Category Science & Technology
With new high-tech materials, UW–Madison researchers aim to catalyze U.S. manufacturing future
Drawing on methods similar to those used to sequence the human genome, a multi-university team of researchers aims to discover and create revolutionary advanced materials that could help solve grand challenges in such areas as energy, national security and human health. Read More
In static friction, chemistry is key to stronger bonds
Inspired by phenomena common to both earthquakes and atomic force microscopy, University of Wisconsin–Madison materials engineers have learned that chemical reactions between two silicon dioxide surfaces cause the bonds at that interface to "age," or strengthen gradually over time. Read More
Stirred, not shaken, lake mixing experiment shows promise
The question is simple: can a lake be cleansed of a pernicious invader by simply raising the water temperature? Read More
Cheap, simple bacteria test could spare newborns deadly infections
For babies, the trip from the womb to the outside world is a transition from a blank, sterile slate to host for what will eventually be trillions of microscopic organisms. Read More
Science writer David Dobbs to visit UW–Madison
Author and science journalist David Dobbs will be visiting the UW–Madison campus the week of Nov. 4 as the 2012 Fall Science Writer in Residence. Read More
Father of the birth-control pill talks science, art and the life of the intellectual
As he received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Wisconsin Alumni Association in Madison last week, Carl Djerassi took time to talk about his many passions. Read More
UW scientists track Sandy’s fury
Hurricane Sandy has earned it reputation as a perfect storm, even among meteorologists. But while Louis Uccellini, environmental prediction chief for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said, “This is the worst-case scenario,” the storm researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison weren’t so sure. Read More
“Carbon playground” converts atoms into fun
A new playground that opened Oct. 25 at the Discovery Center Museum in Rockford, Ill. is the first in the world built around unique structures formed by the element carbon. Read More
Graduate student’s curiosity garners video contest slot
“Curiosity is infectious,” says Jamin Dreyer in a short online video. “My eyes see things differently after doing field research in beautiful Iceland.” Read More
Community forum to focus on fracking and sand mining
Fracking, the controversial technology for opening natural gas deposits, will be the focus of a three-part Community Environmental Forum series beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 5:30 p.m. in room 1106 of the Mechanical Engineering Building. Read More
Scientists begin effort to stir up a cosmic dynamo in the lab
For scientists trying to understand the subtleties of cosmic dynamos - the magnetic field-inducing phenomena at the hearts of planets, stars and galaxies - the physics, for the most part, must be done at vast distances. Read More
New biorenewables technology moves closer to marketplace
A licensing agreement for a novel renewable chemical and biofuel production method between Hyrax Energy and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation promises to accelerate commercial development of the technology and lead to high-quality U.S. jobs. Read More
Keck observations bring weather of Uranus into sharp focus
In 1986, when Voyager swept past Uranus, the probe's portraits of the planet were "notoriously bland," disappointing scientists, yielding few new details of the planet and its atmosphere, and giving it a reputation as a bore of the solar system. Read More
Study looks at why students leave STEM majors
The good news: Jobs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) continue to grow and offer better pay than non-STEM jobs. Read More
Nobel Prize winner to deliver 2012 Rennebohm Lectures
Mario Capecchi, winner of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine, will deliver the 2012 Rennebohm Lectures at UW–Madison on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 22 and 23. Read More
Center gets small to study nanoparticles in environment
Our understanding of the creation and use of nanomaterials is growing, but so much about our long-term relationship with their tiny component particles remains little understood. Read More
UW-led project will help growers and processors show sustainable production
UW-Madison researchers are leading a new $2.1 million, USDA-funded project designed to help vegetable producers and processors get rewarded in the marketplace for producing their products in a sustainable manner. Read More
Tailored breast cancer screening model developed
How early and how often should women have mammograms? In theory, it's, "Annually, beginning at age 40." As of late, however, that answer has been up for debate - in part because of the risk of false positives, unnecessary biopsies, and the fear and anxiety that go along with such a diagnosis - and the answer has shifted to a more ambiguous, "It depends." Read More
Unusual genetic structure confers major disease resistance trait in soybean
Scientists have identified three neighboring genes that make soybeans resistant to the most damaging disease of soybean. The genes exist side-by-side on a stretch of chromosome, but only give resistance when that stretch is duplicated several times in the plant. Read More
NSF deputy director receives WAA’s Distinguished Alumni Award
The University of Wisconsin–Madison welcomed Cora Marrett, deputy director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), back to campus Oct. 5-6 as the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) presented her with the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award. Read More