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Category Science & Technology

Hunting could hurt genetic diversity of sandhill cranes, UW research suggests

February 8, 2012

As Wisconsin lawmakers debate whether to establish a hunting season for sandhill cranes, they may want to consider more than just the sheer number of birds, suggests a University of Wisconsin–Madison specialist in avian genetics. Read More

Study shows calories drive earlier puberty

February 8, 2012

Environmental pollutants, eating habits, lack of exercise and genetic traits have all been raised as possible causes of earlier puberty onset in girls in recent years. Now we may now know why: It's the calories, as reported by Ei Terasawa, Joe Kurian, Ricki Colman and colleagues at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. Read More

Sturgeon “thunder” has roots in biological process

February 7, 2012

Research into the mysterious sounds that lake sturgeon produce resumes in April, or whenever the water warms to a temperature conducive for fish spawning, which is the best time to experience sturgeon “thunder.” Read More

Evolution’s oddities are focus of Darwin Day

February 7, 2012

The annual celebration of Charles Darwin’s birthday at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will highlight the evolutionary significance of strange life forms, including the octopus and enormous flowers. Read More

Smallest tools could give biggest results in bone repair

February 6, 2012

When William Murphy works with some of the most powerful tools in biology, he thinks about making tools that can fit together. These constructions sound a bit like socket wrenches, which can be assembled to turn a half-inch nut in tight quarters, or to loosen a rusted-tight one-inch bolt using a very persuasive lever. Read More

Neurons from stem cells could replace mice in botulinum test

February 3, 2012

Using lab-grown human neurons, researchers from the University of Wisconsin–Madison have devised an effective assay for detecting botulinum neurotoxin, the agent widely used to cosmetically smooth the wrinkles of age and, increasingly, for an array of medical disorders ranging from muscle spasticity to loss of bladder control. Read More

How does the compassionate brain, measured in the lab, predict what occurs in real life?

February 1, 2012

University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers are launching a new series of studies to understand how laboratory measures of virtuous qualities such as compassion relate to their behavior in the real world. Read More

Nature: Kawaoka authors commentary on flu research

January 25, 2012

The author of an upcoming Nature paper about H5N1 argues in a Nature Comment article today that research into deadly pathogenic viruses must continue if pandemics are to be prevented. Read More

Suomi remembered for problem-solving ability, drive

January 25, 2012

Verner Suomi’s career — even his life — may not have been as long and illustrious had he not been an inveterate problem solver. Read More

Contest seeks amazing science images

January 24, 2012

Imaging has brought a revolution to science. Read More

Researcher find gene critical to sense of smell in fruit fly

January 20, 2012

UW-Madison researchers have discovered that a gene called distal-less is critical to the fly's ability to receive, process and respond to smells. Read More

Researchers outline food security, climate change road map

January 20, 2012

While last month's meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Durban, South Africa, made incremental progress toward helping farmers adapt to climate change and reduce agriculture's climate footprint, a group of international agriculture experts urges scientists to lay the groundwork for more decisive action on global food security in environmental negotiations in 2012. Read More

New approach to combat intractable bacterial infections

January 20, 2012

Bacteriologist Marcin Filutowicz specializes in developing antimicrobial technologies that one day may help replace antibiotics—and save lives—as the power of our antibiotics arsenal wanes. Read More

UW-Madison biochemist to serve on president’s National Medal of Science committee

January 12, 2012

University of Wisconsin–Madison biochemist Judith Kimble has been selected to serve on President Obama's Committee on the National Medal of Science. Read More

Online engineering grad programs ranked No. 1

January 10, 2012

U.S. News and World Report has ranked UW–Madison No. 1 for its online graduate engineering programs in the categories of teaching practices and student engagement, and student services and technology. Read More

Award supports study of internal-combustion diagnostic tool

January 10, 2012

For the past several decades, engineers have been investigating low-temperature combustion as a means of creating engines with diesel-like efficiency and no pollutant emissions. A UW–Madison mechanical engineering assistant professor has received a grant to study the process. Read More

UW geneticist James Crow passes away

January 6, 2012

The UW–Madison community is mourning the loss of a legend: James F. Crow, professor emeritus of genetics, who passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 4, two weeks shy of his 96th birthday. Read More