Category Science & Technology
Curiosities: Why do the blue eyes of babies often turn brown?
Melanin is the pigment that makes body parts dark, said Burton Kushner, professor of ophthalmology at the School of Medicine and Public…
Recent sightings: Steel Bridge Team
The UW–Madison Steel Bridge Team assembles its bridge entry during a timed practice in the foyer of the Engineering Centers Building on May 13, 2009.
Special protein helps maintain an efficient brain
The instruction manual for maintaining an efficient brain may soon include a section on synaptotagmin-IV (Syt-IV), a protein known to influence learning and memory, thanks to a study by University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers.
Early Alzheimer’s diagnosis offers large social, fiscal benefits
Early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease could save millions or even billions of dollars while simultaneously improving care, according to new work by University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers.
Buffering Wisconsin’s water quality with science
Spring in Wisconsin heralds a new growing season. But the warming temperatures also bring heavier runoff from farm fields, carrying pollution and contaminants into the state’s lakes and streams.
Cancer researcher wins Shaw Award
University of Wisconsin–Madison cancer researcher Jing Zhang received a Shaw Scientist Award last week from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to support her novel research on the roles cancer stem cells may play in the causes and treatment of cancer.
Graduate student recognized for biofuels advance
In recognition of the earth-friendly biofuel technology he helped develop, a University of Wisconsin–Madison graduate student has been selected to receive a prestigious national award from the American Chemical Society.
UW-Madison nuclear research and development earns major DOE support
With more than $5 million in U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding, University of Wisconsin–Madison engineers are leading 10 cutting-edge research projects that will advance next-generation nuclear energy technologies.
Songs raise awareness about aquatic invasive species
A new initiative at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is using music to raise public awareness about aquatic invasive species in the state.
Planet Trek offers chance to bike or walk through scaled-down solar system
Dane County residents have a new way to appreciate the solar system, thanks to Planet Trek Dane County, which offers pedestrians and bikers a chance to discover the 11 biggest objects in the solar system at the correct scale of size and distance.
Thirty-plus medical inventions debut at undergraduate design competition
On Friday, May 1, some 150 University of Wisconsin–Madison biomedical engineering students will showcase 34 novel devices that address myriad real-world medical challenges.
Lecture explains the science behind ‘Angels and Demons’
Physics professor Wesley Smith will discuss the science behind the movie in a public lecture titled “Angels and Demons of the Large Hadron Collider” at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4, in 2103 Chamberlin Hall.
Researchers explore the broad-reaching effects of a pandemic in Wisconsin
If a pandemic hit Madison, canceling a football game at the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Camp Randall would protect thousands from exposure to illness. However, the economic cost would be substantial for stadium workers and employees at nearby restaurants and businesses if widespread, prolonged illness forced officials to call off an entire season of Badger football.
UW-Madison physicist elected to National Academy of Sciences
Susan N. Coppersmith, a University of Wisconsin–Madison professor of physics, was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences today (April 28), in recognition of her "distinguished and continuing achievements in original research."
As ticks expand, new areas may become prone to Lyme disease
Last summer, after returning home from a walk in Madison's Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood, Susan Paskewitz was astonished to find a deer tick crawling up her dog's hind leg. It was the first time Paskewitz, a University of Wisconsin–Madison entomologist, had collected a tick in the city. Within the month, she learned of two other such cases.
‘Why Files’ finally in print after 13 years on the Web
A pioneering University of Wisconsin–Madison project that was among the first to deliver accurate, understandable and appealing science to the infant World Wide Web has finally found a home between the covers of a book. On Tuesday, April 28, Penguin will release "The Why Files: The Science Behind the News."
Sustainability to be focus of annual bioethics forum
Sustainability will be the focus of the eighth annual International Bioethics Forum to be held in Madison Thursday and Friday, April 23 and 24.
Researchers use brain interface to post to Twitter
In early April, Adam Wilson posted a status update on the social networking Web site Twitter - just by thinking about it.
‘Motorized’ DNA opens door to autonomous molecular experiments
Using the same protein molecule that scientists have used for decades to copy genetic material, researchers have developed a molecular motor for propelling DNA.
UW-Madison students strive to improve medical care around the world
When Amit Nimunkar returned to his home in India for a visit with family, the University of Wisconsin–Madison biomedical engineering (BME) graduate student told his grandmother about the exciting BME projects he was working on.