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.
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UW forum showcases research on low-income student access
The controversial issues of access and success in higher education are closely watched and heatedly debated by taxpayers, policymakers, and campus communities, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dalai Lama returns to Madison May 4
His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, will speak at the Kohl Center on Friday, May 4, at 2:30 p.m. The event will mark the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s fifth visit to the Madison campus in the last three decades.
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.
Study looks at benefits of two cochlear implants in deaf children
Nature has outfitted us with a pair of ears for good reason: having two ears enhances hearing. University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists are now examining whether this is also true for the growing numbers of deaf children who’ve received not one, but two, cochlear implants to help them hear.
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.
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.
Feb. 14 weigh-in to Launch ‘Lighten Up Wisconsin’ on campus
Lace up those sneakers: for the first time, the University of Wisconsin – Madison will lend encouragement to students and staff participating in Lighten Up Wisconsin.
Morgridge Center celebrates 10th anniversary with service conference
The UW-Madison Morgridge Center for Public Service is recognizing its 10th anniversary this spring with a public conference March 9-10 that will highlight university service at the local, state and national levels.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bielema’s success earns a new compensation package
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents today (Feb. 9) approved an amended contract with UW-Madison head football coach Bret Bielema that will increase his compensation package to $1.3 million in the deal’s first year.
Single-handed fishing kit reels in first place in invention competition
The Adaptive Fishing Kit, a kit that converts a standard fishing rod and reel so people can use it with only one arm, took the top prize and $10,000 in the 2007 Schoofs Prize for Creativity during the Innovation Days idea and invention competition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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.