Research

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.

UW Chemistry professor Xiaosong Li has joined the College of Arts & Sciences leadership team as associate dean for research. 

Pets were once dismissed as trivial scientific subjects. Today, companion animal science is hot. Daniel Promislow, professor of biology and of laboratory medicine and pathology at the UW, is quoted.

"I am a qualitative sociologist who works on issues of race/racism in and through science and technology. Specifically, my work is situated within a growing new area of inquiry, the sociology of the neurosciences." Oliver Rollins, assistant professor of American ethnic studies at the UW, is featured.

"Growing numbers of reporters and editors, tired of waiting for the other shoe to drop, are exiting the profession, citing burnout as the reason for their departure," writes Matthew Powers, associate professor of communications at the UW.

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.

Could those irritating mosquito bite bumps soon become a thing of the past? Researchers at the UW are studying the understanding of the feeding behaviors of mosquitoes. Jeff Riffell, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

Earlier this month, Spotify announced that it would be raising the price of its premium memberships, with its “individual” subscription going from $10.99 to $11.99 a month starting in July. This is the second price increase users have seen in a year. Gabriel Solis, professor of music and Divisional Dean of the Arts at the UW, is interviewed.

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.

A recent study from the UW has revealed some unexpected findings that might make you rethink your baby’s playlist — or lack thereof. Christina Zhao, research assistant professor of speech and hearing sciences at the UW, is quoted.

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.

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. UW News talked with lead author Gregg Muragishi, a UW postdoctoral scholar of psychology, to learn more about this research.

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.

A new University of Washington study, published in Developmental Science, is the first to compare the amount of music and speech that children hear in infancy. Results showed that infants hear more spoken language than music, with the gap widening as the babies get older. Naja Ferjan Ramírez, assistant professor of linguistics, is a co-author of the study.