Category Health & Wellness
UW researchers find previously unknown links between microbial bile acids and the risk of colon cancer
A team of UW–Madison scientists have uncovered that bile acids produced by the liver to help digest food may affect our risk for developing colon cancer.
New tool makes quick health, environmental monitoring possible
Vatsan Raman, who has received a provisional patent for this work, sees broad applications for the technology his lab developed, including field tests that identify pollutants in local water sources in minutes and at-home tests that track health indicators.
Research to treat placenta could improve human pregnancies
In humans, placental insufficiency restricts the growth of developing fetuses and typically leads to premature delivery and extended stays in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Human stem cell-derived heart cells are safe in monkeys, could treat congenital heart disease
Regenerating tissue to support healthy heart function could keep hearts beating stronger and longer, and this is where stem cell research is stepping in.
Gene therapy protects against motor neuron disease in rats
The gene therapy approach allowed the non-mutated gene to be expressed in neurons and better support the transportation of proteins, preventing disease.
UW–Madison researchers find persistent problems with AI-assisted genomic studies
Researchers are increasingly attempting to work around this problem by bridging data gaps with ever more sophisticated AI tools.
H5N1 virus isolated from infected dairy worker is 100% lethal in ferrets, but does not appear to be circulating in nature anymore
The findings highlight the risks posed by a virus that continues to spread among dairy cattle and occasionally to farm workers, and the study's lead scientist says he was surprised by the ease with which this particular strain was able to kill ferrets.
Raw milk is risky, but airborne transmission of H5N1 from cow’s milk is inefficient in mammals.
New research suggests that exposure to raw milk infected with the currently circulating virus poses a real risk of infecting humans, but that the virus may not spread very far or quickly to others.
Serendipity reveals new method to fight cancer with T cells
Cells treated with “metabolic priming” retained their stem cell-like qualities, thus enhancing their ability to kill cancer cells, transform into durable memory cells, and survive longer in the body.
UW–Madison leading new research collaboration aimed at treating lung scarring diseases
An interdisciplinary group of researchers will will investigate the biological processes that promote lung scarring. With the aid of artificial intelligence and advanced 3D modeling, they will also develop and refine new imaging techniques and drug delivery systems that could aid in halting its progression.
Raw milk containing H5N1 can infect mice, while lab-based heat treatments greatly reduce the virus
According to new research from UW–Madison, consuming raw cow's milk that contains H5N1 avian influenza virus poses an infection risk, but a laboratory process that simulates high-temperature pasteurization reduces the virus in infected milk by more than 99.99%.
Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat. Nano-drugs hitching a ride on bacteria could help.
Mice treated with the therapeutic-laden bacteria experienced delayed tumor growth and significantly longer survival compared with mice that received other treatments.
Update from UW–Madison experts on bird flu spread
UW experts are assisting efforts to track and research the virus with an eye toward minimizing risk to human health and protecting the state’s agricultural sector.
Three honored for innovation, entrepreneurial excellence
Mark Bakken, James Dahlberg, and Dorri McWhorter received the 2024 Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Awards. These entrepreneurs exemplify the Wisconsin Idea — UW–Madison’s longstanding commitment to benefiting the world beyond the boundaries of campus.
New tool provides researchers with improved understanding of stem cell aging in the brain
By identifying and decoding these autofluorescence signatures, the researchers have developed a tool that can aid in studying adult neurological diseases and aging, but potentially also expand beyond neuroscience.
Air sampling at schools accurately detects flu and COVID-19 virus levels
A new study from the Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health found that air samplers placed in school cafeterias provided an accurate read of flu and COVID-19 infections in a K-12 school district.
Golden to step down as dean of School of Medicine and Public Health
As one of the longest-serving medical school deans in North America, Golden has led extraordinary advancements in the educational, research and service missions of the school.
Study identifies promising target for treating inflammatory bowel disease and colitis-induced colorectal cancers
Researchers uncovered a previously unknown function of a protein that is central to gut health and implicated in the development of colitis, a severe and chronic form of IBD.
UW–Madison scientists reveal the inner workings of an essential protein trafficking complex
The discovery could eventually help researchers better understand and develop new treatments for diseases like cancer, diabetes and those that cause immune dysfunction.
Type 2 diabetes may contribute to racial disparities in colorectal cancer among Americans
The findings underscore the value of colonoscopies and other colorectal cancer screenings, especially for Black and lower-income Americans who on average suffer worse outcomes after a cancer diagnosis.