Category Science & Technology
Washburn Observatory to close for renovations
Washburn Observatory, which sits along Observatory Drive on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, will close at the end of October for remodeling and renovations. Read More
Fight to save celebrated prairie continues
Students from UW–Madison’s general ecology class have joined Arboretum researchers and land managers in an ambitious five-year plan to subdue the spread of invasive reed canary grass in the UW Arboretum’s Greene Prairie. Read More
WARF announces new hires and promotions
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) has announced promotions for Michael E. Falk and Emily Bauer, and the hires of a communications director, Janet L. Kelly, and two licensing professionals, Craig Heim for start-up companies, and Mark Stoveken for pharmaceutical licensing. Read More
Hot subjects—Physics 206: ‘Seeking Truth: Living with Doubt’
Physics professor Marshall Onellion has a new job title this semester: official tackling dummy for his freshmen students. It’s part of his scheme to provoke controversial discussion and to get his students really thinking. Oddly enough, he’s instigating this debate in a physics class. Read More
Bioenergy research center gets early boost from U.S. Department of Energy
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) has received $6.67 million in start-up funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that will allow researchers to get to work on promising new sources of energy that may someday power our cars, homes, and businesses. Read More
‘Jumping genes’ could make for safer gene delivery system
A new nonviral gene delivery system using transposons, or “jumping genes,” provides a safer alternative to previous options, according to a publication by a UW–Madison molecular biologist and biological safety expert. Read More
Curiosities: Is there any validity to the so-called 5-second rule?
If a piece of toast fell on the floor, would you pick it up and eat it? You probably would if you believe in… Read More
Town hall meetings to introduce building plans for Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery
On October 1, 8 and 10, the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) are hosting a series of town hall meetings to inform the UW–Madison community about the latest building plans for the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery. Read More
Study shows autism symptoms can improve into adulthood
Hallmarks of autism are characteristic behaviors - repetitive motions, problems interacting with others, impaired communication abilities - that occur in widely different combinations and degrees of severity among those who have the condition. Read More
Study: Nutrient pollution drives frog deformities
High levels of nutrients used in farming and ranching activities fuel parasite infections that have caused highly publicized frog deformities in ponds and lakes across North America, according to a new study led by the University of Colorado at Boulder. Read More
Hormone-driven effects on eating, stress mediated by same brain region
A hormone system linked to reducing food consumption appears to do so by increasing stress-related behaviors, according to a new study. Read More
Institutes will provide space for science, arts, community
Faculty, staff and graduate students are invited to give input on the design of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery during upcoming town hall meetings, planned for Oct. 1, 8 and 10. Read More
New book looks at public perception and media treatment of GMOs
Although the vast majority of Americans are blithely unaware, the United States and its system of food production is irreversibly hitched to modern biotechnology. In short, most people unwittingly and regularly consume food that was produced through genetic engineering. Read More
Scientific American columnist to be writer in residence
Steve Mirsky, whose talent blending science and humor has been a staple of Scientific American since 1995 as reflected in the magazine's Anti Gravity column, has been named a University of Wisconsin–Madison Science Writer in Residence for fall 2007. Read More
Study reveals possible genetic risk for fetal alcohol disorders
New research in primates suggests that infants and children who carry a certain gene variant may be more vulnerable to the ill effects of fetal alcohol exposure. Read More
$7.2 million grant to aid search for ALS stem cell therapy
With the help of a $7.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a team of University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers will explore the potential of stem cells and natural growth factors to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Read More
Grant supports changes to clinical, translational research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded UW–Madison’s new Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) one of the largest grants in the history of the School of Medicine and Public Health. Read More
Hybrid buses come to campus
Two of Wisconsin’s first hybrid electric-powered buses will be in service on campus soon. Read More
Major grant advances UW’s clinical and translational research enterprise
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded the University of Wisconsin–Madison's new Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) one of the largest grants in the history of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, making UW–Madison a key player in an ambitious NIH plan to transform the country's clinical and translational research enterprise. Read More
Wisconsin prairie to be named for botany Professor Hugh Iltis
A prairie in Marquette County will soon be named for Hugh Iltis, a University of Wisconsin–Madison professor emeritus of botany and former director of the UW–Madison Herbarium. Read More