Category Science & Technology
Native November: In new First-Year Interest Group, students connect with the land through Indigenous lens
Instructor Dan Cornelius is "trying to help students connect to place, so that no matter where they are, they’ll think more deeply about the land and its history.” Read More
Quick, routine coronavirus testing reassures both campus and volunteers
Unlike other testing on campus, which is more likely to attract people who are sick or who believe they’ve been exposed to COVID-19, Jon Temte’s program constantly re-tests a stable population of volunteers — even when they feel fine. Read More
Gene-edited monkey embryos give researchers new way to study HIV cure
A gene that cured a man of HIV a decade ago has been successfully added to developing monkey embryos in an effort to study more potential treatments for the disease. Read More
Early mutation in SARS-CoV-2 virus in Europe led to its domination worldwide
A study shows that the mutant virus is more easily transmitted and grows better within hosts, likely aiding its dominance. The mutation, researchers say, should not interfere with the effectiveness of vaccines against the virus. Read More
‘Rewiring’ metabolism in insulin-producing cells may aid Type 2 diabetes treatment
Scientists point to an overlooked enzyme known as pyruvate kinase as the primary way pancreatic beta cells sense sugar levels and release the appropriate amount of insulin. Read More
Tracking virus mutations reveals success of stay-at-home orders
A family tree of more than 200 variations in the virus that causes COVID-19 helps explain why two Wisconsin counties had such different early experiences with the pandemic. Read More
UW–Madison to expand COVID-19 testing in spring
To accommodate more regular and frequent COVID-19 testing of all students and employees on campus in the spring semester, UW–Madison will partner with Shield T3, a subsidiary of the University of Illinois System. Read More
Thesis-writing program shares joy of scientific research
The Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy Thesis Award Program’s mission is to both promote science literacy among the public and recruit future generations to careers in scientific research with an approachable look at the latest findings. Read More
‘All Ways Forward’ campaign extended
The multiyear campaign to raise much-needed funding for UW–Madison priorities has been extended until Dec. 31, 2021, Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced Thursday. Read More
New NIH-funded initiative will examine Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome
Investigators at the Waisman Center, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and several departments at UW–Madison are involved in the effort, which they say "has the potential to help everyone." Read More
Research highlights need for grassland conservation, agriculture support
In a new study, researchers show that newly added croplands converted from grasslands important to wildlife generated less yield than existing cropland. Read More
WARF announces annual grant for UW research
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, which obtains patents on UW inventions and licenses them to industry, has granted the university and the Morgridge Institute for Research a combined $100.3 million for 2020-21. Read More
Cellular networks vulnerable to wildfires across U.S.
More than 430,000 cell network transceivers covering approximately 85 million people are in areas the U.S. Forest Service considers at moderate or high wildfire risk. Read More
COVID-19 model quantifies impact of region-specific social distancing orders
A simulation using cellphone data shows social distancing measures had a major influence on case numbers, though the impact varied markedly in different areas, even within the same state. Read More
Surprising communication between atoms could improve quantum computing
A group of UW physicists has identified conditions under which relatively distant atoms communicate with each other in ways that had previously only been seen in atoms closer together. Read More
Do the twist: Making two-dimensional quantum materials using curved surfaces
The continuously twisting stacks of 2D materials create new properties that scientists can exploit to study quantum physics on the nanoscale. Read More
‘Grassland 2.0’ seeks to transform Upper Midwest agriculture through perennial grasslands
With chronically low and erratic milk prices, some dairy farmers have controlled their production costs with managed grazing. Read More
Gimlet’s Kendra Pierre-Louis to visit virtually as Science Writer in Residence
As a climate reporter on the new podcast "How to Save a Planet," Pierre-Louis discusses everything from the surprising benefits of trees to why everyone needs a “go bag” — and friendly neighbors — in a disaster. Read More
American Physical Society bestows top honors on two UW scientists
Physics professor Vernon Barger won the J.J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Particle Physics, and chemistry professor Martin Zanni was the recipient of the Earle K. Plyler Prize for Molecular Spectroscopy & Dynamics. Read More
UW grad student shares hands-on physics, art lessons with local fifth graders
Students took breaks from all-electronic assignments to work with take-home kits that let them explore the physics of light while creating art. Read More