Tag Research

Renaissance man of evolutionary biology to speak

September 14, 2006

Renowned evolutionary biologist Francisco Ayala will hold two presentations at the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Engineering Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 26 and 27, titled "Darwin's Most Significant Discovery: Design Without Designer" and "From Biology to Ethics: the Biological Foundations of Morality," respectively.

Engineering a ‘Trojan horse’ to sneak drugs into the brain

September 13, 2006

Scientists have found a new way to deliver drugs to the brains of patients with Parkinson's, Alzheimers, brain tumors and stroke.

Weimer to examine net benefits of public investment in people

September 7, 2006

La Follette School of Public Affairs professor David Weimer has received a $120,000 grant from the MacArthur Foundation to assess cost-benefit analyses of human capital interventions ‑ social programs and policies designed to improve people’s skills and abilities.

WARF launches new programs for promising compounds

September 6, 2006

In conjunction with the Keck-UW Comprehensive Cancer Center Small Molecule Screening Facility (SMSF), the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is launching a new initiative for assay development and small-molecule screening.

Achoo! Pollen counter measures what’s making you sneeze

September 6, 2006

At 8 a.m. four days a week, from March to November, Rose Vrtis hikes up four flights of stairs to the roof of the Clinical Science Center.

Anticipation plays a powerful role in human memory

September 5, 2006

Psychologists have long known that memories of disturbing emotional events — such as an act of violence or the unexpected death of a loved one — are more vivid and deeply imprinted in the brain than mundane recollections of everyday matters. Probing deeper into how such memories form, researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have found that the mere anticipation of a fearful situation can fire up two memory-forming regions of the brain — even before the event has occurred.

Study shows heavy-smoking college students have more mental-health problems

September 5, 2006

A study just published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research revealed that students who were heavy smokers and were seeking treatment at a university counseling facility had substantially more mental health problems than those who were nonsmokers or light smokers.

Astronomers provide fresh peek at nearby galaxy

August 31, 2006

An international team of astronomers, including scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has created two striking images of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small galaxy nestled right next to the Milky Way.

Researchers find new way to ‘sweeten’ key drugs

August 31, 2006

Probing a class of enzymes routinely used to synthesizing some of nature's most potent drugs, a team of Wisconsin scientists has found a new way to expand on nature's chemical creativity to make critical anticancer agents and antibiotics.

Hubble captures rare, fleeting shadow on Uranus

August 31, 2006

With the help of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have captured a rare sight in the solar system — a glimpse of Uranus as one of its moons, Ariel, and its shadow traverse the disk of the planet. A University of Wisconsin–Madison scientist led the research team.

New book examines science of the paranormal

August 24, 2006

Stories about paranormal experiences don't surprise Deborah Blum, a professor of journalism and mass communication at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Blum recently published the book "Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death.

Harnessing the power of bacteria

August 23, 2006

Researchers harness the power of bacteria

August 22, 2006

Looking for alternatives to world reliance on fossil fuels for energy, an interdisciplinary team of University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers is studying ways to generate electricity by feeding a species of photosynthetic bacteria a steady diet of sunshine and wastewater.

Research council begins new review of doctoral programs

August 22, 2006

The National Research Council (NRC) has begun a national review of research doctoral programs, and UW–Madison faculty, staff and students who receive questionnaires for the review are urged to complete them in a timely fashion.

Student develops open gym sessions for those with disabilities

August 22, 2006

Inspired by the strength and determination of the students she assisted in an adapted fitness class, Megan Petrik, a senior in psychology, developed a successful proposal for a Leadership Trust Award aimed at expanding opportunities at UW–Madison for individuals with disabilities.

Mercury pollution threatens health worldwide, scientists say

August 11, 2006

Mercury pollution can threaten the health of people, fish and wildlife everywhere, from industrial sites to remote corners of the planet, but reducing mercury use and emissions would lessen those threats, according to a declaration ratified today (Aug. 11) at an international conference on mercury pollution.

Genetic snooze button governs timing of spring flowers

August 9, 2006

University of Wisconsin–Madison researcher Richard Amasino has revealed studies that have begun to peel back some of the mystery of how plants pace the seasons to bloom at the optimal time of year.

Sociologists dissect doctor-patient dialogue

August 8, 2006

An international group of conversation analysts, including one from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has put together a new anthology of studies that explore communication between primary-care doctors and their patients.

MATC, UW collaborate on biodiesel fuel reactor

August 7, 2006

Madison Area Technical College today dedicated its new biodiesel reactor, built in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Madison, to produce motor fuel blended from waste vegetable oil and methanol.

Gabriela Cezar’s stem cell research targets birth defects and cancer

August 4, 2006

After conducting research at Scotland's Roslin Institute (birthplace of Dolly the cloned sheep) and creating in-vitro models of obesity and Parkinson's Disease for the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Gabriela Cezar has returned to the University of Wisconsin–Madison.