Environment

New research shows that galaxies in denser parts of the universe are usually larger than those that are more isolated. Aritra Ghosh, a postdoctoral researcher in astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

This weekend, NASA said to keep your eyes peeled for the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. According to NASA, the Perseid meteor shower runs from July 14 through Sept. 1, but will peak on the night of Sunday, Aug. 11. James Davenport, research assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, is interviewed.

The brainy machines are predicting global weather patterns with new speed and precision, doing in minutes and seconds what once took hours. Chris Bretherton, professor emeritus of atmospheric sciences and of applied mathematics at the UW, is mentioned.

About one-fifth of all electricity customers in Washington will be eligible for a $200 energy credit this summer, funded through the state’s landmark climate law. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Researchers have made startling discoveries in recent years about a crow’s ability to communicate, solve problems, remember people and use tools. What researchers are discovering about crow brains is changing how scientists understand intelligence — and bringing into question our accepted version of evolution. John Marzluff, professor of environmental and forest sciences at the UW, Loma Pendergraft, lecturer of psychology at the UW, and Doug Wacker, assistant professor of biological sciences at UW Bothell, are quoted.

Five years after Amazon committed to an ambitious climate goal, the company says it is making progress on reducing emissions — but critics allege those calculations are misleading. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Aboriginal artifacts in Australia that were likely used for ritual spells may be evidence of the oldest culturally transmitted ritual on record. Ben Marwick, professor of anthropology at the UW, is quoted.

Beginning next year, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory will use the world’s largest digital camera to give us a whole new view of the universe. Mario Jurić, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

As the weather starts heating up this week, you may be tempted to go outside—but with the outdoors comes the possibility of getting bitten by mosquitoes. And if you find yourself getting a lot of mosquito bites, it could be because of the way you smell or the colors of the clothes you are wearing, recent research has found. The UW's Jeff Riffell, professor of biology, and Melissa Leon Norena, a doctoral student of biology, are quoted.

Dr. Abigail Swann, a UW professor of atmospheric sciences and of biology, led a project that combined climate projections with plant models to determine what combination of traits might be best adapted to future climates. The study used projections of weather and climate across the U.S. in 2050 and 2100 with a model that simulates corn’s growth to find the mix of traits that will produce the highest, most reliable yield under future conditions across the country.

Zebrafish embryos aboard the Chinese Tiangong Space Station are the latest ‘aqua astronauts.’ Aaron van Loon, postdoctoral scholar of biology at the UW, is quoted.

Jeffrey Riffell, a University of Washington professor of biology, wants to understand how female mosquitoes find find a host to bite for a bloody meal. His research has shown that hungry mosquitoes find us by following a trail of scent cues, including chemicals exuded by our skin and sweat, as well as the carbon dioxide gas we exhale with each breath. Mosquitoes also like colors, at least certain ones. His team is closing in on how the sense of smell and vision work together to help a mosquito zero in for the final strike and get her blood meal.

And a new study offers a fuller understanding of tool use by sea otters. Otters in California's Monterey Bay use rocks and other objects to break open hard prey, letting them access certain larger prey and reducing their tooth damage. Chris Law, research scientist and teaching professor in biology at the UW, is quoted.

When sea otters face competition for their favorite kinds of food, some use tools — like rocks and even glass bottles — to open tougher prey. That’s according to a new study of sea otters in Monterey Bay, California. Chris Law, research scientist and teaching professor in biology at the UW, is interviewed.

Despite problems with humanity’s use of carbon-based fossil fuels, our whole existence is based on this element’s ability to create rich chemistry. Don Brownlee, professor of astronomy at the UW, is mentioned.