UW News
The latest news from the UW
February 16, 2022
Google’s ‘CEO’ image search gender bias hasn’t really been fixed
UW researchers showed that image search results for four major search engines from around the world, including Google, still reflect gender bias.
Tag(s): Chirag Shah • Information School • Yunhe Feng
Faculty programs welcome most diverse cohort in recent UW history
Angélica Amezcua never thought she’d achieve a doctoral degree, never mind landing a tenure-track job at the University of Washington. Raised in Mexico, she moved to California when she was 11, and she’s the first in her family to earn a Ph. D. She once believed that a career in academia was unattainable due to the obstacles placed in society for people of color.
Tag(s): Alexes Harris • Angelica Amezcula • diversity • equity and inclusion in academia • Esther Uduehi • Jelani Ince • Mark Richards • UW MedicineFebruary 15, 2022
eDNA a useful tool for early detection of invasive green crab
As the green crab invasion in the state worsens, a new analysis method developed by University of Washington and Washington Sea Grant scientists could help contain future invasions and prevent new outbreaks using water testing and genetic analysis. The results show that the DNA-based technique works as well in detecting the presence of green crabs as setting traps to catch the live animals, which is a more laborious process. Results suggest these two methods could complement each other as approaches to learn where the species’ range is expanding.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Emily Grason • P. Sean McDonald • Ryan Kelly • School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences • Washington Sea Grant • Washington Sea Grant Crab TeamFebruary 14, 2022
DNA testing exposes tactics of international criminal networks trafficking elephant ivory
A team led by scientists at the University of Washington and special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has used genetic testing of ivory shipments seized by law enforcement to uncover the international criminal networks behind ivory trafficking out of Africa. The genetic connections across shipments that they’ve uncovered exposes an even higher degree of organization among ivory smuggling networks than previously known. The paper, published Feb. 14 in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, incorporates results from DNA testing of more than 4,000 African elephant tusks from 49 different ivory seizures made in 12 African nations over a 17-year period.
Tag(s): Center for Environmental Forensic Science • College of Arts & Sciences • conservation • Department of Biology • Samuel WasserFebruary 11, 2022
Samson Jenekhe, Anna Karlin elected to National Academy of Engineering
Samson Jenehke, a University of Washington professor in both the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical Engineering, and Anna Karlin, a UW professor in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, announced Feb. 9 by the academy.
Tag(s): Anna Karlin • College of Arts & Sciences • College of Engineering • Department of Chemical Engineering • Department of Chemistry • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Smartphone app can vibrate a single drop of blood to determine how well it clots
Researchers at the UW have developed a new blood-clotting test that uses a single drop of blood and a smartphone vibration motor and camera.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine • Justin Chan • Kelly Michaelsen • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • School of Medicine • Shyam GollakotaFebruary 10, 2022
ArtSci Roundup: Charles Yu at Benaroya Hall, Faculty Recital: Melia Watras: The almond tree duos, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Charles Yu at Benaroya Hall February 15, 7:30 PM | Benaroya Hall & Online Shawn Wong, Professor of English, will moderate the Q&A…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of American Ethnic Studies • Department of English • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of MusicFebruary 9, 2022
New IAU center to focus on solutions to satellite interference in astronomical observations
The International Astronomical Union has launched the Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference to coordinate collaborative multidisciplinary international efforts with institutions and individuals — including researchers at the University of Washington’s DiRAC Institute — to help mitigate the negative impacts of satellite constellations on ground-based optical and radio astronomy observations as well as humanity’s enjoyment of the night sky.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Astronomy • DIRAC Institute • Meredith Rawls
New Center for Environmental Forensic Science aims to disrupt and dismantle international illegal wildlife trade
Across the globe, endangered species are at risk for illegal poaching. African elephants are sought out for their ivory, rhinoceros for their singular horns, and armadillo-like pangolins for their protective, brittle scales. Add to that list valuable and environmentally sensitive trees illegally harvested throughout the world where entire ecosystems are being deforested and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing that is devastating oceans. These illicit markets, estimated at $1 trillion annually, cause enormous environmental impacts and have the potential to unleash new, deadly pathogens.
Tag(s): Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Center for Environmental Forensic Science • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology • John Hermanson • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Samuel Wasser • School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences • School of Environmental and Forest Sciences • School of Public Health
UW and Amazon announce creation of the Science Hub
The University of Washington and Amazon today announced the Science Hub, an effort that deepens the relationship between the two organizations and will advance innovation in core robotics, artificial intelligence technologies and their applications.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Joshua Smith • Nancy Allbritton • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringFebruary 4, 2022
Planting trees in pastureland provides significant cooling in the tropics
Farmers struggling to adapt to rising temperatures in tropical regions can unleash the benefits of natural cooling, alongside a host of other wins, simply by dotting more trees across their pasturelands. For the first time, a study led by the University of Washington puts tangible numbers to the cooling effects of this practice.
Tag(s): climate change • College of the Environment • David Battisti • Department of Atmospheric Sciences • population health
Mosquitoes are seeing red: Why new findings about their vision could help you hide from these disease vectors
New research led by scientists at the University of Washington indicates that a common mosquito species — after detecting a telltale gas that we exhale — flies toward specific colors, including red, orange, black and cyan. The mosquitoes ignore other colors, such as green, purple, blue and white. The researchers believe these findings help explain how mosquitoes find hosts, since human skin, regardless of overall pigmentation, emits a strong red-orange “signal” to their eyes.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology • Jeffrey RiffellFebruary 3, 2022
Custodians share COVID experiences, show pride in their work in art exhibit
The UW Custodian Project is advocating for custodians, lifting their voices and raising awareness about their important roles on campus. As part of the project, an art exhibit called “(in)Visibility” is hanging in UW Tower through March. It features photos taken by 16 custodians, paired with their testimonials.
Tag(s): COVID-19 • UW Facilities
For the uninsured, crowdfunding provides little help in paying for health care and deepens inequities
New research from the University of Washington shows that people in states with higher medical debt and lower rates of insurance coverage are more likely to try to raise money but less likely to succeed.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Sociology • Mark Igra • Nora Kenworthy • UW Bothell
ArtSci Roundup: UW 2022 Heritage Language Symposium, Inequity at Boiling Point, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Inequity at Boiling Point February 9, 4:00 PM | Online via Zoom Join us in conversation with Somini Sengupta, an award-winning New York…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing ArtsJanuary 31, 2022
UW wins 2021 EPA Regional Food Recovery Challenge, preventing waste and feeding the hungry
The University of Washington’s Seattle campus saved more than 5 tons of food from being thrown away in 2020, preventing unnecessary waste and helping feed people in the community who struggle with food security.
Tag(s): UW Facilities • UW Housing & Food Services • UW SustainabilityJanuary 27, 2022
Determination of non-significance: Haring Center renovation
Pursuant to the provisions of WAC 197-11-340 and WAC 478-324-140, the University of Washington hereby provides public notice of: Determination of non-significance
ArtSci Roundup: UW Symphony, Photograph 51, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. UW Symphony February 4, 7:30 PM | Meany Hall David Alexander Rahbee leads the University Symphony in a program of music by Klengel,…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of History • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Drama • School of MusicJanuary 26, 2022
Air pollution from planes, roads infiltrates schools and can be dramatically reduced with portable air filters
What started as a University of Washington-led project to measure air pollution near Sea-Tac International Airport has led to schools in the area installing portable air filters to improve indoor air quality. First, UW researchers found they were able to parse aircraft pollution from roadway pollution in the communities under Sea-Tac International Airport flight paths…
Tag(s): B.J. Cummings • College of Engineering • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences • Edmund Seto • Elena Austin • Jeffry Shirai • Lisa Hayward • Nancy Carmona • School of Public Health • Timothy Gould • Timothy Larson • Ultrafine Advisory Group
Glaciers are squishy, holding slightly more ice than thought
Though usually though of as a solid, glaciers are also slightly compressible, or squishy. This compression over the huge expanse of an ice sheet — like Antarctica or Greenland — makes the overall ice sheet more dense and lowers the surface by tens of feet compared to what would otherwise be expected.
Tag(s): Brad Lipovsky • climate change • College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • glaciers
Four UW faculty members, incoming Burke Museum leader named 2021 AAAS Fellows
Four current faculty members and the incoming executive director of the UW’s Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture have been named AAAS Fellows, according to a Jan. 26 announcement by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They are among 564 new fellows from around the world elected in 2021, who are recognized for “their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements” in science and engineering.
Tag(s): Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • College of Engineering • Department of Biology • Department of Chemistry • Emily Carrington • Friday Harbor Laboratories • Gabriela Chavarria • Julia Kovacs • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Richard Ladner • Stefan StollJanuary 25, 2022
Hungry yeast are tiny, living thermometers
University of Washington researchers report that yeast cells can actively regulate a process called phase separation in one of their membranes. During phase separation, the membrane remains intact but partitions into multiple, distinct zones or domains that segregate lipids and proteins. The new findings show for the first time that, in response to environmental conditions, yeast cells precisely regulate the temperature at which their membrane undergoes phase separation.
Tag(s): Alex Merz • cell biology • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biochemistry • Department of Chemistry • Sarah Keller • School of MedicineJanuary 24, 2022
Fast, cheap test can detect COVID-19 virus’ genome without need for PCR
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new test for COVID-19 that combines the speed of over-the-counter antigen tests with the accuracy of PCR tests that are processed in medical labs and hospitals. The Harmony COVID-19 test is a diagnostic test that, like PCR tests for COVID-19, detects genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. But whereas conventional PCR tests can take several hours, the Harmony kit can provide results in less than 20 minutes for some samples and with similar accuracy.
Tag(s): Barry Lutz • College of Engineering • COVID-19 • COVID-19 studies • Department of Bioengineering • School of MedicineJanuary 20, 2022
Shift work helps marine microbes share scarce ocean resources
With a low supply of and high competition for key nutrients, scientists have puzzled over the vast diversity of microbial species found in the open ocean. A new study shows that time of day is key, with species of marine microbes specializing in different shifts throughout the day and night.
Tag(s): Anitra Ingalls • College of the Environment • oceanography • School of Oceanography • Virginia Armbrust
ArtSci Roundup: Small Island Big Song: Our Island, Photograph 51, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Small Island Big Song: Our Island January 29, 7:30 PM | The Great Hall and online In partnership with the UW Taiwan Studies…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of DramaJanuary 19, 2022
Bubbles of methane rising from seafloor in Puget Sound
The release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for almost a quarter of global warming, is being studied around the world, from Arctic wetlands to livestock feedlots. A University of Washington team has discovered a source much closer to home: 349 plumes of methane gas bubbling up from the seafloor in Puget Sound, which holds more water than any other U.S. estuary.
Tag(s): climate change • College of the Environment • oceanography • Paul Johnson • Puget Sound • School of OceanographyJanuary 17, 2022
Shifting ocean closures best way to protect animals from accidental catch
Many nations are calling for protection of 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 from some or all types of exploitation, including fishing. Building off this proposal, a new analysis led by the University of Washington looks at how effective fishing closures are at reducing accidental catch. Researchers found that permanent marine protected areas are a relatively inefficient way to protect marine biodiversity that is accidentally caught in fisheries. Dynamic ocean management — changing the pattern of closures as accidental catch hotspots shift — is much more effective.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Maite Pons • Ray Hilborn • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesJanuary 13, 2022
UW Pharmacy’s Drug Interaction Database, built to promote medication safety, wins national innovation award
The UW School of Pharmacy’s Drug Interaction Database — the core research tool from the school’s nonprofit Drug Interaction Solutions team — is celebrating both a national award for innovation and two decades of independent funding through licensing agreements with companies, research institutes and regulatory agencies around the globe.
Tag(s): CoMotion • Department of Medicinal Chemistry • Department of Neurological Surgery • Department of Pharmaceutics • Isabelle Ragueneau-Majlessi • René Levy • Roï Eisenkot • School of Medicine • School of PharmacyJanuary 12, 2022
ArtSci Roundup: Re/frame: Illumination, 2022 Critical Issues Lecture Series: Andrea Chung, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Re/frame: Illumination January 20, 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Online Light allows us to perceive our surroundings, it shows us the path ahead,…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Slavic Languages and Literature • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • School of Art + Art History + Design
Q&A: Cuong Vu looks back at playing trumpet on new record by the late David Bowie
In 2000, the late David Bowie recorded his album “Toy,” which went unreleased due to the financial struggles of his record label. On Jan. 7, it was finally released, and it features Cuong Vu, UW professor of music and chair of the jazz studies department. Vu look back at working with Bowie, the music industry and music education.
Tag(s): Cuong Vu • School of MusicJanuary 11, 2022
Researchers find concerns for animals tied to same habitats
Like humans, wild animals often return to the same places to eat, walk on the same paths to travel and use the same places to raise their young. A team led by researchers at the University of Washington and the University of Wyoming has reviewed the scientific literature and found that, while “consistent” behavior may be beneficial when environmental conditions don’t change very fast, those benefits may not be realized in the ever-changing world dominated by humans.
Tag(s): Anthropocene • Briana Abrahms • Center for Ecosystem Sentinels • climate change • College of Arts & Sciences • conservation • Department of Biology
Q&A: Bringing a justice lens to wildlife management
A team of researchers led by the University of Washington drew upon the field of environmental justice — which primarily has focused on harms to people and public health — and applied its concepts to wildlife management, considering forms of injustice that people, communities and animal groups might experience. Lead author and UW assistant professor Alex McInturff talks with UW News about this work and why it’s significant.
Tag(s): Alex McInturff • College of the Environment • School of Environmental and Forest SciencesJanuary 6, 2022
ArtSci Roundup: Virtual Artist Panel, EL SUEÑO: THE FLOWERS THAT BLOOM, and More
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Virtual Artist Panel: The Work of Collaboration with Barbara Earl Thomas, Derrick Adams, Janelle Iglesias, and Lisa Iglesias January 13, 6:00 PM |…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of History • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Art + Art History + DesignJanuary 4, 2022
Mass die-off of Magellanic penguins seen during 2019 heat wave
In 2019, University of Washington researchers witnessed the consequences of an extreme heat event in Argentina at one of the world’s largest breeding colonies for Magellanic penguins. On Jan. 19, temperatures at the site in Punta Tombo, on Argentina’s southern coast, spiked in the shade to 44 C, or 111.2 F. As the team reports in a paper published Jan. 4 in the journal Ornithological Applications, the extreme heat wave killed at least 354 penguins, based on a search for bodies by UW researchers in the days following the record high temperature. Nearly three-quarters of the penguins that died — 264 — were adults, many of which likely died of dehydration, based on postmortem analyses.
Tag(s): Center for Ecosystem Sentinels • College of Arts & Sciences • conservation • Dee Boersma • Department of BiologyDecember 22, 2021
ArtSci Roundup: UW Dance Presents, 2022 History Lecture Series, and more
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Many of these opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Restoring Public Trust in Higher Education January 6, 6-7:30 PM | Online Recent studies show a trend of declining trust in higher education…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Dance • Department of English • Department of History • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • UW Alumni AssociationDecember 17, 2021
Deforestation-fueled heat already affecting millions of outdoor workers in the tropics
New research from an interdisciplinary team at the University of Washington, Duke University and The Nature Conservancy shows how local temperature increases in the tropics – compounded by accelerating deforestation – may already be jeopardizing the well-being and productivity of outdoor workers.
Tag(s): climate change • College of the Environment • Department of Atmospheric Sciences • Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences • June Spector • population health • School of Public Health
Video: UW News 2021 highlights
As the year draws to a close, we present highlights from video stories produced by UW News during 2021 — a year where the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact our lives.
December 16, 2021
Bias against Native Americans spikes when mascots are removed
New research led by the University of Washington shows how discontinuing a Native American mascot can stoke racism among a team’s surrounding community.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Psychology • Tyler JimenezDecember 15, 2021
Despite cleaner air, pollution disparities for people of color remain across the US
UW researchers investigated disparities in exposure to six major air pollutants in 1990, 2000 and 2010 by comparing models of air pollution levels to census data. While overall pollutant concentrations have decreased since 1990, people of color are still more likely to be exposed to all six pollutants than white people, regardless of income level, across the continental United States.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Julian Marshall • population healthDecember 14, 2021
Millions in savings from construction of UW’s Hans Rosling Center for Population Health to fund new research
Using project savings from the construction of the Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, the University of Washington will fund dozens of new research projects through the Population Health Initiative’s interdisciplinary grant program. The new grants will fall into three tiers, with funding from $20,000 to $200,000 per award. “We are delighted to have the…
Tag(s): Ali Mokdad • Hans Rosling Center for Population Health • Population Health Initiative« Previous Page Next Page »
