Category Science & Technology
Study confirms horseshoe crabs are really relatives of spiders, scorpions
UW–Madison evolutionary biologists hope their study helps firmly plant ancient horseshoe crabs within the arachnid family tree — "a major shift in our understanding of arthropod evolution.”
THOR wrangles complex microbiomes into a model for improving them
A growing understanding of microbial communities and their influence on human health or crop productivity has led to the dream of changing these communities to produce benefits. New research addresses this head-on.
Engineered microbe may be key to producing plastic from plants
With a few genetic tweaks, a type of soil bacteria with an appetite for hydrocarbons shows promise as a biological factory for converting a renewable — but frustratingly untapped — bounty into a replacement for ubiquitous plastics.
Quantum science at UW–Madison joins exchange, invests in faculty and students
“By the investments we are making in quantum science and technology," says Steve Ackerman, "we are ... leading the way in concepts and technology that may revolutionize computing, communication, security and more.”
Swimming microbes steer themselves into mathematical order
The movement of crowds of things too small to easily see — like single-celled organisms and filaments inside individual cells responsible for cell-division — is critically important to research in materials science, engineering and biochemistry.
WARF bets big on new squad of drug hunters
“We are building a preclinical drug discovery organization,” says WARF Therapeutics Director Jon Young, who has worked in drug development at Merck Research Laboratories, Regulus Therapeutics and Celgene.
Radiation-resistant E. coli evolved in the lab give view into DNA repair
Scientists in the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Biochemistry are blasting E. coli bacteria with ionizing radiation once a week to watch evolution happen in real time as the bacteria become radiation resistant.
Ancient poop helps show climate change contributed to fall of Cahokia
A study provides a direct link between changes in Cahokia’s population size as measured through a unique fecal record and environmental data showing evidence of drought and flood.
Two UW–Madison researchers awarded prestigious Sloan Fellowships
Sloan Research Fellowships are given to promising young researchers in the early stages of their careers. UW–Madison’s 2019 Sloan Fellows are mathematics professors Mihaela Ifrim and Botong Wang.
Program empowers communities to overpower diabetes
A UW–Madison program aims to give African Americans in Milwaukee strategies to maintain healthy lifestyles that will help prevent and/or manage Type 2 diabetes.
As Lake Michigan rises, bluffs collapse and geologists explore
UW-Madison researchers are more than one year into a project sponsored by Wisconsin Sea Grant aimed at a better understanding how the bluffs erode, and what triggers their collapse.
He professes protein: Srinivasan Damodaran has thoughts for food
If you have a protein that needs a bit of self-improvement, Damodaran may be your guru. An expert in soy and milk protein, he’s invented soy-based glues and plant-based absorbents for industrial cleanups and diapers.
Professors recognized by American Chemical Society
Five UW–Madison professors have earned prestigious awards from the American Chemical Society — the largest scientific society in the world. Three will be honored at the ACS National Meeting, and two will deliver awards addresses at the Arthur C. Cope Symposium.
Reddit competes to visualize Madison’s prized Lake Mendota ice data
Data visualizations generated by a Reddit competition reveal a concerning trend that’s been known to scientists at UW–Madison and elsewhere for decades: ice is disappearing on Lake Mendota.
Chemistry instructor finds ‘dream job’ helping students persevere
Matt Bowman has guided some 3,500 students through the demanding course of organic chemistry — a requirement for many majors. His warmness, energy and humor have won him fans.
Cell component breakdown suggests possible treatment for multiple neural disorders
New UW–Madison research provides the first direct evidence that mitochondria dysfunction contributes to fragile X and autism, raising hope for new therapeutic developments.
Engineers’ projects in focus as campus makerspace holds first “reverse career fair”
“It’s a great way for students who have been making a wide range of projects and prototypes to show them off," says the event coordinator.
Video: Stem cells, lab to clinic
David Gamm, director of the McPherson Eye Research Institute, and Forward Bio Institute director Bill Murphy explain how stem cell scientists at UW–Madison are working with industry to put scientific breakthroughs on the path to helping patients.
Citizen science monitoring program Journey North finds home at Arboretum
Journey North has more than 60,000 registered participants in the United States, Canada and Mexico. People report sightings from the field, view maps, take photographs and submit observations.
UW Women at 150: Computer scientist Thelma Estrin
Thelma Estrin was an early pioneer of the field of medical informatics — the now commonplace practice of applying computers to medical research and treatment. She also was something of a trailblazer for women hoping to pursue careers in the sciences.