University of Washington researchers have developed WiSee technology that leverages Wi-Fi signals to detect specific movements without needing sensors or cameras. The system accurately classifies nine different gestures with a high accuracy rate, paving the way for a smart home reality.
A randomized controlled study found that short-term therapy delivered by para-professionals significantly reduced mental health symptoms among rape survivors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) was effective in reducing depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
A study published in Human Nature found that rural Indonesian Karo Batak people prefer women with big feet, challenging the one-size-fits-all theory of attractiveness. This cultural preference is linked to their ecological context and limited exposure to Western media.
A new study found that 2-year-old children with autism's brain responses to words predicted their linguistic, cognitive, and adaptive skills at ages 4 and 6. Children with less severe social impairments showed similar brain responses as typically developing children.
Researchers discovered that woody plant matter is almost completely digested by bacteria living in the Amazon River, fueling its breath and playing a major role in the global carbon cycle. The finding suggests that rivers are more like metabolic hotspots than passive pipes, with only 5% of the rainforest's carbon ever reaching the ocean.
Researchers found that extensive warming on the Antarctic Peninsula occurs during its fall months, governed by atmospheric circulation patterns originating in the tropics. The autumn warming leads to a notable reduction in sea ice cover, resulting in warmer temperatures on nearby land in winter and spring.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a synthetic substance that resists the body's natural attack response to foreign objects. The polymer, known as a hydrogel, can be coated on medical devices like artificial heart valves and prostheses to prevent rejection.
A study published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America uses seafloor seismic data to analyze fin whale calls, revealing new information on their movement patterns and communication habits. The research also sheds light on the animals' feeding behaviors and potential collisions with ships.
Scientists studying the Human Coronavirus-Erasmus Medical Center have discovered a potential treatment strategy for the new Middle East virus. The researchers found that certain compounds could treat the infection by altering lung cells' response to infection, which might help prevent the virus from reproducing.
Scientists have discovered new fossils showing that dinosaur predecessors were more widespread than thought after the mass extinction event. The findings suggest that archosaurs, a group including crocodiles and dinosaurs, diversified in Tanzania and Zambia before becoming more widely distributed.
Using grocery delivery services can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, with trucks producing 20-75% less CO2 than personal vehicles driven to and from stores. Clustering customers together also leads to significant savings for companies, with up to 90% less emissions.
Using the characterization by proxy method, Sarah Ballard infers the properties of small, cool stars like Kepler-61, which is too far away to be directly measured. This allows for a better understanding of planets orbiting these stars, including the recently discovered planet Kepler-61b.
Researchers found that condensation on canned beverages can increase the drink's temperature by six degrees Fahrenheit in just five minutes. This is more than twice as much as it would warm in dry heat conditions, highlighting the importance of keeping condensation from forming on the outside of cans.
Researchers found that low doses of hydrogen sulfide enhance plant health, resulting in increased crop yields nearly doubling. This could lead to improved food supplies and plentiful stock for biofuel production.
Researchers analyzed a new ice core from Antarctica, finding that recent glacier changes are at the 'upper bound' of normal. The study suggests that rapid thinning and warming in the region cannot be confidently attributed to human-caused global warming.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new procedure that thickens and thins fluid at the micron level, potentially saving consumers and manufacturers money. The process creates a permanent scaffold-like network that could be useful for biological applications, such as detecting certain diseases.
Researchers found that excess tumor necrosis factor production initially kills TB pathogens, but later encourages their growth. Certain drug combinations can reverse this effect, potentially reverting hypersusceptibility to hyperresistance.
Volunteers are transcribing decades-old pen strokes from historic log entries to add to the climate record, revealing past weather and climate patterns. The project aims to provide valuable data for scientists studying the Arctic's dramatic melt back.
Researchers identified rare variants in genes involved with the NMDA receptor network, which regulate brain cell connections and signal transmissions. These findings support the hypothesis that decreased NMDA receptor-mediated nerve-signal transmissions contribute to schizophrenia.
A new study reveals that diversity training programs can create an illusion of corporate fairness, leading people to believe work environments are equitable despite hiring, promotion, or salary inequities. The researchers recommend that companies examine their records to determine the effectiveness of diversity and mentoring programs.
Researchers found that head-on collisions between replication and transcription machineries lead to faster mutations in genes on the lagging strand. This accelerated mutation rate may help bacteria adapt to environmental changes, but also increases structural variations in proteins.
Dolly Varden trout in Alaska's Chignik Lake watershed use their intestines to gorge on salmon eggs, doubling in size, then shrink back down after the food pulse ends. This adaptation helps them survive months of scarcity and thrive despite nutrient-poor environments.
King Holmes won the prestigious award for his global scientific contributions to sexually transmitted diseases and their effective treatment and prevention. His research has led to diagnostic tests and standard-of-care therapies for conditions like human papilloma virus, gonorrhea, and genital herpes.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new method to analyze single cells using quantum dots, allowing for the simultaneous testing of up to 100 biomarkers. This breakthrough enables more accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer by examining a cell's unique behavior at its molecular level.
New research reveals that poor simulation of cloud cover in the Southern Ocean is the primary contributor to climate models' glitch in tropical rainfall. The study found that excessive sunlight reaching the ocean surface causes heat accumulation, leading to incorrect rainfall forecasts.
Researchers at the University of Washington are studying the sediment's fate after the removal of the Elwha Dam, which has released an estimated 34 million cubic yards of silt and sand into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The sediments' ultimate fate is crucial for understanding their impact on the ocean floor and marine life.
A new study led by the University of Washington found that certain South American mammals evolved long, strong teeth in response to the gritty dust and volcanic ash they encountered while feeding in an ancient tropical forest. The discovery contradicts the 140-year-old assumption about the evolution of specialized teeth.
A study found that even organic foods not stored, prepared, or cooked in plastic containers can contain phthalates and bisphenol A. High levels of these chemicals were detected in dairy products, spices, and children's bodies.
Biologists at the University of Washington have found that mutant bacteria can escape extinction when environmental conditions worsen gradually or moderately. The study shows that 'relay team' of mutations emerging under these conditions provides protection against extreme stress, increasing chances of survival.
Researchers found that warmer ocean temperatures weaken mussels' fibrous threads, making them more prone to detachment. This can have cascading effects on the marine food web and commercial mussel farming.
A European Space Agency satellite confirms a University of Washington analysis that the Arctic has lost more than a third of its summer sea-ice volume since 2012. The Arctic is now shrinking and thinning, with summer ice volume estimated to be one-fifth of what it was in 1980.
Researchers discovered a hierarchical warning scheme used by song sparrows to ward off trespassing rivals, including matching the intruder's song, soft songs, and wing waves. The study found that birds who matched the intruder's song were most likely to attack, adding nuance to their complex communication system.
A new report shows a 50% increase in speech comprehension in background noise after a three-week auditory training program for children with hearing impairments. The effect was still evident three months later, indicating the development of new hearing and listening strategies.
Researchers are using smartphone pressure sensors to develop better weather forecasting techniques, which could significantly improve short-term forecasts. The PressureNet app collects data from Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy S3 and Nexus 4 smartphones, and Motorola Xoom tablets.
A new University of Washington study reveals the Cyclone in 2012 did not cause the record low for Arctic sea ice minimum. Instead, it suggests that natural warming trends and thin ice were the primary factors contributing to the melting.
A new study published in the American Sociological Review found that sex frequency is linked to the types of household chores each spouse completes, rather than just the division of labor. Married couples who follow traditional gender roles around the house reported greater sexual frequency.
Scientists have determined the exact structure of humulones, substances derived from hops in beer, which could be used to develop new pharmaceuticals. The findings overturn previous results and provide insights into the beneficial effects of moderate beer consumption on health.
A team of researchers at the University of Washington has discovered an organic ferroelectric molecule with promising properties for memory, sensing, and energy storage. The molecule offers a range of benefits, including lower costs, flexibility, and reduced toxicity.
A new study by researchers at the University of Washington and in Indonesia has found that the population of critically endangered Sulawesi black macaques has stabilized over the past decade. The long-term survey, which began in 1999, shows a gradual increase in the number of groups and individuals per square kilometer, with the popula...
A study published in Brain and Language found that the anatomy of certain brain areas in infants can predict their language abilities at 1 year old. Infants with greater gray and white matter in the cerebellum and hippocampus showed improved language skills.
Clear risk factors have been identified for prolonged sports concussion symptoms, including four or more initial symptoms and drowsiness. These findings could change return to play guidelines, prioritizing individualized assessments rather than one-size-fits-all policies.
A new international study finds that black carbon, a byproduct of smoke and smog, contributes twice as much to global warming as previously estimated. The research suggests that controlling emissions can deliver more immediate climate benefits than reducing carbon dioxide.
A University of Washington-led study found that the potential harvest of most fish stocks is largely unrelated to abundance, with only 18% controlled by abundance. Environmental conditions and regime shifts play a significant role in determining productivity, highlighting the need for improved management methods.
New research reveals that salmon stocks varied greatly on centuries-long time cycles, with fluctuations lasting up to 200 years. The study found that natural variations in salmon abundance were as large as those due to human harvests, and that some regions showed different changes over time.
Researchers discovered that Tip-dendritic cells activate naive CD8+ T cells to recognize myelin protein, leading to autoimmune reactivity. This finding sheds light on the complex role of CD8+ T cells in multiple sclerosis pathology.
Researchers at UW and PNNL will collaborate on advanced computer system designs, accelerating data-driven scientific discovery and improving computational modeling and simulation. The institute aims to solve pressing problems like climate change, energy management, and disease determination.
Researchers discovered that babies differentiate between native and foreign languages just hours after birth, indicating they absorb language while still in the womb. The study shows fetuses learn prenatally about specific speech sounds of a mother's language.
A team of scientists discovered that the ancient piranha relative Megapiranha paranensis had a bite force that could crush bone and pierce through thick shells, rivaling even the mighty T. rex. The study, published in Scientific Reports, used computer simulations to estimate the bite forces of living and extinct piranhas.
Scientists detected over 2,100 unique microbial species in two large dust plumes originating in Asia, significantly higher than the 18 found using traditional culturing methods. The discovery challenges existing understanding of the atmosphere as a conveyor belt and highlights its potential as an ecosystem.
Researchers discovered how Yersinia pestis avoids triggering the immune system's early alarm, establishing a stronghold without self-destructing. This finding may lead to new vaccine development and treatments for inflammatory disorders, such as stroke, heart attack, lupus, and autoimmune diseases.