Category Science & Technology
Fund for late professor lifts Engineers Without Borders into the black
Katie Simon had a lot to be nervous about in March 2007 when she became the president of the University of Wisconsin–Madison chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), an organization that applies the knowledge of engineers to improving the quality of life for developing communities.
Increased ethanol production to worsen Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’
The rush in the United States to produce corn-based ethanol as an alternative fuel will likely worsen pollution in the Gulf of Mexico and expand the annual "dead zone" that kills fish and other aquatic life, according to new research.
WID established as Graduate School center
In fall 2007, the proposal (1.5 Mb PDF) for the public Wisconsin Institute for Discovery was approved by the University Academic Planning Council, establishing the institute as a center within the Graduate School.
Lowly Icelandic midges reveal ecosystem’s tipping points
A UW–Madison zoologist describes in the journal Nature an ecosystem population dynamics model built on the flies of Iceland’s Lake Myvatn, showing how even slight human-induced changes can irreversibly alter the balance of nature.
Professor named first scientific director of national nuclear research facility
Idaho National Laboratory has selected University of Wisconsin–Madison nuclear fuels and materials expert Todd Allen to lead its newly created Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) National Scientific User Facility.
Bacteria unlock secrets that may aid cancer treatment
The murky flasks of bacteria growing in Ben Shen’s lab may change how we look at both chemistry and chemotherapy.
Earlier plantings underlie yield gains in northern corn belt
U.S. farmers plant corn much earlier today than ever before and it seems to be paying off, at least in the north. Earlier plantings could account for up to half of the yield gains seen in some parts of the northern Corn Belt since the late 1970s, a new study has found.
UW students help El Salvadoran towns build wastewater system
New Year's Eve in Nejapa, El Salvador, looks a lot like the Fourth of July. At Griselda Guzman's house, homemade fireworks lighted the front yard, where the guests dancing outside her pale yellow home included 11 University of Wisconsin–Madison engineering students and three advisers.
Celebrating Leopold’s legacy
To celebrate the Aldo Leopold legacy, people are invited to the Arboretum Visitor Center, 1207 Seminole Highway, from 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, for “Madison Reads Leopold,” part of Aldo Leopold Weekend. Leopold Weekend is a statewide event that honors Leopold’s contributions to our understanding of the environment.
Biochemist Kimble elected National Academy councilor
Judith Kimble, a University of Wisconsin–Madison professor of biochemistry and genetics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, has been elected to a three-year term as councilor for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).
Can RFID technology promote a safer blood supply?
Radio frequency identification technology, or RFID, has inspired many novel applications of late, including efforts to study magazine reader patterns, access restricted areas, locate stolen vehicles and track luggage at major airports.
Morgridge Institute launches Web site
The Morgridge Institute for Research launched a new Web site today, Feb. 25, 2008.
Symposium opens world of research opportunity
With 10 years and hundreds of research projects in its history, the Undergraduate Symposium has been instrumental in showcasing undergraduates’ hard work. It’s also opened participants’ eyes to the possibilities of research — and even led some to continue the work they started with the event.