UW mascot Bucky Badger is namesake for newly discovered yeast
When you discover a new organism, you get to name it - but not for yourself. There are rules to the naming business in biology. You can, however, name it for the sponsor of your research. When Chris Hittinger and his group of yeast researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison found a rather aggressive yeast, it was natural to name it for the fierce carnivore that is the mascot of his home institution: Bucky Badger. Read More
Three candidates named for vice provost for diversity position
Three candidates have been chosen as finalists to be the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s vice provost for diversity. Read More
UW-Madison ranks 38th in worldwide reputation
UW-Madison is again being recognized as one of the world's top learning institutions this year, placing 38th in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings. Read More
Report: Transgender students need better support in Wisconsin schools
Transgender and gender nonconforming students report experiencing abusive, dismissive and disruptive treatment in the halls, classrooms and bathrooms of Wisconsin high schools. But good experiences are not outside the norm, according to a first-of-its-kind report, “School Experiences of Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students in Wisconsin,” released recently by Madison-based nonprofit GSAFE and a pair of University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers. Read More
Young UW–Madison alumni are the future of their communities
Nine young graduates of the University of Wisconsin–Madison making stand-out contributions in their communities are being honored with the Forward under 40 award, presented by the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA). Read More
Researchers develop new approach that combines biomass conversion, solar energy conversion
In a study published March 9 in Nature Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison chemistry Professor Kyoung-Shin Choi presents a new approach to combine solar energy conversion and biomass conversion, two important research areas for renewable energy. Read More
Move over Mozart: Study shows cats prefer their own beat
As more animal shelters, primate centers and zoos start to play music for their charges, it’s still not clear whether and how human music affects animals. Now, a study from the University of Wisconsin–Madison shows that while cats ignore our music, they are highly responsive to “music” written especially for them. The study is online at Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Read More
Academic Staff Assembly joins call for further study of proposed public authority
The Academic Staff Assembly voted Monday on resolutions calling for more study on a proposed public authority for the University of Wisconsin System and greater flexibility in the timing and amount of state budget cuts. Read More
Campus reacts to shooting, underlying issues
The fatal shooting by Madison police of a black teenager on the city’s East Side Friday is leading to calls for renewed action on social justice on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. Read More
UW-Madison partners with communities, nonprofits to address urban food insecurity
Food insecurity has implications for health, community stability and local economies, and an interdisciplinary team of UW–Madison researchers has launched a project to study ways to boost the availability and consumption of healthy food in urban communities. The project is focusing initially on Milwaukee, Chicago and Detroit, three cities where food insecurity is considered extensive. Read More
Center for Dairy Research turns yogurt waste into new products
With exploding consumer demand for Greek yogurt, production is up. That's great for food companies' bottom lines, but it also leaves them dealing with a lot more acid whey, a problematic byproduct of the Greek yogurt-making process. Read More
UW finds strategies to increase number of organic grain farms in Wisconsin
While the $35 billion U.S. organic industry continues to expand at a brisk pace, organic grain production is not keeping up with the growing demand for organic livestock feed and value-added food products, according to a new report on Wisconsin organic agriculture. Read More
Nine professors receive Romnes Faculty Fellowships
Eight promising young members of the UW–Madison faculty have been honored with Romnes Faculty Fellowships. Read More
Chapman to reflect on public relations career in UW–Madison lecture
Dave Chapman left the Midwest in 1988, heading to California to direct the west coast offices of a couple of the world’s leading communication agencies. Read More
UW-Madison helps train aspiring farmers enrolled in ‘the MBA of dairy’
Considering the average age of a Wisconsin farmer is over 56 years old and the state has been losing around 500 dairy farms per year in recent years, experts say it's important to prepare young people to step into farm roles to help keep the state's $88 billion agricultural economy strong into the future. Read More