UW News
The latest news from the UW
October 23, 2024
Rocky planets orbiting small stars could have stable atmospheres needed to support life
A new study finds that rocky planets orbiting small stars do have the potential for stable, life-supporting atmospheres. The finding supports continued study of the TRAPPIST-1 system and other top candidates in the search for life outside our solar system.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • Joshua Krissansen-Totton • planetary science
From accessibility upgrades to a custom cat-food bowl, this mobile 3D printer can autonomously add features to a room
University of Washington researchers created MobiPrint, a mobile 3D printer that can automatically measure a room and print objects onto the floor. The team’s graphic interface lets users design objects in a space that the robot has mapped out. The prototype, which the team built on a modified consumer vacuum robot, can add a range of objects to rooms.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Daniel Campos Zamora • Jon Froehlich • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringOctober 22, 2024
Paws of polar bears sustaining ice-related injuries in a warming Arctic
Polar bears in some parts of the high Arctic are developing ice buildup and related injuries to their feet. The changes appear to be an unexpected consequence of climate change, related to changing conditions in a warming Arctic.
Tag(s): Applied Physics Laboratory • College of the Environment • Kristin Laidre • polar science • Polar Science Center • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesOctober 21, 2024
Sweetened beverage taxes decrease consumption in lower-income households by nearly 50%, UW study finds
New research from the University of Washington investigated responses to sweetened beverage taxes using the purchasing behavior of approximately 400 households in Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland and Philadelphia. Researchers found that after the tax was introduced, lower-income households decreased their purchases of sweetened beverages by nearly 50%, while higher-income households reduced purchases by 18%.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Economics • Health Systems and Population Health • Jessica Jones-Smith • Melissa Knox • School of Public HealthOctober 17, 2024
ArtSci Roundup: Frontiers of Physics Lecture, Film Screening, Washin Kai Lecture and more
This week, attend the Frontiers of Physics lecture, join the South Asia Center for a film screening, head to Kane Hall for a Washin Kai lecture, and more. Election & Democracy Events October 22 | State of Trust: Washington’s Political Climate and Voter Priorities, Online What is the current level of trust in our electoral system?…
Tag(s): Center for South Asian Studies • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of American Indian Studies • Department of Asian Languages & Literature • Department of Classics • Department of Scandinavian Studies • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Simpson Center for the Humanities
Life could exist on Mars in shallow meltwater pools below icy surface, study suggests
Researchers think meltwater beneath Martian ice could host microbial life. New results show that dusty ice could allow deeper layers to melt, while allowing enough sunlight through to support photosynthesis.
Tag(s): Aditya Khuller • Applied Physics Laboratory • College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • space science • Stephen WarrenOctober 15, 2024
Annual President’s Address 2024: Creating Impact through Courage, Compassion and Collaboration
University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce delivered her final annual address of her term on Oct. 15. The audience was invited to attend at the Henry Art Galley and remotely via livestream.
Tag(s): Ana Mari Cauce
Antisemitism and Islamophobia task forces issue final reports, findings and recommendations to UW leadership
Final reports from the University of Washington’s task forces on antisemitism and Islamophobia were released Tuesday. The task forces were established by UW President Ana Mari Cauce on March 7, 2024, with the goal of assessing “how students, faculty and staff are experiencing discrimination or harassment because they are Jewish and/or Palestinian, Middle Eastern or Muslim on our campus, and to what degree they feel the climate is supportive and welcoming.”
Q&A: New book shows how innovation inequality fuels America’s political divide
Victor Menaldo, UW professor of political science, co-authored the forthcoming book, “U.S. Innovation Inequality and Trumpism.” The book focuses on how former President Donald Trump — like other populists that came before him — exploits ‘innovation inequality,” or the divide between areas that are more technologically advanced and those that aren’t.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Political Science • Victor MenaldoOctober 14, 2024
UW’s 2024 entering class is most diverse
The University of Washington’s newest freshman class is the most diverse in the school’s 164-year history, and the incoming class at UW Bothell is the largest since the school first welcomed students in 1990, while UW Tacoma’s enrollment increased 4% over last year.
October 10, 2024
ArtSci Roundup: Election Events, Meany Hall Performances, Artist Panel and more
This week, attend the Conversation on Race, Gender, & Democracy lecture at Kane Hall, check out performances at Meany Hall, learn from a panel of artists at Henry Art Gallery, and more. Election & Democracy Events October 14, 6:30 – 8:00 pm | The 2024 Election: A Conversation on Race, Gender, & Democracy featuring Dr. Christina Greer, Kane…
Tag(s): Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of American Indian Studies • Department of Communication • Department of History • Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures • Department of Political Science • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • Simpson Center for the HumanitiesOctober 9, 2024
UW ranks among best in the world, fourth among US public institutions
The University of Washington is among the best universities in the world, according to the 2025 World University Rankings published Wednesday by Times Higher Education.
Tag(s): RankingsOctober 8, 2024
How to Steal an Election: New UW course examines democracy’s vulnerability
James Long, University of Washington professor of political science, launched a new course this quarter. “How to Steal an Election” highlights the types of politicians who try to steal elections, and how and what can be done to secure them.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Political Science • James LongOctober 4, 2024
Q&A: New dataset provides a robust picture of Hurricane Helene’s destruction — and could help design more resilient communities
UW researchers collaborated with people at multiple institutions to collect pre-storm data and place sensors to measure storm surge levels and wave height during Hurricane Helene’s landfall.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Michael Grilliot • RAPID FacilityOctober 3, 2024
ArtSci Roundup: Democracy Discussions series, Ellison Lecture, Faculty Recital and more
This week, head to Kane Hall for a Conversation on Race, Gender, & Democracy, attend the fall Ellison Lecture featuring the chief foreign-affairs correspondent of The Wall Street Journal, check out a faculty recital, and more. October 7, 12:00 – 1:00 pm | Biology Seminar | Bears in Bathtubs: How Behavior and Life History Shape…
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology • Department of Cinema & Media Studies • Department of Comparative History of Ideas • Department of Dance • Jackson School of International Studies • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Music • Simpson Center for the HumanitiesOctober 1, 2024
Q&A: UW researchers examine link between light pollution and interest in astronomy
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, research scientist the University of Washington Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS), and Andrew Meltzoff, co-director of I-LABS and professor of psychology, recently co-authored a study in Nature Scientific Reports showing a link between the ability to see the stars unblocked by light pollution and an interest in astronomy.
Tag(s): Andrew Meltzoff • Department of Psychology • Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences • Rodolfo Cortes BarraganSeptember 30, 2024
UW Climate Impacts Group contributes to new WA State Climate Resiliency Strategy
The University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group has supported a newly released plan for state agencies to address the regional impacts of climate change. The plan, led by the Department of Ecology, includes 10 state agencies’ strategies to address climate impacts.
Tag(s): climate change • Climate Impacts Group • College of the Environment • EarthLab • Guillaume Mauger • Jason Vogel • population healthSeptember 27, 2024
ArtSci Roundup: Psychology Edwards Seminar, Democracy in Focus lecture series, First Wednesday Concerts and more
This week, attend the Psychology Edwards seminar, check out the First Wednesday Concert Series in the Allen Library, tune into the first lecture of the Democracy in Focus Lecture Series, and more. September 30, 12:00 – 1:20 pm | Psychology Edwards seminar talk with Alex L. White, Ph.D., Columbia University, Kindcaid Hall Can you recognize two…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Center for Communication Difference and Equity • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Communication • Department of Political Science • Department of Psychology • UW Music • UW Public LecturesSeptember 25, 2024
Q&A: UW Climate Risk Lab focuses on financial impacts of climate change
Phillip Bruner, executive director of the UW Climate Risk Lab and professor of practice of sustainable finance, and other representatives from the lab, will participate Sept. 22-29 in Climate Week NYC. Based in the Foster School of Business, the Climate Risk Lab brings together experts in finance, climate data, and business to research climate-related financial risk.
Tag(s): Climate Risk Lab • Foster School of Business • Phillip Bruner
To make fluid flow in one direction down a pipe, it helps to be a shark
Researchers from the University of Washington have discovered a new way to help liquid flow in only one direction, but without using the flaps that engines and our circulatory system rely upon to prevent fluid backup. The team built a flexible pipe with an interior helical structure inspired by the anatomy of shark intestines — creating a prototype inspired by biology but with applications in engineering and medicine.
Tag(s): Alshakim Nelson • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Chemistry • Sarah KellerSeptember 23, 2024
Q&A: How the Remote Hub Lab can prepare engineering students for their future careers
The Remote Hub Lab allows students to access physical engineering equipment from anywhere in the world. A primary focus of the lab is to use a process called “digital twinning,” to create virtual models that mirror real-world systems, which enables students to experiment, learn and innovate in a risk-free, cost-effective environment.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • education • Rania Hussein
UW introduces ‘Five for Flourishing,’ an innovative suite of academic interventions to help students thrive
Every year, undergraduates at the University of Washington start their college experience, often in cavernous classrooms, learning alongside dozens, if not hundreds, of their peers. Research shows that taking these courses — some prerequisites and other classes on popular topics — can make students feel isolated, scared and not up to the task.
Tag(s): Center for Teaching and Learning • Chris Marriott • Marisa Nickle • Megan Kennedy • Paula Saravia • Penelope Moon • Philip Reid • Provost Office • Resilience LabSeptember 21, 2024
Remembering former Washington governor, senator, public servant and UW alumnus, Daniel J. Evans
Daniel Jackson Evans, a man whose impact on the state of Washington and the University of Washington spans decades and is memorialized in his namesake, the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, died Sept. 20, 2024. He was 98.
September 20, 2024
Determination of non-significance: Laurel Village
Pursuant to the provisions of WAC 197-11-340 and WAC 478-324-140, the University of Washington hereby provides public notice of adoption of an existing document, the UW 2018 Seattle Campus Master Plan Final EIS, and DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE. The adopted document is available at: https://facilities.uw.edu/files/media/uw-cmp-final-eis-volume-1.pdf Project Name: Laurel Village Proponent/Lead Agency: University of Washington–Seattle Campus Comment…
ArtSci Roundup: Kicking the school year off with gallery exhibitions, a faculty comedy show, filming screening, and more!
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week. This week, attend gallery exhibitions, and more. As the UW community returns to campus, consider taking advantage of campus perks available to UW employees and students: Free admission to the Henry Art Gallery and Burke Museum Discounted tickets to performances by Meany Center,…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Asian Languages & Literature • Department of Geography • Jacob Lawrence Gallery • School of Art + Art History + Design • Select Department of Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies Department of Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies • Simpson Center for the Humanities
UW’s incoming class welcomed at New Student Convocation
The University of Washington will welcome its incoming classes and their families on Sunday, Sept. 22 at the University’s annual New Student Convocation, which will be held in Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
Tag(s): Louisa Mackenzie • UW convocationSeptember 19, 2024
Determination of non-significance: Blakeley Village
Pursuant to the provisions of WAC 197-11-340 and WAC 478-324-140, the University of Washington hereby provides public notice of adoption of an existing document, the UW 2018 Seattle Campus Master Plan Final EIS, and DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE. The adopted document is available at: https://facilities.uw.edu/files/media/uw-cmp-final-eis-volume-1.pdf Project Name: Blakeley Village Proponent/Lead Agency: University of Washington–Seattle Campus Comment…
Over 8 years, UW Population Health Initiative has turned ideas into impact
In just eight years, the UW Population Health Initiative has funded 227 innovative, interdisciplinary projects. With the Initiative now a third of the way into its 25-year vision, UW News checked in with three projects that recently received funding to scale their efforts.
Tag(s): Amy Hagopian • Ana Mari Cauce • Andrea Stocco • Bethany Gordon • BJ Cummings • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Celina Balderas Guzman • Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Department of Landscape Architecture • Department of Psychology • Department of Sociology • Department of Statistics • Hans Rosling Center for Population Health • Health Systems and Population Health • Nicole Errett • Paul Hebert • Population Health Initiative • Sameer Shah • School of Environmental and Forest Sciences • School of Public Health • Thomas Grabowski • Zack Almquist
What’s for dinner? Scientists unearth key clues to cuisine of resident killer whales
Scientists have discovered the cuisine preferences of two resident killer whale populations, also known as orcas: the Alaska residents and the southern residents, which reside primarily in the Salish Sea and off the coast of Washington, British Columbia, Oregon and northern California. The two populations show broad preference for salmon, particularly Chinook, chum and coho. But they differ in when they switch to hunting and eating different salmon species, as well as the other fish species they pursue to supplement their diets. This information could aid conservation efforts for southern resident killer whales, which remain critically endangered due to pollution, loss of salmon habitat and other human-caused factors that disrupt their hunting and reproductive capabilities.
Tag(s): Amy Van Cise • College of the Environment • conservation • School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesSeptember 18, 2024
Video: UW welcomes incoming fall students to on-campus housing
Mild fall temperatures this week helped welcome the first group of students who moved into University of Washington residence halls and apartments. More than 10,000 students are expected to live in UW housing this year, including more than 77.5% of the freshman class. This year’s incoming class is expected to be around 7,150, according to preliminary information.
Tag(s): Move-in day
Explaining dramatic planetwide changes after world’s last ‘Snowball Earth’ event
Some of the most dramatic climatic events in our planet’s history are “Snowball Earth” events that happened hundreds of millions of years ago, when almost the entire planet was encased in ice up to 0.6 miles thick. New research from the University of Washington provides a more complete picture for how the last Snowball Earth event ended, and suggests why it preceded a dramatic expansion of life on Earth, including the emergence of the first animals.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • David Catling • Department of Earth and Space SciencesSeptember 17, 2024
AI researcher discusses the new version of ChatGPT’s advances in math and reasoning
Niloofar Mireshghallah, a UW postdoctoral scholar, discusses why math and reasoning have so challenged artificial intelligence models and what the public should know about OpenAI’s new release.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Niloofar Mireshghallah • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringSeptember 13, 2024
In the Field: Understanding the impact of Arctic militarization on Indigenous communities
Mia Bennett, University of Washington assistant professor of geography, will spend a week this month in Norway as part of the orientation for the Fulbright Arctic IV Initiative. Bennett is one of 20 scholars selected to collaborate on multi-disciplinary research over the next 18 months.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Geography • In the Field • Mia BennettSeptember 12, 2024
Determination of non-significance: ASUW Shell House 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 Project Name: ASUW Shell House Renovation Proponent/Lead Agency: University of Washington–Seattle Campus Comment Period Closes: September 26, 2024 Description of Proposal: The proposed University of Washington ASUW Shell House project is intended to…
Statement on UW Board of Regents meeting disruption and adjournment
The following is a statement from outgoing UW Board of Regents Chair David Zeeck and Incoming Board of Regents Chair Blaine Tamaki on today’s meeting disruption and adjournment: The UW Board of Regents adjourned its meeting today after disruptions made orderly conduct of the meeting impossible. Speakers addressing labor issues and those calling for divestment…
UW’s Ashleigh Theberge receives Schmidt Sciences Polymath honors for ‘boundary-pushing work’ in cell signaling, communication
Ashleigh Theberge, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Washington, has been named to the Schmidt Sciences Polymath Program, entitling her to grants of up to $2.5 million over five years to “pursue risky, novel theories that would otherwise be difficult to fund,” according to a Sept. 10 announcement from Schmidt Sciences. Theberge — one of six awardees this year — was selected from an applicant pool of 117, and is the first UW faculty member selected for the program, which is in its third year.
Tag(s): Ashleigh Theberge • awards • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of ChemistrySeptember 10, 2024
UW researchers develop a stretchable, wearable device that lights up an LED using only the warmth of your skin
UW researchers have developed a flexible, durable electronic prototype that can harvest energy from body heat and turn it into electricity that can be used to power small electronics, such as batteries, sensors or LEDs. This device is also resilient — it still functions even after being pierced several times and then stretched 2,000 times.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Mechanical Engineering • Mohammad Malakooti
Thanks to humans, Salish Sea waters are too noisy for resident orcas to hunt successfully
New research led by the University of Washington and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has revealed how underwater noise produced by humans may help explain why southern resident orca populations have not recovered from historic lows. In a paper published Sept. 10 in Global Change Biology, the team reports that underwater noise pollution — from both large and small vessels — forces northern and southern resident orcas to expend more time and energy hunting for fish. The din also lowers the overall success of their hunting efforts. Noise from ships likely has an outsized impact on southern resident orca pods, which spend more time in parts of the Salish Sea with high ship traffic.
Tag(s): Center for Ecosystem Sentinels • College of Arts & Sciences • conservation • Department of Biology • Jennifer TennessenSeptember 9, 2024
COVID-19 lockdowns prematurely aged teenage brains, UW study shows
New research from the University of Washington found lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unusually accelerated brain maturation in adolescents. This maturation was more pronounced in girls. When measured in terms of the number of years of accelerated brain development, the mean acceleration was 4.2 years in females and 1.4 years in males.
Tag(s): Ariel Rokem • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Psychology • Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences • Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences • Neva Corrigan • Patricia KuhlSeptember 6, 2024
Statement from UW President Cauce on killing of recent UW graduate in West Bank
A statement from University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce on the killing of recent UW graduate Aysenur Eygi in the West Bank.
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