Hidden gems: New composites are stiffer than diamond
Using a unique combination of barium titanate and tin, University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers have made the first known material that's stiffer than diamond. Read More
Regents approve updated admissions policy
Every applicant who wants to be a student in the UW System will receive a comprehensive, individualized admissions review – a practice long used by UW–Madison – under an updated policy approved last week by the Board of Regents. “Every applicant deserves our consideration as a whole person,” said UW System President Kevin P. Reilly. Read More
Climate change exhibit opens Feb. 16 at Nicolet College
A traveling art and science exhibition focusing on climate change in the Lake Superior region will open Friday, Feb. 16, at the Nicolet College Art Gallery, in Rhinelander. An opening reception will be held at the gallery on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. Read More
Researcher seeks ‘missing piece’ in climate change models
To most people, soil is just dirt. But to microbiologists, it is a veritable zoo of bacteria, fungi and nematodes. It's also a vast carbon dioxide factory. As these microorganisms consume carbon-based materials found in soil, they release carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere as a normal part of their metabolism. Read More
Fragile X protein may play role in Alzheimer’s disease
A brain afflicted by severe Alzheimer's disease is a sad sight, a wreck of tangled neural connections and organic rubble as the lingering evidence of a fierce internal battle. A new study has now uncovered an unexpected link between this devastating neural degeneration and a protein whose absence causes a different neurological disease - the inherited mental retardation disorder called fragile X syndrome. Read More
Nanoscale packaging could aid delivery of cancer-fighting compounds
Nature has produced a well-stocked arsenal of potent cancer-fighting compounds, including Taxol, first isolated from the Pacific yew tree, and rapamycin, borrowed from a soil-dwelling bacterium. Read More
Governor’s budget proposal to include domestic partner benefits
For many years, the University of Wisconsin–Madison has actively pursued the ability to offer domestic partner health insurance benefits to its faculty and staff. The campus community is one step closer to that goal, with the announcement that Gov. Jim Doyle would include benefits in the state budget proposal for the 2007-09 biennium. Doyle’s plan would authorize and fund benefits for domestic partners of all state employees, including those of UW System. Read More
In the game: Theater students breathe life into Raven software
Carrie Coon, a recent graduate of UW–Madison's master's program in theater, is helping Raven Software Inc. create a new femme fatale character by digitally capturing her movements as she dodges, rolls and dives. Read More
Retired pharmacist makes $1 million gift to School of Pharmacy
Lenor Zeeh, who had a long career with Rennebohm Pharmacy in Madison, has made a $1 million gift to the Lenor Zeeh Pharmaceutical Experiment Station in the University of Wisconsin–Madison's School of Pharmacy. Read More
IceCube telescope construction exceeds season goals
As the austral summer wanes, so does the highly successful 2006-07 work season at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica, which draws to a close Thursday, Feb. 15. Read More
Online tool accesses Wisconsin winter driving conditions, airport delays
PDA users can quickly assess conditions on major roads in Wisconsin during a blizzard using the University of Wisconsin–Madison's PDA Animated Weather, or PAW - a PDA-friendly online weather service developed at the UW–Madison's Space Science and Engineering Center. Read More
Campus arts opportunities: Feb. 16-23
The University of Wisconsin–Madison dance program - the first in the nation to offer a degree in dance - is celebrating its 80th anniversary. A number of performances in coming weeks recognize the milestone, including three scheduled over the week of Feb. 16-23. Read More
Nanotechnology meets biology and DNA finds its groove
UW-Madison scientists have developed a quick, inexpensive and efficient method to extract single DNA molecules and position them in nanoscale troughs or "slits," where they can be easily analyzed and sequenced. The technique, which according to its developers is simple and scalable, could lead to faster and vastly more efficient sequencing technology in the lab, and may one day help underpin the ability of clinicians to obtain customized DNA profiles of patients. Read More