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.
University of Washington scientists developed a mathematical model to explain the Madden-Julian Oscillation, a massive cluster of thunderstorms that affects global weather. The model predicts storm movement and formation, helping improve tropical rainstorm forecasts and medium-range global forecasts.
A handheld microscope can capture details up to a half millimeter beneath the tissue surface, where some types of cancerous cells originate. Researchers expect to test it as a cancer-screening tool in clinical settings next year.
Researchers developed a system using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals to collect accurate travel data, matching origin and destination information collected by riders. The technology has the potential to improve equity in transit systems, particularly for less-privileged neighborhoods.
A University of Washington study found that Seattle's urban crops can only feed between 1 and 4 percent of the city's population, even with extensive backyard and public green spaces converted to farming. To meet the nutritional needs of an adult vegetarian diet, it would require a 58-mile expansion around the city.
The UW is establishing a Digital Financial Services Research Group to investigate and overcome technological barriers to widespread adoption of mobile financial services. The team plans to prototype different technologies and develop a demonstration lab to test new ideas.
A recent West Coast study emphasizes the impacts of ocean acidification and low-oxygen conditions on marine organisms, highlighting serious challenges for life in these areas. The results show that multiple stressors will only increase as ocean conditions worldwide resemble those off the West Coast.
Researchers at the University of Washington have created a method to accelerate biological assays, which typically take hours or days to complete. By employing cyclic solution draining and replenishing, they were able to reduce reaction times to just seven minutes in one case, using antibodies and nanoparticles to detect specific cellu...
Astronomers discovered a distant quasar that has apparently run out of gas, leading to a significant decrease in its brightness. The quasar, SDSS J1011+5442, was found to have consumed all the glowing-hot gas in its vicinity, causing it to dim drastically.
A University of Washington study reveals that people's motivation to walk and bike differs significantly based on their income level. Lower- and middle-income residents in densely populated areas are more inclined to walk or bike due to factors such as easy access to destinations, neighborhood attractiveness, and the number of bicycles...
The Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering will receive funding to support research on implantable devices that promote brain plasticity and reanimate paralyzed limbs. The goal is to achieve proof-of-concept demonstrations in humans within five years, laying the groundwork for eventual clinical devices approved by the FDA.
A University of Washington study analyzed over 750 studies on marijuana and alcohol use, finding that legalization policies may lead to both substitution and complementary effects. The research highlights the difficulties in gauging the impact of a formerly illicit drug as it moves into the mainstream.
Researchers analyzed woody debris and used radiocarbon dating to map the history of activity at the Oso site. The study shows that slopes in the area around Oso have collapsed on average once every 500 years, with a higher rate of about once every 140 years over the past 2,000 years.
A new study reveals that freshwater rivers and streams transport or store more than 220 billion pounds of carbon each year. This finds that the actual carbon storage in forests is decreased by almost 30 percent once accounting for the leaking carbon into aquatic environments.
A recent study found that the US safety net system is failing grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren due to poverty. Despite being eligible for benefits, many were unable to access resources or had to make sacrifices to care for their grandchildren.
A new University of Washington study confirms that composting food scraps is the right thing to do for the environment. Composting significantly reduces methane emissions from landfills compared to sending food waste to landfills.
A new initiative aims to address high suicide rates in three rural Washington counties by providing training and resources for professionals and community members. The Forefront program will focus on creating coalitions, enhancing crisis plans, and offering one-on-one telephone support through the Forefront Cares program.
A new study from the University of Washington and MIT found that US fuel economy improvements are on par with those achieved in the 1970s, but may not be enough to meet future climate commitments. The research suggests that automakers have been unable to deliver sufficient levels of innovation since the 1990s, highlighting the need for...
Two tree species in southwestern Colorado employ distinct strategies to cope with drought: the ponderosa pine conserves water by shutting down production, while the trembling aspen alters its physiology to continue growing. This study sheds light on how woody plants may confront twin scourges of less water and hot weather in a warmer a...
A new study by the University of Washington uses a unique volcanic eruption in Iceland to measure the effect of sulfur emissions on clouds. The results confirm that volcanoes cool the planet not just by emitting particles high in the atmosphere, but also by releasing low-level sulfur to influence cloud formation.
University of Washington researchers have developed a technology to capture the 'persona' of a well-photographed person like Tom Hanks from vast numbers of Internet images. The digital model can be animated to deliver speeches that the real actor never performed, and even transfer expressions and mannerisms onto another person's face.
A new University of Washington-based initiative researches how multiple states implement court-imposed fines and fees, with findings highlighting the disproportionate impact on poor people. The study reveals an arbitrary system of enforcement and collection that perpetuates poverty and marginalization.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that vessel speed is the most influential factor in how much noise from boats reaches endangered killer whales. The research used digital acoustic recording tags and laser positioning system to track boat noise levels and found that speed was the main contributor.
Researchers at the University of Washington have created a new probabilistic model that allows robots to learn new skills by watching people and imitating them. The team combined child development research with machine learning approaches, inspired by infants' ability to infer adult intentions through self-exploration.
Researchers used metadata from calls and texts to estimate wealth and poverty in Rwanda, finding patterns such as varied pre-paid time purchases and daily calling rhythms. The study suggests an alternative to traditional censuses for governments to estimate wealth distribution, costing around $10,000.
Researchers have sequenced the complete genetic makeup of a type of algae called haptophytes, which are abundant in oceans and account for 30-40% of photosynthesis. The study reveals new insights into how these algal species regulate their fat content, which could help improve biofuel production, nutrition and ecology.
The Power Over Wi-Fi system can wirelessly power low-power devices, such as cameras and wearable trackers. The technology attracts attention for its potential to enable Internet of Things development.
The diversity and number of foraminifera in Bellingham Bay and Bremerton areas have deteriorated significantly, despite a reduction in chemical pollutants. Researchers are investigating alternative environmental factors, including high acidity caused by decomposition of organic matter and industrial contaminants.
The University of Washington team has made history by cooling water by about 36 degrees Fahrenheit using an infrared laser. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including manufacturing, telecommunications, and defense.
Researchers found that a fractal hydrocarbon haze on early Earth could have resulted in a moderate, possibly habitable average global temperature. The haze also would have absorbed ultraviolet light, shielding the planet from deadly radiation.
A University of Washington researcher argues that people should pay more attention to how climate change affects ocean and coastal environments globally. The review paper looks at scientific understanding of ocean changes and responses from people around the world, highlighting potential for local action and interdisciplinary research.
Researchers investigated the impact of augmented reality on various end-users, highlighting issues such as surveillance, privacy, and potential discrimination. They developed recommendations for policymakers to inform the development of adaptable, secure systems.
A new study found that children as young as 5 years old have a strong sense of self-esteem, comparable to adults. Researchers developed a test to assess implicit self-esteem in preschoolers and discovered that they associate themselves more with positive words.
Scientists have simulated 3D exotic clouds on GJ1214b, an exoplanet with a flat spectrum that indicates high-altitude clouds or haze in its atmosphere. The clouds could be of salt and are thought to form deep in the atmosphere before rising into the upper atmosphere.
Dolly Varden trout retire permanently from ocean migration at around 12 inches in length, relying on expanded digestive organs and unique relationship with sockeye salmon. Climate change could impact their life history patterns, potentially forcing them to seek new feeding patterns.
Researchers have developed a new model that can accurately predict which genetic mutations significantly change how genes splice and may warrant increased attention from disease researchers. The model, trained on vast amounts of synthetic biological data, is available online and can help rule out unwanted variations in genetic sequences.
A new study suggests that geoduck farming in central Puget Sound could have significant impacts on the food web if farming activities increase by 120 percent. The equipment used to farm geoducks, including PVC pipes and nets, may have a greater impact than the addition of the clams themselves.
A new affordable hyperspectral camera, HyperCam, can capture unseen details beneath surfaces using visible and near-infrared light. The technology shows promise for applications such as food safety, biometrics, and gesture recognition, with promising results in distinguishing between hand images of users and predicting fruit ripeness.
Researchers at the University of Washington found bubble plumes off the coast of Washington and Oregon, suggesting that warmer ocean temperatures are releasing frozen methane. This process could contribute to climate change by amplifying environmental changes already impacting local biology and fisheries.
Researchers used high-performance computing methods to map climate change threats to birds, mammals, and amphibians across the Western Hemisphere. They found that tropical species will likely be vulnerable to climate change by 2100 due to narrow climatic ranges.
Researchers tracked gene expression in healthy and sick sea stars, finding strong evidence of an immune response at the genetic level. The study provides new insights into how sea stars fight off the virus, with potential implications for understanding environmental conditions that contribute to disease.
Astronomers create a new metric, the 'habitability index,' to prioritize exoplanets for search of life. The index takes into account planetary rockiness and eccentricity-albedo degeneracy, ranking planets with liquid water potential.