The University of Washington has been awarded a $4 million grant to develop bacteria that can turn methane in natural gas into diesel fuel. The team aims to capture wasted natural gas and use bacteria to convert it into energy-rich molecules, which will then be converted into diesel.
Researchers found no significant improvement in traumatic brain injury treatment with intracranial pressure monitoring, suggesting a need for more focused and less unnecessary treatment. The study's findings bring new energy to the management of traumatic brain injury, an 'orphan disease' that affects millions worldwide.
A crowdsourcing site has compiled a new lexicon of signs for scientific and technical terms in American Sign Language (ASL). The ASL-STEM Forum, launched by the University of Washington, allows members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to build their own guide to the evolving lexicon of science.
New research from the University of Washington suggests that a decrease in nitrogen-15 levels in Greenland ice core samples is linked to increased atmospheric acidity. The decline in nitrogen-15 has been attributed to sulfur dioxide emissions, which form sulfuric acid in the atmosphere.
Researchers discovered that moths use two distinct olfactory channels to navigate their food sources. The first channel governs their innate preferences for certain flowers, while the second allows them to learn about alternate sources of nectar. This study provides insights into how moths survive in changing floral environments.
Researchers uncover fossils of a previously unknown species, Nyasasaurus parringtoni, that is believed to be the earliest dinosaur or closest relative yet. The discovery pushes back the origins of dinosaur lineage by 10-15 million years and reveals characteristics common to early dinosaurs.
Research in the Russian Far East has revealed a seismic and volcanic hotbed, with potential to trigger tsunamis that affect the entire Pacific Basin. Thousands of people were killed in tsunamis due to earthquakes in the region, highlighting the importance of studying these hazards.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a versatile platform to offer contraception and prevent HIV using electrically spun cloth with nanometer-sized fibers. The fabric can dissolve to release drugs, providing immediate or sustained protection against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
A new international study has reconciled measurements of ice sheet changes in Antarctica and Greenland, providing a more consistent estimate of their contribution to sea-level rise. The results show that the planet's two largest ice sheets have been losing ice faster during the past decade, causing widespread concern.
New research suggests that planets orbiting white or brown dwarfs are unlikely to support life due to the cooling and shrinking of their habitable zones. The study's findings indicate that such planets would have had to undergo a 'sterilization phase' in the past, making them dead for hosting life.
Researchers develop principles to generate ideal protein structures by consistently favoring specific folding patterns. This allows for the creation of robust and stable building blocks for engineered functional proteins, which could be useful in drug development, vaccine creation, and industrial applications.
A study of over 1 million DNA variations reveals most harmful protein-coding mutations emerged during the past 5,000 to 10,000 years. This finding highlights the profound impact of recent human evolutionary history on contemporary genetic disorders.
A review of existing studies found vitamin D associated with a significant reduction in tooth decay incidence in children. The findings support the importance of vitamin D for dental health and suggest a potential preventive role.
A study led by University of Washington researchers identifies unusual weather patterns that contributed to the 2010 India flood, which killed 193 people. The findings suggest that organized clouds in high mountains can tap into additional moisture from nearby bodies of water, leading to severe flash flooding.
Researchers identified a new mechanism allowing the toxic DUX4 protein to be produced in skeletal muscle, causing progressive muscle weakness. Mutations in the SMCHD1 gene cause chromatin relaxation, leading to DUX4 production.
A $2.6 million NSF-funded study will investigate the impact of a redesigned Advanced Placement (AP) science curriculum on student outcomes and educational progress. The research, led by University of Washington's Associate Professor Mark Long, aims to inform educators and policymakers in strengthening STEM teaching.
An autism intervention program that emphasizes social interactions has been found to improve cognitive skills and brain responses to faces, a building block for social skills. The program improved attention and cognition brain activity to social stimuli, making the brain function patterns more similar to typical developing children.
A new study by Katie Davis finds that digital media helps teens foster a sense of belonging and share personal problems, but the impact on autonomous self-development is unclear. Digital connectedness may support an outward-looking self, reliant on others for affirmation.
The Living Voters Guide has expanded to include fact-checking by Seattle Public Library staff, providing voters with credible information and signals as to what's believable. This initiative aims to promote constructive online debate and informed voting through a collaborative and user-friendly platform.
Researchers found that being married or having graduated from high school can buffer the severity of symptoms for adults who experienced child abuse. Childhood abuse was linked to lower scores on measures of well-being, such as self-esteem and life satisfaction.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a novel method for containing hot plasma using mug-handle-like coils, which require less energy than current methods. The new approach stabilizes the plasma, enabling more efficient fusion energy production.
A University of Washington bioengineer has developed a way to make regular paper stick to medically interesting molecules using a chemical trick. The new technique uses minimal equipment and can be used for any type of medical test, making it a potential cheap and easy solution for global health research.
A new regulator for heart formation has been discovered by studying DNA packaging in embryonic stem cells. The researchers found that specific genetic regulators are activated at distinct times during the process of transforming stem cells into heart muscle cells, revealing potential insights into human development and organ repair.
The tool analyzes a person's online reading habits for a month, calculating the political bias in their behavior. It then suggests sites that represent a different point of view and continues to monitor reading behavior, offering feedback.
Scientists found evidence that early microbes colonized land 2.75 billion years ago, producing oxygen and weathering minerals. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that life was limited to oceans during this period, suggesting a more significant role for microorganisms on land.
A new study using the UW tags recorded over 28,000 interactions among 34 crows, showing a surprising number of contacts between non-related crows. The technology allows researchers to study animal social interactions on an incredibly fine scale, revealing key insights into bird behavior and social networks.
A new tool allows people to monitor their lung function at home or on the go by blowing into their smartphones. The app, SpiroSmart, uses a phone's microphone to analyze sound wave frequencies and detect lung problems with accuracy within 5 percent of commercial devices.
A new study found that the area with sufficient snow cover for ringed seals to reproduce will disappear by almost 70% this century. The researchers anticipate that the loss of sea ice will lead to insufficient snow depth, causing caves to collapse and hindering the seals' ability to raise their pups.
A new study shows that crows react to threats in a human-like way, with brain regions activated similarly to those in mammals. The research used a novel approach to study bird behavior, involving awake crows wearing masks, and has implications for reducing stress in captive animals.
A study published in Science reveals that genetic changes associated with diseases impact the genome's regulatory circuitry, affecting gene expression rather than genes themselves. The research exposed previously hidden connections between different diseases and offers a new approach for pinpointing specific cell types involved in dise...
Scientists discovered two closely timed extinctions, one triggered by massive volcanic eruptions and another by an asteroid impact. The eruptions, which occurred 300,000 to 200,000 years before the asteroid hit, warmed the planet and killed marine life.
Researchers created detailed maps of regulatory DNA switches that dictate gene expression and developed a dictionary of the genome's programming language. The findings greatly expand our understanding of how genes are controlled and how this control may differ between normal and diseased cells.
Researchers have identified a conserved class of genes responsible for the development of double flowers in plants like Thalictrum thalictroides. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of flowering plants and their ability to coevolve with pollinators.
Researchers found that clonazepam alleviated autistic-like behavior in mice with a sodium ion channel defect. The study reveals how the mutated gene leads to overly excited brain circuits and impaired social interactions, shedding light on Dravet syndrome's underlying mechanisms.
Researchers at University of Washington suggest testing the concept of marine cloud brightening through a small-scale experiment. The study aims to investigate the feasibility and potential climatological impacts of adding sea salt particles to clouds over oceans, which could create a cooling effect on Earth.
A new statistical model predicts a significant increase in the number of people over 85 worldwide by 2100, outpacing previous estimates. This will result in fewer working-age adults supporting elderly populations, posing challenges for social security systems globally.
A 2010 survey found married moms spent more time between jobs and earned less after re-employment compared to married dads. The study suggests a 'motherhood penalty' in the workplace, where women's family decisions may signal a lack of commitment to work.
Scientists have identified biomarkers that predict rapid onset of liver damage in hepatitis C patients after a liver transplant. These markers appear soon after the transplant and before clinical evidence of liver damage, offering new hope for personalized monitoring and treatment options.
Researchers trained detection dogs to locate northern spotted owl pellets and feces, achieving a 87% detection probability compared to 59% for vocalization surveys. The cost-effective approach has potential as a complementary method for spotting owls in forests invaded by barred owls.
Researchers from the University of Washington's Polar Science Center have made a prediction for Arctic sea ice, expecting 4.4 million square kilometers of remaining ice, barely more than the 2007 record low. They improved their ability to predict by including new NASA sea ice thickness data collected by airplane.
Researchers have made a major advance in efforts to regenerate damaged hearts by transplanting human cardiac muscle cells that electrically couple and beat in sync with the heart's own muscle. These grafts reduced the incidence of arrhythmias in a guinea pig model of myocardial infarction.
Research shows that preserving a mix of streams with different temperatures supports salmon reproduction and provides an all-summer buffet for brown bears and gulls. This diversity allows predators to access salmon for up to three months, rather than just a few weeks.
Millions of HIV-infected individuals in sub-Saharan Africa are also infested with parasitic worms, which can lead to anemia, malnutrition, and impaired cognitive development. Integrating deworming into HIV care could delay the progression of HIV, reduce other infections, and increase responsiveness to vaccines.
Scientists have recorded over 60 unique songs from critically endangered bowhead whales, with the variety of tunes surprising and comparable to that of songbirds. The findings also suggest that bowhead whales may have a repertoire of songs they sing during a season, making them the only known whales to do so.
Scientists identify key players in the infection warning system within living cells, enhancing the body's defenses against viruses. RIG-I-like receptors and 14-3-3 epsilon protein interactions play a crucial role in detecting viral RNA and triggering an immune response.
The 'Control-Alt-Hack' game allows teenage and young-adult players to defend against digital threats in a social and entertaining way. The game incorporates real-world scenarios and skills, dispelling stereotypes about computer science professionals.
Researchers found that the HIV protein vpu interferes with the immune response protein IRF3, dampening the ability of the immune system to protect against virus infection. This discovery could lead to the development of new antiviral therapeutics that target this interaction.
A recent study found that multiracial adolescents are more similar to their white counterparts in terms of vulnerability to peer pressure. However, multiracial youth who reported higher rates of problem behaviors were more likely to come from poor families.
Researchers discovered rare variations in the DCTN4 gene among cystic fibrosis patients with early, chronic airway infections. The study suggests that exome sequencing can identify genetic factors behind complex traits like obesity and heart disease.
Scientists discover that ocean eddies, not sunlight, trigger the annual bloom of tiny plants in the North Atlantic, causing it to occur three weeks earlier than expected. This finding has significant implications for marine life, as many small sea animals rely on the phytoplankton for food and their timing is critical.