Category Science & Technology
Study says “hidden overharvest” from fishing plays a role in Wisconsin walleye declines
New research finds that It finds that 40 percent of walleye populations are overharvested, which is ten times higher than the estimates fisheries managers currently use.
UW among top 10 in national research ranking
The National Science Foundation (NSF) released its 2018 fiscal year Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) data and the University of Wisconsin–Madison ranks 8th in the national research rankings for public and private universities.
Professor’s study of ancient crystals sheds light on earth’s early years
“If we can analyze melt inclusions, that will provide the first data on rock chemistry for the Earth’s ‘Dark Ages,’ the first 500 million years of earth history,” John Valley says. “This is a critical time that we know almost nothing about.”
Can ‘smart toilets’ be the next health data wellspring?
Wearable, smart technologies are transforming the ability to monitor and improve health, but a decidedly low-tech commodity — the humble toilet — may have potential to outperform them all.
Lifelike chemistry created in lab search for ways to study origin of life
The work is far from jumpstarting life in the lab. Yet, it shows that simple laboratory techniques can spur the kinds of reactions that are likely necessary to explain how life got started on Earth some four billion years ago.
Americans maintain high levels of trust in science
A new report analyzing decades of surveys reveals that Americans’ trust in scientists has remained stable and high, and that "scientists are at the top of trustworthy professions." But the research found a large gap between rural and suburban residents.
UW–Madison signs Second Nature Resilience Commitment
The Resilience Commitment will not only help UW–Madison address current and ongoing effects of climate change on campus, it will also amplify the benefits of collaboration and partnership with local, state and global communities.
Injectable, flexible electrode could replace rigid nerve-stimulating implants
Neuromodulation therapies can reduce epileptic seizures, soothe chronic pain and treat depression. Now, a significant advance could dramatically reduce their cost, increase their reliability and make them much less invasive.
WARF announces annual grant figures and 2019 Innovation Award winners
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation has granted the university $80 million and the Morgridge Institute $11.9 million, and is honoring faculty members who made significant technological advances.
UW–Madison chemist searches for ways to bioengineer proteins within cells
Chemistry Professor Andrew Buller wants to add more building blocks to the body’s protein-making kit, making it easier and less expensive to create the new molecules for research and medicine.
For the love of bats
Amy Wray doesn’t expect everyone to love bats like she does, but the doctoral candidate in wildlife ecology hopes to help people understand how essential they are to our ecosystem. And what better time than Halloween?
Deepest look yet at brewer’s yeasts reveals the diversity harnessed by humans
A new trove of genomic data could allow researchers to develop novel features in fermented beverages, an industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Researchers may have found a new way to fight skin-burrowing schistosomiasis parasite
Scientists led by Morgridge Institute for Research investigator Phillip Newmark have isolated a potent kryptonite against the parasitic worms, which cause devastating health problems.
Newly discovered virus infects bald eagles across America
Scientists found the virus while searching for the cause of Wisconsin River Eagle Syndrome. The newly identified bald eagle hepacivirus may contribute to the fatal disease, which causes eagles to stumble and have seizures.
UW–Madison physicist awarded Packard Fellowship
Shimon Kolkowitz's research into ultra-precision atomic clocks will test Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Regents approve new undergraduate major in Data Science
Students majoring in data science will learn to apply computational, statistical, and mathematical methods to data in order to solve real-world problems.
Science journalist Christie Aschwanden visits as UW–Madison Science Writer in Residence
Aschwanden, who for years was lead science writer for FiveThirtyEight, will be on campus Oct. 14 through 18 visiting students and faculty and participating in a panel discussion.
Extension strengthens link between field and campus
When the Conant brothers started a hops farm, they knew practically nothing about hops. So they turned to their county ag educator from UW Extension, which is now part of UW–Madison. The agent drew upon UW researchers’ unbiased scientific expertise.
Campus a popular stopover for migrating butterflies
Butterflies like to stop at the UW–Madison campus and Arboretum to rest and drink up the nectar in the many flowers there.
150 years ago, periodic table brought order to the chemical universe
"You could say that we take the periodic table (of the elements) for granted," says UW–Madison chemistry instructor Matt Bowman. "But I could not imagine chemistry without it.”