Researchers at University of Washington documented a mass mortality event among Magellanic penguins in Punta Tombo, Argentina, due to extreme heat. The January 2019 heat wave killed at least 354 adult penguins and 90 chicks, with nearly three-quarters of the deceased being adults primarily due to dehydration.
Researchers found that exposure to six major air pollutants remains higher for racial and ethnic minorities than white Americans, regardless of income level. The study used models incorporating data from satellites and EPA monitoring stations to map pollution levels onto census demographic groups across the contiguous US.
A team from the University of Washington has developed a non-destructive 3D imaging method that can help doctors more accurately diagnose borderline cases of prostate cancer. The new approach uses 3D images to identify complex features in tissue samples, which can increase the likelihood of correctly predicting a cancer's aggressiveness.
A team of scientists simulated over 200,000 hypothetical Earth-like worlds to understand the types of environments astronomers can expect to find on real exoplanets. They found that in 90% of cases with liquid water on the surface, there are no ice sheets, but rather permanent ice belts along the equator.
A wearable device has been developed to detect and reverse opioid overdoses by injecting naloxone, a lifesaving antidote. The device, which senses when a person stops breathing and moving, has shown promising results in clinical trials.
A recent study from the University of Washington and the University of Houston found that children as young as age 6 develop ideas that girls are less interested than boys in computer science and engineering. The study suggests that these gender-based beliefs can contribute to a gender gap in STEM college courses and related careers.
During the 2020 US presidential election, researchers collected data on over 1 million online political ads. The study found that these ads often used manipulative tactics to collect personal information, including fake polls and click-bait headlines. More than 56,000 of these ads were found on conservative-leaning websites.
Researchers developed a healable carbon fiber composite that can be repeatedly healed with heat, reversing fatigue damage. This material provides a way to break it down and recycle when it reaches the end of its life, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional thermosets.
Researchers tracked black-tailed deer before, during, and after the Mendocino Complex Fire, finding that all 18 deer survived. Despite burned areas with no vegetation, most deer returned home within hours, potentially due to their loyalty to habitat. However, some deer's body condition declined as they expanded their range.
A University of Washington study finds that countermarketing campaigns based on anti-smoking tactics decrease the buying of sugary 'fruit' drinks for children. The campaign effectively reduced virtual purchases by 31% and significantly lowered trust in fruit drink brands among participating Latinx parents.
Researchers discovered that ice needles growing on frozen ground can push up rocks into regular patterns through a combination of experiments and computer modeling. Over time, stones cluster together, leaving bare patches stone-free, as the size of the stones, soil moisture, and ice needle growth interact.
A new study from the University of Washington found that Republican-led states eased social distancing policies two weeks earlier than Democratic-led states, despite large Black communities being hit hardest by the pandemic. The researchers analyzed five policies and found that public health indicators played a role, but the influence ...
A new study found that bigleaf maple trees are declining due to warmer, drier summers in Western Washington. The research team discovered that the trees' growth is sensitive to dry weather conditions, leading to smaller leaves and reduced overall mass.
Children use a specific word to remind robots to speak quickly, but not with parents or strangers, showing sophisticated social awareness. In everyday life, most children stop using the word after a short period.
The Center for Integration of Modern Optoelectronic Materials on Demand will develop new semiconductor materials and scalable manufacturing processes for applications in displays, sensors, and quantum communication. The center aims to connect academic research with industrial and governmental needs, educating a diverse STEM workforce.
Researchers found that large volcanic eruptions may have stimulated population surges of marine microorganisms, creating the first puffs of oxygen into the atmosphere. This would change existing stories of Earth's early atmosphere and has implications for extraterrestrial life and climate change.
Scientists have created a system dubbed "NanoporeTERs" allowing cells to express themselves in a whole new light. These new reporter proteins can detect multiple protein expression levels and shed new light on biological systems, enabling deeper analysis than before.
A new study reanalyzes the Sorby vitamin C experiment, a landmark trial that determined the minimum vitamin C requirements for preventing scurvy. The analysis suggests that the recommended daily intake of 45mg may be too low to prevent weak scar strength.
Researchers found that pepper plant fruit scents contain complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds, including alpha-caryophyllene and 2-heptanol, which attract specific bat species. The study suggests bats use these chemical signals to select ripe fruits and find the specific Piper species they eat most.
Researchers discovered three phases of growth that explain how cetaceans shift their nasal passage from a parallel to an angled orientation. This finding provides insight into the developmental process and could inform our understanding of cetacean evolution.
A new study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society found that superflares on red dwarf stars occur at high latitudes, near the star's poles, which means they are not directed towards orbiting exoplanets. This reduces the danger to planetary atmospheres and habitability.
Research by University of Washington and US Forest Service scientists reveals a dramatic shift in nighttime air's drying power over the Western US, increasing wildfire activity. This shift is not captured in climate models, with some areas experiencing water loss doubling up on warmer nights.
Researchers from the University of Washington identified a strong link between fine particulate air pollution and an increased risk of dementia. A 1 microgram per cubic meter difference in PM2.5 pollution was associated with a 16% greater incidence of dementia, highlighting the potential neurodegenerative effects of air pollution.
A synthesis of scientific literature provides a unified resource for managing western forests and addressing the impacts of climate change on wildfires. The report recommends approaches such as thinning dense forests, prescribed burning, and revitalizing Indigenous fire stewardship practices to make landscapes more resilient.
A new DNA study provides critical information on conserving rough-nosed horned lizards in Sri Lankan rainforests. The research found that the lizards are separated into four forest groups, which can inform guidelines for forest landscape restoration and habitat connectivity.
The University of Washington is leading a new NSF institute focused on using artificial intelligence to understand dynamic systems, which describe chaotic situations where conditions are constantly shifting and hard to predict. The institute aims to integrate fundamental AI theory with applications in critical technological areas.
A recent call for expanded research into climate change's impact on human-wildlife interactions aims to mitigate conflicts and alert policymakers, experts, and citizens. Climate-related changes in ecosystems and animal behaviors increase contact and competition between people and animals.
Research suggests that Western wildfires will initially intensify for about a decade due to hotter and drier conditions, then decrease in size as fire becomes self-limiting.
Researchers developed a statistical framework to model COVID-19's true prevalence, estimating 19.7% of US residents infected and 60% of cases uncounted. The approach provides a more accurate picture of the pandemic's burden, helping officials direct resources accordingly.
The UW team's prototype reactor uses a gaming graphics card to control plasmas, achieving high-speed and precision control. This method enables the creation of longer-living plasmas that operate closer to conditions required for controlled fusion power.
Researchers used 3D scanning to study shark intestines, discovering that spiral-shaped organs slow food movement and direct it downward through the gut. This finding sheds light on how sharks process their food and retain nutrients, with implications for understanding ocean ecosystems.
A recent study by UW researchers found that while some students experienced intense distress, others reported minimal impact on their mental health during the spring 2020 quarter. Problem-focused coping strategies protected students from negative effects of stress and anxiety.
A new study developed a conceptual model to understand the relationship between policing and population health, highlighting factors like community characteristics and policy that affect health outcomes. The research suggests that policing practices can have far-reaching impacts on mental, physical, social, and structural wellbeing.
Researchers from the University of Washington and NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory gather data on cold air pools using Saildrones, which alter surface temperature, wind, and moisture over the ocean. The study provides detailed measurements of these events, shedding light on their role in tropical climate cycles.
A new study by University of Washington researchers estimates that a record-breaking lifespan of 125-130 years is possible by 2100. The study uses Bayesian statistics to analyze data from the International Database on Longevity and predicts that the world record for the oldest person will be broken.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that summer sea ice in the Last Ice Area, a region north of Greenland and Canadian Arctic Archipelago, is declining due to global warming. The study suggests that this area may not be as resilient as previously thought, raising concerns for polar bears and walruses that rely on the ice.
Researchers found that wildfire smoke affects the ability to observe more than a third of common bird species in Washington state. Higher concentrations of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, were associated with harder-to-observe bird species, while some species became easier to detect when smoke was present.
Researchers found that COVID-19-related crowdfunding campaigns were more successful in affluent communities, where people had more resources to donate. Despite the challenges of online crowdfunding, the study highlights existing socioeconomic divides and suggests that it can exacerbate inequality.
A study found that drug rebates are associated with increased out-of-pocket costs for patients, particularly those without insurance. On average, patients with commercial insurance paid $6 more, Medicare patients $13, and the uninsured $39 due to rebates.
Researchers urge the study of collective behavior to rise to a 'crisis discipline' due to its impact on global crises like pandemics and climate change. Social media platforms prioritize engagement over accuracy and sustainability, posing significant threats to public health and ecological stability.
University of Washington researchers develop a deep learning method to animate flowing materials in a single photo, creating seamless looping videos. The technique uses predicted motion and combines it with symmetry to create believable animations.
The Pine Island Glacier's ice shelf has been losing a significant portion of its area in recent years, causing the glacier to speed up. The study found that internal forces on the glacier are responsible for this process, which could lead to a more rapid and abrupt collapse.
A team of 53 scientists determined the deadly winter debris flow in Uttarakhand, India was caused by falling rock and glacier ice that melted on its descent. The study used satellite imagery, seismic records and eyewitness videos to produce computer models of the flow, shedding light on emerging hazards in the region.
A study by researchers at the University of Washington has confirmed the presence of endangered blue whales in Indian waters, specifically off the southwest coast of India. The findings suggest that these whales are likely resident to the northern Indian Ocean and visit Lakshadweep seasonally.
Two international studies analyzing Antarctic ice cores found warmer temperatures in East Antarctica during the last ice age, with temperatures averaging 6.1 degrees Celsius colder than today. The findings better match global climate models and strengthen confidence in their ability to simulate Earth's climate.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that medical AI models rely on shortcuts, which can lead to diagnostic errors and misdiagnosis of COVID-19. These shortcuts ignore clinically significant indicators and rely on irrelevant factors, causing the model to make unexpected associations.
Climate change and human activities are causing reproductive success to decline in fish-eating seabirds in the Northern Hemisphere. Seabird diets played a major role in their ability to rear chicks, with deep-diving birds like puffins faring best in terms of reproductive success.
A recent study by the University of Washington found that living in a more densely populated neighborhood is associated with lower body weight and less obesity. However, proximity to fast-food restaurants or supermarkets did not have a significant impact on weight gain.
Researchers at the University of Washington successfully analyzed Micropholis stowi fossils excavated during a 2017-2018 collection trip to Antarctica. The findings reveal that this salamander-sized amphibian was more widespread than previously recognized, with evidence suggesting it could have adapted to various environments.
The US Geological Survey, University of Washington and Washington Emergency Management District activate the ShakeAlert system on May 4, sending advance warning of impending earthquakes to millions of people. The system provides seconds to minutes of warning time for earthquakes above magnitude 4.5 or 5.