Research

Bruce Balick, an emeritus professor of astronomy, explains the results of his new study on planetary nebula.

Harlequin Productions is offering a radio theater-style “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by Orson Welles, available for streaming beginning Sunday, Dec. 6. Antonio Mitchell, who is pursuing a master of fine arts in acting at the UW, is playing Jacob Marley.

A newly released study by the University of Washington shows how being stopped by police in middle school can lead to different criminal-justice paths, based on race. The study, conducted over a period of years, found that Black youth are more likely than white youth to be treated as “usual suspects” after a first encounter with police, leading to more subsequent arrests over time. Kevin Haggerty, professor of social work at the UW; Robert Crutchfield, professor emeritus of sociology at the UW; and Annie McGlynn-Wright, who led the study while a doctoral student in sociology at the UW, are mentioned.

A team led by scientists at the University of Washington and the University of California, San Diego has discovered that cowpeas — a type of bean plant — harbor receptors on the surface of their cells that can detect a compound in caterpillar saliva and initiate anti-herbivore defenses.

More than 65 species of plants have gone extinct in the U.S. and Canada since European colonization, according to a new study. The study was conducted by a group of 16 experts from across the U.S., including Richard Olmstead, professor of biology at the UW. The study showed that far more plant species have gone extinct on the continent than previously documented.

Assistant Professor of statistics Alex Luedtke has identified statistical methods for the analysis of COVID-19 treatment trials.

Richard Olmstead, professor of biology and curator of the Burke Museum Herbarium, discusses his new research on plant extinction.

Assistant Professors Audrey Desjardins (School of Art), Afroditi Psarra (DXARTS), Bonnie Whiting (School of Music), and Jacob Lawrence Gallery Director and Curator Emily Zimmerman, discuss interdisciplinary research project Voices+Voids.

More than 50 University of Washington faculty and researchers have been named on the annual Highly Cited Researchers 2020 list from Clarivate. The highly anticipated annual list identifies researchers who demonstrated significant influence in their chosen field or fields through the publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade.

Scientists are finding that some percentage of tropical forests may hold up under global warming — if they’re not cut down. Abigail Swann, associate professor of atmospheric sciences and of biology at the UW, is quoted.

Chipmunk-like animals that lived among the dinos appear to have been social creatures, which suggests that sociality arose in mammals earlier than scientists thought. Luke Weaver, a graduate student in biology, is interviewed on the “60-Second Science” podcast.

Some family separations are due to estrangement, not COVID. That's not necessarily a bad thing, says Communication Professor Kristina Scharp.

In her recent campus tours interview with Honors Director Vicky Lawson, Talia Kertsman ('22, geography; community, environment & planning with Honors) shines light on Dr. Lawson's research, consortium building and values, also delving into what makes the Honors community so vital at our public University.

Daniel. E. L. Promislow, professor of biology, discusses the relation between dogs and aging science.

An English professor’s story is honored, a Jackson School faculty member helps with research for a PBS show, and more.