Latest news from University of Washington on Newswise en-us Copyright 2024 Newswise 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/uw-researchers-develop-a-stretchable-wearable-device-that-lights-up-an-led-using-only-the-warmth-of-your-skin/?sc=rsin /articles/uw-researchers-develop-a-stretchable-wearable-device-that-lights-up-an-led-using-only-the-warmth-of-your-skin/?sc=rsin Tue, 10 Sep 2024 19:05:33 EST University of Washington 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. University of Washington /articles/thanks-to-humans-salish-sea-waters-are-too-noisy-for-resident-orcas-to-hunt-successfully/?sc=rsin /articles/thanks-to-humans-salish-sea-waters-are-too-noisy-for-resident-orcas-to-hunt-successfully/?sc=rsin Tue, 10 Sep 2024 11:05:17 EST Scientists report 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 areas with high ship traffic. University of Washington /articles/addressing-alzheimer-s-in-american-indian-communities/?sc=rsin /articles/addressing-alzheimer-s-in-american-indian-communities/?sc=rsin Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:05:08 EST This $11 million IHS contract will create training for healthcare providers and support patients' families in communities that have little access to such specialized care. University of Washington /articles/covid-19-lockdowns-prematurely-aged-teenage-brains-uw-study-shows/?sc=rsin /articles/covid-19-lockdowns-prematurely-aged-teenage-brains-uw-study-shows/?sc=rsin Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:05:52 EST 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. University of Washington /articles/new-discoveries-about-how-mosquitoes-mate-may-help-the-fight-against-malaria/?sc=rsin /articles/new-discoveries-about-how-mosquitoes-mate-may-help-the-fight-against-malaria/?sc=rsin Fri, 30 Aug 2024 10:00:09 EST Surprising details about mosquito mating could lead to improved malaria control techniques and help develop precision drone flight. A paper published Aug. 30 in Current Biology revealed that when a male Anopheles coluzzii mosquito hears the sound of female-specific wingbeats, his eyes "activate" and he visually scans the immediate vicinity for a potential mate. University of Washington /articles/large-language-models-can-help-detect-social-media-bots-but-can-also-make-the-problem-worse/?sc=rsin /articles/large-language-models-can-help-detect-social-media-bots-but-can-also-make-the-problem-worse/?sc=rsin Wed, 28 Aug 2024 16:05:20 EST A team led by University of Washington researchers found that large language models, such as ChatGPT, can make social media bots more sophisticated at evading detection. But these models can also improve systems that detect bots. University of Washington /articles/why-isn-t-colorado-s-snowpack-ending-up-in-the-colorado-river-new-research-suggests-the-problem-might-be-the-lack-of-spring-rainfall/?sc=rsin /articles/why-isn-t-colorado-s-snowpack-ending-up-in-the-colorado-river-new-research-suggests-the-problem-might-be-the-lack-of-spring-rainfall/?sc=rsin Fri, 16 Aug 2024 13:05:28 EST The Colorado River and its tributaries provide water for hydropower, irrigation and drinking water in seven U.S. states and Mexico. But since 2000, water managers have struggled to predict how much water will come from the snowpack. The problem lies with the lack of rainfall in the spring, according to new research from the University of Washington. University of Washington /articles/galaxies-in-dense-environments-tend-to-be-larger-settling-one-cosmic-question-and-raising-others/?sc=rsin /articles/galaxies-in-dense-environments-tend-to-be-larger-settling-one-cosmic-question-and-raising-others/?sc=rsin Wed, 14 Aug 2024 13:05:28 EST A new study has found galaxies with more neighbors tend to be larger than their counterparts that have a similar shape and mass, but reside in less dense environments. The study, which used a machine-learning algorithm to analyze millions of galaxies, found that galaxies found in denser regions of the universe are as much as 25% larger than isolated galaxies. University of Washington /articles/many-survey-respondents-rated-seeking-out-sexually-explicit-deepfakes-as-more-acceptable-than-creating-or-sharing-them/?sc=rsin /articles/many-survey-respondents-rated-seeking-out-sexually-explicit-deepfakes-as-more-acceptable-than-creating-or-sharing-them/?sc=rsin Thu, 08 Aug 2024 17:05:28 EST In a survey of 315 people conducted by researchers at the University of Washington and Georgetown University, respondents largely found creating and sharing sexually explicit "deepfakes" unacceptable. But far fewer respondents strongly opposed seeking out these media. Previous research has shown that other people viewing non-AI image-based abuse harms the victims significantly. University of Washington /articles/using-photos-or-videos-these-ai-systems-can-conjure-simulations-that-train-robots-to-function-in-physical-spaces/?sc=rsin /articles/using-photos-or-videos-these-ai-systems-can-conjure-simulations-that-train-robots-to-function-in-physical-spaces/?sc=rsin Wed, 07 Aug 2024 12:05:28 EST Two new studies introduce AI systems that use either video or photos to create simulations that can train robots to function in the real world. This could significantly lower the costs of training robots to function in complex settings. University of Washington /articles/uw-model-shows-cortical-implants-like-elon-musk-s-blindsight-unlikely-to-exceed-normal-human-vision/?sc=rsin /articles/uw-model-shows-cortical-implants-like-elon-musk-s-blindsight-unlikely-to-exceed-normal-human-vision/?sc=rsin Mon, 29 Jul 2024 12:05:34 EST New research from the University of Washington shows Elon Musk's projection for the latest Neuralink project rests on the flawed premise that implanting millions of tiny electrodes into the visual cortex, the region of the brain that processes information received from the eye, will result in high-resolution vision. University of Washington /articles/how-ibuyers-are-changing-real-estate-racial-disparities-and-individual-homeownership-rates-in-one-major-city/?sc=rsin /articles/how-ibuyers-are-changing-real-estate-racial-disparities-and-individual-homeownership-rates-in-one-major-city/?sc=rsin Thu, 25 Jul 2024 14:05:35 EST University of Washington researchers investigated how iBuyers -- companies that use automated algorithms to quickly buy and sell homes -- have affected the well-documented racial bias against Black home sellers. University of Washington /articles/qa-uw-researcher-aims-to-understand-common-women-s-sports-injuries/?sc=rsin /articles/qa-uw-researcher-aims-to-understand-common-women-s-sports-injuries/?sc=rsin Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:05:31 EST Several common injuries seem to haunt women's sports. Jenny Robinson, a University of Washington assistant professor, is interested in designing better methods to help female athletes train to prevent and recover from injuries. University of Washington /articles/even-on-instagram-teens-mostly-feel-bored/?sc=rsin /articles/even-on-instagram-teens-mostly-feel-bored/?sc=rsin Tue, 16 Jul 2024 16:05:31 EST A University of Washington study found that teens open Instagram because they're bored. Then they sift through largely irrelevant content, mostly feeling bored, while seeking interesting bits to share with their friends in direct messages. Then, eventually bored with what researchers call a "content soup," they log off. University of Washington /articles/qa-the-climate-change-toll-on-roads-two-uw-professors-weigh-in/?sc=rsin /articles/qa-the-climate-change-toll-on-roads-two-uw-professors-weigh-in/?sc=rsin Tue, 16 Jul 2024 12:05:28 EST Two University of Washington researchers are investigating how to mitigate the effects of climate change on common road pavements, such as asphalt and concrete. University of Washington /articles/wolves-return-has-had-only-small-impact-on-deer-populations-in-ne-washington-study-shows/?sc=rsin /articles/wolves-return-has-had-only-small-impact-on-deer-populations-in-ne-washington-study-shows/?sc=rsin Wed, 10 Jul 2024 09:00:16 EST A new study shows that wolves in Washington state are not having much of an impact on white-tailed deer, one of their primary prey. In a paper published June 18, scientists report that the biggest factor shaping white-tailed deer populations in northeast Washington is the quality of habitat available. Cougars were second in their impact. Wolves were a distant third. University of Washington /articles/ultrasounds-may-not-find-this-cancer-in-black-women/?sc=rsin /articles/ultrasounds-may-not-find-this-cancer-in-black-women/?sc=rsin Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:05:45 EST The study looked back at ultrasound data from 1,500 Black women who ended up undergoing hysterectomy at 10 health centers. The study found that having a thinner endometrium measured on transvaginal ultrasound did not mean that there was no cancer risk. University of Washington /articles/chatgpt-is-biased-against-resumes-with-credentials-that-imply-a-disability-but-it-can-improve/?sc=rsin /articles/chatgpt-is-biased-against-resumes-with-credentials-that-imply-a-disability-but-it-can-improve/?sc=rsin Fri, 21 Jun 2024 13:05:08 EST UW researchers found that ChatGPT consistently ranked resumes with disability-related honors and credentials -- such as the "Tom Wilson Disability Leadership Award" -- lower than the same resumes without those honors and credentials. University of Washington /articles/qa-finding-varieties-of-corn-that-are-adapted-to-future-climates/?sc=rsin /articles/qa-finding-varieties-of-corn-that-are-adapted-to-future-climates/?sc=rsin Thu, 20 Jun 2024 18:05:12 EST Research led by the University of Washington used computer models to pinpoint varieties of corn that will be best adapted to produce high yields in future U.S. climates. University of Washington /articles/qa-microinclusions-improve-women-s-workplace-belonging-and-commitment/?sc=rsin /articles/qa-microinclusions-improve-women-s-workplace-belonging-and-commitment/?sc=rsin Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:05:42 EST New research from the University of Washington published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, shows how "microinclusions" -- brief instances of positive treatment, especially from members of the dominant group -- help women feel valued at work. University of Washington