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Science | Video

June 3, 2024

Video: Before they bite — UW researcher homes in on which scents, colors make us a tempting target for hungry mosquitoes

Jeffrey Riffell, a University of Washington professor of biology, wants to understand how female mosquitoes find find a host to bite for a bloody meal. His research has shown that hungry mosquitoes find us by following a trail of scent cues, including chemicals exuded by our skin and sweat, as well as the carbon dioxide gas we exhale with each breath. Mosquitoes also like colors, at least certain ones. His team is closing in on how the sense of smell and vision work together to help a mosquito zero in for the final strike and get her blood meal.

Education | News releases | Video

UW celebrates Class of 2024 as thousands march in events in Husky Stadium, the Tacoma Dome and T-Mobile Park

More than 7,000 UW graduates of the Class of 2024 plan to participate in the June 8 ceremony for UW Seattle. Officials expect about 40,000 family and friends to cheer the graduates from the Husky Stadium grandstands. UW Tacoma will hold its commencement June 7; UW Bothell’s graduation ceremonies are June 9. UW President Ana Mari Cauce will present 18,006 degrees to the Class of 2024 across all three UW campuses’ ceremonies.

Global | News releases

UW study abroad returns to pre-pandemic participation levels, helps increase graduation rates

As the academic school year comes to an end, many students will continue their studies by packing a suitcase and heading overseas.

About 3,000 University of Washington students will study abroad this school year, a number that surpasses the previous high set in 2018-2019. That means study abroad participation is back to pre-pandemic levels. UW leaders say these programs promise profound experiences and lifelong memories. and  new research shows that college students who study abroad are more likely to graduate.

Arts and entertainment | UW Notebook

May 30, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Design Show, Grandmothering While Black Book Celebration, Astrobiology Careers Panel and more

This week, check out graduating Design students’ works at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery, attend the Astrobiology Program’s careers panel, enjoy an evening of conversation at the Grandmothering While Black book celebration, and more. June 5 – 21, DESIGN SHOW – BDES + MDES, Jacob Lawrence Gallery The Division of Design presents the work of the graduating Bachelor of Design (BDes) students from Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Visual Communication Design. Free | More info June 5, 12:30 pm | First Wednesday…

News releases | Research | Technology

May 29, 2024

Q&A: How AI affects kids’ creativity

“We asked one 11-year-old how he’d feel if his favorite book series was written by AI instead of an author, and he said it would ‘dismantle’ the joy of reading for him. We often don’t think about kids having these deep, existential questions about what it means to be an artist,” said Michele Newman, a University of Washington doctoral student in the Information School.

Engineering | Environment | Research | Science | UW News blog

In the Field: UW researcher headed to Alaska to study factors that lead to permafrost thaw and to educate foster care youth

UW doctoral student Joel Eklof has been investigating which environmental factors contribute to permafrost thaw and the release of methane into the atmosphere. For years, Eklof has traveled to a field site southwest of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Arts and entertainment | UW Notebook

May 23, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: 53rd Psychology Research Festival, Undergraduate Senior Essay Symposium, Design Show, and more

This week, attend the 53rd Annual Psychology Research Festival, check out the Department of Classics’ Undergraduate Senior Essay Symposium, a Design Show from graduating seniors in the School of Art + Art History + Design, and more. May 27 – 31, UW Innovation Month Innovation Month is a campus-wide celebration of the innovative work that happens everywhere at UW, every day, across disciplines. It highlights students and researchers who are entrepreneurs, designers, engineers, scientists, artists, and other leaders who are…

Engineering | News releases | Research | Technology | Video

AI headphones let wearer listen to a single person in a crowd, by looking at them just once

A University of Washington team has developed an artificial intelligence system that lets someone wearing headphones look at a person speaking for three to five seconds to “enroll” them. The system then plays just the enrolled speaker’s voice in real time, even as the pair move around in noisy environments.

Environment | Research | Science | UW News blog

May 17, 2024

UW atmospheric scientist participating in field campaign to improve Western snowfall, drought forecasts

A UW atmospheric scientist will participate in a campaign to study winter storms and snowfall in northwestern Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Like Seattle, this area depends on winter snow for its summer water supplies, so improving mountain snow forecasts will improve projections for summer drought and wildfire risks.

Arts and entertainment | UW Notebook

May 16, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Global Sport Lab, Art Honors Graduation Exhibition, Interconnected Worlds with Henry Yeung and more

This week, join the Global Sport Lab for a conversation about what the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup means for Seattle, check out the BA in Art Honors Graduation Exhibition, attend the lecture on Interconnected Worlds with Henry Yeung and more. May 20 – 26, UW Innovation Month  Innovation Month is a campus-wide celebration of the innovative work that happens everywhere at UW, every day, across disciplines. It highlights students and researchers who are entrepreneurs, designers, engineers, scientists, artists, and…

Environment | News releases | Science

Scientists want to know how the smells of nature benefit our health

Spending time in nature is good for us. And knowing more about nature’s effects on our bodies could not only help our well-being, but could also improve how we care for land, preserve ecosystems and design cities, homes and parks. Many studies have focused on how seeing nature affects us. A team of scientists from around the world wants to understand what the nose knows. They are calling for more research into how odors and scents from natural settings impact our health and well-being.

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

May 14, 2024

UW-led project to study ozone, atmospheric layers a finalist for next-generation NASA satellite

A project led by the University of Washington to better understand our atmosphere’s complexity is a finalist for NASA’s next generation of Earth-observing satellites. STRIVE will receive $5 million to conduct a one-year concept study, and then will hear whether it is selected for launch.

Arts and entertainment | UW Notebook

May 9, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Katz Distinguished Lecture, DXARTS Spring Concert, MFA Dance Concert and more

This week, attend the Katz Distinguished Lecture Series with Winnie Wong, check out the DXARTS Spring Concert, be wowed away from the MFA Dance Concert, and more. May 13 – 17, UW Innovation Month Innovation Month is a campus-wide celebration of the innovative work that happens everywhere at UW, every day, across disciplines. It highlights students and researchers who are entrepreneurs, designers, engineers, scientists, artists, and other leaders who are constantly imagining new heights in their fields. Join events to…

Administrative affairs | UW News blog

UW files Unfair Labor Practice Complaint following ASE union’s harassment of Dean and staff

The University of Washington on Tuesday filed an Unfair Labor Practice Complaint with the Washington State Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) against UAW 4121 after more than 100 union members harassed and engaged in intimidation tactics toward the Dean and staff in the College of Arts & Sciences on May 2.

Health and medicine | News releases | Population Health | Public Health | Research | Science | Video

Navy Growler jet noise over Whidbey Island could impact 74,000 people’s health

As often as four days a week, Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island fly loops overhead as pilots practice touch-and-go landings. The noise is immense. New research from the University of Washington shows that the noise isn’t just disruptive — it presents a substantial risk to public health.

Honors and awards | News releases | Research | Science

May 2, 2024

Qiang Fu, Raymond Huey elected to National Academy of Sciences

Two University of Washington researchers are among the newly elected members of the National Academy of Sciences. Qiang Fu, professor of atmospheric sciences, and Raymond Huey, professor emeritus of biology, are among those recognized with one of the highest honors a scientist can achieve.

Arts and entertainment | UW Notebook

May 1, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Frontiers of Physics Lecture, “Influencers, Platforms and the Rise of the Follower Economy”, Cie Hervé KOUBI Performance and more

This week, head to Kane Hall for the Frontiers of Physics Lecture on the James Webb Space Telescope’s discoveries, enjoy Cie Hervé KOUBI’s performance at Meany Hall, learn about “Influencers, Platforms, and the Rise of the Follower Economy” during the Communications Colloquium, and more. May 6, 5:30 – 8:30 pm | Andrew L. Markus Memorial Lecture: Melayu Malay — Mystery Miracle, Kane Hall Professor Hendrik Maier (University of California, Riverside) will deliver the Department of Asian Languages & Literature’s 2024 Andrew…

News releases

UW’s campaign to restore the ASUW Shell House exceeds goal, showcases community support

Before the oars dip their blades signaling the beginning of the Windemere Cup, before hundreds of flag-draped boats parade from Portage Bay to Lake Washington to open the boating season, the campaign to save the ASUW Shell House at the University of Washington already can be called a winner. 

Engineering | Health and medicine | News releases | Research | Technology

Virtual reality environment for teens may offer an accessible, affordable way to reduce stress

Working with teens, UW researchers have designed RESeT: a snowy virtual world with six activities intended to improve mood. In a 3-week study of 44 Seattle-area teens, researchers found that most used the technology about twice a week without being prompted and reported lower stress levels after using the environment.

News releases | Research | Science

April 30, 2024

Scientists solve chemical mystery at the interface of biology and technology

A University of Washington-led study has solved a mystery about organic electrochemical transistors: Why there is a lag when they are switched on. In the process paved the way to custom-tailored OECTs for a growing list of applications in biosensing, brain-inspired computation and beyond.

Engineering | Environment | News releases | Research | Technology

April 26, 2024

New circuit boards can be repeatedly recycled

A team led by researchers at the University of Washington developed a new PCB that performs on par with traditional materials and can be recycled repeatedly with negligible material loss. Researchers used a solvent that transforms a type of vitrimer — a cutting-edge class of polymer — into a jelly-like substance without damage, allowing solid components to be plucked out for reuse or recycling. With these “vPCBs” (vitrimer printed circuit boards), researchers recovered 98% of the vitrimer and 100% of the glass fiber.

Arts and entertainment | UW Notebook

April 25, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: “AI, Art and Copyright” Roundtable, “How to Center Intersex” Community Gathering, Indigenous Foods Symposium and more

This week, listen to the roundtable on “AI, Art, and Copyright,” attend the second annual Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies Spring Community Gathering, check out the Living Breath of wəłəbʔaltxʷ Indigenous Foods Symposium, and more. April 30, 4:30 – 6:30 pm | Anton Hur, “Translator Jetlag: Voice and the World We Build” | Translator’s Lecture, Husky Union Building In this talk, Anton Hur will examine the idea of voice in literary translation. He will focus on the practice of “triangulation,”…

UW News blog | Video

Video: UW professor on ‘The Boys in the Boat,’ Nazi Germany and the 1936 Olympics

The film version of “The Boys in the Boat,” released on Dec. 25, was inspired by the University of Washington men’s rowing team that won a gold medal at the 1936 Olympics. It’s based on the 2013 book by Daniel James Brown. But there is more to the story than the improbable victory by UW student-athletes from small towns and working-class backgrounds. The 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin, following a failed movement in the United States and Europe to boycott the…

UW News blog

Author Daniel James Brown and MIT atmospheric chemist Susan Solomon to receive honorary degrees at UW’s 2024 Commencement

The University of Washington 149th Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, June 8, at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. This year, the UW will recognize best-selling author Daniel James Brown and Susan Solomon, a professor of environmental science and chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both will receive honorary degrees for their contributions to the humanities and sciences.

Expert quotes | News releases | Research

Q&A: UW research shows neural connection between learning a second language and learning to code

New research from the University of Washington shows the brain’s response to viewing errors in both the syntax (form) and semantics (meaning) of code appeared identical to those that occur when fluent readers process sentences on a word-by-word basis, supporting a resemblance between how people learn computer and natural languages.

Arts and entertainment | UW Notebook

April 18, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Improvised Music Project Festival, Modern Abortion Around the World Panel, Taiwan’s Pop Music and more

This week, join the Jackson School for International Studies for a panel on Modern Abortion Around the World, head to Meany Hall for the Improvised Music Project Festival, celebrate Taiwan’s pop music, and much more. April 22, 3:30 – 5:00 pm | ‘Genbaku Otome: Reconsidering the “Hiroshima Maidens”’ with Kim Brandt (Columbia University), Thomson Hall The Jackson School of International Studies invites Research Scholar Kim Brandt, Columbia University, to discuss the significance of the Hiroshima Maidens. “Hiroshima Maidens” loosely translates…