Research

Mammals appear to have been social creatures much earlier than previously thought, according to U.S. paleontologists. The UW’s Luke Weaver, a graduate student in biology, and Gregory Wilson Mantilla, a professor of biology, are quoted.

A species of tiny mammals that lived among the dinosaurs might have led highly gregarious lives. Luke Weaver, a graduate student in biology at the UW, is quoted.

A new study led by paleontologists at the University of Washington and its Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture indicates that the earliest evidence of mammal social behavior goes back to the Age of Dinosaurs. The evidence lies in the fossil record of a new genus of multituberculate — a small, rodent-like mammal that lived during the Late Cretaceous of the dinosaur era — called Filikomys primaevus, which translates to “youthful, friendly mouse.”

Many mammals work together in packs to stay alive. Since reptiles don’t do this, it seems likely the first mammals weren’t social creatures, raising the question of when this important trait arose. New evidence suggests it dates back to at least the late Cretaceous period. The UW’s Luke Weaver, a graduate student in biology, and Gregory Wilson Mantilla, a professor of biology, are quoted.

During the pandemic, many people have leaned into art and hobbies to ease the stress of everyday life. For Chanhee Choi, a multidisciplinary interactive artist and Ph.D. candidate in the University of Washington Digital Arts and Experimental Media department, art became a way to reflect on her experience with discrimination and racism as a Korean in America during the pandemic.

Incumbent Democrat Kim Schrier is being challenged by Republican Jesse Jensen to represent the 8th Congressional District, east of Seattle. Unlike a lot of American politics in 2020, one big theme in the race is bipartisanship. But what does bipartisanship mean in a hyper-partisan age? Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the UW, is interviewed.

When people ask Lin Hongxuan why he studies the history of a community he’s not part of, his answer can be very simple: the history hasn’t been told. But there’s a more complicated answer, too. It’s dangerous for people within this particular community to tell their history.

With Election Day less than a week away, the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter on Tuesday appeared virtually before a Senate panel where lawmakers grilled them over their influence in the election and a once-obscure law that has drawn criticism from Republicans and Democrats. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

Everyone seems divided on issues like race, identity, economics, law and order, and public health, and it feels like we’re fractured beyond repair. But take heed, worried nation, we’ve been here before. Sort of. Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

A new UW study finds that denser neighborhoods reach peak infection rate earlier while nearby neighborhoods won’t reach their peak infection until weeks or even years later. Zack Almquist, assistant professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

Even as residents of Earth grapple with a global pandemic, our work in space continues. At the UW, the Space Policy and Research Center — SPARC for short — brings together researchers, policymakers and industry professionals each year to discuss the challenges of human presence and endeavors in space.

A research team led by UC Irvine and the University of Washington has created a new model of coronavirus diffusion through a community. 

Researchers have discovered fossils of a tiny burrowing reptile among a vast expanse of petrified wood in eastern Arizona. The fossils were discovered by a team of researchers from the Petrified Forest National Park, Virginia Tech, the University of Washington, Arizona State University, Idaho State University and the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

Recent news of the arrest of Mexico’s former defense minister makes a new book about Mexican politics and journalism by Vanessa Freije, though a work of history, seem all too timely.

You probably already know that in certain corners of the internet, people are earnestly arguing that the Earth is flat. A few decades ago, they’d have been printing leaflets or newsletters. Now they can spread their misinformation to a much wider online audience. Mark Alan Smith, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.