Category State & Global
UW researchers’ evaluation puts MGE net-zero carbon goal on path to limit global warming
If actions similar to the Wisconsin utility's plan were also taken around the world, the researchers say, "it would be effective at keeping the planet under 1.5 degrees warming.” Read More
Native November: In new First-Year Interest Group, students connect with the land through Indigenous lens
Instructor Dan Cornelius is "trying to help students connect to place, so that no matter where they are, they’ll think more deeply about the land and its history.” Read More
Quick, routine coronavirus testing reassures both campus and volunteers
Unlike other testing on campus, which is more likely to attract people who are sick or who believe they’ve been exposed to COVID-19, Jon Temte’s program constantly re-tests a stable population of volunteers — even when they feel fine. Read More
Gene-edited monkey embryos give researchers new way to study HIV cure
A gene that cured a man of HIV a decade ago has been successfully added to developing monkey embryos in an effort to study more potential treatments for the disease. Read More
Early mutation in SARS-CoV-2 virus in Europe led to its domination worldwide
A study shows that the mutant virus is more easily transmitted and grows better within hosts, likely aiding its dominance. The mutation, researchers say, should not interfere with the effectiveness of vaccines against the virus. Read More
Outstanding Women of Color 2020-21
The awards honor faculty, staff, students and community members who have made contributions in social justice, activism and advocacy on behalf of disadvantaged, marginalized populations; community service; scholarly research; and community building. Read More
UW System, Alliant Energy recognize outstanding students, teachers for 2020
UW–Madison senior Dalila Ricci won an honor for students from underrepresented groups pursuing a degree in business or engineering. Faculty Associate Sharon Thoma was singled out for outstanding commitment to student success. Read More
Tracking virus mutations reveals success of stay-at-home orders
A family tree of more than 200 variations in the virus that causes COVID-19 helps explain why two Wisconsin counties had such different early experiences with the pandemic. Read More
UW–Madison to expand COVID-19 testing in spring
To accommodate more regular and frequent COVID-19 testing of all students and employees on campus in the spring semester, UW–Madison will partner with Shield T3, a subsidiary of the University of Illinois System. Read More
Thesis-writing program shares joy of scientific research
The Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy Thesis Award Program’s mission is to both promote science literacy among the public and recruit future generations to careers in scientific research with an approachable look at the latest findings. Read More
Menard family gift supports UW’s Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy
The gift enables the CSLD to promote the "critical understanding of ... constitutionalism and the rule of law, individual rights, and the meaning of freedom and free markets in a flourishing liberal democracy." Read More
‘All Ways Forward’ campaign extended
The multiyear campaign to raise much-needed funding for UW–Madison priorities has been extended until Dec. 31, 2021, Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced Thursday. Read More
New NIH-funded initiative will examine Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome
Investigators at the Waisman Center, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and several departments at UW–Madison are involved in the effort, which they say "has the potential to help everyone." Read More
Research highlights need for grassland conservation, agriculture support
In a new study, researchers show that newly added croplands converted from grasslands important to wildlife generated less yield than existing cropland. Read More
WARF announces annual grant for UW research
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, which obtains patents on UW inventions and licenses them to industry, has granted the university and the Morgridge Institute for Research a combined $100.3 million for 2020-21. Read More
Diversity Forum keynote: ‘We would be wise to honor the inherent dignity of all people’
Austin Channing Brown says she learned early on that white people have a tendency to think — often incorrectly — that their experiences are universal and normal. Read More
New resources, upcoming discussions to help campus prepare for and reflect on presidential election
University officials will be offering several opportunities to engage in civic dialogue, build community, and discuss the election both before and after the vote. Read More
Cellular networks vulnerable to wildfires across U.S.
More than 430,000 cell network transceivers covering approximately 85 million people are in areas the U.S. Forest Service considers at moderate or high wildfire risk. Read More
COVID-19 model quantifies impact of region-specific social distancing orders
A simulation using cellphone data shows social distancing measures had a major influence on case numbers, though the impact varied markedly in different areas, even within the same state. Read More
New polls show Biden with growing leads in three battleground states
With voting already well underway, former Vice President Joe Biden has extended his leads over President Donald Trump in three key battleground states — Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — according to new polls by the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Read More