Category Science & Technology
Viral sequencing catches mutations, guides effective public health response
As the tallies of COVID-19’s effects in the United States have mounted to a dizzying scale, a team of UW scientists has kept its focus on the tiniest shifts in the virus’s genetic material.
Kutzbach’s role in climate science ‘expansive and foundational’
John Kutzbach, an emeritus professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, died Jan. 29. His contributions “helped all of us better understand important aspects of our universe — in particular, those of the Earth’s climate system."
UW–Madison Arboretum designated a National Historic Landmark
The designation is based on the Arboretum’s pioneering work in restoration ecology, its place in the history of conservation, and its commitment to Aldo Leopold’s land ethic.
UW–Madison initiative to promote university-industry research and education partnerships
“The goal of this initiative is to spark new collaborations with industry, stimulate innovative thinking among students, and promote translation of fundamental research," says Steve Ackerman, vice chancellor for research and graduate education.
UW–Madison watching for new variants of virus that causes COVID-19
UW–Madison is working closely with public health agencies to prepare for the arrival of the variants, and the university has close ties to laboratories conducting surveillance and genomic sequencing for these virus types.
Next group of vaccine eligibility begins March 1
UW–Madison will identify and notify faculty and staff who have direct contact with students of their eligibility and provide next steps for vaccination as this information becomes available.
Dark Energy Survey catalogs nearly 700 million astronomical objects
Astronomical researchers around the world can access these unprecedented data and mine them to make new discoveries about the universe.
Gov. Evers announces new public health emergency, issues new face coverings order
Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #104 and Emergency Order #1 establishing a new statewide public health emergency and face coverings requirement as the…
UW researchers develop tool to equitably distribute limited vaccines
The School of Medicine and Public Health and UW Health have developed a tool that incorporates age and socioeconomic status to prioritize vaccine distribution among people who otherwise share similar risks due to their jobs.
Population density and virus strains will affect how regions can resume normal life
“Vaccination programs should consider potential spread rate in different areas. The main driver that will be important is density,” says researcher Tony Ives.
Sociologist battles inequities in artificial intelligence
Alumna Alex Hanna is a research scientist on Google’s Ethical AI Team, which focuses on responsible artificial intelligence systems. “There’s a very strong chance that those data are exacerbating existing race, gender, and class inequalities,” she says.
Common microbes team up to degrade polymer composites
The study may help structural engineers to understand environmental stressors of polymer composite materials and how to design them to resist microbial degradation.
A new way to help the immune system fight back against cancer
"We believe we are launching a new cancer therapy field here," says Jamey Weichert, professor of radiology. "It’s very exciting, and the research team is incredible.”
Subscriptions to satellite alerts linked to decreased deforestation in Africa
Launched in 2016, the Global Land Analysis and Discovery system provides frequent, high-resolution alerts when it detects a drop in forest cover.
University Health Services to vaccinate Phase 1a eligible individuals against COVID-19
“We know it could be many months before all of our students and employees can be vaccinated," says a UHS official, "but this is an important and hopeful first step.”
Dolan led Waisman Center in two decades of growth
Dolan was instrumental in expansion of the center to include laboratories dedicated to stem cell and gene therapy research, a biomanufacturing facility, a brain imaging center, and new space for the Waisman Early Childhood Program.
Contactless thermometer helps monitor student health
A prototype “contactless” thermometer was created by borrowing the sensor from a commercially available thermometer and adding a microcontroller and distance sensor controlled by open-source code.
Research effort driving advances to combat traumatic brain injuries
A team of researchers led by University of Wisconsin–Madison mechanical engineer Christian Franck is working on better ways to detect concussions and better protective equipment to prevent them.
Vaccine arrives at UW Health
UW Health received its first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine the morning of Monday, Dec. 14. By early afternoon, the first doses were given to frontline medical personnel.
UW–Madison leads DoD-funded effort to restore vision to injured service members and people with disease
The technology will be based on a system in which human induced pluripotent cells are used to generate light-responsive eye cells called photoreceptors along with the cells that support them.