Researchers at the University of Washington have devised a theory that links uncertainty in climate change with climate sensitivity. The theory, published in Science, provides a yardstick for testing climate models and shows that small uncertainties can be amplified into large ones.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed genetically engineered poplar plants capable of taking up to 91% of trichloroethylene, a common groundwater contaminant. The transgenic plants can break down pollutants into harmless byproducts at rates 100 times faster than unaltered plants.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed Vocal Joystick, a device that uses voice commands to control cursor movement and other screen interactions. The technology has shown promising results in early tests, allowing experienced users to achieve similar levels of control as those using traditional interfaces.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is partnering with ResearchChannel to create science-themed programming for cable television, the Internet, and other media. The partnership will feature lectures from distinguished scientists, panel discussions on ongoing NSF-funded research, and institutional research series.
A study published by the University of Washington found that urban bird species can endure a wider range of environmental conditions than their rural counterparts. The researchers discovered that these birds have adapted to survive in cities, which are often harsher habitats than their natural environments.
A rare albino ratfish with a crystalline layer on its skin was caught off Whidbey Island, marking the first time such a specimen has been seen by both experts and scientists. The fish's unusual appearance is due to a gene mutation that prevents it from producing melanin.
Researchers are analyzing the likely effects of climate change on the state's health over the next century. They will recommend strategies to mitigate and prevent anticipated public health problems, including heat-related illnesses, air and water quality issues, and disease migration.
New research reveals neutron has negative charge at inner core and outer edge, with positive charge in between to balance it. The discovery changes scientific understanding of how neutrons interact with electrons and protons, with implications for the strong force and atomic nuclei.
A study on Gambel's white-crowned sparrows reveals that the brain regions controlling singing behavior shrink rapidly after testosterone withdrawal, leading to neuron loss and apoptosis. This natural phenomenon may hold potential medical implications for understanding age-related degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and dementia.
A new multilingual search tool developed at the University of Washington's Turing Center allows people to search for images on the Web using hundreds of languages. The tool, named PanImages, automatically translates the search term into about 300 other languages and displays images from Google and Flickr.
Researchers at the University of Washington used functional MRI to study brain connectivity in dyslexic children. A three-week instructional program improved their ability to connect letters and sounds, normalizing brain activity patterns. The study suggests that temporal connectivity is crucial for reading skills.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new emergency treatment using high-intensity focused ultrasound to seal punctured lungs. The technique, inspired by Star Trek technology, shows promise in replacing painful and invasive procedures for lung injuries.
Researchers found a strong correlation between median home prices and local obesity rates, with 2% drop for every $100,000 increase. The study also revealed six-fold disparities in obesity rates across the Seattle metropolitan area, with disadvantaged areas affected the most.
Researchers developed a method to create cardiac muscle cells from embryonic stem cells, which then survived and thrived in damaged rat hearts. The treatment showed promise in improving heart function and thickness of walls after a heart attack.
Researchers found that companies connected through a small world network exhibit increased innovation and creativity, thanks to clustering and reach. This structure enables information exchange and cooperation among firms, leading to improved innovation outcomes.
Research found that older climbers (60+) have a sharply higher chance of dying if they reach the summit compared to younger climbers. The overall chances of reaching the summit dropped to 13% for those in their 60s, and the death rate more than tripled to 5%.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed software that allows for real-time visualization of air flow around speeding cars, creating a new effect for racing coverage. The technology uses Navier-Stokes equations to simulate complex systems quickly, enabling interactive simulations in video games and other applications.
No-till agriculture is more sustainable than conventional plow-based methods, which increase soil erosion. By preserving crop stubble and using disking, no-till farming builds soil fertility and stores carbon, offering a win-win solution for climate change.
A study by researchers at the University of Washington found that excessive exposure to baby DVDs and videos can slow down infants' vocabulary acquisition. Infants who watched these productions for an hour a day understood an average of six to eight fewer words than those who did not watch them.
University of Washington scientists track six penguins' movements using satellite technology to model energy requirements, understand breeding habits, and assess impact of human activities on their migration route. The project aims to improve conservation efforts for the Magellanic Penguin species.
Researchers have found clear evidence that a major Alaskan earthquake in 2002 triggered tremor episodes on Vancouver Island, revealing the presence of slow-slip events in a subduction zone. The tremors were measured by seismometers and lasted about 15 seconds, providing valuable insights into the rupture process.
Researchers have discovered large colonies of glass sponges thriving on the seafloor off Washington state, extending the range of reef-building species into open ocean. The sponge reefs support a dense ecosystem of sea life, including zooplankton, fish and crustaceans, in a previously sparsely populated area.
Gambel's white-crowned sparrows use testosterone to trigger seasonal growth of brain regions responsible for song production. The study found that deafened birds still grew larger song control areas as large as hearing birds, but sang less often.
A new study from the University of Washington finds that domestic violence and psychological distress can lead to increased unemployment, especially among adolescent mothers. The research followed 234 women for 13 years and found that those with high levels of psychological distress were more likely to be unemployed.
A new study found that cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup have similar effects on appetite and food intake in beverages. Researchers compared four caloric beverages and found no differences in how they affected hunger and calorie consumption.
A new study finds that children whose mothers were exposed to second-hand smoke during pregnancy exhibit more symptoms of ADHD and conduct disorder compared to those with no prenatal exposure. The research suggests that nicotine affects brain development during pregnancy, leading to behavioral problems in children.
Researchers at the University of Washington have found a significant link between teenage violence and domestic violence in young adulthood. Adolescents who exhibit violent behavior over time are more likely to engage in domestic violence, with nearly twice as many women as men perpetrating abuse in the past year.
The ENCODE consortium, led by the University of Washington, has completed a multi-year research effort to boost understanding of how the human genome functions. The study focuses on non-gene sequences, revealing regulatory elements that control gene expression and DNA packaging.
A new study of over 7,800 high school sophomores found that boys are exposed to more risk factors and less protection for serious delinquency than girls. Boys were twice as likely to engage in seven serious delinquent behaviors, including being arrested or carrying a handgun.
Researchers Philip Mote and Georg Kaser attribute Kilimanjaro's ice decline primarily to solar radiation and sublimation, rather than atmospheric warming. The decrease in snowfall and energy absorption by the ice also contribute to its shrinking size.
A recent study by researchers from the US, China, and Japan found consistent positive implicit self-esteem among university students from three countries. The study used the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to measure automatic attitudes towards oneself, revealing high levels of positive self-associations across cultures.
Double cycling, a technique that loads and unloads ships simultaneously, has the potential to increase port efficiency by up to 20% and reduce crane trips by half. By loading and unloading containers at the same time, trucks can drop off one container while picking up another, reducing the need for additional truck trips.
A Humboldt penguin was found in Alaskan waters, and researchers believe it was brought there by being kept as a pet on a fishing boat. The penguins were probably kept by the crews of the vessels, which would have traveled far north from their native southern waters.
Researchers found that young birds learned more than half of their songs by eavesdropping on adult tutors interacting with another bird. Direct interaction with a tutor accounted for only 19% of the songs, highlighting the role of eavesdropping in song learning.
A new study by the University of Washington found that 40% of 3-month-old infants and 90% of 2-year-olds regularly watch TV, DVDs, or videos. The researchers discovered that parents cite educational value and enjoyment as reasons for allowing media exposure, but only half of this time is in children's educational categories.
Young children with autism have difficulty recognizing ordinary words and more of their brains are occupied with this kind of task compared to typically developing youngsters. Their brains slow down instead of becoming experts in word recognition.
Raven, a mobile surgical robot developed by the University of Washington, will operate in an underwater capsule off the coast of Florida, guided by surgeons in Seattle. The 12-day mission tests current technology for sending remote-controlled surgical robotic systems into space.
The draft sequence of the rhesus macaque genome will enable researchers to study disease progression at the genetic level, providing insights into human health and evolution. The findings also reveal unique aspects of the macaque's immune system response and genome organization.
Researchers have developed smart glasses with electrochromic materials that can change transparency and color using minimal power. The prototype lenses offer endless options on one accessory, improving depth perception and contrast, and avoiding drawbacks of existing photochromic lenses.
Researchers found that 18-month-old toddlers listen and watch emotional reactions directed by one adult to another, then use this emotional information to shape their own behavior. The study indicates infants understand other people's emotional states at a very young age.
Researchers found that red-breasted nuthatches can distinguish between high and low danger threats from the alarm calls of black-capped chickadees. The nuthatches' behavior suggests they learn to interpret the calls through complex social interactions, highlighting their intelligence and adaptability.
A new study has developed an antimicrobial approach using gallium to defeat drug-resistant bacteria. The researchers interfered with a key bacterial nutrient, killing microbes in laboratory experiments and eliminating life-threatening infections in mice.
A new study suggests that aging has evolved as a strategy to allow family lines to persist longer. By concentrating cellular damage in one individual, the rest of the line can continue to reproduce without harm. This asymmetric reproduction method may be favored by evolution due to its potential to increase longevity.
New research from the University of Washington suggests that understanding why employees choose to stay in their jobs is crucial for retaining good workers. The 'unfolding model' explains why employees leave, while 'job embeddedness' describes forces that keep workers engaged.
A recent study by Phil Howard and Kris Erickson found that 60% of breached-record incidents between 1980 and 2006 were caused by organizational mismanagement, such as missing or stolen hardware. The number of reported incidents more than tripled in 2005 and 2006 after California's pioneering Notice of Security Breach law took effect.
A new coaching intervention, known as the Mastery Approach to Coaching, was found to reduce sport anxiety and improve personal achievement goals in young athletes. The program, which emphasizes effort and supporting teammates over winning at all costs, also showed positive effects on academic motivation.
Researchers have discovered that rapid hurricane intensity changes can be attributed to clouds outside the eye forming a new eyewall. This finding has significant implications for hurricane forecasting, as it may enable forecasters to predict when a storm will change intensity and how strong it will become.
Research reveals significant differences in gene expression between individuals and populations, with individual-level factors dominating variations. This study challenges the notion of biological races, highlighting the importance of understanding human genetic variation for better disease treatment and drug development.
The ivory trade is driving organized crime in Africa and Asia, with the black-market price rising to $750 per kilogram. Western nations must reinstate strong enforcement efforts to stop the trade and protect elephant populations.
Researchers developed Photo Tourism software that maps multiple photos into a 3D virtual world, solving the problem of navigating large photo collections. The technology has potential for real estate, museums, hotels, archaeologists, biologists, military, and sports enthusiasts to create interactive visual representations.