Category Science & Technology
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Massive bubbles at center of Milky Way caused by supermassive black hole
The black hole origin of these huge bubbles rules out the possibility that the expansion of the material was driven by exploding stars, according to professor of astronomy and physics Ellen Zweibel.
Ancient example of modern global warming was too hot for tiny, important ocean creatures
During another time in which Earth warmed rapidly in conjunction with a spike in atmospheric carbon similar to our modern climate, seawater temperature and chemical changes decimated an important piece of the food web in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
A science trailblazer retires: Stem cell researcher James Thomson’s legacy changed the future of biology
After more than 30 years with UW–Madison and 12 years with the Morgridge Institute for Research, Thomson has announced plans to retire in July.
Makerspace fun: Waxing skis, snowboards
On Feb. 18, the creators at UW Makerspace turned to a light-hearted task: Waxing skis and snowboards.
Mouse study may help doctors choose treatments for leukemia patients
By exploring the ways mice responded, researchers hope to gain an understanding of the sorts of human health issues that may bring on a case of this life-threatening form of cancer.
‘Super pest’ Colorado potato beetle has the genetic resources to sidestep our attacks
New research reveals how diversity within its genome has allowed the pest to quickly evolve resistance to nearly anything humans have thrown at it.
Researchers are using machine learning to understand how brain cells work
Called manifold learning, the approach may help researchers better understand and even predict brain disorders by looking at specific neuronal properties.
Ultraprecise atomic clock poised for new physics discoveries
The clock's design allows the team to test ways to search for gravitational waves, attempt to detect dark matter, and discover new physics with clocks.