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In the Michael Crichton thriller “Prey,” a cloud of nanoparticles — micro-robots — is accidentally unleashed on an unsuspecting world despite the desperate efforts of a handful of scientists to stop the menacing swarm before it kills. In the real world of central city schools and science museums, a dozen UW-Madison students, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), are unleashing nanotechnology as a powerful tool to enhance science literacy and public understanding of science.

We at Employee Compensation and Benefits Services, the central benefits office for UW-Madison, are happy to help you maximize use of your benefits package. Our highly qualified benefits specialists are available to provide these services to all employees — whether you are new to the university, in the middle of your career or preparing for retirement.

The U.S. Supreme Court case that examines the use of race in admissions at the University of Michigan has put the spotlight on how race is considered when admitting students to UW-Madison. At the request of the Badger Herald, UW-Madison Provost Peter Spear submitted the following Op/Ed piece, which appeared in the Jan. 28 issue of the student newspaper.

A grassroots effort that explores ways to improve campus climate for minority students is inviting participation from the campus community this spring. Richard Davis, professor of music, says the Retention Action Project has several events planned in the coming months that will examine how the attitudes and behavior of faculty, administration staff and students impact campus climate for both people of color and whites.

When most of the university community is fast asleep, its nocturnal members are handling business of nightmare prevention. Some provide safety and warmth, others guidance and friendship. Some are locked in computer rooms; others fly off in the dark to save a life.

The second annual Multicultural Career Fair and Reception will be held Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Great Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. The fair will run from 3-6:30 p.m. and a reception will follow in Tripp Commons.

For the first time, a UW-Madison administrator will participate in a weekly radio call-in show on WSUM-FM 91.7, the university’s student radio station. On “The Luoluo Show,” Dean of Students Luoluo Hong will discuss campus news, and listen to student views and concerns, as well as answer questions on the show, which will air Mondays, from 5-6 p.m. The show premieres Jan. 27 and will run through the semester.

Eight outreach projects will receive funding under the first year of Ira and Ineva Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment. The new endowment is designed to forward the Wisconsin Idea, the century-old mission to use university resources to improve the lives of people living in the state, the country and around the world.

Twenty-four UW-Madison students have received major student awards for international study.

A search-and-screen committee is conducting its search for a new dean of the School of Pharmacy.