A new study reveals climate-driven conflicts between humans and wildlife are on the rise globally, with six continents experiencing exacerbation of these conflicts. The research identifies trends in human-wildlife conflicts linked to climate change, including altered animal habitats, resource availability, and changes in wildlife behav...
A new study finds that a California policy restricting antibiotic use in animals raised for food is associated with a reduction in one type of antibiotic-resistant infection in people. The study suggests that regulations limiting antibiotics in livestock can significantly impact human health.
Scientists have discovered a new type of solid crystal that forms when water and table salt combine in cold and high-pressure conditions, potentially existing on the surface of Jupiter's moons. This finding has significant implications for planetary science and the search for extraterrestrial life, as it could explain the mysterious ch...
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that even dormant volcanoes release a surprisingly high amount of sulfur into the Arctic atmosphere. This finding has significant implications for understanding Earth's atmosphere and its relationship with climate and air quality.
Researchers developed an AI system that suggested changes to participants' responses, making them more empathetic. The system helped people communicate empathy more effectively than traditional training did.
The Butterfly Nebula's unique shape is caused by a second star orbiting the central star, creating wing-like lobes. New research reveals powerful winds are altering the material within these lobes, contradicting existing models of planetary nebulae formation and evolution.
Researchers used the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury Triangulum Extended Region — or PHATTER — survey to study the Triangulum galaxy. The team discovered two drastically different structures depending on the age of the stars, with younger and older stars having distinct distributions.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a unique binary star system where a small companion star is surrounded by a large disk of dusty material. The companion star caused a seven-year-long eclipse of the main star, Gaia17bpp, which is one of the longest recorded eclipses.
A new UW-led report emphasizes the unequal burden of marine plastic pollution on different communities, particularly in developing countries. The study calls for a more equitable approach to address the issue, focusing on plastics production rather than waste management.
A recent study by University of Washington researchers found that climate 'presses' and 'pulses' have equal importance on Magellanic penguin population survival. The team analyzed nearly four decades of data at Punta Tombo, Argentina, revealing a decline in breeding pairs from 400,000 to 150,000 between the 1980s and 2019.
A study of preserved fish specimens reveals a 140-year decline in parasite populations due to warming oceans. Parasites with multiple host species declined severely, threatening ecosystems and top apex predators. The study highlights the vulnerability of parasites to climate change and inspires further research.
Researchers from the University of Washington analyzed the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption in the South Pacific, discovering that ionosphere signals can help explain why tsunami waves grew larger and traveled faster than predicted. The study validated the use of GPS signals traveling through the atmosphere to track events on the gro...
Researchers found that students fell asleep later and woke up later in winter due to limited daytime light exposure. Daytime light exposure had a greater impact on circadian rhythms than evening light exposure.
A new laboratory test can measure levels of amyloid beta oligomers in blood samples, detecting toxic proteins up to years before cognitive impairment. The test, SOBA, has shown promising results in identifying individuals at risk or incubating Alzheimer's disease.
The strongest Arctic cyclone ever observed poleward of 70 degrees north latitude caused a 30% greater loss of sea ice than previous records, with waves reaching up to 100 kilometers towards the center of the ice pack. Researchers suggest that existing models underestimate the impact of big waves on ice floes in the Arctic Ocean.
A new study from the University of Washington found that the number of US adult handgun owners carrying a loaded handgun on their person doubled from 2015 to 2019. In 2019, approximately 16 million adult handgun owners had carried a loaded handgun in the past month, with 6 million carrying every day.
A University of Washington researcher claims that organizations like the World Health Organization and American Heart Association promoted high-carbohydrate diets over low-carb diets due to flawed nutritional guidelines. This shift led to increased use of fluoride to combat tooth decay, making it largely unnecessary.
A study by researchers at the University of Washington found that infants are less likely to contract COVID-19 and develop severe symptoms if their mothers test positive for the virus. The study suggests that infant infection is mostly related to household transmission, not solely from maternal risk.
A study by the University of Washington suggests that adopting permanent daylight saving time would decrease deer-vehicle collisions due to brighter evening skies. The researchers estimate a reduction in 2.3% deer-vehicle collisions over a full year, potentially preventing 36,550 deer deaths annually.
Scientists discovered that ancient fish favored cold, dark waters of the deep sea, challenging the assumption that shallow habitats have always been diverse. The study revealed three major events that drove speciation rates in the deep sea, including the breakup of Pangea and the Cretaceous Hot Greenhouse period.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new hearing screening system using low-cost earbuds and smartphones, which performed as well as commercial devices and correctly identified patients with hearing loss. The tool can be used in countries where screening is not accessible due to high device costs.
Researchers found that groups using multivoting proved more effective in identifying the best choice, with 50% higher accuracy than plurality and ranked-choice voting. Multivoting allows individuals to allocate votes across options, promoting deeper information processing before discussion.
Researchers found that a community-specific approach eliminated pollution disparities and reduced overall pollution exposure. The new strategy targeted specific locations with high emissions, effectively addressing decades-long disparities in air quality.
Researchers found that influencer originality, follower size, and sponsor salience enhance the effectiveness of a message. A balanced approach is most effective, with too little or too much posting hurting engagement. Firms should search for influencers with followers that overlap but aren't an exact match to achieve optimal brand-fit.
Researchers developed UnlockedMaps to provide real-time accessibility information for urban rail transit stations, with a focus on elevators. The system shows accessible and inaccessible stations, allowing users to plan their trips accordingly.
A University of Washington-led study found that even low levels of human activity in protected areas can alter wildlife behavior. Wildlife activity dropped to zero when outdoor recreation levels reached around 40 visitors per week in Glacier Bay National Park.
A new study reveals that losing endangered fruit-eating animals in the Atlantic Forest could severely disrupt seed-dispersal networks, leaving plants without an effective means to regenerate. Nearly 55% of specialist plant species rely solely on these frugivores for seed dispersal.
A new study suggests that climate change is favoring La Niña events in the Pacific Ocean. The researchers found that temperature patterns at the ocean's surface have changed, with the Pacific off South America cooling and the western Pacific warming more than elsewhere. This has led to a strengthened temperature difference between the ...
A University of Washington study found that heat-related mortality is a current environmental public health problem in Washington state, even in temperate areas. The study analyzed deaths from 1980 to 2018 and found significant increases in mortality on days with high humidex values.
Researchers have developed an algorithm that uses smartphone camera and flash to detect low blood oxygen levels. The method produced accurate results in 80% of the participants, showing promise for remote monitoring and early detection of conditions like COVID-19.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a reactor that can completely break down two of the most common forever chemicals, PFOA and PFOS. The reactor uses supercritical water to destroy these recalcitrant molecules, leaving only harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and fluoride salts.
The study found that pandemic federal programs, including grab-and-go school meals and the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program, reached over 30 million children and provided nearly 1.5 billion meals in 2020. The programs helped low-income families access nutritious food during a critical time when schools were closed due to COVID-19.
Research on white-necked jacobin hummingbirds found that about 20% of females retain male-like plumage into adulthood, engaging in deceptive mimicry to avoid aggression and increase access to food sources. These females' strength and body size are similar to those of males.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed AquaApp, a mobile app that enables underwater messaging on billions of existing smartphones and smartwatches using software. The app uses acoustic signals to transmit messages and can accommodate up to 60 unique users on its local network.
A new study using cellphone location data found that visits to Black-owned restaurants dropped off after initial spikes and were inconsistent across 20 US cities. The study raises questions about the effectiveness of labelling campaigns and how tech companies can better support communities of color.
A new study predicts that record-breaking heat waves will become more frequent in places like North America and Europe by 2100. The research suggests that even if countries meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 2°C, dangerous heat stress could double by 2100 in the tropics.
Researchers analyzed 843 beach surveys to find that certain beaches and areas accumulate litter in predictable patterns. The study found that beaches with more organic flotsam tend to have more litter, and that litter on the outer coast shows a strong seasonal pattern.
The UW Photonic Sensing Facility uses fiber-optic sensing technology to detect ground motions as small as 1 nanometer for seismology, glaciology, oceanography, and infrastructure monitoring. The new center will expand seismic data collection by thousands of times.
A new University of Washington study found that bird behavior was not significantly affected by the reduced human activity during COVID-19 lockdowns. In fact, many birds were observed in highly developed urban areas, suggesting that green spaces may serve as important refuges for urban birds.
A new study from the University of Washington and the National Park Service measured 38 years of change for glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park. The study found that 13 of 19 glaciers have shown significant retreat, while two have advanced. Lake-terminating glaciers are retreating at a faster rate than other types.
University of Washington researchers have created a flexible, wearable thermoelectric device that converts body heat into electricity. The device's stretchable and efficient properties enable seamless integration into wearables and soft robotics.
A University of Washington team created a new tool that can design a 3D-printable passive gripper and calculate the best path to pick up an object. The designed grippers and paths were successful for 20 out of 22 objects tested, with two challenging shapes being the wedge and pyramid shape.
A new study found evidence that multituberculates, an extinct group of mammals, likely reproduced in a placental-like manner. This discovery questions the long-held idea that marsupials were less advanced than placentals in terms of reproductive strategy.
A new study published in Psychiatric Services finds that large-scale training in suicide prevention is possible, with healthcare professionals reporting improved understanding of suicide and how to respond. The training aims to educate and empower providers to identify at-risk behaviors and discuss limitations of lethal means.
A new study led by the University of Washington strengthens evidence that air pollution can harm childhood behavioral problems and IQ. Researchers found prenatal and postnatal exposure to nitrogen dioxide and small-particle air pollution were associated with poorer child behavioral functioning and cognitive performance.
The ClearBuds earbuds use a novel microphone system and real-time machine-learning to enhance the speaker's voice and reduce background noise. They achieved better performance than Apple AirPods Pro in signal-to-distortion ratio tests.
A new study from the University of Washington found that sweetened beverage taxes redistribute dollars from higher- to lower-income households, providing a net economic benefit of $5.3 to $16.4 million per year to lower-income communities. The taxes also fund health programs and reduce consumption of unhealthy drinks.
Researchers have designed an energy-efficient silicon-based non-volatile switch that manipulates light to control information flow in data centers. This technology reduces energy needs by 70-fold compared to traditional switches, making data centers more environmentally friendly.
A University of Washington study found that Pacific salmon in larger groups have lower predation risk, but may trade safety for food. The researchers analyzed historical data on fish catches and predator wounds to estimate group size and predation risk, revealing the benefits and costs of schooling in marine fish.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that African wild dogs, a highly endangered species, shifted their breeding dates later in response to changing temperatures, leading to reduced pup survival rates. The study highlights how large predators can be vulnerable to climate change and its impact on life history events.