Health

Spraying pesticides can have unintended impacts on important pollinator species. Jeff Riffell, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

An international team led by researchers at the University of Washington has uncovered surprising details about mosquito mating, which could lead to improved malaria control techniques and even help develop precision drone flight. In a paper published Aug. 30 in the journal Current Biology, the team revealed that when a male Anopheles coluzzii mosquito hears the sound of female-specific wingbeats, his eyes âactivateâ and he visually scans the immediate vicinity for a potential mate.

Nick Riley's chemistry research aims to understand cellular processes involving sugars, which could one day lead to advances in treating a range of diseases.

"In the face of shrinking populations, many of the world’s major economies are trying to engineer higher birth rates," co-writes Win Brown, an affiliate researcher at the Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology at the UW.

"Elon Musk recently pronounced that the next Neuralink project will be a “Blindsight” cortical implant to restore vision...Unfortunately, this claim rests on the fallacy that neurons in the brain are like pixels on a screen. It’s not surprising that engineers often assume that “more pixels equals better vision.” After all, that is how monitors and phone screens work," write Ione Fine and Geoffrey Boynton, professors of psychology at the UW.

Elon Musk's ambitious eye implants that "ultimately may exceed normal human vision" are unlikely to reach this lofty benchmark, according to scientists who have used "virtual patients" to expose the limitations of this innovative technology. Even the greatest engineering is no match for human neurophysiology in restoring sight. Ione Fine, professor of psychology at the UW, is quoted.

If Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain-implant venture succeeds in its effort to create next-generation brain implants for artificial vision, the devices could bring about a breakthrough for the visually impaired — but probably wouldn’t match Musk’s claim that they could provide “better than normal vision,” UW researchers report. Ione Fine and Geoffrey Boynton, professors of psychology at the UW, are quoted.

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.

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.

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.

Do dying patients have a “right to try” illegal drugs such as psilocybin and MDMA if they might alleviate end-of-life suffering from anxiety and depression? Dr. Sunil Aggarwal, clinical assistant professor in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.

While music is often praised for enhancing academic performance, its role in health is far more important, especially given the recent uptick in youth mental health issues. Beyond music therapy, research indicates that music participation and education supports the development of children’s emotional intelligence, creativity, and physical and mental health. A guest editorial by School of Music master's student Nicole Stankovic.

A team working on prolonging the lifespan of transplant organs took home the top prize in the 9th annual Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge at the UW. BioLegacy, made up of Seattle University and UW finance, mechanical engineering, and chemistry students, was awarded the $15,000 WRF Capital Grand Prize for its organ cryopreservation and rewarming innovation. The team was one of 22 that competed in this year’s final round of competition at the UW Foster School’s Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship. Other UW projects are mentioned.

"Impact x Nightline" takes a look at the social effects of weight loss drugs. Pepper Schwartz, professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.