A study found racial and ethnic disparities in patient health-care experiences, with minority patients facing poorer communication, access to care, and care coordination. The study suggests that targeting low-performing practices with high minority patient concentrations can improve patient experience and quality.
Researchers found that boys who experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse were more likely to use sexually coercive behavior against an unwilling female partner. Men who experienced both types of abuse were 4.5 times more likely to engage in such behavior.
The NIAID has awarded a contract to the University of Washington to analyze and model virus-host interactions for SARS and bird flu. The research program will use systems biology approaches to generate predictive models that can be experimentally validated, providing valuable resources for the scientific community.
Scientists have created a new compound that selectively kills cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, offering hope for more effective chemotherapy drugs. The compound targets cancer cells' high iron levels, delivering toxic molecules that ultimately lead to cell death.
New research suggests that glacial dams formed at the mouths of tributaries helped prevent the Tsangpo River from carving into the Tibetan Plateau. These dams, made of moraines and debris, flattened the river's slope and reduced its ability to cut into the surrounding terrain.
The study provides clues about the function of phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) enzyme, essential to vision. PDE6 undergoes a large conformational change after binding with small messenger molecule cGMP, affecting its ability to transmit signals to the brain.
A two-year study of over 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes found that depression was associated with a 36% increased risk of dying from any cause. Participants with both diabetes and depression were more likely to be female, have severe medical illness, and less likely to be African-American.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that 10-month-old infants who used a plastic cane to retrieve a toy were better able to understand another person's goal than those who only watched. The study suggests that active, hands-on experience is more effective for learning than observation.
Researchers at University of Washington create Adeona, a free laptop theft-protection tool that uses internet and camera to track stolen laptops while maintaining user privacy. The tool has been downloaded over 50,000 times and can be used on desktops, laptops, and Linux machines.
New research by psychologists at the University of Washington indicates that 12- and 18-month-old babies are using their self-experience to judge what other people can see. This 'self-experience model' allows them to attribute internal thoughts and feelings to others, demonstrating an early form of role-taking.
New simulations suggest that stars like our sun can migrate great distances in galaxies similar to the Milky Way, potentially altering our view of habitable zones. This finding could change scientists' understanding of where and how life could evolve in a galaxy.
Paleontologists have found a previously unknown amphibious predator species named Kryostega collinsoni, which had large teeth on the roof of its mouth, similar to those at the edge. The discovery sheds new light on Antarctica's climate during the Triassic period and suggests that it was warmer than today.
A study found a link between a chromosomal aberration at 1q21.1 and various developmental disorders in children, including mental retardation, growth issues, seizures, autism, and heart defects. The researchers suggest that the aberration may contribute to subtle disorders in carriers who appear unaffected.
A recent study found that white Americans' attitudes towards blacks were affected when exposed to video presentations blaming the government's response on racism or incompetence. Whites displayed strong positive attitudes towards themselves rather than negative ones towards blacks, according to the research.
A team of US engineers has successfully developed software that enables deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL) over mobile phones. The breakthrough allows for real-time video communication, making it a significant improvement over text messaging, which can convey emotion but is slower.
The P4P system drastically cuts network load through local file-sharing, with average data packets traveling just 160 miles and making fewer metro-hops. Local file sharing increased nearly tenfold from 6% to 58%, providing a basis for the future of peer-to-peer systems.
Researchers have successfully sequenced the complete genome of a microbe that eats methylamine, a form of ammonia, using lake mud as a sample. The study showcases a new method for discovering unknown organisms and has significant implications for understanding ecological cycles and monitoring microbial population shifts.
Researchers have successfully selected two sites for a pioneering seafloor laboratory off Washington and Oregon, thanks to the help of Sentry, an autonomous underwater vehicle. The lab will explore the ocean's ability to absorb greenhouse gases and study seafloor stresses that cause earthquakes and tsunamis.
A new study reveals that chili peppers' spiciness is a defense mechanism against microbial fungus that destroys seeds. The pungency acts as a unique defense, slowing down microbial growth and protecting the plant's progeny.
Researchers found that nearly 60% of tree species in Guam rely on native birds for seed dispersal, which could have significant impacts on forest ecosystems. The study suggests that the loss of native bird species due to invasive brown tree snakes may lead to reduced tree populations and altered ecosystem dynamics.
A new University of Washington study reveals that abstinence-only programs do not effectively prevent teenage sexual activity because they fail to speak the same language as adolescents. The research found that attitudes and intentions about sex were more powerful than those about abstinence, leading to increased instances of teen sex.
A University of Washington study reveals a massive intervention by the US prison system on American families, disproportionately affecting black males. The research found higher rates of infertility, infectious diseases like TB and HIV/AIDS, and increased migration to rural areas among black inmates.
A study has found that several people in South and Southeast Asian countries have been infected with simian foamy virus, a primate virus that has not been shown to cause human disease. Researchers tested about 300 people who live or work closely with monkeys and found eight participants positive for the virus.
The elephant death rate from poaching in Africa has increased to 8% a year, with most recent studies indicating that hunters are targeting specific herds. The situation is worse than ever before, and the public is unaware of the giant mammals' plight.
Researchers found previously reported dinosaur soft tissues were actually bacterial biofilms, created by bacteria that coated the voids once occupied by blood vessels and cells. The discovery challenges the notion of preserved dinosaur tissues still surviving.
Researchers found that parasitic flies in bee cells affect the size and behavior of emerging bees. Smaller bees are more likely to act as workers, while larger ones become queens. The study suggests that parasites may promote sociality in certain situations.
Scientists have discovered over 80 new proteins in seminal fluid that can influence the reproductive success of fruit flies. The discovery sheds light on how males and females interact through protein transfer during mating, revealing a complex interplay between cooperation and competition.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered that cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections can cause longer hospital and intensive-care unit stays in patients without compromised immune systems. The study found that approximately 30% of ICU patients exhibited active CMV infection, leading to extended hospital stays.
A University of Washington study reveals that dozens of toxic chemicals are emitted by top-selling laundry products and air fresheners, with none listed on product labels. The study highlights the need for better labeling and reduced exposure to potentially hazardous fragrances.
Researchers found that adolescent girls who experienced serious school failures were significantly more likely to develop depression by age 21 compared to their male counterparts. The study also revealed that early conduct problems in elementary school increased the risk of depression in early adulthood for girls, but not boys.
Studies found that patients with Huntington's disease have higher levels of immune-system signaling molecules, called cytokines, in their brain tissue. This suggests that the protein produced by the Huntington's disease genetic mutation is causing an overactive immune response, leading to damage to neurons in the brain.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a model for effective physician-patient communication that enhances quality of care while using time wisely. The model focuses on establishing rapport, understanding the patient's perspective, and reaching a mutual agreement on a plan, allowing physicians to be more efficient w...
Research from the University of Washington reveals that young Asian-American immigrants face higher rates of anxiety and depression due to early stressors. This study challenges traditional measures of socio-economic status, highlighting the importance of subjective social status in predicting mental health outcomes.
Scientists have discovered that inhibiting an enzyme involved in programmed cell death can protect brain regions from neurodegeneration in living birds. The research has the potential to help develop clinical strategies for treating strokes and human age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia.
Penguin populations are declining rapidly due to climate change, oil pollution, and habitat destruction. Conservation biologist Dee Boersma calls for regular monitoring of penguin colonies to understand the impact of environmental changes on the world's oceans.
The WebAnywhere service reads aloud web text on any computer with speakers or headphones, making it accessible to the visually impaired. Users can access the internet without installing special screen-reading software, eliminating the need for local technical support.
Scientists have successfully used quantum dots to deliver gene-silencing tools (siRNA) into cells, achieving 2% protein production compared to 13-51% with existing methods. The new approach is also five-to-ten times less toxic to cells.
A new University of Washington study has found that scientifically validated prevention programs can significantly reduce the rate of juvenile delinquency in US communities. The study tracked over 4,400 students for five years and found that towns with prevention programs had a 27% lower rate of delinquent behavior.
Research at the University of Washington suggests that faulty brain connections might be responsible for social impairments in adults with autism. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare brain activity in individuals with high-functioning autism and typically developed adults while looking at faces.
A new study by the University of Washington found that natural scenes can reduce heart rate and decrease stress faster than technological representations. When participants spent more time looking at a natural scene through a window, their heart rates decreased faster, whereas this effect was not observed when watching a similar scene ...
Paleontologists have discovered fossilized burrows of tetrapods in Antarctica, dating back to the Early Triassic epoch. The burrows were created when sand poured into animal dens and hardened, preserving track marks and scratch marks from the animals' initial excavation.
According to a University of Washington study, teenagers attending college are significantly less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior than those who do not attend college. The study found that college students were more likely to always use a condom and less likely to engage in casual sex or high-risk sex.
Researchers at University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University propose that shuffling emerged as a precursor to bipedal behavior to conserve metabolic energy. For distances less than 30 feet, shuffling would be efficient, while longer distances would favor all fours.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that popular biofuel sources like corn-based ethanol may have negative environmental impacts. The authors recommend promoting sustainable alternatives such as switchgrass or algae-based fuels, and implementing policies to minimize land usage and energy consumption.
Foldit, a computer game, harnesses players' skills to predict protein folding, a crucial step in understanding biological mysteries. Researchers aim to identify 'protein-folding prodigies' who can speed up the process and potentially find cures for diseases like HIV.
Research shows that tropical species are more vulnerable to climate change due to their narrow temperature range, making them more susceptible to extinction with warming of just a degree or two. This is because they live near their thermal optimum and cannot cope with temperatures beyond that range.
Researchers have completed a nationwide consortium to sequence structural variations in the human genome, revealing 1695 regions of variation and discovering previously unknown DNA segments. The study provides a comprehensive map of genetic differences among individuals, shedding light on their role in human health and disease.
Researchers have linked ribosomes and Gcn4 to the pathways related to dietary response and aging. The study found that mutations to the large ribosomal subunit led to increased lifespan, and treating cells with a drug specifically targeting the large subunits made them live longer.
Researchers found that surface meltwater is responsible for only a few percent of the movement of Greenland's outlet glaciers, despite being a major factor in their acceleration. Meltwater is instead thought to play a more significant role in calving events, which contribute to ice loss.
The University of Washington is leading a $6.25M project to develop an electronic Sherlock Holmes system for complex data analysis in the military. The system will integrate various types of sensor data to predict behavior and make decisions, addressing the challenge of handling high degrees of complexity and uncertainty.