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The latest news from the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Research | Social science

December 21, 2016

Study: Children can ‘catch’ social bias through nonverbal signals expressed by adults

Most conscientious adults tend to avoid making biased or discriminatory comments in the presence of children. But new research from the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø suggests that preschool-aged children can learn bias even through nonverbal signals displayed by adults, such as a condescending tone of voice or a disapproving look. Published Dec. 21 in the journal Psychological Science, the research found that children can “catch” social bias by seeing negative signals expressed by adults and are likely to generalize that learned…

News releases | Research | Science

December 20, 2016

Researchers model how ‘publication bias’ does — and doesn’t — affect the ‘canonization’ of facts in science

In an article published Dec. 20 in the journal eLife, researchers present a mathematical model that explores whether “publication bias” — the tendency of journals to publish mostly positive experimental results — influences how scientists canonize facts. Their results offer a warning that sharing positive results comes with the risk that a false claim could be canonized as fact. But their findings also offer hope by suggesting that simple changes to publication practices can minimize the risk of false canonization.

Engineering | Research | Science | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø News blog

December 19, 2016

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø researcher pursues synthetic ‘scaffolds’ for muscle regeneration

Miqin Zhang, a professor of materials science and engineering at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, is looking for ways to help the body heal itself when injury, disease or surgery cause large-scale damage to one type of tissue in particular: skeletal muscle. Her goal is to create a synthetic, porous, biologically compatible “scaffold” that mimics the normal extracellular environment of skeletal muscle — onto which human cells could migrate and grow new replacement fibers.

Social science | Technology

$5 million will expand ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-developed technology to help West Coast children and families

Technology developed at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to improve service delivery in child welfare, foster care and homeless youth systems will soon be expanded to other states through $5 million in new funding. The grant will allow Oliver — a social service management solution developed by Partners for Our Children, an organization in the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø School of Social Work — to be expanded to five communities in Washington, Oregon, and California. The funds include a $2.4 million grant from the…

Environment | News releases | Research | Science

December 15, 2016

Underwater volcano’s eruption captured in exquisite detail by seafloor observatory

The cracking, bulging and shaking from the eruption of a mile-high volcano where two tectonic plates separate has been captured in more detail than ever before. A ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø study published this week shows how the volcano behaved during its spring 2015 eruption, revealing new clues about the behavior of volcanoes where two ocean plates are moving apart. “The new network allowed us to see in incredible detail where the faults are, and which were active during the eruption,”…

Administrative affairs | For ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø employees | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø News blog

Dozens of projects aimed at efficiency are on track as part of the Transforming Administration Program

Provost Jerry Baldasty kicked off the Transforming Administration Program in Spring 2015 with a key goal of creating one administration, one university with an enhanced culture of service ultimately serving faculty and staff to achieve the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s teaching, research and service missions. The program aims to make administrative departments more efficient and effective, and eliminate silos.

Politics and government | Research

Businesses shape international law through ‘astroturf activism,’ paper finds

The furor over the 2010 Citizens United decision drew intense scrutiny to the role of corporate money in U.S. politics and raised questions about the influence of businesses in American lawmaking. But corporate interests also play a powerful role in international legal processes, sometimes by covertly creating or co-opting non-governmental organizations to lobby lawmakers on their behalf — creating a type of “astroturf activism” that masquerades as grassroots efforts. That’s the conclusion of a new paper by Melissa Durkee, an…

News releases | Research | Science | Social science

December 13, 2016

Studies of vulnerable populations get a ‘bootstrapped’ boost from statisticians

In a paper published online Dec. 7 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø researchers report on a statistical approach called “tree bootstrapping” can help social scientists study hard-to-reach populations like drug users.

Administrative affairs | Education | For ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø employees | Learning | News releases | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and the community

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is founding member of alliance to expand access and opportunity for 50,000 students from lower- and middle-income families

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø joins 30 of the nation’s most respected colleges and universities Tuesday in a new initiative to substantially expand the number of talented low- and moderate-income students at America’s top-performing undergraduate institutions with the highest graduation rates.

Arts and entertainment | Education | Learning | Profiles | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and the community

Practical, personal thoughts on storytelling in Charles Johnson’s latest book, ‘The Way of the Writer’

Charles Johnson, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø professor emeritus of English, discusses his latest book, “The Way of the Writer: Reflections on the Art and Craft of Storytelling.”

News releases | Research | Science

December 8, 2016

New study traces the marsupial origins in N. America, finds mammals during Age of Dinosaurs packed a powerful bite

A new study by paleontologists at the Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture and the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø describes an early marsupial relative called Didelphodon vorax that lived alongside dinosaurs and had, pound-for-pound, the strongest bite force of any mammal ever recorded.

News releases | Research | Science

Fossilized evidence of a tumor in a 255-million-year-old mammal forerunner

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø paleontologists have discovered a benign tumor made up of miniature, tooth-like structures embedded in the jaw of an extinct ‘mammal-like’ gorgonopsian. Known as a compound odontoma, this type of tumor is common to mammals today. But this animal lived 255 million years ago, before mammals even existed.

Arts and entertainment

December 7, 2016

Arts Roundup: Curator Talk, Jonathan Biss – and An Appalachian Christmas

The quarter ends with performances of classical piano, jazz and Appalachian holiday music. The School of Drama concludes its final production of the quarter. Visit the Jacob Lawrence Gallery for the final days of Utopia Neighborhood Club and join Henry Art Gallery’s Luis Croquer for a curator talk at the Henry. Jazz Innovations Part II 7:30 p.m., December 8 | Brechemin Auditorium Student jazz ensembles from the School of Music pay homage to the icons of jazz and break new…

Engineering | News releases | Research | Technology | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and the community

USDOT awards $14M for mobility research at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-led transportation center

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded approximately $14 million over five years to a multi-university, regional transportation center led by the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to fund research aimed at improving the mobility of people and goods across the Pacific Northwest.

Engineering | News releases | Research | Science | Technology

December 5, 2016

No peeking: Humans play computer game using only direct brain stimulation

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø researchers have published the first demonstration of humans playing a simple, two-dimensional computer game using only input from direct brain stimulation — without relying on any usual sensory cues from sight, hearing or touch.

Education | Learning | Profiles | Science | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and the community

December 1, 2016

The many worlds of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø astronomer — and astrobiologist — Woody Sullivan

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø astronomer and astrobiologist Woody Sullivan discusses recent work and future plans in a multifaceted career that’s changing gears, but far from winding down.

News releases | Research | Science

For the first time, scientists catch water molecules passing the proton baton

Water conducts electricity, but the process by which this familiar fluid passes along positive charges has puzzled scientists for decades. But in a paper published in the Dec. 2 in issue of the journal Science, an international team of researchers has finally caught water in the act — showing how water molecules pass along excess charges and, in the process, conduct electricity.

Arts and entertainment

November 30, 2016

Arts Roundup: CarolFest, Harry Partch, and The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G

December brings a full slate of arts events on campus.  The School of Drama kicks off a production about a playwright interacting with his own characters. The School of Music showcases the Harry Partch instrument collection and presents a night of Caribbean music and dance. Robin McCabe opens a three-part series exploring music and literature, and the School of Music presents CarolFest, its annual holiday concert featuring six choral ensembles and 500 singers. Luke Fitzpatrick: Cage & Partch 7:30 p.m.,…

Engineering | News releases | Research | Science

November 29, 2016

In one-two punch, researchers load ‘nanocarriers’ to deliver cancer-fighting drugs and imaging molecules to tumors

In a paper published Sept. 27 in the journal Small, scientists at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø describe a new system to encase chemotherapy drugs within tiny, synthetic “nanocarrier” packages, which could be injected into patients and disassembled at the tumor site to release their toxic cargo.

Administrative affairs | News releases | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and the community | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø News blog

November 28, 2016

Statement from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø President Ana Mari Cauce regarding Nov. 15 attack on Muslim student

“Our university is and will always be a welcoming place for people of every race and faith, including our Muslim students, faculty and staff.”

Arts and entertainment | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and the community | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø News blog

Undergraduate Theater Society takes on Shakespeare — all of it! — in fast-paced show Dec. 1-11

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Undergraduate Theater Society will perform the high-energy parody “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised],” Dec. 1-11 in the Cabaret Theatre in Hutchinson Hall.

Engineering | News releases | Research | Science | Technology

New grasses neutralize toxic pollution from bombs, explosives and munitions

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø engineers have developed the first transgenic grass species that can take up and destroy RDX — a toxic compound that has been widely used in explosives since World War II and contaminates military bases, battlegrounds and some drinking water wells.

Environment | Research | Science | Social science | ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø News blog

November 18, 2016

Q&A: Harry Stern discusses historical maps, the Northwest Passage and the future of Arctic Ocean shipping

See also: “How Capt. James Cook’s intricate 1778 records reveal global warming today in Arctic” Seattle Times, Nov. 16 Harry Stern, a polar scientist at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s Applied Physics Laboratory, has been studying the Arctic Ocean for decades, and sailed part of the Northwest Passage in 2009. Stern’s latest work uses the earliest explorers’ experiences to better understand a maritime environment that still contains many unknowns. A paper published in November in Polar Geography uses Captain James Cook’s…

Education | Social science

New ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø major prepares educators for lessons outside the traditional classroom

Kim Boudreau enrolled at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø planning to major in business administration and human resources management, but it didn’t feel like quite the right fit. Boudreau realized she was interested in workforce training, so she added a minor in education. But she still wasn’t convinced her studies would take her where she wanted to go. So when the 20-year-old learned about the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s new undergraduate degree in Education, Communities and Organizations — or ECO — she didn’t hesitate…

Arts and entertainment

November 16, 2016

Arts Roundup: DXARTS, American Art Lecture – and Baroque Ensemble

This week, DXARTS presents a new improvisational work in its fall concert and the School of Drama puts a modern spin on an American classic. Explore American art history with a lecture from the School of Art + Art History + Design, catch a performance by the School of Music’s Baroque Ensemble and watch instrumental students compete in a concerto competition. Kollar American Art Lecture 6 p.m., November 17 | Henry Art Gallery Wendy Bellion, associate professor of American art…