Category Science & Technology
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.”
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."