A study on Gambel's white-crowned sparrows reveals how dying brain cells trigger the growth of new neurons each spring. The researchers hope to apply this knowledge to develop treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and depression.
Researchers found evidence that the Zhada Basin in southwest Tibet lost 3,000 to 5,000 feet of elevation around 3-4 million years ago. This finding was confirmed using ancient snail shells and clumped isotope thermometry techniques.
University of Washington researchers create a system that uses reflected smartphone signals to recognize and respond to hand gestures, enabling users to interact with their phones beyond touchscreens. The technology has an accuracy rate of 87% and could improve battery life.
A new study predicts that world population will continue to grow throughout the 21st century, reaching 11 billion by 2100. Most of the anticipated growth is expected to occur in Africa, where population is projected to quadruple from around 1 billion today.
The California blue whale population has rebounded to near historical levels, according to new research. The recovery is attributed to careful management and conservation measures, rather than ship strikes or other human-caused factors.
Researchers have created a power harvester that uses natural fluctuations in temperature and pressure to power sensors, enabling them to detect water leaks or structural deficiencies in areas with limited access. The device can harness energy from even slight changes in air conditioning temperatures.
The BiliCam app uses a smartphone's camera and flash to take a picture of a baby's belly, which is then analyzed by machine-learning algorithms to detect bilirubin levels. This non-invasive tool could replace current screening methods, especially in resource-poor areas where access to medical care is limited.
Researchers have developed the thinnest-possible semiconductor junctions, made in sheets only three atoms thick, allowing for flexible and transparent computing, LEDs, and solar technologies. The discovery enables new kinds of transistors, LEDs, nanolasers, and solar cells to be developed within a single atomic plane.
Researchers found toddlers as young as age 2 use mathematical concepts like probability to make sense of the world. They could detect differences in strategies and choose the more successful one, demonstrating an intuitive grasp of statistics and weighing likelihoods.
Researchers at University of Washington found that heat absent from Earth's surface is plunging deep into the North and South Atlantic Ocean, part of a naturally occurring cycle. This explains the global average air temperature flatlining since 1999 despite greenhouse gases.
The StopInfo program, developed at the University of Washington, integrates with OneBusAway to provide crucial information on bus stops, including location, safety features, and stop closures. The app has been found to be generally helpful for blind riders, promoting spontaneous travel and confidence while riding.
A study by University of Washington sociologist Sarah Diefendorf found that young evangelical Christian men who pledged abstinence before marriage struggled with sexual temptation and confusion once married. The men reported feeling pressured to maintain control over sex and struggling to discuss it with their wives.
Research confirms significant thinning of Arctic sea ice snow, particularly in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, with results showing a decline of 14 inches to 9 inches (35 cm to 22 cm) in western waters near Alaska. Thinner snow cover may impact ice thickness and ecosystem health.
Scientists have found that ancient El Niño cycles were as strong and frequent 10,000 years ago as they are today. The new record, based on analysis of 25-foot piles of shells, contradicts a widely held interpretation of past climate, suggesting that current understanding of the El Niño system is incomplete.
Research suggests climate change could reduce the size of extreme low-oxygen waters in the ocean. As trade winds weaken, nutrient-rich water percolates up from the deep sea, supporting marine life and oxygen levels.
University of Washington engineers have designed a new communication system that uses radio frequency signals as a power source and reuses existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to provide Internet connectivity. This technology, called Wi-Fi backscatter, enables battery-free devices to connect to the internet, overcoming a major hurdle in the w...
Researchers found that an outer companion planet's gravitational pull can generate tidal heating, extending the habitable zone and potentially allowing older Earth-sized planets to host life. The study suggests that discovering such planets may lead to finding inner companion worlds, increasing their chance at hosting life.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a potential solution for delivering anti-HIV drugs in a fast-acting, dissolvable fabric. The fiber material can hold up to 10 times the concentration of medicine as current topical gels, releasing higher doses in just six minutes.
Researchers have measured massive waves of up to 5 meters high in the Arctic Ocean, attributed to high winds and increased open water. This phenomenon could disrupt shipping operations and exacerbate coastal erosion as the region continues to warm.
Researchers are monitoring the physics of the ice edge in the Beaufort Sea to better understand and predict open water in Arctic seas. The international effort aims to study how processes drive sea ice melt will change with increasing open water.
Researchers found that adolescents who showed a higher reaction in their amygdala while viewing negative images were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms after the Boston Marathon bombing. The study's findings suggest that brain activity before a traumatic event can predict a person's response to it.
Research shows that infants' brains stimulate areas for motor movements of speech at 7-11 months, laying groundwork for word formation. This practice may contribute to the developmental transition to native language sensitivity.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a way to visualize daily activity patterns over time, helping users understand their habits and make meaningful changes. The study found that participants who used this visualization tool had an easier time meeting personal fitness goals.
Researchers found that adding glucocorticoid to local anesthetic epidural injections provided minimal or no additional pain relief and physical limitations improvement. Corticosteroids may have caused increased satisfaction but also more adverse events, calling into question their routine use.
Researchers found that natural plant odors and human sources of pollution can conceal the scent of sought-after flowers, leading to energy and time losses for pollinators. The study used a chemical detection device to track flower odors in the wild and showed remarkable similar results in a lab wind tunnel test.
University of Washington researchers used crowdsourcing to teach robots how to build models and perform manipulation actions. The results showed that the robot learned faster and produced simpler yet effective models with input from humans and online communities.
University of Washington researchers have confirmed the presence of ferroelectric switching in biological tissues, particularly in proteins found in organs that repeatedly stretch and retract. This phenomenon may help build and support healthy connective tissues in mammals and potentially detect early stages of hardening of arteries.
Researchers at the University of Washington have designed a low-power sensor to track eye pressure changes and monitor for glaucoma. The sensor would be embedded with an artificial lens during cataract surgery and transmit data wirelessly, allowing for real-time tracking and potentially preventing vision loss.
Researchers created a fully automated computer program called LEVAN that learns all possible variations of a concept by searching millions of books and images on the Web. The program displays results as a comprehensive, browsable list of images, helping users explore and understand topics quickly.
A recent genetic study suggests that Neolithic people colonized Europe through a maritime route, with Crete serving as a major hub. The analysis confirms that the Neolithic migrants originated from the Levant and primarily traveled by sea, introducing their genes to European populations.
Researchers develop new computational method to design novel protein nanostructures, including cage-like proteins with symmetrical architectures. These structures may be used to deliver cancer drugs directly to tumor cells, sparing healthy cells.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that letting patients choose their PTSD treatment can lead to significant cost savings and a higher quality of life. The study showed that patients who were allowed to select their own treatment spent an average of $1,622 less per year compared to those who were assig...
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that nearly seven million Americans seek medical attention for sore throats each year, with one in 10 cases being strep throat. The researchers concluded that performing a laboratory culture can help doctors and patients avoid both under-treatment and over-treatment of sore throats.
Researchers found that shrubs on Campbell Island experience decreased growth when winter temperatures fluctuate between cold and warm enough for growth. This is due to the depletion of resources for photosynthesis during the winter.
A new theoretical review published in American Psychologist suggests that favoritism, rather than hostility, is the primary cause of discrimination in the US. The researchers found that most discrimination occurs as a result of ordinary, unintentional acts that benefit those similar to the person doing the favor.
The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is collapsing, with the Thwaites Glacier expected to disappear in centuries and raise sea levels by nearly 2 feet. The study provides a quantitative estimate of the collapse's rates, suggesting scenarios ranging from 200 to 500 years.
Participants in a 12-week pilot program received monthly naltrexone injections and set their own treatment goals, resulting in decreases in alcohol craving (33%), consumption (25-34%), and problems associated with alcohol use (60%). The counseling approach was non-judgmental and focused on participants' individual goals.
The University of Washington is receiving a $31.2 million gift from Washington Research Foundation to fund four interdisciplinary initiatives that tackle crucial challenges in global innovation. The funding will boost the UW's research contribution, attract top postdoctoral researchers, and encourage spinout companies.
Researchers developed a self-administered program called 'Connecting' to guide foster families through exercises that bring them closer together. The program uses short videos of former foster youth describing their experiences in child welfare and encourages caregivers to share basic information with their teens.
Active learning improves exam performance, increasing grade gains by an average of 6%, and reduces student failure rates in STEM courses. By adopting this approach, tens of thousands of students could stay in STEM majors instead of flunking out, meeting national calls for a million more STEM graduates.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that among active-duty Army personnel who use illicit drugs, synthetic marijuana is the most abused substance. Synthetic marijuana, also known as Spice, contains chemicals that mimic THC and can have unpredictable health effects.
Researchers at University of Washington estimate up to half of recent Greenland warming is caused by tropical Pacific climate variations rather than global warming. This finding highlights the complexity of regional climate changes and the need for more accurate long-range projections.
Women who received collaborative care for depression at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic showed significant reduction in symptoms, with more than half experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder as well. The approach, called Depression Attention for Women Now, improved patient engagement, treatment recommendations, and follow-up care.
A University of Washington researcher found that a 20-minute conversation with a social worker can significantly reduce functional decline in patients with mild traumatic brain injuries. Social workers can provide education, coping strategies, resources, and follow-up care to help patients recover from these types of injuries.
Researchers develop tools to help land managers and biologists identify areas where fish removal can protect amphibians from climate-induced habitat loss and predation. New hydrologic models and remote-sensing techniques can be used to map wetlands and evaluate the effects of projected climate change.
Researchers successfully restored damaged heart muscles in monkeys using human embryonic stem cells, suggesting a promising approach for human treatment. The therapy regenerated 40% of the damaged heart tissue and improved cardiac function in some treated animals, but also raised concerns about arrhythmias.
Astronomers confirm first self-lensing binary star system, where the closer star's mass is measured by its magnifying effect on light from its companion. This discovery improves research on white dwarfs and galaxy age, using gravitational lensing to reveal new insights into these celestial objects.
Research reveals that a planet's tilt can increase its habitability by reducing the likelihood of freezing over. The study expands the habitable zone by 10-20%, doubling the number of potentially habitable planets in the galaxy. This discovery opens up new possibilities for life beyond Earth and its neighbor planets.
A submarine canyon offshore from the strait that separates the U.S. and Canada supplies most of the water coming into Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Canada's Georgia Strait. This intense flow and mixing contribute to the region's high productivity and mysterious ocean conditions.
A study found that 15-month-old babies value fairness unless they see a person of the same race receiving an unfair benefit. In such cases, babies are more tolerant of unfairness. The researchers also discovered that infants integrate information about race and social history when choosing a playmate.