Category Science & Technology
UW-Madison students design ‘disaster’ for Wisconsin rescue training facility
When University of Wisconsin–Madison civil and environmental engineering students Dan Zignego, Jake Varnes, Bill Schmitz and Nick Bobinski began a design project meant to be the crowning glory of their educational careers, they never thought it would turn into such a disaster.
Green highways: Research targets environmentally friendly asphalts
For those hoping to create a greener world, our country's millions of miles of asphalt roads may seem like an odd place to seek solutions. Yet, it's precisely because asphalt is so common that we have much to gain from making it more eco-friendly, says University of Wisconsin–Madison civil engineering professor Hussain Bahia.
Curiosities: Are there years when dandelions are more plentiful?
Mark Renz, Extension weed scientist at UW–Madison’s Department of Agronomy, says that varying environmental conditions ensure that virtually all plants, including dandelions,…
Astronomers witness the birth of a supernova
An international team of astronomers, acting on a tip from a NASA satellite that serves as an early warning system for the most violent astronomical events, has caught a supernova in the act.
African dust forecast may help hurricane season predictions
As the official June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, forecasters are developing predictions about the severity of this year's season. For the first time this year, African dust may provide a piece of this puzzle.
Recent sightings: Bugged
Kindergarteners experience hands-on learning and exploration during a UW–Madison Insect Ambassadors program held at C.H. Bird Elementary School in Sun Prairie…
Alumna to ‘mix it up’ on the Food Network
Mary Nolan, a 2004 graduate in journalism, will star in the Food Network’s Chic & Easy, a cooking show that focuses on creating elegant dishes that are accessible and simple to make. The show debuts Sunday, May 18.
Geography students put local foods on the map
As temperatures warm, farm fields begin to green and outdoor farmers' markets get under way, the time is ripe for thinking about local foods. For Madison residents, finding locally produced foods is now just a mouse click away.
Notable graduates: David Blodgett — Concrete accomplishments on the water
When competitors from other schools hear about David Blodgett of UW–Madison's Concrete Canoe team, they generally have the response: "That's not fair."
Notable graduates: Craig Kohn — A passion for agricultural education
In the process of applying for grants to conduct his own environmental research, Craig Kohn was asked to take the lead on implementing an environmental education program through the Wisconsin Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association. Unenthusiastic at first, Kohn soon discovered his passion for education.
Invitrogen, WARF sign license agreement for human embryonic stem cells
Invitrogen Corp. and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation announced today (May 8) that they have signed a license for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) patents for the development of research tools.
Virus mimics human protein to hijack cell division machinery
Viruses are masters of deception, duping their host's cells into helping them grow and spread. A new study has found that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can mimic a common regulatory protein to hijack normal cell growth machinery, disrupting a cell's primary anti-cancer mechanism.