Category State & Global
A science trailblazer retires: Stem cell researcher James Thomson’s legacy changed the future of biology
After more than 30 years with UW–Madison and 12 years with the Morgridge Institute for Research, Thomson has announced plans to retire in July.
Morgridge Center has new director, new home
Travis Wright, a nationally recognized expert in school-based support for children and families undergoing trauma, has been named faculty director of the Morgridge Center for Public Service.
Chancellor Rebecca Blank’s statement on legislative action
"I am very pleased that the Legislature, working in a bipartisan fashion, passed three bills that will have a lasting impact on our academic and research enterprises," the chancellor says.
‘Super pest’ Colorado potato beetle has the genetic resources to sidestep our attacks
New research reveals how diversity within its genome has allowed the pest to quickly evolve resistance to nearly anything humans have thrown at it.
UW women medal for Canada, USA in Olympic hockey
Five former UW players have achieved Olympic gold and five more won silver as Canada defeated Team USA, 3-2, for the women’s hockey title in Beijing.
Governor announces UW plans; lieutenant governor visits campus to promote them
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes visited UW–Madison Wednesday to talk about proposals for higher education that Gov. Tony Evers announced in his State of the State address Tuesday night. Barnes met with student leaders at the Memorial Union and toured the Multicultural Student Center and Identity Centers in the Red Gym.
Study finds tributaries play significant role in Great Lakes PFAS loading
The sources of the chemicals in the study are likely linked to a firefighting foam manufacturer, other industrial activity, and airports which use firefighting foam on runways.
‘Stroll’ wows crowd at Kohl Center
Members of UW–Madison "Divine Nine" fraternities and sororities performed a stroll — a dance often performed in a line by Greek letter organizations to represent power and unification — on Feb. 12 at the Kohl Center.
Celebrating the tiger’s entrance
More than 120 people participated in a Lunar New Year celebration hosted by the Malaysian Student Association in the Multicultural Center Lounge in the Red Gym on Feb. 5, one of several celebrations by student groups.
Sharon Dunwoody was a ‘star’ of science communication
Sharon’s scholarship helped generations of journalists, students and scientists become better translators of complex ideas to audiences all over the world.
Fog detection software helps airlines keep travelers safe
The software uses machine learning techniques with near real-time data from weather satellites to monitor conditions 24/7 and issue potential fog warnings.
COVID questions: You tested positive. What’s next? And, advice on boosters
UW School of Medicine and Public Health experts Devlin Cole, a preventive medicine resident in the Department of Population Health Sciences, and James Conway, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program director and Office of Global Health director, provide the answers.
UW-built instrument will enhance views of distant galaxies
A near-infrared spectrograph, which splits light into its individual colors to form a rainbow-like spectrum, will soon be shipped to South Africa from UW–Madison. Custom-built here by staff in the Washburn Astronomical Laboratories, it will expand the capabilities of the Southern African Large Telescope.
Helen Faith elected to chair National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
UW–Madison’s director of student financial aid has worked to continue expanding access and affordability to Wisconsin students, and is a leader in policy, practice and funding for student financial aid.
New UW–Madison research projects to benefit Great Lakes
Wisconsin Sea Grant announced 12 new two-year research projects worth $2.8 million that build Great Lakes understanding, leading to science-based management and policy decisions. Six are at UW–Madison.
Despite adversity, recent graduate ‘never had any doubt’ she would earn degree
Reagan Patrowicz was seriously injured when she was struck by a car during her sophomore year, but she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in geography at winter commencement.
Coral skeleton formation rate determines resilience to acidifying oceans
A new UW–Madison study has implications for predicting coral reef survival and developing mitigation strategies against having their bony skeletons weakened by ocean acidification.
Microbes help hibernating animals recycle nutrients, maintain muscle through winter
The discovery could help people with muscle-wasting disorders and even astronauts on extended space voyages by putting space travelers into a hibernation-like state.
Current anti-COVID pills work well against omicron, but antibody drugs are less effective
Public health officials expect antiviral pills to become an increasingly common treatment for COVID-19 that will reduce the severity of the disease in at-risk patients and decrease the burden of the pandemic.
Cannabis marketers targeting kids on social media, despite prohibitions
A new study led by the UW School of Medicine and Public Health finds many recreational cannabis companies market their products in a way that appeals to children and teens, despite state-based regulations prohibiting it.