A University of Washington study found that neighborhoods with high poverty and disorganization tend to have residents who drink twice as much and binge-drink four times as frequently. The researchers suggest that improving neighborhood quality of life can lead to benefits, including reduced problem drinking.
A new study by University of Washington researchers found that kids are unaware of their toys' recording capabilities, while parents have numerous privacy concerns. The study highlights the need for toy designers to create ways to notify children when they are recording and provide parental controls to manage data.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that federally subsidized shrubs and grasses play a crucial role in sage grouse survival in Eastern Washington. Without these lands, the species' habitat would be reduced by two-thirds, putting it at risk of extinction.
A new study reveals that period tracking apps frequently fail to meet users' needs, with inaccuracies in prediction, assumptions about sexual identity or partners, and a focus on pink design. The researchers suggest five key improvements for designing better period tracking apps.
A study from the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences found that 6-year-old girls who programmed a robot showed greater interest in technology and more positive attitudes about their skills than those who didn't. The intervention reduced the gender gap in technology interest by 42%.
A new study found that Instagram users use food photos as a tool to track their eating habits and achieve healthy eating goals. The research team conducted in-depth interviews with 16 people who consistently recorded and shared what they ate on Instagram, highlighting the benefits of using photos as a visual account of daily food intake.
A study by the University of Washington finds that military service is associated with improved mental health and quality of life among transgender older adults. This contradicts previous expectations, suggesting that military experience may be a protective factor for this population.
A new study found that increased biodiversity is not associated with reduced levels of infectious disease, and in some cases, disease burdens actually increased as areas became more forested. However, increasing urbanization was shown to reduce disease due to improved access to medical care and vaccinations.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that swinging in unison enhances cooperation in preschoolers, enabling them to adapt to situations and work towards common goals. This study suggests that simple movements like swinging can create a sense of 'being like' another child, encouraging communication and teamwork.
Researchers at University of Washington and Texas A&M University discovered a new genus and species of clingfish using digital scans. The duckbilled clingfish has an impressive number of tiny, conical teeth, estimated to be 10 times what all other known clingfish have.
A glacier in northern Canada has retreated, triggering a geologic event that captured one river's flow and redirected it towards another. The study documents the first known case of 'river piracy' in modern times, highlighting the impact of climate change on glaciers.
A University of Washington study shows that two leading methods for calculating the planet's response to greenhouse gas emissions are not as far apart as previously thought. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, found that recent observations support a climate sensitivity of about 2.9 degrees Celsius.
A University of Washington study found that married LGBT older adults have better physical and mental health, more social support, and greater financial resources than their single counterparts. The study also highlights the importance of understanding individual choices regarding marriage within the LGBT community.
A University of Washington study suggests that monitoring and potentially treating monkeys that co-exist with humans in affected areas may be part of the global strategy for eradicating yaws, a tropical disease. The researchers found that infected monkeys were more common in regions experiencing recent upsurges in reported cases.
Researchers at the University of Washington have shown that Google's Cloud Video Intelligence API can be tricked into mislabeling videos by inserting images. The system, designed to automatically recognize objects and search for content within videos, can be deceived even when the inserted image is barely visible.
A new paper from the University of Washington identifies key attributes that contribute to ecological resilience, providing clarity for scientists, resource managers, and planners. The study groups attributes into five categories and lists their relevance to measuring resilience.
Scientists use relative strength index from stock market to detect slow slip earthquakes, matching results with exhaustive analyses. The technique detects millimeter-scale changes in position at surface, providing clues on plate boundary physics.
The study found that playing Pokémon GO with children increased physical activity, as kids walked more steps per day and engaged in outdoor activities. Parents reported improved quality time with their children, discussing topics beyond the game itself.
Researchers from the University of Washington and US agencies propose strategies for sustainable subsistence hunting, reducing crowding and ensuring ecological space. They emphasize the importance of monitoring subpopulations regularly and adjusting harvests accordingly to mitigate negative effects of habitat loss.
In a study published in The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, researchers found that fully grown Galapagos penguins who have fledged from their nests continue to beg for food from their parents. This post-fledging parental care is thought to be an adaptation to the fluctuating availability of food in the Galapagos archipelago.
A new study from the University of Washington finds that natural variability in the atmosphere over the Arctic Ocean has accelerated summer sea ice loss in recent decades. The research suggests that climate change is still dominant, but natural variability played a significant role in the trend.
A new analysis found drastic changes in animal populations occur in about 4% of cases, most commonly in birds, with extreme events driven by parasites, climate and predators. Developing management plans to withstand sudden swings could help buffer against black swan disasters and prevent extinctions.
Researchers developed a technique to transmit audio and data via FM radio signals without affecting original transmissions. Objects like posters and clothing can now send information directly to smartphones or cars.
Google's Perspective AI system can be bypassed by manipulating language, resulting in false low toxicity scores for abusive phrases. Researchers suggest techniques to improve robustness, including spellchecking and training with adversarial examples.
A University of Washington project explores the effects of climate change and subsistence hunting on polar bears, while also shedding light on the cultural value of the species to indigenous peoples. The research aims to set polar bears in context as resources for others, clarifying misinformation about hunting.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology found that diverse fish populations play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Larger fish like suckers and catfish store nutrients, contributing to stream biological productivity. Non-native fish also serve as buffers for ecosystems against environmental change.
Researchers discovered that macrophages transmit messages between non-immune cells, such as pigment cells in fish, to facilitate complex patterns like stripes. This unique function of macrophages suggests they may play a broader role in intercellular communication, affecting tissue development, regeneration, and cancer.
A study published in Nature found that brain imaging biomarkers at 6 and 12 months can accurately predict which infants will develop autism spectrum disorder by 24 months. The predictive power of the findings may inform the development of a diagnostic tool for ASD, potentially intervening earlier to improve outcomes.
A University of Washington study found that the unusual warm patch of seawater, nicknamed 'the blob,' had a cascading effect on air quality in the Western US. Ozone levels increased above average due to high temperatures, low cloud cover, and calm air, posing health risks.
A new longitudinal study of LGBT older adults found higher rates of disability, cardiovascular disease, depression, and social isolation. The research highlights pathways to better understand health for all marginalized communities.
Researchers at the University of Washington used CryoSat-2 data to identify four interconnected lakes draining beneath Thwaites Glacier in eight months. The glacier sped up by about 10 percent during this time, indicating that other factors, such as ocean warming, are driving its long-term movement.
A new online travel planner offers customizable suggestions for people who need accessible or pedestrian-friendly routes in Seattle. The tool avoids hills, construction sites and accessibility barriers, providing a safer navigation experience for those with mobility challenges.
Research found that babies with more diarrhea as infants had shorter telomeres in adulthood, associated with a higher burden of disease. Telomere length may be an important determinant of susceptibility to diarrheal infections and overall health outcomes.
A new species of lizard, Magnuviator ovimonsensis, discovered in Montana's Egg Mountain fossil site, reveals significant gaps in understanding lizard diversity during the Cretaceous Period. The nearly complete fossils show that this ancient offshoot of iguanian lizards lived in a semi-arid environment with dinosaurs and other creatures.
A University of Washington study reveals that invasive marine snails react differently to threat signals compared to native snails. Native snails use multiple sources of information before fleeing or hiding, while invasive snails respond impulsively and hide at the first whiff of danger.
University of Washington researchers have made a breakthrough in building electrically pumped nanolasers, critical for high-performance parallel computing and data center efficiency. By integrating atomically thin monolayer materials with nano-cavities, they have achieved efficient light emission and modulation.
Three-spine stickleback fish in Alaska's Bristol Bay region are altering their breeding patterns in response to climate change, spawning earlier and more often. This shift could have wider ecological effects on the ecosystem, particularly for species like juvenile sockeye salmon.
Researchers have discovered that vitamin B-12 exists in two forms in the oceans, with cyanobacteria producing a "pseudo" version that's not usable by other organisms. This finding has implications for how algae and other marine life access this essential nutrient.
A team of researchers from the University of Washington found that male fruit flies exhibit transitive decision-making when selecting a mate, processing information from visual and chemical cues. The study showed that males prioritize females with higher reproductive capacity, suggesting a rational choice mechanism.
Researchers found that well-diversified fishing communities in Alaska experienced little change in revenue despite fluctuations in fish abundance and market prices. Communities with high diversity were able to shift to different fisheries, increasing their revenue streams.
New University of Washington research reveals that rapid Arctic warming events cause a shift in Southern Hemisphere winds, which can impact global rainfall patterns and climate feedbacks. The study uses chemical clues from an Antarctic ice core to support the findings.
A new study finds that beluga whales in Alaska are mirroring changes in Arctic sea ice timing, delaying their migration south by up to one month. However, another population remains unaffected by these changes, suggesting variability in response across populations and time.
Researchers found eelgrass population stable across Puget Sound basin despite increased human population and shoreline development. Localized declines have been observed at individual beaches, with other shorelines showing healthy eelgrass growth.
A recent study examining 1,600 instances of phenotypic change worldwide shows that urbanization is affecting the genetic makeup of species crucial to ecosystem health. The research highlights the importance of understanding human-induced trait changes and their implications for ecological and human well-being.
Research finds that urbanization is hindering the ability of certain songbird species to reproduce successfully, even after relocating. The study, published in PLOS ONE, found that forced dispersal due to suburban development can cause birds to abandon their territories and struggle to find new mates.
Research from the University of Washington suggests that preschool-aged children can learn bias through nonverbal signals displayed by adults, such as tone of voice or facial expressions. Children are likely to generalize this learned bias to others, potentially leading to group bias and prejudice.
A mathematical model by Carl Bergstrom and colleagues explores the effect of publication bias on fact canonization in science. The study found that lower publication rates for negative results increase the risk of false canonization, but suggest that publishing more negative results could help minimize this risk.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that successful fisheries management is critical to maintaining productive fish populations. The research found that science-based stock assessments, limits on fishing pressure, and adequate enforcement are key attributes of effective management systems.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that scientific papers with a narrative style, including sensory language and emotional appeals, were more highly cited and featured in top journals. Researchers hope this work will improve scientific communication and lead to better policy decisions.
A University of Washington study has captured the eruption of an underwater volcano in unprecedented detail, providing new clues about the behavior of volcanoes where two ocean plates are moving apart. The research used data from the Cabled Array seafloor observatory to analyze seismic vibrations and movement before and during the event.