The UW smogmobile generates no emissions and can actually remove pollutants from the air as its fuel is produced. Its efficiency is currently around 20% due to a less-than-ideal motor design, but further development aims to increase range to match gas-powered vehicles.
Infants as young as 20 weeks old can produce three common vowel sounds by analyzing parentese, a unique form of speech used to communicate with babies. This study shows that parentese is characterized by over-articulation, making vowel sounds more distinct and expanding their range.
Jango, a new software robot developed by the University of Washington, uses a novel web navigation technology to automatically search the web for products and provide users with detailed information. The robot can initiate orders and protect user credit card information through encryption.
The University of Washington School of Pharmacy has developed a systematic approach to understanding drug interactions by focusing on the four or five enzymes that metabolize most drugs. This research is producing an understanding of the potential for adverse effects among thousands of drug combinations.
The discovery contradicts the 'sulfate paradigm' which suggested sulfates offset the cooling effect of greenhouse gases. New findings indicate a potential increase in global warming due to absorbing solar radiation, not reflecting it like sulfates.
A double-blind study found that vitamin E and C supplements reduced sensitivity to ozone exposure and improved pulmonary function in asthmatic volunteers. The study suggests antioxidant vitamins may benefit others exposed to chronic oxidative stress, such as smokers or industrial workers.
Diane Morrison, a University of Washington research associate professor, argues that parents need to teach their children about safe sexual behavior. She believes that if Americans want their kids to learn positive sexual values, parents should have open and honest conversations about sex, condoms, and birth control.
Researchers have found that penguins from the Punta Tombo reserve in southern Argentina travel more than 300 miles to find food, a significant increase from previously thought foraging ranges. The depletion of squid and other preferred foods is attributed to commercial fisheries and climate change.
Evidence suggests that neutrinos have mass and change flavors, altering our understanding of the elusive particles. Super-Kamiokande laboratory is tracking millions of particle reactions daily to gather data, which may confirm or rule out these theories.
A University of Washington study found that patients of certified nurse-midwives used 12% fewer resources than those of physicians, with lower rates of continuous fetal monitoring and epidural anesthesia. Midwives also delivered babies with a lower Caesarean-section rate compared to obstetricians.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a potential new target for therapeutic drugs to treat hepatitis C. The study found that a protein called NS5A can bind to and inactivate a key component of interferon response, PKR. This could lead to the development of a new treatment for the disease.
A University of Washington researcher found that the US Forest Service and Wilderness Society's conflicting old-growth forest estimates in the Pacific Northwest stem from differing mapping methods, technologies, and definitions. The study highlights how cultural and financial pressures influenced the final numbers.
A new analysis of 18 clinical trials found low-dose diuretic therapy to be highly effective in reducing the risk of stroke, congestive heart failure, coronary disease, and total mortality in patients with high blood pressure. Beta blockers also showed promise in preventing these complications.
Researchers find parallels between Mount St. Helens' recovery and the Indonesian volcano Krakatau's transformation from a devastated island to a thriving tropical rainforest. Plants establish a stable surface, holding back water and nutrients, allowing for gradual growth and revegetation. This process is key to understanding the renewa...
A national survey of 1,466 gay men and lesbians found that one out of four reported poor treatment, including verbal, physical, and sexual abuse. The study calls for the establishment of total quality assurance systems to ensure client safety and community input on service effectiveness.
A study by Elizabeth Loftus and colleagues found that people's imagination can sometimes make them believe they experienced fictional childhood events. In a series of experiments, subjects were asked to imagine fictitious events, such as breaking a window or getting in trouble for calling 911, and then reassessed their confidence in th...
Astronomers have discovered a 45-day cycle of radiation surges from V1159 Ori, a cataclysmic variable system. The energy release is due to hydrogen buildup around the white dwarf triggering a massive dump of material, resulting in an enormous energy surge.
Researchers studied 1,947 women and found that taking progestin with estrogen therapy reduces risk of endometrial cancer by four-fold, but risks increase with shorter progestin cycles. Women who took combination therapy for over five years had a higher risk of endometrial cancer compared to non-users.
A University of Washington study links hormone replacement therapy to an increased risk of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among women. Researchers discovered that post-menopausal women using hormone replacement therapy were over 70% more likely to suffer from TMD, while those taking oral contraceptives also showed a 20% higher risk.
A new weather-forecasting system using a powerful Sun Microsystems computer is providing the Pacific Northwest region with highly accurate temperature and wind forecasts. The system helps predict weather patterns such as snow, rain, and precipitation, enabling agencies to prepare for extreme weather events and issue air-quality alerts.
Scientists have developed spectral karyotyping, a powerful new way to visualize human chromosomes in a full-color palette. This technique allows for easy examination of chromosome changes that could lead to disease, such as missing or extra pieces, and can be used to identify chromosomal abnormalities linked to disease progression.
Astronomers have discovered a binary system featuring a dead white dwarf star orbiting an exotic neutron star with a mass 1.5 times that of the Sun. The neutron star's intense gravity is slowly consuming its companion, causing peaks in ultraviolet radiation every 11 minutes.
A new remote imaging technique has given scientists a promising way to better understand breaking waves in the open ocean. The technique measures temperature changes in the 'skin-layer' of the ocean, detecting warmer water mixed up to the surface after a wave breaks.
Researchers identified a carbohydrate structure that Chlamydia trachomatis uses to infect cells, leading to the development of a potential preventive agent. The study found that similar carbohydrates can prevent chlamydial infection, paving the way for the creation of anti-adhesive therapies.
A significant reservoir of methane and hydrocarbons has been discovered in rock beneath the ocean floor, potentially supporting a wide range of microorganisms. The findings, presented by University of Washington oceanographer Deborah Kelley, suggest that these microbes may thrive on chemicals toxic to other life forms.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a correlation between lightning frequency and rainfall, which could lead to a new method for tracking precipitation in remote regions. The connection is thought to be due to ice particles that transfer electric charge when colliding in clouds.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered that removing a brain chemical called neuropeptide Y (NPY) can help reduce body fat in genetically obese mice. The study found that mice lacking NPY become only half as fat, eat less, and have a higher metabolic rate compared to their morbidly obese cousins.
The UW-Siemens image processor enables the creation of multiple diagnostic applications, increasing clinical efficiency. It allows for real-time panoramic imaging of internal organs and their surroundings, revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment.
A University of Washington study found no significant difference in mortality rates between patients treated with anti-clotting drugs or balloon angioplasty after a heart attack. The study compared over 3,000 patients and showed that medical costs were lower for those treated with thrombolytic therapy.
Microdevices bypass centrifugation, separating molecules as they pass through an H-filter and reading them with optical detectors. These devices will enable immediate diagnoses in ambulances and hospitals.
Researchers from the University of Washington have developed a reproducible method demonstrating that subliminal messages can influence human cognition. The technique, called the response window technique, uses a brief flicker of time to test unconscious cognition on over 300 volunteer subjects.
The study highlights the devastating life path of many FAS adults, experiencing mental health problems, trouble with the law, and difficulties in school. Protective factors identified include stable living environments, early diagnosis, and access to services.
Researchers at the University of Washington have created a genetic mutation in mice that prevents them from storing fat even on a high-fat diet. The study suggests a potential new approach for treating obesity by targeting the cells' internal signaling pathways.
A study conducted by the University of Washington found that HIV transmission can occur even among individuals with few sexual partners, and that oral sex is a common route of transmission among gay men. Despite warnings from health experts, unprotected oral sex may not be as safe as previously thought.
University of Washington researchers have made significant advances in a new MRI technique called magnetic resonance (MR) neurography. This breakthrough allows for clear images of nerve compressions, injuries, and normal nerve function, enabling diagnoses and treatment with unprecedented precision.
A two-year study on wild baboons found that environmental factors such as social status and seasonal conditions significantly impact reproduction. The research suggests that understanding these natural processes can inform the development of new treatments for human infertility.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a hormonal link between nutrition and reproduction, with leptin serving as a metabolic signal to the reproductive system. The study provides an explanation for how the body's energy stores determine reproductive readiness.