Category Science & Technology
UW–Madison, local startup testing a one-two punch against hard-to-heal wounds
Millions of people with severe burns or diabetic skin ulcers could benefit from an experimental enhancement to a next-generation covering that is already healing difficult wounds.
Scientists connected fragments of pine savanna and new species keep showing up
A new study connecting small, restored patches of savanna to one another demonstrates a hopeful strategy in efforts to conserve plant and animal species confronting fragmented and shrinking habitats.
Detailed PICture reveals how tooth enamel is strong enough to last a lifetime
Physicist Pupa Gilbert used PIC mapping to find that the way enamel crystals are misoriented likely deflects cracks, leading to teeth’s lifelong strength.
Hofacker named director of UW–Madison’s Posse scholarship program
The program identifies and awards full-tuition scholarships to public high school students with extraordinary potential who may be overlooked in the traditional college selection process.
Remembering Heidi Dvinge
On Sept. 20, Professor Heidi Dvinge passed away unexpectedly. Her colleagues describe her tragic loss as “devastating.”
Sustainable dairy project finds ways to lower emissions, boost profits
Researchers found that ideal cow genetics, improved feeding strategies and better manure management could allow dairy farms to cut greenhouse gas emissions while producing more milk with less feed.
Wisconsin Science Festival encourages science exploration statewide
The festival, held Oct. 17 through 20, will feature more than 220 events statewide ranging from fossil exploration and robotic engineering to animal encounters and the science of Star Wars.
WARF investment fund signals new tack in effort to grow adoption of UW–Madison technologies
A six-figure investment in a Wisconsin startup marks the latest effort by Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the nation’s oldest technology transfer office, to adapt…
Electric tech could help reverse baldness
Reversing baldness could someday be as easy as wearing a hat, thanks to a noninvasive, low-cost hair-growth-stimulating technology developed by UW–Madison engineers.
UW–Madison geneticist named science ambassador to girls and young women
Ahna Skop, a professor, artist and advocate for underrepresented students, has been selected for an initiative to further women in science by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
“Clamp” regulates message transfer between mammal neurons
A UW researcher has described a key component of the nervous system — the brake, or “clamp,” that prevents the fusion pore from completing its formation and opening.
Machine learning and its radical application to severe weather prediction
In the last decade, artificial intelligence applications have exploded across various research sectors, including computer vision, communications and medicine. Now, the rapidly developing technology is making its mark in weather prediction.
Seeking basic info on “basement rocks”
Geologist Esther Stewart makes a living poking around in the geologic basement beneath Wisconsin, which provides many clues to the land's history.
New UW–Madison school sets emphasis on computing, data fields
The School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences is “a chance to create a strong ecosystem of innovation, to create jobs and bring significant recognition to Wisconsin as a place where entrepreneurs thrive,” says director Tom Erickson.
University helps state growers cope with voracious, invading fruit fly
“These insects have invaded everywhere in the world that grows fruit,” says researcher Hanna McIntosh. “If the mulch works here, it’s probably applicable to people who grow fruit in other places.”
Climate change impacts Wisconsin’s inland lakes
The UW Water Resources Institute studied the effect on lake levels, water quality, aquatic invasive species and fisheries for 15,000 of the state's "true water treasures."
Science meets seat-of-the-tractor observations with Discovery Farms
“By the time Discovery Farms left Cashton in 2017,” says Jack Herricks, “the relationship had changed, the era of finger pointing and distrust had left. It was a pretty dramatic shift.”
Making biominerals: nature’s recipe is old, evolved more than once
In recent years, scientists have teased out many of the secrets of biomineralization, the process by which sea urchins grow spines, mollusks build their shells…
Madison College students prepare for transfer, gain biotech skills
An instructor at the technical college saw opportunities at a UW–Madison biotechnology research center for her students to learn lab skills and get ready for attending a four-year college.
Single protein plays important dual transport roles in the brain
A wide range of neurological conditions could benefit from the growth of axons — the telephone wires of the nervous system — including spinal cord injuries and some neurodegenerative diseases, says researcher Edwin Chapman.