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Category Science & Technology

Resident bacteria may help clean phosphorous from lakes

May 2, 2007

UW-Madison engineer Katherine McMahon is integrating her expertise in wastewater engineering and in biological systems to study the bacterial community in different eutrophied lakes — two in Madison and one in China — to learn more about how those bacteria affect phosphorus cycling in the lakes.

Survey examines Americans’ trust in science

May 1, 2007

When it comes to forming opinions on controversial scientific issues, Americans show a strong deference to the views of the scientific community, according to a study co-authored by a University of Wisconsin–Madison researcher.

Curiosities: How do fish gills work?

April 26, 2007

Question submitted by Matthew Burns, 7th Grade, Sennett Middle School.

Healing chronic wounds through use of nanoscale surfaces

April 25, 2007

It’s both costly and frustrating when doctors are unable to heal persistent wounds, such as diabetic ulcers or pressure sores in patients with limited mobility. Traditional treatments are often less than satisfactory. But thanks to funding from the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery seed grant program, UW–Madison researchers have been freed to explore a novel and revolutionary approach to coaxing persistent wounds to heal.

Team seeks to add advanced microlenses to technology

April 25, 2007

Most of us peer through lenses every day, but the “microlenses” devised by engineering professors Hongrui Jiang and Dave Beebe aren’t nearly so ordinary. Made of liquid and designed to be self-adjusting, these tiny lenses are a breed apart from their counterparts in eyeglasses and cameras.

U.S. chemistry forecast: ‘Partly cloudy, chance of showers’

April 25, 2007

A report released this month by the National Academy of Sciences concludes that although the United States currently leads the world in most aspects of chemistry research, increasing international competition makes that position far from secure.

Curiosities: Can dogs be trained not to bark?

April 25, 2007

"Yes, absolutely," said canine authority and UW–Madison adjunct associate professor of zoology Patricia McConnell. When confronting the natural tendency of our…

Lake districts serve as prisms of environmental change

April 24, 2007

Two vastly different Wisconsin lake districts - one in a dynamic agricultural and urban setting, the other in a forested and much less developed region of the state - are proving their value as sentinels of regional environmental change, according to a new report.

Gardeners invited to Family Horticulture Day

April 19, 2007

Tired of the same old backyard bounty? Maybe it's time to plant some red, pink or blue popcorn, or white, purple or black carrots.

U.S. News & World Report’s Shute to be writer in residence

April 18, 2007

Nancy Shute, a veteran science and medical reporter for U.S. News & World Report, has been named the spring Science Writer in Residence at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Chemistry professor receives National Science Board Public Service Award

April 17, 2007

Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, a University of Wisconsin–Madison chemistry professor who pioneered new ways to encourage public understanding of science through his enthusiastic communications and visually exciting chemical demonstrations, will receive the 2007 National Science Board Public Service Award.

Curiosities: What are clouds made of?

April 14, 2007

Question submitted by Jimmy Andruss, 7th Grade, Sennett Middle School.

Gene that governs toxin production in deadly mold found

April 13, 2007

For the growing number of people with diminished immune systems - cancer patients, transplant recipients, those with HIV/AIDS - infection by a ubiquitous mold known as Aspergillus fumigatus can be a death sentence.

Fishing for new anti-inflammatory, cancer drugs

April 10, 2007

Though cell movement and migration in the body play a central role in mediating injury and disease, including inflammatory responses and cancer metastasis, drugs designed to stifle cells’ nomadic tendencies are scarce. A new interdisciplinary research project funded by the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery seed grant program seeks to develop a novel drug-discovery process that may start to fill this gap.