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Category Science & Technology

Carbon nanotubes may cheaply harvest sunlight

October 19, 2009

A new alternative energy technology relies on the element most associated with climate change: carbon.

High-speed genetic analysis looks deep inside primate immune system

October 11, 2009

Viruses such as HIV and influenza take safe harbor in cells, where they cannot be recognized directly by the immune system. The immune response relies on infected cells announcing the presence of the virus by studding their exterior with fragments of the virus lurking within.

Banded rocks reveal early Earth conditions, changes

October 11, 2009

The strikingly banded rocks scattered across the upper Midwest and elsewhere throughout the world are actually ambassadors from the past, offering clues to the environment of the early Earth more than 2 billion years ago.

Scientists hope to mimic nature’s dynamos

October 9, 2009

In the cosmos, all celestial objects - planets, stars, galaxies and clusters of galaxies - have magnetic fields. On Earth, the magnetic field of our home planet is most easily observed in a compass where the needle points north.

Industrial engineering professor provides national expertise on the driver distraction threat

October 7, 2009

University of Wisconsin–Madison industrial and systems engineering professor John Lee spoke about the dangers of distracted driving at a Washington, D.C., meeting on the topic held Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The meeting included representatives from the Obama administration, U.S. Senate and automotive industry, among others, and was a chance for Lee to discuss his area of expertise: technology-mediated attention.

Researcher studies monkeys in Africa to better understand virus evolution

October 7, 2009

Despite the importance of AIDS in human health, scientists still know very little about the diversity and ecology of AIDS-like viruses in nature.

Sand dunes reveal unexpected dryness during heavy monsoon

October 6, 2009

The windswept deserts of northern China might seem an odd destination for studying the heavy monsoon rains that routinely drench the more tropical regions of Southeast Asia.

Models begin to unravel how single DNA strands combine

October 5, 2009

Using computer simulations, a team of University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers has identified some of the pathways through which single complementary strands of DNA interact and combine to form the double helix.

Curiosities: Why is it that often foods with the least nutritional content taste the best to people?

September 24, 2009

It depends on how you define nutrition, says Franco Milani, an assistant professor of food science. The word “nutritious” may mean a food…

Smaller isn’t always better: Catalyst simulations could lower fuel cell cost

September 17, 2009

Imagine a car that runs on hydrogen from solar power and produces water instead of carbon emissions. While vehicles like this won't be on the market anytime soon, University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers are making incremental but important strides in the fuel cell technology that could make clean cars a reality.