The latest news from the UW

Arts and entertainment | Social science | UW and the community | UW News blog

February 15, 2017

UW affiliate faculty member in anthropology presents her book, ‘Seawomen of Iceland’

Maritime communities take various forms around the planet and through the centuries. Margaret Willson, affiliate associate professor of anthropology and Canadian Studies Arctic Program at the University of Washington, is the author of “Seawomen of Iceland: Survival on the Edge,” published in 2016 by University of Washington Press. UW Today asked Willson a few questions about the book, in advance of her talk Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at Seattle’s Center for Wooden Boats. How did you get interested in…

Science | Technology | UW and the community | UW News blog

Early Earth as exoplanet: NASA highlights just-published UW Virtual Planetary Laboratory research

Recently published research from the UW’s Virtual Planetary Laboratory (VPL) using ancient Earth as a stand-in for hypothetically habitable exoplanets has been highlighted by NASA in a feature article. Leading the research was Giada Arney, who was a UW astronomy doctoral student when doing the work and is now with NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center.

Arts and entertainment

Arts Roundup: Hannah Black, Step Afrika!, Henry Curator Talk, and Music of Today

This week in the arts, learn about the intersection of feminism, pop music, and hope with lecturer Hannah Black; celebrate the 100th birthday of Jacob Lawrence with Step Afrika!; hear from the Director of the Henry on the photography work of Chuck Close; and explore the facilities of the 3D4M: ceramics + glass + sculpture Program. Critical Issues in Contemporary Art Practice – Hannah Black 7 p.m., February 16 | Henry Art Gallery Lecturer Hannah Black is an artist and writer living in London…

News releases | Research | Science | Social science

Predicting autism: Researchers find autism biomarkers in infancy

By using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study the brains of infants who have older siblings with autism, scientists were able to correctly identify 80 percent of the babies who would be subsequently diagnosed with autism at 2 years of age.

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

‘The blob’ of abnormal conditions boosted Western U.S. ozone levels

Ozone levels in June 2015 were significantly higher than normal over a large swath of the Western U.S. Analysis ties this air quality pattern to the abnormal conditions in the northeast Pacific Ocean, nicknamed “the blob.”

February 10, 2017

Laser-based camera developed at UW improves view of the carotid artery to assess stroke and heart attack risk

A unique application of a medical camera developed by a University of Washington mechanical engineer could one day help physicians know who is at risk for stroke or heart attack by providing a better view of potential problem areas.

Arts and entertainment | Learning | Research | UW and the community | UW News blog

Ralina Joseph co-edits special journal issue on race, respectability and the media

Ralina Joseph, University of Washington associate professor of communication, has guest co-edited a special triple issue of the interdisciplinary journal Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture and Society with her former mentor and dissertation adviser, Jane Rhodes of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Joseph’s own article in the issue focuses on the creator of the television show “Grey’s Anatomy,” set in Seattle. The special edition, the guest editors wrote, resulted from a panel discussion called “The Right…

Arts and entertainment

February 8, 2017

Arts Roundup: Solaris Vocal Ensemble, ArtVenture — and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor

This week in the arts, hear Solaris Vocal Ensemble join forces with Seattle Modern Orchestra, take the family on an ArtVenture at the Henry, and spend Valentine’s Day listening to the internationally recognized superstar pianist Benjamin Grosvenor. Guitar Studio Recital 7:30 p.m., February 10 | Brechemin Auditorium Students of Michael Partington perform works for classical guitar. More info. Solaris Vocal Ensemble with Seattle Modern Orchestra 7:30 p.m., February 10| Meany Studio Theater Solaris Vocal Ensemble (Giselle Wyers, director) joins forces with Seattle Modern Orchestra…

Engineering | Honors and awards | News releases | UW and the community

College of Engineering’s STARS program wins $2.2M to improve access for low-income students

The STARS program, which offers engineering students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds extra academic support, will receive a one-time grant of $2.2 million from the Opportunity Expansion Fund passed by the Washington Legislature and funded by Microsoft.

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

Hidden lakes drain below West Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier

Drainage of four interconnected lakes below Thwaites Glacier in late 2013 caused only a 10 percent increase in the glacier’s speed. The glacier’s recent speedup is therefore not due to changes in meltwater flow along its underside.

February 6, 2017

‘Overwhelming’ response, global press attention for new UW Information School course, ‘Calling BS’

It’s almost unheard-of for a university class to spark global press attention — and offers of book deals — before instruction even begins. But such is the case with the UW Information School’s new course, “Calling Bullshit in the Age of Big Data.”

Environment | Science | UW News blog

February 3, 2017

New digital collection from UW Libraries: Glaciers and Landforms

Thousands of photos of glaciers, volcanoes, rivers and other natural phenomena are now easily viewed by the public through the University of Washington Libraries. UW Libraries’ Special Collections this fall released a new Glacier and Landforms Photograph Collection. The collection is designed to provide online access to photos of glaciers, geology and related subjects. At launch, the collection includes material from three photographers, and more will be added over time. Don Easterbrook, professor emeritus of geology at Bellingham’s Western Washington…

February 1, 2017

UW introduces new master’s degree in applied child & adolescent psychology

A new UW graduate degree program – the Master of Arts in Applied Child & Adolescent Psychology: Prevention & Treatment – aims to meet the growing need for mental health professionals trained to serve children, teens and families.

Arts and entertainment

Arts Roundup: Japanese drumming, Shakespeare, and a public lecture

This week in the arts, traditional Japanese music, a modern twist on a Shakespearean classic, and a lecture featuring Cameron Rowland discusses contemporary art and its place in society. KODO 8 p.m., February 3 & 4 | Meany Theater An international phenomenon since 1981, the percussion ensemble KODO explores the limitless rhythmic possibilities of the traditional Japanese taiko drum. More info. As You Like It 7:30 p.m., February 7 through February 19 | Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theater Shakespeare’s glorious comedy of love and change…

Engineering | News releases | Research | Technology | UW and the community

New route-finding map lets Seattle pedestrians avoid hills, construction, accessibility barriers

AccessMap – a University of Washington project spearheaded by the Taskar Center for Accessible Technology — launched a new online travel planner offering customizable suggestions for people who need accessible or pedestrian-friendly routes when getting from point A to B in Seattle.

Health and medicine | News releases | Politics and government | Social science | UW and the community

January 31, 2017

UW’s Forefront to recreate memorial, advocate for solutions at Suicide Prevention Education Day in Olympia

The UW-based Forefront will host a memorial for Washington state residents who died by suicide and join firearms dealers, veterans’ organizations, pharmacists, health care providers and suicide attempt and loss survivors to advocate for two legislative bills as part of Suicide Prevention Education Day.

Arts and entertainment | Education | News releases | Politics and government | UW and the community

Poetry, passion and social justice: Activist poets to gather at UW, perform at Seattle Public Library Feb. 3

Poet activists from around the nation will gather for daylong UW conference Feb. 3 on creativity in activism — and then give full voice to that creativity in performances 7 – 10 p.m. at the Seattle Public Library. All are welcome.

Arts and entertainment | Science | UW News blog

January 30, 2017

Artists in the lab: Talk will highlight a creative partnership between art and science

Jennifer Nemhauser leads a research laboratory of scientists, all immersed in the complex world of plant hormones. But last year, the University of Washington professor of biology boosted her lab’s roster with some unexpected talent. Claire Cowie — an artist, UW alumna and lecturer — spent three months in 2016 as a part-time artist-in-residence in Nemhauser’s lab. On Feb. 3, Cowie will deliver a talk to share her experiences and help spread the word about the benefits both she and Nemhauser see…

Administrative affairs | For UW employees | UW and the community | UW News blog

January 27, 2017

UW statement regarding purported Red Square event Monday

A statement from Denzil Suite, vice president for student life at the University of Washington, regarding an event purported to be taking place Monday on Red Square.

Arts and entertainment | Education | Learning | Profiles | UW and the community

Meany Center joins visiting Step Afrika! dance troupe to honor 100th anniversary of artist Jacob Lawrence’s birth

Meany Center for the Performing Arts and the School of Art + Art History + Design celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of artist Jacob Lawrence along with the Seattle Art Museum.

Arts and entertainment

January 25, 2017

Arts Roundup: A trio, a quartet, and a chamber recital

It’s a musical week here at the UW! Attend the faculty-student chamber recital and performances by the Escher String Quartet and the Evergreen Trio. Undergraduate Theater Society: New Works Festival 7:30 p.m., January 27 through January 29 | Hutchinson Hall Cabaret Theater A long standing UTS tradition, the New Works Festival highlights work shopping new scripts, putting new work on its feet, and giving undergrads opportunities they can’t find elsewhere. All three plays featured will have been written by, directed…

Environment | Research | Science | UW News blog

Monsoons to mosquitoes: UW researchers attend national weather conference in Seattle

Researchers from across the UW are presenting their work at the American Meteorological Society’s annual meeting this week in Seattle.

News releases | Research | Science

‘Protective’ DNA strands are shorter in adults who had more infections as infants

New research indicates that people who had more infections as babies harbor a key marker of cellular aging as young adults: the protective stretches of DNA which “cap” the ends of their chromosomes are shorter than in adults who were healthier as infants.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation boosts vital work of the UW’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) announced today the foundation’s commitment to invest $279 million in IHME to expand its work over the next decade.

News releases | Research | Science

January 24, 2017

Prized fossil find — the oldest, most complete iguanian in the Americas — illuminates the lives of lizards in the Age of Dinosaurs

Paleontologists picking through a bounty of fossils from Montana have discovered something unexpected — a new species of lizard from the late dinosaur era, whose closest relatives roamed in faraway Asia.

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

Predator or not? Invasive snails hide even when they don’t know

The specific cues that trigger an animal’s natural defense vary depending on the species and its history in the ecosystem, a new University of Washington study finds.

Administrative affairs | For UW employees | News releases | UW and the community

January 20, 2017

Statement from UW President Ana Mari Cauce on shooting incident during protest in Red Square

A statement from University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce following an incident in which a man suffered a gunshot wound in the abdomen during a large protest in Red Square

Arts and entertainment

January 18, 2017

Arts Roundup: Maple and Vine, a dance faculty concert, and Russian music of the 1960s

This week in the arts, take a trip in time with Maple and Vine, view choreography by nationally and internationally recognized faculty, and hear collaborative musical works at Meany Hall. Maple and Vine January 17 through January 22 | Jones Playhouse Written by Jordan Harrison and directed by Sean Ryan, this darkly funny and provocative investigation of the modern condition asks us to consider how much mobility we’d sacrifice for the chance to just stand still next to someone we love. More info….

Environment | Research | Science | UW News blog

Listen to the Earth smash another global temperature record

The year 2016 was officially the hottest in recent history, beating previous records in 2014 and 2015. UW scientists let you hear the data speak for itself.

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

Climate change prompts Alaska fish to change breeding behavior

A new University of Washington study finds that one of Alaska’s most abundant freshwater fish species is altering its breeding patterns in response to climate change, which could impact the ecology of northern lakes that already acutely feel the effects of a changing climate.

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

Vitamin B-12, and a knockoff version, create complex market for marine vitamins

Vitamin B-12 exists in two different, incompatible forms in the oceans. An organism thought to supply the essential vitamin B-12 in the marine environment is actually churning out a knockoff version.

News releases | Research | Science | Technology

January 17, 2017

Conditions right for complex life may have come and gone in Earth’s distant past

Conditions suitable to support complex life may have developed in Earth’s oceans — and then faded — more than a billion years before life truly took hold, a new University of Washington-led study has found.

Arts and entertainment | Research | UW and the community | UW News blog

Three unique pieces comprise 2017 Dance Faculty Concert Jan. 20-22

The UW Dance Program will team with the “vertical dance company” BANDALOOP for part of its annual Dance Faculty Concert, to be held Jan. 20 – 22 in Meany Hall.

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

Diversification key to resilient fishing communities

Fishing communities can survive ― and even thrive ― as fish abundance and market prices shift if they can catch a variety of species and nimbly move from one fishery to the next, a new University of Washington study finds.

News releases | Research | Science

When it comes to mating, fruit flies can make rational choices

In a paper published Jan. 17 in the journal Nature Communications, researchers report that fruit flies — perhaps the most widely studied insect in history — show signs of rational decision-making when choosing a mate.

Administrative affairs | News releases | UW and the community | UW News blog

January 12, 2017

The latest news from the UW

Early Earth as exoplanet: NASA highlights just-published UW Virtual Planetary Laboratory research

Arts Roundup: Hannah Black, Step Afrika!, Henry Curator Talk, and Music of Today

‘The blob’ of abnormal conditions boosted Western U.S. ozone levels

Laser-based camera developed at UW improves view of the carotid artery to assess stroke and heart attack risk

Ralina Joseph co-edits special journal issue on race, respectability and the media

Arts Roundup: Solaris Vocal Ensemble, ArtVenture — and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor

College of Engineering’s STARS program wins $2.2M to improve access for low-income students

Hidden lakes drain below West Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier

New digital collection from UW Libraries: Glaciers and Landforms

Arts Roundup: Japanese drumming, Shakespeare, and a public lecture

New route-finding map lets Seattle pedestrians avoid hills, construction, accessibility barriers

Poetry, passion and social justice: Activist poets to gather at UW, perform at Seattle Public Library Feb. 3

Artists in the lab: Talk will highlight a creative partnership between art and science

UW statement regarding purported Red Square event Monday

Meany Center joins visiting Step Afrika! dance troupe to honor 100th anniversary of artist Jacob Lawrence’s birth

Arts Roundup: A trio, a quartet, and a chamber recital

Monsoons to mosquitoes: UW researchers attend national weather conference in Seattle

‘Protective’ DNA strands are shorter in adults who had more infections as infants

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation boosts vital work of the UW’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

Prized fossil find — the oldest, most complete iguanian in the Americas — illuminates the lives of lizards in the Age of Dinosaurs

Predator or not? Invasive snails hide even when they don’t know

Statement from UW President Ana Mari Cauce on shooting incident during protest in Red Square

Arts Roundup: Maple and Vine, a dance faculty concert, and Russian music of the 1960s

Listen to the Earth smash another global temperature record

Climate change prompts Alaska fish to change breeding behavior

Vitamin B-12, and a knockoff version, create complex market for marine vitamins

Conditions right for complex life may have come and gone in Earth’s distant past

Three unique pieces comprise 2017 Dance Faculty Concert Jan. 20-22

Diversification key to resilient fishing communities

When it comes to mating, fruit flies can make rational choices

UW law professor leads group defending ‘aural tradition’ of creativity in famous ‘Blurred Lines’ copyright case

Ocean acidification to hit West Coast Dungeness crab fishery, new assessment shows

LATTICE connects women engineers in early academic careers with peers, support