Category Science & Technology
Study shows calories drive earlier puberty
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.
Sturgeon “thunder” has roots in biological process
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.”
Evolution’s oddities are focus of Darwin Day
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.
Smallest tools could give biggest results in bone repair
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.
Neurons from stem cells could replace mice in botulinum test
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.
How does the compassionate brain, measured in the lab, predict what occurs in real life?
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.
The Waisman Center: Decades later, what would Harry think?
Last fall, the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison bid successfully for the same National Institutes of Health core grant that the late Harry Waisman first won 45 years ago.
Nature: Kawaoka authors commentary on flu research
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.
Satellite renamed to honor UW–Madison space pioneer
NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have renamed their newest Earth-observing satellite after Verner Suomi, a longtime UW–Madison professor who often is called the father of satellite meteorology.
Suomi remembered for problem-solving ability, drive
Verner Suomi’s career — even his life — may not have been as long and illustrious had he not been an inveterate problem solver.
Contest seeks amazing science images
Imaging has brought a revolution to science.
Researcher find gene critical to sense of smell in fruit fly
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.
Researchers outline food security, climate change road map
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.
New approach to combat intractable bacterial infections
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.
UW-Madison biochemist to serve on president’s National Medal of Science committee
University of Wisconsin–Madison biochemist Judith Kimble has been selected to serve on President Obama's Committee on the National Medal of Science.
Online engineering grad programs ranked No. 1
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.
Award supports study of internal-combustion diagnostic tool
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.
UW geneticist James Crow passes away
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.
Study pinpoints Ritalin’s influence
Millions of individuals diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are helped by methylphenidate, the stimulant better known as Ritalin. Now researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have pinpointed the area of the brain in which Ritalin does its work.