GeoS uses a combination of computer vision and natural language processing to solve geometry questions. It achieved an SAT score of 500 out of 800, equivalent to the average test score for 2015.
Researchers propose using prescribed fires, mechanical thinning, and less suppression of wildfires in specific conditions to restore resilient forests. This approach could reduce catastrophic fires and their costly consequences.
The University of Washington has won a $4.5 million NSF grant to advance nanoscale science, engineering and technology research in the Pacific Northwest. The funding will support the Washington Nanofabrication Facility and the Molecular Analysis Facility, providing critical tools and resources for academic and industrial users.
A University of Washington study reveals that young chum salmon thriving in Elliott Bay's restored beaches have access to a more diverse range of prey. This shift could provide a nutritional boost for the fish, but may also come at an energy cost as they adapt to changing food sources.
Scientists studied how a more acidic ocean affects the protective shell of the mermaid's wineglass algae. They found that in high carbon dioxide conditions, skeletons contained 32% less calcium carbonate and were 40% less stiff and droopier. This could make them more susceptible to damage from ocean currents and grazing by marine animals.
Researchers at UW's I-LABS study body maps in infant brain, finding they develop early and relate to social connections and imitation. The findings shed light on how infants build sense of self and connect with others.
A new wearable technology called MagnifiSense tracks user interactions with devices and vehicles to calculate their individual carbon footprint. The system uses electromagnetic radiation signatures generated by appliances to accurately classify user interactions, with high accuracy rates even without calibration.
Climate change is causing significant habitat loss for Pacific Northwest amphibians, including the Cascades frog, which may become extinct by 2080. The study forecasts that more than half of intermediate wetlands will convert to fast-drying ephemeral wetlands, threatening these unique species.
Researchers from the University of Washington will observe and measure dusty plasmas in Earth's outer atmosphere using a rocket launch. The CAREII mission aims to improve models and understand how dusty plasmas disrupt radio-based communications and tracking systems.
A new study of high school students reveals that classroom design plays a significant role in engaging girls in computer science. The research suggests that making classrooms less 'geeky' and more inviting can increase girls' interest in enrolling in computer science courses, with 68% preferring non-stereotypical classrooms.
Researchers found that sediment-entombed marine archaea's growth varies based on changes in ocean oxygen levels, affecting the accuracy of past ocean temperatures. This discovery highlights the need to consider oxygen levels when interpreting the TEX-86 index, a popular method for measuring ancient ocean temperatures.
A University of Washington biologist has spotted a rare nautilus species, Allonautilus scrobiculatus, for the first time in three decades. The sighting highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect this ancient lineage from illegal fishing practices and potential extinction.
A new study by University of Washington sociologist Jennifer Laird finds that African-American workers disproportionately lost jobs in the public sector during the Great Recession, leading to widening racial disparities. Black civil servants, especially women, faced higher rates of unemployment than their white counterparts.
A University of Washington-led study found that maltreated adolescents can modulate their emotional responses when taught strategies for controlling them. The researchers observed increased brain activity in regions involved in emotion control among the maltreated group, suggesting a promising ability to regulate emotions with training.
The UW optimization algorithm, RDIS, breaks down complex problems into smaller chunks, solving them exponentially faster. In protein design and self-driving car applications, RDIS performs significantly better than existing methods, accurately mapping images into realistic spaces.
Researchers found that smaller streams carry CO2 produced by plants on land, while larger streams emit more CO2 through respiration and natural decay. The study sheds light on the role of freshwater rivers in the global carbon cycle.
A new study from the University of Washington suggests that abusive children can exhibit either 'externalizing' (arguing, disobedience, fighting) or 'internalizing' (depression, withdrawal) behaviors, which are predictors of later criminal activity. Abused girls who internalize their emotions are more likely to commit crimes as adults.
A recent study published in the Journal of Sex Research found that abusive and controlling men are more likely to expose their female partners to sexually transmitted infections. The research highlights the need for a broader understanding of sexual behaviors in domestic violence prevention programs.
Researchers at the University of Washington have released new guidelines to ensure makerspaces are accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines address unique challenges faced by students with various disabilities, including visual impairments and motor impairments.
A new study provides visual simulations of what someone with restored vision might see after undergoing sight recovery therapies, highlighting the limitations of current technologies. The simulations reveal that patients may experience fuzzy or blurred outlines, and temporary visual disappearances.
Researchers found that gaze shifting in 10-month-old babies is linked to improved brain responses to new language sounds. The study suggests that social engagement plays a crucial role in early language learning.
A new study by University of Washington and Columbia University researchers found significant security weaknesses in journalists' technological tools and ad-hoc workarounds. Despite the importance of protecting sensitive information, many journalists use insecure methods to organize notes and communicate with sources.
New research reveals that marine plankton in the Southern Ocean produce airborne gases and organic matter to seed cloud droplets, leading to brighter clouds. The study found correlations between phytoplankton blooms and increased cloud droplet concentrations, which reflect about 4 watts of solar energy per square meter.
Researchers found that mosquitoes employ a razor-sharp sense of smell to detect warm-blooded prey, triggering vision and other sensory systems. The team used wind tunnels to study mosquito behavior, observing how carbon dioxide triggers a strong response in the insects.
University of Washington chemists have developed a novel drug to fight malaria, DSM265, which targets the critical protein DHODH. The compound has shown promise in laboratory tests and is suitable for clinical trials in humans.
Research from the University of Washington finds that seafloor hot springs provide a significant source of iron to the world's oceans. The dissolved metals are carried by deep-sea currents for decades, supporting phytoplankton growth and impacting global ocean chemistry.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that climate change will not lead to widespread interbreeding among closely related species. Only about 6 percent of species with non-overlapping ranges are likely to come into contact by the end of this century.
Researchers at the University of Washington have engineered yeast cells to communicate with each other using auxin, a plant hormone that can induce specific genes to be expressed. This breakthrough could lead to the development of synthetic stem cells and artificial organs that require different types of cells to work together.
A team of University of Washington biologists has identified a key mechanism plants use to decide when to release their floral scents. They found that the petunia's LHY gene controls when the plant releases its fragrance, connecting it to the innate circadian rhythms that pulse through all life on Earth.
A study found that men who feel they fall short of traditional masculinity ideals may exaggerate characteristics such as height and athletic ability to reassert their manliness. The researchers suggest that this pressure can lead to negative consequences, including aggressive behavior and unrealistic expectations of male roles.
Researchers found that nonphotosynthetic pigments could produce strong spectral signals detectable by powerful future telescopes. These organisms cover a significant portion of a distant planet's surface, producing reflectance signatures different from photosynthetic land vegetation like trees.
Research comparing traditional hunter-gatherer communities with and without access to electricity reveals that those with electricity sleep an average of one hour less per night than those without. The study suggests that artificial light disrupts humans' natural circadian clock and sleep-wake cycle, leading to shorter nights.
A study using DNA from ivory samples identifies two major areas of elephant poaching in Africa, with over 85% of seized ivory tracing back to these regions. This research could help combat ivory trafficking at its source and inform law enforcement efforts.
Researchers discovered a mechanism that allows plant cells to balance opposing signals from Stomagen and EPF2, competing for access to the same surface proteins. This finding sheds light on how plants coordinate cellular structures and make decisions on stomata placement.
The study found that almost one-third of the U.S. population are informal caregivers, with women providing more unpaid care hours than men. Elderly people were frequently cared for by spouses, not adult children. The researchers also estimated the value of unpaid care nationwide at $691 billion in 2012.
A new study reveals how a common species of diatom adjusts to sudden and long-term increases in carbon dioxide. The research found that diatoms decrease photosynthesis and respiration to balance the cell's energy budget when CO2 levels remain high for a long time.
Forefront: Innovations in Suicide Prevention is receiving a $100,000 grant from Washington Women's Foundation to expand its outreach to six underserved rural communities. The organization plans to train over 1,260 individuals and provide technical assistance through the two-year life of the grant.
A new study shows that early intensive autism intervention can lead to improved intellectual ability and reduced autism symptoms in young children. The therapy, known as the Early Start Denver Model, was found to be particularly effective in promoting social and communication skills.
A team of UW graduate students has found a way to detect volcanic activity in the atmospheres of exoplanets during their transits. This could help choose worlds to study for possible life and determine if they are habitable. Volcanism regulates planetary temperatures, making it a key element in habitability.
A recent study published in Science finds that warmer ocean temperatures will increase marine animals' demand for oxygen, while reducing its availability. As a result, habitats will shift away from the equator, displacing up to 26% of current ranges.
University of Washington researchers are scaling up their 'Sheared Flow Stabilized Z-Pinch' device in hopes of achieving a sustainable fusion reaction. With a $5.3 million grant, they aim to create a proof-of-principle experiment that demonstrates the concept's scalability.
Researchers at the University of Washington have made the most precise measurements yet of atom-surface interactions crucial for improving lithium batteries and air filters. By studying gas atoms' behavior on a carbon nanotube surface, they found a measurable change in electrical resistance occurs when an atom sticks to the surface.
Researchers have found that diatoms grow faster in the presence of Sulfitobacter bacteria, which release a growth hormone beneficial to land plants. This discovery sheds light on the complex interactions between marine microbes and their environment, with potential implications for understanding ocean productivity and climate change.
The discovery of a partial left femur from a theropod dinosaur in Washington state provides valuable insights into the region's Late Cretaceous period. The fossil is approximately 80 million years old and is believed to have belonged to a smaller than T. rex species, with characteristics unique to theropods during that time.
A University of Washington study found that caregivers felt guilty about not limiting cell phone use while watching children at playgrounds, despite recognizing its distracting effect. The study also revealed that parents commonly overestimated their responsiveness to children's requests while using their phones.
Researchers used chemical signatures on otoliths to track Alaska's Bristol Bay salmon, revealing birthplaces and life histories. The technique can help scientists understand freshwater habitats and conservation efforts for Chinook salmon populations.
Researchers at UW's BioRobotics Lab hacked a next-generation teleoperated robotic system to test its vulnerability to cyberattacks. The team found that the robot could be easily disrupted or derailed by common forms of cyberattacks, highlighting the need for additional security measures before deployment.
A new assessment tool evaluates fisheries' ecological health alongside economic and community benefits, revealing surprising results. Alaska salmon ranks high in ecology but low in economics and community performance, while Colombian artisanal shrimp performs well in community impact despite low ecological stock levels.
Researchers developed a mobile app that transforms digital sketches into walking routes, allowing users to share unique experiences with friends. The app aims to encourage reflection and communication, rather than competition or efficiency, and explores how GIS mapping technology shapes our experience of walking.
Scientists studying the Northern clingfish are exploring its unique ability to generate massive suction power in wet environments. This could lead to the development of bio-inspired medical devices, such as laparoscopic surgery tools, and non-invasive whale tagging systems.