Research at Mount Rainier National Park finds a growing mismatch between the blooming of iconic wildflowers and visitor peak times due to climate change. The study, led by the University of Washington, used crowd-sourced photos and analysis to model the timing of wildflower blooms and visitor visits from 2009-2015.
Active learning techniques have been shown to significantly narrow the achievement gap between overrepresented and underrepresented students in STEM fields. In a recent study, instructors incorporated more active learning methods into undergraduate STEM courses, resulting in exam scores narrowing by 33-42% and course passing rates impr...
Researchers at the University of Washington and Lowell Observatory found that Betelgeuse's surface temperature remains relatively stable despite recent dimming. The team calculated the average surface temperature of the star using a filter to 'dampen' its light, revealing a surface temperature of around 3,325 degrees Celsius.
A recent study from the University of Washington found that a natural aptitude for learning languages is a stronger predictor of learning to program than basic math knowledge. Participants who excelled in programming tasks tended to have strong problem-solving and language abilities, suggesting that coding involves learning a second la...
Researchers highlight tensions between staff and athletes when data collection encroaches on autonomy, while also exploring the benefits of performance monitoring. The study suggests that designers can improve interfaces to support athlete self-reflection and communication with staff.
Researchers found that previous tree thinning and prescribed burns helped forests survive the devastating Carlton Complex fire. The study suggests that reducing built-up fuels such as small trees and shrubs pays off, even in extreme wildfires.
A new study by the University of Washington reveals that experiencing wildness in urban areas is essential for physical and mental health. Researchers surveyed hundreds of park-goers and found that encounters with wildlife, water views, and solitude were key to visitors' meaningful experiences.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed a mathematical model that describes how rotating detonation engines work. The model allows engineers to determine whether an engine is stable or unstable and assess its performance. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and lightweight spacecraft.
The James Webb Space Telescope and other observatories will study the atmospheres of nearby, Earth-like exoplanets for signs of life. These exoplanets are thought to have reservoirs of compounds that could replenish their atmospheres.
A University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University study examines travel bans to control infectious diseases like COVID-19. The research suggests that while a travel ban may delay the arrival of an illness, it does not eliminate long-term risk. The authors emphasize the need for more research to inform policy decisions.
Researchers found that within a year of a dam's opening, downstream river temperatures dropped by up to 3.6 degrees F, persisting where the rivers meet the Mekong River. The cooling effect is driven by dams releasing cold water from reservoirs during dry season.
Research shows polar bears are spending more time on land, thinner and adult females have fewer cubs. Sea ice availability affects their body condition and reproductive success.
A new study by researchers at the University of Washington found that increases in minimum wages had no overall effect on the health of working-age people. However, they did find a mix of negative and positive effects associated with the health of certain subgroups, including increased obesity rates among working-age people of color.
A study of nearly 100 infants found that even when hungry, they gave a tasty snack to a stranger. The researchers suggest early social experiences can shape altruism in young children.
A team of researchers at the University of Washington has developed AuraRing, a wearable device that can detect precise finger movements and track hand orientation. This technology enables new applications in gaming, healthcare, and more.
A new study from the University of Washington suggests that parentese, a simple grammar and words speaking style, enhances children's later language skills. Parents who participated in individual coaching sessions used parentese more often than control-group parents, resulting in increased child language output.
The University of Washington's new WE-REACH center aims to support biomedical entrepreneurs and provide project funding for up to six startups per year. The center, funded by the NIH, will focus on innovative disease treatments, new drugs, and health technologies.
A new study suggests that accounting for climate change in conservation planning can effectively protect biodiversity, but may come at a higher cost. Researchers analyzed 1,460 species and found that unless climate change impacts are considered, 14% would not have a viable place to live.
A University of Washington study found that rural kids carrying handguns is 'not uncommon', starting as early as the sixth grade. The practice is associated with pro-handgun attitudes and having friends who carry handguns.
A University of Washington team found that micrometeorites reacted with high levels of carbon dioxide on their journey to Earth, contradicting theories and evidence suggesting a nearly oxygen-free atmosphere. The study sheds light on the history of our planet's early days and could inform the search for life on other planets.
A new study by UW's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences found that bilingual teaching led to sustained English-language comprehension and vocabulary-building in infants, regardless of socioeconomic background. Online training enabled the replication of the research-based method globally.
A new study led by the University of Washington found improvement in trauma-related symptoms among Kenyan and Tanzanian children after receiving community-based mental health treatment. The approach, which trained laypeople as counselors, showed sustained benefits over a year after therapy.
Researchers used a non-targeted approach to identify 64 previously unknown chemicals in Puget Sound, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The team found eight concerning chemicals at potentially hazardous concentrations that require further investigation.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that mosquitoes are drawn to certain flowers like the blunt-leaf orchid due to a finely balanced bouquet of chemical compounds. The team discovered that combining specific chemicals stimulates the mosquito brain, drawing in mosquitoes as effectively as a real flower.
Researchers argue for mobile marine protected areas in international waters to protect highly mobile species affected by climate change. New technologies, such as satellite tracking, enable dynamic management strategies that adjust to species' movements and habitats shifts.
A severe and long-lasting marine heat wave, known as 'the blob,' led to the largest seabird die-off in recorded history. The common murre population declined drastically due to a shortage of forage fish and increased competition from large predators.
A global analysis by the University of Washington found that nearly half of the world's fish catch comes from sustainably managed stocks. Effective management is credited as the main reason for these sustainable levels or successful rebuilding.
A study found that 40% of gun owners reported not locking all firearms, even in the presence of children, emphasizing the importance of safe storage devices. The study also showed that nearly 3,000 people attended public gun safety events and planned to use free safety devices within a week.
A new study finds that certain lakes with high concentrations of phosphate could have supplied the key ingredient for life to emerge on early Earth. The discovery solves a long-standing problem in origin-of-life research and suggests that lakes with carbonate-rich waters may have played a crucial role in creating life.
Killer whales prefer large, juicy Chinook salmon, leading to their decline due to overconsumption. The study found that resident orcas are likely the main driver behind the decline, as they increasingly target bigger fish.
A team of researchers extracted large air samples from Antarctica's Law Dome site, dating back to the 1870s, to track the history of hydroxyl and its impact on climate models. The analysis aims to produce a concentration curve for carbon-14 monoxide and hydroxyl over the decades, shedding light on past and future climate changes.
A University of Washington atmospheric scientist will lead a NASA field campaign to fly through major snowstorms along the East Coast, observing snow as it forms in clouds to help with satellite monitoring. The goal is to understand how snow distributes unevenly across the storm and improve forecasts.
The Heising-Simons Foundation implemented changes to its 51 Pegasi b Fellowship selection process, incorporating best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The revised method led to a significant increase in female applicants, with four women receiving awards in 2019, exceeding the original goal of 30%.
Researchers created the first comprehensive North American Wildland Fuel Database to improve wildfire and smoke predictions. The tool incorporates best available measurements of vegetation, allowing fire managers to see where fuel information is missing, ultimately informing more realistic smoke predictions.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that warmer temperatures can lead to higher concentrations of arsenic in rice grains. The study, presented at the American Geophysical Union's Fall Meeting, suggests that climate change could exacerbate the problem of arsenic-contaminated rice, posing a health risk to consumers.
A new study found that corals are more likely to eat microplastics when fed other food sources, but not when given microplastics alone. The research suggests that some coral species may adapt to life with microplastics, while others may be negatively impacted by chronic exposure.
Carpentry Compiler is a digital tool that allows users to design and fabricate woodworking projects. The tool optimizes fabrication instructions based on materials and equipment available, allowing for tradeoffs in cost, precision, and time.
Researchers have discovered that people make choices based on a model of the 'mind of the group' and an evolving simulation of its effects. In large groups, humans create an average model of a 'mind' representative of the group, even when identities are unknown.
Researchers found that air pollution from electricity generation led to about 16,000 premature deaths in the continental US, with higher exposures for black and white non-Latino Americans. Emissions from coal-fired power plants accounted for 91% of premature deaths, with significant disparities persisting across states.
A study of over 300 transgender children found that their gender identity is as strong as that of cisgender children, regardless of how long they have lived in their assigned gender. This suggests that transgender children may be self-socializing to learn how to 'be' their current gender.
A new study found that mailed self-sampling kits for HPV testing increased cervical cancer screening by 50% in underserved women, with 88% of testers negative for the virus. However, only 70% of women who tested positive followed up for follow-up testing.
Scientists at the University of Washington create a method to assemble nanoscale semiconductor materials into larger structures using optical tweezers. The technique allows for precise control over material size and shape, with potential applications in quantum computing.
Researchers analyzed data from Fitbit Flex 2 devices and phone apps to understand the impact of individual discrimination events on college students' daily lives. On average, students who experienced unfair treatment were more physically active, interacted with their phones more, and spent less time in bed.
Scientists visualize grain structure of perovskite crystals without damaging solar cells, revealing misorientation as primary contributor to strain buildup. The discovery enables researchers to explore strategies to reduce or eliminate non-radiative recombination, a major efficiency-dampening factor in next-gen solar cells.
Researchers at the University of Washington found GEDmatch vulnerable to multiple security risks, including extracting sensitive genetic markers and impersonating relatives with fake profiles.
A University of Washington study found that children whose parents used marijuana during adolescence are more likely to use marijuana and other substances, while those from non-using families have better grades, according to lead author Marina Epstein.
Researchers used satellite images, drone photos, and machine learning to identify communities at risk for schistosomiasis. The study found that areas with floating vegetation near water access points are more likely to have high infection rates.
A new study estimates that the western South Atlantic humpback whale population has grown to 25,000, recovering more quickly than previously thought. The population was depleted to only 450 whales in the early 1900s due to intense whaling pressure.
A team developed a way to understand how nonnative insects might behave in their new environments, using evolutionary history. The model can quickly evaluate the risk of insect invasions and help foresters predict which species will be problematic.
Gun violence in America claims over 35,000 lives annually; UW researchers identify roadblocks to collecting and analyzing firearm data. Improved access to data could inform evidence-based policies to reduce gun violence.