Democracy Events October 14, 6:30 – 8:00 pm | The 2024 Election: A Conversation on Race, Gender, & Democracy featuring Dr. Christina Greer, Kane Hall The Washington Institute for the Study of Inequality and Race (WISIR), in conjunction with the Department of Political Science, welcomes award-winning scholar and NPR…

Engineering | Expert quotes | Research | Science | UW News blog

October 4, 2024

Q&A: New dataset provides a robust picture of Hurricane Helene’s destruction — and could help design more resilient communities

UW researchers collaborated with people at multiple institutions to collect pre-storm data and place sensors to measure storm surge levels and wave height during Hurricane Helene’s landfall.

UW and the community | UW Notebook

October 3, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Democracy Discussions series, Ellison Lecture, Faculty Recital and more

This week, head to Kane Hall for a Conversation on Race, Gender, & Democracy, attend the fall Ellison Lecture featuring the chief foreign-affairs correspondent of The Wall Street Journal, check out a faculty recital, and more. October 7, 12:00 – 1:00 pm | Biology Seminar | Bears in Bathtubs: How Behavior and Life History Shape Predator Responses to Global Change, Hitchcock Hall In this talk, biology professor Briana Abrahms will describe how an understanding of animal behavior and life history…

Research | UW News blog

October 1, 2024

Q&A: UW researchers examine link between light pollution and interest in astronomy

Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, research scientist the University of Washington Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS), and Andrew Meltzoff, co-director of I-LABS and professor of psychology, recently co-authored a study in Nature Scientific Reports showing a link between the ability to see the stars unblocked by light pollution and an interest in astronomy.

Environment | Public Health | Science | UW News blog

September 30, 2024

UW Climate Impacts Group contributes to new WA State Climate Resiliency Strategy

The University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group has supported a newly released plan for state agencies to address the regional impacts of climate change. The plan, led by the Department of Ecology, includes 10 state agencies’ strategies to address climate impacts.

UW and the community | UW Notebook

September 27, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Psychology Edwards Seminar, Democracy in Focus lecture series, First Wednesday Concerts and more

This week, attend the Psychology Edwards seminar, check out the First Wednesday Concert Series in the Allen Library, tune into the first lecture of the Democracy in Focus Lecture Series, and more. September 30, 12:00 – 1:20 pm | Psychology Edwards seminar talk with Alex L. White, Ph.D., Columbia University, Kindcaid Hall Can you recognize two written words simultaneously? Join the UW Department of Psychology for the Psychology Edwards seminar with Alex L. White, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the Department…

Environment | UW Notebook

September 25, 2024

Q&A: UW Climate Risk Lab focuses on financial impacts of climate change

Phillip Bruner, executive director of the UW Climate Risk Lab and professor of practice of sustainable finance, and other representatives from the lab, will participate Sept. 22-29 in Climate Week NYC. Based in the Foster School of Business, the Climate Risk Lab brings together experts in finance, climate data, and business to research climate-related financial risk.

News releases | Research | Science

To make fluid flow in one direction down a pipe, it helps to be a shark

Researchers from the University of Washington have discovered a new way to help liquid flow in only one direction, but without using the flaps that engines and our circulatory system rely upon to prevent fluid backup. The team built a flexible pipe with an interior helical structure inspired by the anatomy of shark intestines — creating a prototype inspired by biology but with applications in engineering and medicine.

Education | Engineering | Expert quotes | Research | UW News blog

September 23, 2024

Q&A: How the Remote Hub Lab can prepare engineering students for their future careers

The Remote Hub Lab allows students to access physical engineering equipment from anywhere in the world. A primary focus of the lab is to use a process called “digital twinning,” to create virtual models that mirror real-world systems, which enables students to experiment, learn and innovate in a risk-free, cost-effective environment.

Learning | News releases

UW introduces ‘Five for Flourishing,’ an innovative suite of academic interventions to help students thrive

Every year, undergraduates at the University of Washington start their college experience, often in cavernous classrooms, learning alongside dozens, if not hundreds, of their peers. Research shows that taking these courses — some prerequisites and other classes on popular topics — can make students feel isolated, scared and not up to the task.

Administrative affairs | For UW employees | News releases | UW and the community

September 21, 2024

Remembering former Washington governor, senator, public servant and UW alumnus, Daniel J. Evans

Daniel Jackson Evans, a man whose impact on the state of Washington and the University of Washington spans decades and is memorialized in his namesake, the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, died Sept. 20, 2024. He was 98.

Official notices

September 20, 2024

Determination of non-significance: Laurel Village

Pursuant to the provisions of WAC 197-11-340 and WAC 478-324-140, the University of Washington hereby provides public notice of adoption of an existing document, the UW 2018 Seattle Campus Master Plan Final EIS, and DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE. The adopted document is available at: https://facilities.uw.edu/files/media/uw-cmp-final-eis-volume-1.pdf Project Name: Laurel Village Proponent/Lead Agency: University of Washington–Seattle Campus Comment Period Closes: October 4, 2024 Description of Proposal: The proposed UW Laurel Village redevelopment is intended to create additional student housing in East Campus on…

UW and the community | UW Notebook

ArtSci Roundup: Kicking the school year off with gallery exhibitions, a faculty comedy show, filming screening, and more!

Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week. This week, attend gallery exhibitions, and more. As the UW community returns to campus, consider taking advantage of campus perks available to UW employees and students: Free admission to the Henry Art Gallery and Burke Museum Discounted tickets to performances by Meany Center, School of Drama, Department of Dance, School of Music, and more   September 23, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Grounding Relations: Indigenous Political Ecology…

Official notices

September 19, 2024

Determination of non-significance: Blakeley Village  

Pursuant to the provisions of WAC 197-11-340 and WAC 478-324-140, the University of Washington hereby provides public notice of adoption of an existing document, the UW 2018 Seattle Campus Master Plan Final EIS, and DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE. The adopted document is available at: https://facilities.uw.edu/files/media/uw-cmp-final-eis-volume-1.pdf Project Name: Blakeley Village Proponent/Lead Agency: University of Washington–Seattle Campus Comment Period Closes: October 3, 2024 Description of Proposal: The proposed UW Blakeley Village redevelopment is intended to create additional student housing in East Campus on…

Health and medicine | News releases | Population Health | Public Health

Over 8 years, UW Population Health Initiative has turned ideas into impact

In just eight years, the UW Population Health Initiative has funded 227 innovative, interdisciplinary projects. With the Initiative now a third of the way into its 25-year vision, UW News checked in with three projects that recently received funding to scale their efforts. 

Environment | News releases | Research

What’s for dinner? Scientists unearth key clues to cuisine of resident killer whales

Scientists have discovered the cuisine preferences of two resident killer whale populations, also known as orcas: the Alaska residents and the southern residents, which reside primarily in the Salish Sea and off the coast of Washington, British Columbia, Oregon and northern California. The two populations show broad preference for salmon, particularly Chinook, chum and coho. But they differ in when they switch to hunting and eating different salmon species, as well as the other fish species they pursue to supplement their diets. This information could aid conservation efforts for southern resident killer whales, which remain critically endangered due to pollution, loss of salmon habitat and other human-caused factors that disrupt their hunting and reproductive capabilities.

News releases | Soundbites | Video

September 18, 2024

Video: UW welcomes incoming fall students to on-campus housing

Mild fall temperatures this week helped welcome the first group of students who moved into University of Washington residence halls and apartments. More than 10,000 students are expected to live in UW housing this year, including more than 77.5% of the freshman class. This year’s incoming class is expected to be around 7,150, according to preliminary information.

Environment | Research | Science | UW News blog

Explaining dramatic planetwide changes after world’s last ‘Snowball Earth’ event

Some of the most dramatic climatic events in our planet’s history are “Snowball Earth” events that happened hundreds of millions of years ago, when almost the entire planet was encased in ice up to 0.6 miles thick. New research from the University of Washington provides a more complete picture for how the last Snowball Earth event ended, and suggests why it preceded a dramatic expansion of life on Earth, including the emergence of the first animals.

Global | Research | UW News blog

September 13, 2024

In the Field: Understanding the impact of Arctic militarization on Indigenous communities

Mia Bennett, University of Washington assistant professor of geography, will spend a week this month in Norway as part of the orientation for the Fulbright Arctic IV Initiative. Bennett is one of 20 scholars selected to collaborate on multi-disciplinary research over the next 18 months.

Official notices

September 12, 2024

Determination of non-significance: ASUW Shell House Renovation

Pursuant to the provisions of WAC 197-11-340 and WAC 478-324-140, the University of Washington hereby provides public notice of: DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE Project Name: ASUW Shell House Renovation Proponent/Lead Agency: University of Washington–Seattle Campus Comment Period Closes: September 26, 2024 Description of Proposal: The proposed University of Washington ASUW Shell House project is intended to provide select interior and exterior renovation to further preserve the historic building and improve building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and structural), and ADA…

Administrative affairs | UW News blog

Statement on UW Board of Regents meeting disruption and adjournment

The following is a statement from outgoing UW Board of Regents Chair David Zeeck and Incoming Board of Regents Chair Blaine Tamaki on today’s meeting disruption and adjournment: The UW Board of Regents adjourned its meeting today after disruptions made orderly conduct of the meeting impossible. Speakers addressing labor issues and those calling for divestment from Israel had spoken without interruption, but when Jewish speakers opposed to divestment and concerned about antisemitism on campus began their comments, protestors repeatedly interrupted…

Honors and awards | Research | Science | UW News blog

UW’s Ashleigh Theberge receives Schmidt Sciences Polymath honors for ‘boundary-pushing work’ in cell signaling, communication

Ashleigh Theberge, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Washington, has been named to the Schmidt Sciences Polymath Program, entitling her to grants of up to $2.5 million over five years to “pursue risky, novel theories that would otherwise be difficult to fund,” according to a Sept. 10 announcement from Schmidt Sciences. Theberge — one of six awardees this year — was selected from an applicant pool of 117, and is the first UW faculty member selected for the program, which is in its third year.

Engineering | News releases | Research | Science | Soundbites | Video

September 10, 2024

UW researchers develop a stretchable, wearable device that lights up an LED using only the warmth of your skin

UW researchers have developed a flexible, durable electronic prototype that can harvest energy from body heat and turn it into electricity that can be used to power small electronics, such as batteries, sensors or LEDs. This device is also resilient — it still functions even after being pierced several times and then stretched 2,000 times.

News releases | Research | Science

Thanks to humans, Salish Sea waters are too noisy for resident orcas to hunt successfully

New research led by the University of Washington and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has revealed how underwater noise produced by humans may help explain why southern resident orca populations have not recovered from historic lows. In a paper published Sept. 10 in Global Change Biology, the team reports that underwater noise pollution — from both large and small vessels — forces northern and southern resident orcas to expend more time and energy hunting for fish. The din also lowers the overall success of their hunting efforts. Noise from ships likely has an outsized impact on southern resident orca pods, which spend more time in parts of the Salish Sea with high ship traffic.

News releases | Research

September 9, 2024

COVID-19 lockdowns prematurely aged teenage brains, UW study shows

New research from the University of Washington found lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unusually accelerated brain maturation in adolescents. This maturation was more pronounced in girls. When measured in terms of the number of years of accelerated brain development, the mean acceleration was 4.2 years in females and 1.4 years in males.

News releases | Research | Science

August 30, 2024

New discoveries about how mosquitoes mate may help the fight against malaria

An international team led by researchers at the University of Washington has uncovered surprising details about mosquito mating, which could lead to improved malaria control techniques and even help develop precision drone flight. In a paper published Aug. 30 in the journal Current Biology, the team revealed that when a male Anopheles coluzzii mosquito hears the sound of female-specific wingbeats, his eyes “activate” and he visually scans the immediate vicinity for a potential mate.

News releases | Research | Science

August 29, 2024

Scientists will study nearby galaxies to uncover galactic formation history and dark matter

NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will look for “fossils” of galaxy formation by conducting high-resolution imaging studies. Through a grant from NASA, astronomers are designing a set of possible observations called RINGS — the Roman Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey — that would collect these images, and the team is producing publicly available tools that the astronomy community can use once Roman launches and starts collecting data.

Engineering | News releases | Research | Technology

August 28, 2024

Large language models can help detect social media bots — but can also make the problem worse

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.

News releases | Research | Science

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.

Engineering | News releases | Research | Science

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.

News releases | Research | Science

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.

Expert quotes | Health and medicine | Science | UW News blog

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. 

Environment | Population Health | Research | Social science | UW News blog

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.

News releases | Research | Technology

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.