Natural Sciences Division

Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences study shows that parents who speak “parentese” can have a direct impact on their children’s vocabulary. 

Daniel Kroupa, a Washington Research Foundation Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Washington’s Clean Energy Institute (CEI), made Forbes' "30 Under 30" list.

Every autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, Magellanic penguins leave their coastal nesting sites in South America. For adults, their summer task — breeding, or at least trying to — is complete. Newly fledged chicks and adults gradually head out to sea to spend the winter feeding. They won’t return to land until spring.

Wondering if we've got neighbors? UW astrobiologists are looking for signs of life elsewhere in the Universe. 

A paper published in the Royal Society’s journal Interface explores the effects of seawater on protein-based adhesives produced by marine mussels (bivalve mollusks). According to the study conducted by UW researchers, low pH and oxygen conditions in seawater cause the mussel’s adhesive plaques to weaken.

UW physicist Jiun-Haw Chu named Packard Fellow for research on quantum materials.

Associate Professor of Psychology Kristina Olson has been named one of this year's MacArthur Fellows.

UW Biology Professor Janneke Hille Ris Lambers' research on the effect of climate change on plants is described in a recent article.

Two UW scientists, Abigail Swann (assistant professor, biology and atmospheric sciences) and Marlies Kovenock (biology doctoral student),  have discovered that plants with thicker leaves may exacerbate the effects of climate change because they would be less efficient in sequestering atmospheric carbon, a fact that climate change models to date have not taken into account.

UW Psychology research study finds that practicing mindfulness benefits parents and their children.

Research team led by UW Professor Takato Imaizumi discovers gene activity in plants that leads to flowering.

UW Biology students and researchers have discovered new information about sea urchins on a recent submarine expedition. 

Department of Psychology researchers discover toddlers conduct a form of cost-benefit analysis in deciding whether to help someone.

Physics Graduate Student Rachel Osofsky is quoted about her work adjusting the magnetic field of a new electromagnetic ring.

Assistant Research Professor Rory Barnes' published paper is cited in a recent article about fictional Star Trek Planet Vulcan.