Category Science & Technology
Bridging the divide between math and biology
As a mathematician who has navigated the field of biology for nearly a decade, mathematics professor Julie Mitchell has some sage advice for those who choose to follow. Never hesitate to ask a “dumb” question. Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know something. Meanwhile, show some bravado. Read More
Global engineering forum targets looming engineering shortage
The United States and the world face severe shortages of engineers by the year 2025, according to research based on U.S. Bureau of Labor data. The challenge of developing leaders in the changing engineering and technical workforce will be explored during the third annual University of Wisconsin–Madison Engineering Executives Forum. Read More
Post-Kyoto environmental discussion to take place at UW–Madison
This December in Bali, new international talks will be launched to determine the successor of the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change. The science has spoken. We know the problem is real, but how do we move forward with a solution? Read More
Deep-sea drilling expedition off Japan seeks earthquake, tsunami causes
Harold Tobin is interested in deep scientific questions, whose answers lie thousands of meters underwater. The UW–Madison geologist studies deep oceanic earthquake faults, which extend miles into the Earth’s crust below the seafloor, to learn what causes earthquakes and tsunamis. Read More
Tool-wielding chimps provide a glimpse of early human behavior
Chimpanzees inhabiting a harsh savanna environment and using bark and stick tools to exploit an underground food resource are giving scientists new insights to the behaviors of the earliest hominids who, millions of years ago, left the African forests to range the same kinds of environments and possibly utilize the same foods. Read More
New test can curb losses of potatoes in storage
UW-Madison researcher Zahi K. Atallah has developed a test that helps farmers identify in their fields potato crops that will not store as long as others, resulting in fewer crop losses. Read More
Recent sightings: Anatomy, labeled
Medical terminology identifies the features of a human skull on a teaching skeleton during a gross anatomy class lab in the Medical… Read More
Curiosities: What determines the colors of the sky at sunrise and sunset?
Photo: Jeff Miller The colors of the sunset result from a phenomenon called scattering, says Steven Ackerman,… Read More
Illustration: The ethical dimensions of global climate change
The two world maps schematically represent the contribution of different nations to global warming, as measured in atmospheric carbon output (top) and… Read More
Computer scientist forges new line of defense against malicious traffic
Paul Barford has watched malicious traffic on the Internet evolve from childish pranks to a billion-dollar "shadow industry" in the last decade, and his profession has largely been one step behind the bad guys. Read More
Two young researchers win White House science award
Two of the University of Wisconsin–Madison's most promising young faculty members have received the highest national honor bestowed upon scientists in the early stages of their careers. The Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) recognize top junior researchers who have demonstrated exceptional potential and leadership at the frontiers of science. Read More
New classes explore environmental film’s mobilizing power
Gregg Mitman believes in the power of a well-told story. This semester the professor of history of science is teaching two new courses on the environment from a cinematic perspective: a class on environmental film in history and a hands-on production class in documentary storytelling. Read More
For students, electric ‘sled’ is good, clean fun in the snow
Thanks to donations from Madison-based foundations and industry, a team of University of Wisconsin–Madison mechanical engineers will have the chance to develop an earth-friendly snowmobile that could facilitate scientific research in Antarctica and Greenland. Read More
Panels examine intersection of science, religion and contemplative practice
The study of the human mind and how the worlds of science, religion and contemplative practice intersect will be explored during two panel discussions in November. Read More
AAAS honors five UW–Madison members
Five University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty and staff members are among the 471 scientists, engineers, educators and communicators who have been selected as fellows by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The awards are announced in the Oct. 26 issue of Science. Read More
Distinguished engineering alumni honored
In recognition of their outstanding contributions to fields ranging from nanotechnology and information management to medicine, materials and agriculture, the University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Engineering will honor nine influential alumni on Oct. 26 at the 60th annual Engineers' Day celebration. Read More
Open house showcases new science building
Since it opened at the beginning of the school year, the Microbial Sciences Building has been drawing rave reviews from students and researchers who work and study in the new facility. Read More
Researchers examine world’s potential to produce biodiesel
What do the countries of Thailand, Uruguay and Ghana have in common? They all could become leading producers of the emerging renewable fuel known as biodiesel, says a study from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Read More
As Halloween approaches, a food scientist muses on the coming ‘candy season’
In anticipation of the candy season — those sugar-packed months stretching from Halloween through Easter, marked by a succession of candy corn, chocolate turkeys, ribbon candy, candy hearts and chocolate eggs — UW–Madison food scientist Rich Hartel answers some questions about candy and the candy business. Read More