Category Science & Technology
You’re muted — or are you? Videoconferencing apps may listen even when mic is off
Not only did researchers find that the apps gather audio data while "mute" is activated; they could identify activities picked up when microphones weren't believed to be on, such as eating, playing music, typing and cleaning. Read More
Four UW–Madison students awarded prestigious 2022 Goldwater Scholarships
Each university in the country may nominate up to four undergraduates for the annual award. To have all four candidates win is remarkable. Read More
Diving into science with eager hands and brains
People of all ages got their hands dirty and their brains revved up as part of Science Expeditions, an annual open house to illustrate the value — and fun — of scientific research on campus. Read More
Melting ice caps may not shut down ocean current
Building upon previous work, researchers are revising their understanding of the relationship between Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and freshwater from melting polar ice. Read More
Biodegradable gel boosts immune system’s attack on several cancers in mice
The gel, tested in mice, releases drugs and special antibodies that simultaneously deplete immune-blocking cells called macrophages from the surgical site and activate T cells so they can attack cancer. Read More
Understanding the human-animal interplay of COVID-19 and other diseases
Most human diseases don’t start — or end — with our species. Only by looking at the whole picture can scientists like UW–Madison's Tony Goldberg uncover the full story of viruses on Earth. Read More
Enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem
The 2022 Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Awards honor UW–Madison innovators and alumni who further the Wisconsin Idea through outstanding accomplishments in entrepreneurship. A ceremony honoring the recipients was held March 23 at the Discovery Building. Read More
Remembering senior Arden Jiaxin He, a prolific scholar of extraordinary talent
Arden, who passed away on March 2 at age 19, was a triple-major in data science, economics and mathematics who brought a fierce intellect and empathetic spirit to academic work. Read More
Scorpions’ venomous threat to mammals a relatively new evolutionary step
An international team of researchers led by UW–Madison biologists has assembled the largest evolutionary tree of scorpions yet, showing seven independent instances in which the distinctive eight-legged creatures evolved venom compounds toxic to mammals. Read More
COVID questions: Are more severe colds and flu in our future?
Preventive medicine chief resident Devlin Cole from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health explains why discontinuing masking does not put us at risk of contracting infections that are more severe. Read More
Four honored with UW Entrepreneurial Achievement Awards
The four recipients of this year’s awards showcase how the university and its alumni are leading innovation in technology and manufacturing, bolstering the local startup ecosystem, and driving economic growth in the state and across the country. Read More
Canine TV preferences could lead to answers in protecting dogs’ eyesight
A UW study is asking dog owners what their pets like to watch — a nontrivial question that could lay the groundwork for developing better canine eye tests. Read More
MIA Project begins DNA-based searches, raises support to find missing from Wisconsin
The UW–Madison Biotechnology Center project, which has recovered the remains of three American WWII servicemen, will host an online concert March 27 as part of its fundraising efforts. Read More
UW–Madison works to protect Wisconsin poultry from avian flu
The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is prepared to assist with a surge of testing that will help prevent the spread of the virus as birds and eggs are moved around the state, and researchers are also developing a vaccine to prevent future outbreaks. Read More
Dramatically reducing defects, new technique opens applications for 3D-printing metal parts
UW researchers have discovered a way to enable a prominent additive manufacturing technique called laser powder bed fusion to produce metal parts that have significantly fewer defects. Read More
Veterinary medicine students launch software startup to serve clinics
The platform allows veterinarians to request, send and review the medical records of patients who have received care from other clinics through a business-to-business software model. Read More
Scientists, undergraduates team up to protect astronauts from radiation
A research team will refine and test a novel idea for a traveling magnetic field strong enough to deflect harmful radiation from astronauts as they travel to Mars or set up bases around the moon. Read More
Government spending bill funds major research initiatives at UW–Madison
“This legislation provides crucial funding for cutting-edge university research and projects, and will improve health, drive innovation and create a more prosperous Wisconsin,” said UW–Madison Chancellor Rebecca M. Blank. Read More
Antivirals, some antibodies, work well against BA.2 omicron variant of COVID-19 virus
The research team tested seven monoclonal antibodies, three combinations of antibodies, and three antiviral treatments against the BA.2 variant. Read More
Can a virtual reality game help teens regulate emotions?
Researchers at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health are studying the potential of the game, in which players can only move around in a three-dimensional environment through deep breathing — which, in turn, relieves their anxiety. Read More