Category Science & Technology
Lewis Thomas Prize to be awarded to Wisconsin’s Sean Carroll
Carroll was instrumental in building the field of evolutionary developmental biology, known colloquially as evo devo. Read More
Nanosheet growth technique could revolutionize nanomaterial production
Tiny sheets of the semiconductor zinc oxide could have huge implications for the future of a host of electronic and biomedical devices. Read More
Partnering with NASA to grow plants in space
For many people, outer space and agriculture do not go together. But Simon Gilroy, professor of botany at UW–Madison, is working to learn how to effectively grow plants, and eventually gardens, in space. A sustainable, self-contained food source will allow astronauts to travel farther. Read More
Lab keeps cancer treatment radiation machines honest
As radiation sources used to attack cancer grow in number and complexity, a UW–Madison center offers the last word on accurate radiation doses. Read More
WARF’s Gulbrandsen to receive lifetime award
His tenure has seen WARF increase grant support for UW–Madison, expand its entrepreneurial mission, and chart scientific milestones from embryonic stem cells to life-saving vaccine research. Read More
UW scientists contribute to state’s Pollinator Protection Plan effort
Wisconsin’s honey bees help support an $88 billion agricultural enterprise and play an important role in ecosystems throughout the state. But our bees face challenges. Read More
Study illuminates war between the sexes: fruit fly edition
New research from the Laboratory of Genetics pinpoints the effect on reproduction of a female's ability to masquerade as a male. Read More
WARF taps Fujifilm chief, local executives for Entrepreneurons series
WARF, in conjunction with BioForward, is hosting a special two-part series exploring why Wisconsin is the right environment for tech businesses. Read More
UW astronomer recognized for demystifying star system
Sebastian Heinz has been honored by the American Astronomical Society for his work to unravel the mystery of Circinus X-1, a bizarre binary star system in our galaxy that exploded some 2,500 years ago. Read More
NSF awards $5 million for cybersecurity effort including UW–Madison
The security of more than $7 billion in federally-funded research will be significantly bolstered by establishment of the Center for Trustworthy Scientific Cyberinfrastructure. Read More
Tunable materials clear the way for advanced optics
In books and movies, wizards use magic spells to make the visible see-through. In reality, materials with properties called phase transitions can pull off a similar trick. Read More
Clouds, like blankets, trap heat and are melting the Greenland Ice Sheet
A new study shows clouds are playing a larger role in heating the Greenland Ice Sheet than scientists previously believed, raising its temperature by 2 to 3 degrees compared to cloudless skies. Read More
Working group recommends coordination of campus research cores
“Implementation of these methods should contribute to a supportive, sustainable environment for research at UW–Madison,” the group says in its report. Read More
UW agricultural economists recap trends of 2015, share forecasts for 2016
After a fantastic 2014, Wisconsin’s total net farm income took a big hit in 2015 — to the tune of $2 billion. While that’s a scary number, UW–Madison agricultural economists remind people to keep it in perspective. Read More
Urban Canid Project helps track Madison’s coyotes and prevent conflicts
Since 2014, the Urban Canid Project has heavily emphasized outreach and public engagement in the study of Madison’s foxes and coyotes. So far, its efforts have met success. Read More
Between soil and snow
Professors Jonathan Pauli and Benjamin Zuckerberg explain the subnivium — habitat between the ground and winter snow cover that is being affected by climate change. Read More
Internet of Things Lab fosters student innovation, adds industrial partners
Will Caldwell was riding his bike and didn’t see the car coming. But the lasers in his prototype "Safe Cycle" warning system did, and the handlebars vibrated in warning. Read More
Biotron puts any environment on Earth in researchers’ reach
One of the most flexible and unique research facilities in North America is sitting in plain sight, but near anonymity, on the west side of campus. It seems secretive, but it's easy to understand. Read More
Bird habitat changing quickly as climate change proceeds
The climatic conditions needed by 285 species of land birds in the United States have moved rapidly between 1950 and 2011 as a result of… Read More
Amid changing market for scientific instruments, Gilson continues to lead
Since Gilson's founding in the 1940s by a UW–Madison doctor who built instruments for his own research, the family-run company has thrived thanks to its tight customer focus. Read More