Natural Sciences Division

Carl Bergstrom, biology professor, explains that Easter travel will likely not bring the same surge in cases as past holiday season travel.

Astronomers wax romantic talking about the joys of traveling to remote places to observe the heavens. With today's technology, those kinds of trips are less and less necessary. What is gained and what is lost? Emily Levesque, associate professor of astronomy at the UW, is interviewed.

Any Star Wars fan will recognize an iconic shot of two suns glowing in the skies of Tatooine — Luke Skywalker’s home planet. But new research shows this strange world isn’t as far from reality as you might think. Siegfried Eggl, a research scientist in astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

Though COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out and some restrictions are easing, experts warn that some may feel anxious or fearful about a "return to normal." Jane Simoni, professor of psychology at the UW, is interviewed.

The debate over the habitability of Venus continues to burn as hot as the planet’s scorching temperatures. Michael Wong, a postdoctoral researcher in astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

Scientists are struggling to explain why the gray whale population plummeted by nearly a quarter between 2016 and 2020. Sue Moore, affiliate professor of biology and of aquatic and fishery sciences, is quoted.

UW senior Ishira Parikh helped create an award-winning curriculum using what she'd learned through UW courses and volunteer activities. 

Dr. Meredith Rawls, astronomy research scientist, discusses the issue of space debris.

David Hertzog, professor of physics, explains the results of new research on muons, a type of particle.

Evidence is mounting that a tiny subatomic particle called a muon is disobeying the laws of physics as we thought we knew them, scientists announced on Wednesday. David Hertzog, professor of physics at the UW, is mentioned.

“Ever since early February, when some software volunteers debuted a website to help the public find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, they’ve had a unique window into the ebb and flow of what one engineer there dubbed ‘the spice.’ Who wants the vaccines, and who doesn’t? Where in the state are the shots snapped right up, and where are they left wanting?” writes columnist Danny Westneat. Jessica Chong, assistant professor of pediatrics in the UW School of Medicine, and Carl Bergstrom, professor of biology at the UW, are quoted.

The Department of Philosophy's “Why do we need philosophy now?” video contest has concluded, with the first place prize going to College of Arts and Sciences junior Camille Miller.

A 6-mile-wide space rock and colossal eruptions racked Earth at the same fateful moment. Scientists have tried for decades to determine the primary suspect behind the Cretaceous extinction. Gregory Wilson Mantilla, Burke Museum curator of vertebrate paleontology and professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

Particles called muons are behaving weirdly and it could mean a huge discovery. David Hertzog, professor of physics at the UW, is interviewed on the “60-Second Science” podcast.

Students across western Washington are returning to the classroom this month. After a year of isolation, mental health experts say some students may be struggling with the idea of heading back to school. Jane Simoni, professor of psychology at the UW, is interviewed.