A University of Washington group has launched a unique Design Help Desk to match science students with design consultants, aiming to improve figure creation and convey complex information clearly. The drop-in clinic offers free service Mondays and Wednesdays, primarily for graduate students in science and engineering.
Current climate models fail to account for the relationship between atmosphere and soil, leading to underestimated temperature variability and increased food production risk. This could lead to serious effects on crop yields, particularly in Europe and the Americas.
The US is facing a growing threat of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea, with treatment options rapidly dwindling due to increasing antibiotic resistance. The CDC has seen a 17-fold increase in drug susceptibility, leading scientists to call for collective action from healthcare providers and drug companies.
Researchers found a gene, LTA4H, that influences inflammation to TB infection, predicting drug therapy effectiveness. This discovery suggests tailoring treatment based on patients' genetic sequences could improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Washington have advanced a technique called metagenomics, allowing them to single out a marine microorganism and map its genome even though it comprised only 7 percent of a water sample. The resulting genome offers hints that Euryarchaeota might serve as a cleanup crew after diatoms bloom and die.
Engineers at the University of Washington have discovered ferroelectricity in the walls of arteries, a finding that could have significant biomedical implications. The study found clear evidence of ferroelectric switching in a sample of pig aorta, which may also apply to human tissue.
A recent study published in PLoS One suggests that preserving habitat near national parks is crucial for the conservation of large mammals in the Cerrado region. By leaving a significant portion of land adjacent to the park as natural habitat, animals can roam and find suitable habitats outside the protected area.
A commentary in Nature suggests that the economic pain of a flattening oil supply will trump environmental concerns, with production hitting a wall around 2005. Stagnant oil supplies and volatile prices take a toll on the world economy, with oil production decline expected to continue.
New University of Washington research reveals that injecting sulfate particles into the stratosphere will only partially mitigate climate change. The study suggests that even with increased aerosols, regional warming and extreme weather events could still occur.
Researchers discovered that homeless individuals with severe alcohol problems cut their heavy drinking by 35% when provided with stable housing. The study also showed a decrease in instances of delirium tremens and improved overall health.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that fruit flies use polarization patterns of natural skylight to maintain their heading while traveling. This finding suggests that many insects possess a navigational system, which could be studied using genetics research.
The University of Washington is providing a common, open-source platform for surgical robots to facilitate collaboration and innovation in the field. Five systems will be shipped to top universities including Harvard and Johns Hopkins, allowing researchers to share software and replicate experiments.
A study analyzing human gut microbes as a complex system reveals patterns corresponding to excess body weight. The researchers found organizational shifts away from a normal state in the gut flora of obese individuals, which may account for their increased energy extraction capacity.
Scientists found that a low-pressure pattern in the Arctic Oscillation caused Russian river water to flow into the Beaufort Sea, freshening it. The phenomenon has significant implications for global climate, as freshwater can protect sea ice and affect ocean circulation.
Scientists found that hot chilies in dry areas produce fewer seeds due to reduced water efficiency, while non-pungent plants dominate in wetter regions where the fungus thrives. Pungency increases along a 185-mile line from dry to wetter regions.
Research reveals that the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere facilitate the transformation of elemental mercury into oxidized mercury, which can be deposited into aquatic ecosystems. This process enables mercury to enter the food chain, posing environmental risks.
Historical analysis of lake sediments reveals nitrogen pollution from human activities has polluted remote lakes worldwide for over a century. The findings suggest that excess nitrogen contributes to smog, acid rain, and water pollution in these ecosystems.
A combination of lamotrigine and valproate significantly reduced seizure frequency in patients with very difficult-to-control epilepsy. The treatment regimen, out of 32 tested combinations, showed superior efficacy compared to other regimens.
Salmonella forms two genetically identical types, each with an advantage in infection and evasion. The bacteria's ability to produce flagellin triggers a self-destructive response in immune cells, but restricting production helps it colonize hosts.
Research suggests that tropical sea-surface temperatures may contribute to accelerated melting of Antarctic glaciers, such as Pine Island and Thwaites, due to westerly winds. This phenomenon is linked to changes in atmospheric circulation influenced by warmer-than-usual sea-surface temperatures in the central tropics.
The University of Washington is developing an early earthquake warning system with a $2 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The system will place sensors along the coast to record the first signals from a major earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone, providing warning for very large coastal earthquakes.
A study published in Journal of Adolescent Health found that nearly 40 percent of young adults who tried suicide made their first attempt in elementary or middle school. This suggests that early mental health programs may be necessary to address chronic mental health problems, which often begin during childhood and adolescence.
A new study finds that using sustainably managed forests and utilizing wood for long-lived products can remove existing carbon dioxide from the air. The strategy also suggests using wood wastes for biofuels to displace fossil fuels, resulting in up to a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics when starved due to the ability of outer layer cells to sense nutrients, producing a protective mechanism against toxic oxygen radicals. Disrupting this function could improve treatment for infections.
A national study has found that LGBT seniors face unique challenges in aging, including higher rates of disability, depression, and loneliness. The study highlights the need for prevention and intervention strategies to address their specific needs.
A long-term study found that early, intensive glucose-lowering therapy in type 1 diabetes patients prevented impaired glomerular filtration rates and reduced the risk of end-stage kidney disease. Participants who received intensive therapy showed a 50% lower risk of developing impaired GFR over a median follow-up period of 22 years.
Foldit players employed creative strategies to solve protein structure puzzles, codifying and sharing their approaches. The study reveals the flexible nature of gamer intelligence and its potential for solving complex scientific problems.
Researchers have solved the long-standing mystery of Garrod's fourth inborn error of metabolism by identifying two different DCXR mutations linked to pentosuria in Ashkenazi Jews. This discovery sheds light on historical and geographical patterns of human genetic mutations, providing a new understanding of the condition.
A new genome sequencing method has identified mutations in 12 genes linked to inherited ovarian and related cancers. The test, called BROCA, could become a single test for screening broad range of cancers.
A new report from the University of Washington shows that housing and healthcare costs are driving an 8% increase in Washington's cost of living. The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2011 reveals that families need significantly higher incomes to meet basic needs, with some areas experiencing massive increases.
Researchers have collected rare boninite lava at the West Mata volcano, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of subduction zones. The discovery offers a unique opportunity to study the chemical and mineralogical variations of this ancient rock type in a pristine specimen.
Students at the University of Washington have developed a low-technology solution to turn slash piles into biochar, a crumbly charcoal-like product that helps farmers' soil hold water and nutrients. The new method is estimated to be cost-effective and could transform what was once a big problem into a money-making engine for landowners.
Differences in jet lag severity may be rooted in how the circadian clock sets itself, with advanced and delayed mechanisms differing at a molecular level. This finding could provide clues for understanding jet lag and offer potential remedies.
Researchers at the University of Washington and Kettering University have developed a tool to optimize grocery store display case designs, reducing energy consumption by up to 15%. The team tested various air curtain speeds, angles, and factors to minimize warm air infiltration into chilled compartments.
Researchers found most college students using only one or two technology devices to support single activities, such as coursework and communication. Despite being 'heavy multitaskers', they employ self-styled strategies to limit technology use during exam periods.
New research suggests that simple life, such as photosynthetic algae, could have survived the extreme conditions of a 'snowball Earth' event. A long, narrow body of water like the Red Sea would create enough resistance to glacial ice, allowing open water and light to coexist.
A new study found that babies at 15 months old can distinguish between fair and unfair food distribution, with those showing a greater willingness to share displaying increased sensitivity to such violations. This suggests that early childhood is an essential period for nurturing human egalitarianism and cooperation.
A community-based prevention system led to significant decreases in teen alcohol use, smoking, and delinquency. After external support ended, these reductions persisted, indicating a lasting impact.
The University of Washington and Washington State University are leading two separate $40 million grants to develop a regional biofuels industry in the Pacific Northwest. The projects aim to produce cellulosic fuels from woody biomass, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. Successful demonstration projects will lay the foundat...
A new model has successfully predicted Arctic sea ice conditions up to five years into the future. The research shows that measuring ice thickness in September can provide a reliable gauge for the summer's low ebb. This prediction is important for shipping, oil exploration, and conservation efforts.
Researchers at the University of Washington have created a novel proton-based transistor that can communicate directly with living organisms. The device uses protons instead of electrons and has potential applications in biological sensing, prosthetics, and even controlling certain biological processes.
A team of gamers solved the molecular structure of a retrovirus enzyme using online game Foldit, achieving results in just three weeks. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-AIDS drugs by targeting specific features on the molecule.
Researchers at University of Washington discovered that salmon and other fish predators maintain huge gut capacity to capitalize on unpredictable pulses of food. This 'no guts, no glory' survival tactic allows them to survive despite regular periods of famine.
A new study analyzing over 3 million tweets, YouTube content, and blog posts finds that social media played a central role in the Arab Spring. Conversations about freedom and democracy were carried across international borders, inspiring stories of protest and organizing political action.
Researchers found a genetic defect in the GATA2 gene that predisposes people to acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplasia. The mutation affects the production of healthy white blood cells, increasing the risk of severe infections.
A new study found that bilingual babies' brains remain flexible to languages for a longer period, possibly due to greater exposure to speech sounds at home. Bilingual infants also produced more words in the dominant language, while monolinguals lagged behind.
A new study finds that working mothers who expect they can't do it all are at a higher risk for depression. The study reveals that women who have a supermom attitude, believing their work and family life can be combined with ease, actually experience more depression symptoms than those with a more realistic view.
Scientists used a computer-generated global climate model to show that polar sea ice can recover if the planet cools again, even if it's completely lost due to warming. The research suggests that there is no 'tipping point' beyond which the ice cannot recover.
Oren Etzioni proposes a future where computers can find answers by analyzing data on the internet, going beyond keyword searches. The University of Washington's Turing Center has developed an open-source tool called ReVerb to achieve this goal.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a tool that can take hundreds of digital portraits and create an animation of a person's face in seconds. The software aligns faces and chooses photos with similar expressions to produce smooth transitions, allowing users to see how a person's expression changes over time.