Category Science & Technology
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.
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.
UW study proposes “swimways” to help save migratory fish
A University of Wisconsin–Madison researcher says states should be looking to the skies in order to save fish.
Energy from Wisconsin cow manure could replace a coal plant
According to a recent Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative (WBI) study, Wisconsin can be a national leader in bioenergy production using waste from the state's prosperous agriculture and food processing sectors.
Knox, research pioneer in streams and soils, dies
Jim Knox, Evjue-Bascom Professor Emeritus of Geography at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, died at his home in Madison on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Smaller estrogen doses improve mood without memory loss
New research by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health suggests that estrogen given in smaller doses to younger women just entering menopause does not worsen memory and improves mood and symptoms of depression.
Five Questions with Kevin Niemi
Inside UW recently asked Kevin Niemi about the current status of K-12 science education.
New approach will analyze important, poorly studied areas of human genome
Each year, more and more pieces of the human genome puzzle fall into place, but large holes still remain. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison hope to fill in many more pieces with a new $1.1 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute.
NSF funds UW sustainability project studying the human component of green buildings
Designing a "green" building involves considering a multitude of variables - everything from electrical efficiency to airflow controls to natural sources of light, heat and energy. But engineering more efficient building control systems is only part of the picture; for a building to be truly green, the occupants living and working within it need to know how to behave in a sustainable way as well.
Vet med students ensure safe, speedy biosecurity check-in for dairy expo cattle
Scores of trailers will begin rolling into Madison on Friday, Sept. 28, delivering 2,500 show cows to the Alliant Energy Center for the upcoming World Dairy Expo. But to prevent the spread of disease among the cattle, the health status of each animal must be verified before they are unloaded. Fortunately, volunteer students from the UW–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine keep this process running as smoothly as possible.
The language of stem cells, decoded
Stem cells are biological building blocks, the starting point of human life. But without proper direction, they're not very useful when it comes to treating disease.
Hydrogen beam injector guides plasma physics research
The Madison Symmetric Torus, a leading piece of equipment in plasma physics research for more than 20 years, recently gained a new capability with the installation of a neutral beam injector.
Seeing sound from all angles at Wisconsin Science Fest
Sound can be an incredibly powerful experience, able to dominate our attention, convey information, transport us from the here and now or add or relieve tension and emotion.
NSF tabs UW chemist to lead Math and Physical Sciences Directorate
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected F. Fleming Crim, a University of Wisconsin–Madison professor of chemistry, to serve as assistant director for the Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS).
TED creativity guru headlines science fest, Year of Innovation
If Sir Ken Robinson has said it once, he's said it millions of times: "If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original."
Studies point to rising role for women scientists at UW–Madison
As the University of Wisconsin–Madison competes with the world's top universities for talent and expertise, it is getting more help from women, who in 2011 comprised 31 percent of the faculty — up from 18 percent in 1990.
Science in film: The ‘evil institute’ takes center stage
For filmmakers, science has always set a sumptuous table for story telling. Characters, plots and settings drawn from science are all reliable grist for the celluloid mill.
UW Center for Dairy Research wins federal innovation grant
The Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has been awarded one of seven $1 million i6 Challenge grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce to support an effort to commercialize research ideas that will positively impact economic development.