Category Health & Wellness
Research effort driving advances to combat traumatic brain injuries
A team of researchers led by University of Wisconsin–Madison mechanical engineer Christian Franck is working on better ways to detect concussions and better protective equipment to prevent them. Read More
Vaccine arrives at UW Health
UW Health received its first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine the morning of Monday, Dec. 14. By early afternoon, the first doses were given to frontline medical personnel. Read More
Holocaust survivor, geneticist, patient advocate remembered for inspiring others
Renata Laxova focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities, prenatal diagnosis of birth defects, cancer genetics, and — above all — the relationships between medical professionals and patients. Read More
UW–Madison leads DoD-funded effort to restore vision to injured service members and people with disease
The technology will be based on a system in which human induced pluripotent cells are used to generate light-responsive eye cells called photoreceptors along with the cells that support them. Read More
Celebrate with winter 2020 graduates during virtual commencement ceremony
The prerecorded ceremony will be released at 11 a.m. central time on Dec. 13 and will remain available on the web so people anywhere can watch it at a time most convenient to them. Read More
Multiple gene edits and computer simulations could help treat rare genetic diseases
Research in biomedical engineer Kris Saha's lab efficiently corrected multiple mutations responsible for Pompe disease, advancing the CRISPR genome-editing field. Read More
Research provides tools for achieving the ‘how’ of well-being in daily life
A new framework introduced by UW–Madison's Center for Healthy Minds provides evidence that people can weather life’s ups and downs with resilience, and that the brain and body can change and adapt. Read More
A look at vaccine development and distribution
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a terrible impact, but it also has inspired one of the greatest scientific efforts in generations, spurring researchers around the globe to produce multiple potential vaccines in a short time. Read More
Banking on patient samples to advance COVID-19 research
In the spring of 2020, when UW–Madison instruction moved online and most research became remote, efforts picked up at the UW Carbone Cancer Center Translational Science Biocore BioBank. Read More
UW-Madison adds second surge testing site at Kohl Center for students and employees
The rapid antigen tests complement PCR tests currently available for students and employees through University Health Services (UHS) as positive COVID-19 rates continue to rise in Dane County and across the state. Read More
Quick, routine coronavirus testing reassures both campus and volunteers
Unlike other testing on campus, which is more likely to attract people who are sick or who believe they’ve been exposed to COVID-19, Jon Temte’s program constantly re-tests a stable population of volunteers — even when they feel fine. Read More
Gene-edited monkey embryos give researchers new way to study HIV cure
A gene that cured a man of HIV a decade ago has been successfully added to developing monkey embryos in an effort to study more potential treatments for the disease. Read More
Early mutation in SARS-CoV-2 virus in Europe led to its domination worldwide
A study shows that the mutant virus is more easily transmitted and grows better within hosts, likely aiding its dominance. The mutation, researchers say, should not interfere with the effectiveness of vaccines against the virus. Read More
‘Rewiring’ metabolism in insulin-producing cells may aid Type 2 diabetes treatment
Scientists point to an overlooked enzyme known as pyruvate kinase as the primary way pancreatic beta cells sense sugar levels and release the appropriate amount of insulin. Read More
Tracking virus mutations reveals success of stay-at-home orders
A family tree of more than 200 variations in the virus that causes COVID-19 helps explain why two Wisconsin counties had such different early experiences with the pandemic. Read More
UW–Madison to expand COVID-19 testing in spring
To accommodate more regular and frequent COVID-19 testing of all students and employees on campus in the spring semester, UW–Madison will partner with Shield T3, a subsidiary of the University of Illinois System. Read More
‘All Ways Forward’ campaign extended
The multiyear campaign to raise much-needed funding for UW–Madison priorities has been extended until Dec. 31, 2021, Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced Thursday. Read More
New NIH-funded initiative will examine Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome
Investigators at the Waisman Center, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and several departments at UW–Madison are involved in the effort, which they say "has the potential to help everyone." Read More
WARF announces annual grant for UW research
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, which obtains patents on UW inventions and licenses them to industry, has granted the university and the Morgridge Institute for Research a combined $100.3 million for 2020-21. Read More
COVID-19 model quantifies impact of region-specific social distancing orders
A simulation using cellphone data shows social distancing measures had a major influence on case numbers, though the impact varied markedly in different areas, even within the same state. Read More