Ultrasonic propulsion, an investigational kidney stone treatment for awake un-anesthetized patients, sweeps stone fragments toward the ureter to facilitate their natural passage. Repositioning results in a 70% lower incidence of relapse — urgent medical visit or a subsequent surgery. Time to relapse was also longer by nearly 1.5 year in the treatment group. >>> VIDEO >>>

This is an opportunity for scholars from a variety of academic disciplines to design a research project around problems they are passionate about as they collaborate with and receive mentoring from APL-UW scientists. Two years of support facilitate freedom of inquiry and independent study. >>> APPLY >>>

For 41 days at sea APL-UW engineers join the Regional Cabled Array team to service seafloor instrumentation and mooring infrastructure on the world's largest undersea observatory. Special attention is being paid to Axial Seamount, the active undersea volcano that seems poised to erupt.

The Mars rover Perseverance has discovered a rock covered in 'leopard spots' — potential biosignatures of ancient microbial life. Mission spectroscopist Tim Elam and the entire NASA team are thrilled, but urge caution because these structures can have a non-biological origin.

EDGE (Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer) and three other proposed satellite missions received the green light to develop full concept studies. For glaciologist Ben Smith, implementation of EDGE would provide detailed maps of the rapidly changing features of ice sheets that are driving the evolution of the cyrosphere.

The report showcases some of the amazing feats of science and engineering performed by the Lab's dedicated and talented staff over the past year.