Natural Sciences Division

Strange data from a star about 11,000 light years away led researchers to hypothesize that two planets had collided in front of the star, blotting out the light but emitting a lot of heat. Such an event is one theory for how planets like Earth are created. Anastasios Tzanidakis, a doctoral student, and James Davenport, research assistant professor, both of astronomy at the UW, are interviewed.

At the brand-new Quantum Technologies Training and Testbed lab, researchers from across the UW probe the spooky mysteries of quantum phenomena.

A new study doubles the evolutionary history of the weasel family. Researchers, including Chris Law, a UW principal research scientist in the biology department, have determined that a fossil that was discovered in Spain belongs to a new species dating back to around 6.5 million years ago. This new species was likely similar in size to the smallest living weasel species today, the least weasel.

Thousands of asteroids including hundreds of distant worlds located out beyond the orbit of Neptune and dozens of previously unknown near-Earth objects have been detected by astronomers. Mario Juri, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

The University of Washingtons graduate and professional degree programs again were recognized as among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Reports 2026 Best Graduate Schools released late Monday.

Around 11,000 asteroids have been discovered in the solar system by scientists operating the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, home to the worlds biggest camera. The haul includes hundreds of distant worlds beyond Neptune and 33 previously unknown near-Earth asteroids. Mario Juri, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

A simple act like drinking nectar can hide an unexpected scientific story. Sunbirds, small and colorful birds found in many parts of the world, have surprised researchers with a completely new way of feeding. This discovery shows that even well-known animals can still teach us something new about nature. Scientists continue to study such behaviors to better understand how animals adapt and survive. UW research is mentioned.

In a short span of time, scientists have identified more than 11,000 new asteroids. Instead of a slow buildup, the discoveries have come in a surge prompting scientists to rethink just how busy and complex the space around us truly is. Mario Juri, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

A neural network based on a nematode worms connectome can puppeteer a digital fruit flys body, a new preprint shows. The work comes just two weeks after Eon Systems, a neurotechnology company based in San Francisco, announced that it had uploaded a fly brain and released a video of that brain controlling a biomechanical fly model in a virtual world. Bing Wen Brunton, professor of biology at the UW, and John Tuthill, professor of neurobiology and biophysics at the UW, are quoted.

The threat of rare, butdeadly diseaseis rising alongside mosquito populations in the Northwest. In response, scientists areresearchinghow mosquitoes detect a common compound in natural repellents. Jeff Riffell, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

New research at the University of Washington could help scientists develop better mosquito repellents as mosquito season grows longer in parts of the Northwest. Jeff Riffell, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted. This story was republished in numerous outlets.

A University of Washington-led team discovered that modern Nautilus and Allonautilus species inhabit deeper waters than their extinct ancestors did over 500 million years ago, with juveniles living at twice the depth of mature adults.

New research reports that sunbirds use suction from their tongue to sip nectar. The find is the first example of any vertebrate drinking through suction generated by the tongue alone, rather than by changing the shape of its mouth. A UW research project is mentioned.

Using preliminary data from the Simonyi Survey Telescope at the NSFDOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, scientists have discovered over 11,000 new asteroids in our solar system. The findings include hundreds of distant worlds beyond Neptune as well as 33 previously unknown near-Earth objects.

A fireball lit up western Washington skies on Saturday night, traveling across Pierce County. The American Meteor Society said over 100 people submitted reports that they saw the meteor at 8:34 p.m. The sightings were reported across Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Chris Laws, teaching professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.