Category Science & Technology
UW–Madison, FluGen, Bharat Biotech to develop CoroFlu, a coronavirus vaccine
Refinement of the CoroFlu vaccine concept and testing in laboratory animal models at UW–Madison is expected to take three to six months. CoroFlu could be in human clinical trials by fall, 2020.
Deleting a gene prevents Type 1 diabetes in mice by disguising insulin-producing cells
The cellular sleight of hand, says biomolecular chemist Feyza Engin, may also suggest ways to prevent other diseases in which the immune system targets the body’s own cells.
UW–Madison engineers, local manufacturers race pandemic to protect healthcare workers
The group has built prototypes and launched a website where it's encouraging healthcare facilities, manufacturers and donors to fill out an intake form to help assess need and build more connections while production capacity is rapidly expanded.
Professors prepare carefully to offer alternative education starting March 23
UW–Madison has provided faculty and instructors with tools to prepare to teach their classes using alternative methods, many involving online instruction.
How new data can make ecological forecasts as good as weather forecasts
Just as recurring changes in climate have predictable consequences for humans thanks to decades of weather data, they also have predictable effects on plants and animals.
V. Craig Jordan, Michael G. Moore to receive honorary degrees from UW–Madison
Jordan, a groundbreaking cancer researcher, and Moore, a pioneer in the field of contemporary distance education, will be awarded honorary doctoral degrees during the winter 2020 commencement ceremonies in December.
Anthropology professor Karen Strier recognized as prominent primate conservationist in Brazil
For 38 years, Strier has maintained a long-term study site on a protected reserve in southeastern Brazil near the city of Caratinga, in the state of Minas Gerais, where she studies a species of monkey known as the muriqui, often called the hippie monkey.
This beetle got a boost when it partnered up with antifungal bacteria
In new research, scientists in the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy reveal the genetic history of this beetle-bacteria partnership. This kind of genetic detective work can help researchers decide where and how to look for new drugs.
Cells carrying Parkinson’s mutation could lead to new model for studying disease
The edited cells are a step toward studying the degenerative neurological disorder in a primate model, which has proven elusive.
Complex local conditions keep fields of dunes from going active all at once
New research on dunes in China describes how even neighboring dunes can long remain in different and seemingly conflicting states — confounding the assessment of stabilization efforts and masking the effects of climate change.
Baldwin, nominated by UW–Madison and Marquette, wins ‘Champion of Science’ award
The award honors members of Congress whose actions and votes consistently reflect their commitment to fundamental science through funding investment for federal research agencies.
New engineering professor outsmarted doubters, and Twitter loves it
Steffi Diem's viral tweet has been liked by nearly 50,000 people and retweeted more than 2,000 times, and hundreds are sharing their own stories of succeeding despite the doubts of others — and themselves.
Researchers wake monkeys by stimulating ‘engine’ of consciousness in brain
A small amount of electricity delivered at a specific frequency to a particular point in the brain will snap a monkey out of even deep anesthesia, pointing to a circuit of brain activity key to consciousness and suggesting potential treatments for debilitating brain disorders.
UW–Madison researchers lead efforts to understand, thwart new coronavirus
Within the next few weeks, an interdisciplinary team of UW scientists hopes to begin studies of 2019-nCoV to "erect more barriers to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future.”
Governor issues proclamation in honor of the Nelson Institute’s 50th anniversary
The institute, named for former governor, senator and Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, has worked to provide scientifically sound research on environmental challenges since 1970.
Crystal-stacking process can produce new materials for high-tech devices
To grow layers of single-crystal oxides for electronic components requires neighboring layers to interlock like Lego blocks. A new method throws out that limitation, producing new capabilities for data storage, sensing, energy technologies, biomedical devices and many other applications.
Department of Chemistry wins Regents’ Diversity Award
The award recognizes the department’s efforts to enhance underrepresented students’ access to and success in the chemistry graduate program.
Scout’s Super Bowl story is a viral hit
A 7-year-old Golden Retriever named Scout and UW–Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine are already stealing the show in the run-up to the Super Bowl. Scout’s story, in the form of a 30-second commercial for WeatherTech, has already received an overwhelming reaction since it was first released on Tuesday.
Warming oceans could cause Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse, sea level rise
A new study found that warming below the surface of the planet’s oceans is a significant contributor to ice sheet melt, particularly in the Antarctic, where a large portion of the ice sheet exists under the water.
Here is what you need to know about novel coronavirus, according to a panel of UW–Madison experts
As details of the virus and its effects continue to emerge, UW physicians, epidemiologists, public health officials, scientists and communication experts addressed questions and concerns from the public.