Advances

(Advances gives a glimpse of the many significant research projects at the university. Tell us about your discoveries by e-mailing: wisweek@news.wisc.edu.) Advances gives a glimpse of the many significant research projects at the university. Tell us about your discoveries. E-mail: wisweek@news.wisc.edu.

University to develop Internet 2 ‘middleware’
The university has received a grant to facilitate online sharing of knowledge, instruments and other scientific resources, and foster Web-based collaboration.

The National Science Foundation plans to grant $12 million to eight universities and nonprofit educational agencies under the aegis of the NSF’s Middleware Initiative.

“This grant will enable us to create and deploy advanced network services,” says Keith Hazelton, the lead architect for Madison’s involvement. “This will make it easier for Internet users to access a wide range of resources available through high-performance networks.”

The I2 Middleware Architecture Committee for Education effort includes directory, Public Key Infrastructure and security, digital video and videoconferencing. UW–Madison’s Hazelton leads the directory work group. The grant will enable him to spend half his time on directory middleware. The directory portion of the grant will also support individuals from several other campuses.

UW–Madison will benefit from this work in several areas. For example, to reach their potential, videoconferencing and video-on-demand services need identifying information about people, devices and networks. Directory efforts are tackling these network needs as a key area.

Telephone surveys to gauge health of older residents
Wisconsin’s older residents may help improve state services simply by picking up the phone this month.

The University of Wisconsin Survey Center and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services have begun conducting random telephone surveys regarding the health of older Wisconsin residents. This sample of older residents will be asked questions that will help officials learn about their concerns and interests, and to see how the state can improve health and social services.

Donna McDowell, director of the State Bureau of Aging and Long Term Care Resources, says this survey is critically important for helping the bureau plan programs and services for the rapidly growing older population.

“During the next decade, the first Baby Boomers will turn 60 and become eligible for federal aging programs, creating new challenges for the entire system,” McDowell says. “We will rely on information from the survey to prepare for this, and we need widespread participation to be sure the survey results reflect the views and experiences of all older Wisconsin residents.”

Conference examines weather eyes in sky
Some of the nation’s leading satellite, meteorology and oceanography experts will be in Madison Oct. 15-18 for a discussions and presentations in their field. The conference chair is Christopher Velden, assistant scientist in space science and engineering.

The 11th Conference on Satellite Meteorology and Oceanography will be held at Monona Terrace Convention Center. Among topics to be covered:

• Using remote sensing to monitor volcanoes, wildfires, ocean color and winds, sea ice, land and agricultural processes and coastal zones.
• Understanding the use of satellite data in climatology and other studies.
• Using real-time satellite measurements in numerical modeling and hurricane and other severe weather studies.

The conference will host NASA’s Electronic Theater, Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. The ETheater shows Earth from space, with closeups as well.