A new study from the University of Washington reveals that a common type of volcano draws its lava from both the mantle and the crust, challenging traditional geological beliefs. Researchers found that the basalt's magnesium signature is similar to the crustal material, suggesting that fluid movement plays a role in seismic activity at...
A new study found that genetic variations of the COMT gene and white matter in the brain predict a student's performance in a second-language class, accounting for 46% of the variance. This research sheds light on why individuals learn differently and could lead to interventions that improve learning.
Jerry Franklin, a professor at the University of Washington, has been named 2016's Eminent Ecologist by the Ecological Society of America. He is credited with pioneering research on old-growth forests and challenging clear-cutting practices to promote healthy forest ecosystems. His work has had a significant impact on forestry and fore...
A recent Science perspective piece explores the tension between urban areas and human connection to nature. Research shows that reduced access to nature contributes to mental illnesses and mood disorders in city dwellers, highlighting the need for thoughtful urban design to incorporate natural elements.
New research reveals ocean currents explain why Antarctic Ocean has stayed at roughly the same temperature as most of the planet. Deep, centuries-old water is continually pulled up to the surface by constant westerly winds and great depths.
Statisticians at the University of Washington have developed a probabilistic model that incorporates global migration patterns to project populations worldwide. The study challenges existing predictions for countries like Germany and the US, predicting a larger population in Germany if immigration continues and a 10% chance of exceedin...
A University of Washington study reveals significant barriers in accessing rehabilitation services for children with traumatic brain injuries from low-income households with limited English proficiency. The study found that less than 20% of providers accepted Medicaid and provided language interpretation, highlighting the need for incr...
Researchers at the University of Washington found that bacteria in tree branches can fix nitrogen, a crucial nutrient for plant growth, without requiring root nodules. This breakthrough could significantly reduce fertilizer use and costs, benefiting agricultural crops and bioenergy production.
Scientists found that selectively fishing for lingcod in closed areas can help avoid harming other fish species, including rockfish listed as overfished. The approach aims to balance the needs of fishermen with conservation efforts, potentially benefiting both groups.
A new study on Antarctica's snow core suggests that warmer temperatures and snowfall are not always linked, contradicting previous projections. Researchers found that individual snow years can have varying relationships with temperature, highlighting the importance of wind patterns in shaping Antarctic weather.
The University of Washington team observed and analyzed collective interparticle vibrations in two-dimensional microscale granular crystals for the first time. This understanding allows for designing materials with unique properties, such as customizable impact energy absorption.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a way to harness light energy by exploiting quantum-level interactions in graphene. By aligning graphene with boron-nitride, they created a superlattice that enables efficient optoelectronics, allowing one photon to transfer its energy to multiple electrons.
Researchers found that carnivorous bats evolved distinctive skull shapes and strong bite forces to consume vertebrate prey. Larger animal-munching bats had longer snouts for bigger prey, while fish-eating bats had optimized jaws for a narrow gape to break down sharp bones.
The PaperID technology uses RFID tags to turn paper into a multi-gesture sensor, enabling interactive systems with gesture commands. Researchers developed various interaction methods to adapt RFID tags depending on the type of interaction desired.
A five-minute brain activity test predicted language learning speed in adults with 60% accuracy. Researchers believe neurofeedback training can be used to strengthen desirable brain patterns and improve language learning.
Researchers found that the early Earth's atmosphere weighed at most half of today's, reversing a long-held idea about atmospheric pressure and climate patterns. The discovery also sheds light on the composition of ancient gases and their impact on early life.
A University of Washington team developed a highly capable five-fingered robot hand that can perform dexterous manipulation and learn from its own experience. The hand uses machine learning algorithms to model physics and plan actions, allowing it to adapt to new tasks without human intervention.
A new study found that two-minute warnings before ending screen time make transitions more unpleasant for young children. The study also found that parents often use screens as a last resort or to distract toddlers during unpleasant activities.
Researchers developed SpiroCall, a system that can accurately measure lung function using a standard phone call, regardless of smartphone availability. The tool's results were within 6.2% of clinical spirometer readings, making it suitable for monitoring chronic lung diseases at home.
Researchers found that visitors to national parks are half as likely to see wolves when hunting is permitted outside park boundaries. In contrast, when hunting was prohibited, visitors were twice as likely to spot a wolf. The study suggests a tradeoff between harvesting and viewing wolves.
A new quantitative assessment called Walk-DMC predicts which children with cerebral palsy are likely to benefit from invasive surgeries. Higher Walk-DMC scores before treatment correlate with better surgical outcomes.
A recent study by the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences found that 9-month-old babies who participated in music play sessions showed improved brain responses to music and new speech sounds. This suggests that early musical experiences can have a lasting impact on cognitive skills such as pattern percept...
A new University of Washington study shows that bulkheads and seawalls along Puget Sound's shores have a cumulative impact on the ecosystem, shrinking beaches and reducing habitat for invertebrates and fish. The study provides crucial information for improving management approaches to shorelines.
A University of Washington-led study found little to no evidence of price increases in Seattle relative to surrounding areas after the city's $15 minimum wage law implementation. The study surveyed employers and workers and analyzed commodity and service prices, concluding that the higher wages did not translate to significant cost hikes.
Researchers developed a model to explain how monarch butterflies navigate during their 2,000-mile fall migration. The model suggests that the monarchs' brain receives information from both the sun's position and the time of day, and uses two neural mechanisms to decipher the correct direction.
A UW-led research team will use a new scientific framework to model and defend against stealthy, continuous computer hacking attacks known as advanced persistent threats. The team aims to analyze the interactions between these threats and cyber defense mechanisms to combat them.
A University of Washington project, MICRE, is studying the properties and impacts of Southern Ocean clouds on the surface. The project will help ground-truth satellite measurements and provide new data for improved global climate models.
Researchers develop a novel approach to encode, store, and retrieve digital data using DNA molecules. They successfully encoded four image files into synthetic DNA snippets and retrieved the correct sequences without losing any information. The technology has potential for addressing the world's needs for archival storage.
University of Washington researchers found that official Twitter accounts can correct misinformation and slow the spread of rumors, using cases involving alleged police raids in Australia and a WestJet flight hijacking. The study suggests empowering social media managers to respond quickly to crises with verified information.
Research reveals that bilingual babies exhibit stronger brain responses to speech sounds compared to monolingual peers. Bilingualism is shown to shape cognitive development and improve executive function skills, with babies displaying sensitivity to both languages from 11 months of age.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that marine heatwaves have recurred regularly since 1950 but have become more common since the 1970s. The research analyzed ocean surface temperature observations over 65 years, including a notable 'warm blob' in the Pacific Northwest from 2013 to 2015.
Research shows that 15-month-old babies generalize an adult's angry behavior even if the social context has changed. They make snap judgments and tend to assume a person with a history of anger will become angry again in similar situations. This study highlights the importance of parents being mindful of their emotions' impact on babies.
Researchers reconstructed a 2,000-year record of precipitation changes in the eastern Pacific using sediments from Galapagos lakes, revealing long-term shifts in El Niño patterns. The study provides new insights into tropical climate dynamics and will help model future changes.
Researchers have developed a new method to track the hydrology of Eastern Washington's wetlands, providing insights into their behavior seasonally. The technique uses satellite images to identify structural elements of wetlands and delineate them from other parts of the landscape.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a sonar technology called FingerIO that allows users to interact with mobile devices by writing or gesturing on any nearby surface. The device uses sound waves to track fine-grained finger movements, achieving accuracy of up to 8mm.
A new study reveals that kids expect parents to follow strict household technology rules, including no texting while driving and no oversharing on social media. The researchers found that families who developed collective rules and lived by them were more successful in enforcing these rules.
Researchers from the Virtual Planetary Laboratory have identified biosignature impostors, which can masquerade as signs of life on exoplanets. By detecting these 'false positive' cases, scientists can avoid misinterpreting oxygen signatures in planetary atmospheres.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that doctors struggle to review patients' self-tracked data due to lack of capacity and tools. However, when patients provide organized and summarized data through paper diaries or specific tracking tools, providers can use it effectively in diagnosis and treatment.
A new study by the University of Washington found that transgender children who are socially transitioned and supported by their families have similar rates of depression and anxiety as non-transgender children. The research challenges long-held assumptions about the mental health of transgender youth.
Researchers found that each smaller group of herring varied out of sync with others, but their collective diversity helped stabilize the population. This 'local matters' perspective highlights the importance of protecting local diversity in ensuring overall sustainability of the resource.
A University of Washington study found that small-scale disturbances, like those from butterfly wings, do not significantly impact weather forecasts. However, even minor errors in large-scale observations can throw off a forecast, emphasizing the importance of precise measurements.
Researchers achieved Wi-Fi transmissions using 10,000 times less power than conventional methods, consuming only tens of microwatts of power. This breakthrough enables the 'Internet of Things' reality where household devices and wearable sensors can communicate using Wi-Fi without worrying about power.
Researchers at the University of Washington successfully combined two different ultrathin semiconductors to form a new two-dimensional heterostructure. This device allows excitons to be preserved in valleys, enabling critical steps in developing nanoscale technologies that integrate light with electronics.
Researchers found a massive star pretending to be a supernova, emitting X-rays consistent with a neutron star core. The system's unique pairing suggests it may be one of the rarest types of binary systems, offering insights into star formation and evolution.
Beluga whales have been found to dive to depths of up to 900 meters to maximize their encounters with prey, such as Arctic cod. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of beluga migration and feeding patterns in the Arctic, shedding light on the impact of climate change on these elusive marine mammals.
A study at the University of Washington found that male students ranked their male classmates as more knowledgeable about course content, even when female students performed better. This gender bias was consistent across 11 different class surveys and could impact female students' perception of themselves in STEM fields.
The study reveals that on-ramping programs provide support and tools for women to transition into university faculty or instructor positions. Many participants found autonomy, intellectual freedom, and personal satisfaction in their new roles, and expressed high confidence in their abilities as educators.
A University of Washington-led study finds that the benefits of locally produced vegetables in cities outweigh any risks from gardening in contaminated soils. Compost can dilute lead levels and make it less hazardous to eat, especially for root vegetables like carrots.
New University of Washington research shows that the lunar forces affect the amount of rain on Earth, though very slightly, with a change of about 1 percent of total rainfall variation. The effect is due to the moon's gravitational tug causing higher air pressure and increasing temperature, making it less favorable for precipitation.
A new US study reveals a persistent link between low birth weights and income levels, contrasting with other developed countries. The research found that disparities in birth weights were most pronounced in the US, where birth weights dropped consistently with income level.