Category Science & Technology
With sheer determination, researchers can make tough materials that bend without breaking
Their findings could lead to new ways of increasing the toughness of a wide array of materials.
UW will launch materials engineering research initiative with major NSF sponsorship
UW's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center bring together teams of researchers from diverse backgrounds to better understand disordered materials, including various types of glass, as well as the emergence of order from disordered materials.
UW–Madison researchers reveal how key protein might help influenza A infect its hosts
Scientists have found that a key viral protein produced by influenza A can shred a host cell's genetic materials while leaving the virus unharmed.
In a first, researchers image adaptive immune systems at work in fish
A new study from researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison offers a first-of-its-kind visual of a non-mammal species' adaptive immune system in action.
Bacteria with a taste for an inflammatory compound could help protect against heart disease
Some microbes in the guts of humans and mice may help control the buildup of plaque in arteries, the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, by gobbling up a group of inflammatory chemicals before they can circulate in the body.
Federal grants to 2 Wisconsin startups highlight UW’s leading role in fusion energy
The two companies' Wisconsin roots and national recognition are the result of decades of fusion investment and innovation at UW–Madison.
Archaeologists uncover evidence of intentional burial, cave engravings by early human ancestor
Until now, scholars believed that the mental capacity behind complex cultural behaviors like burial and mark-making required a larger brain, like those of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.
Clearer picture of watershed quality helps people put dollar values on improvements
Researchers found that when shown a range of tangible improvements to local and distant waterways, people surveyed were willing to pay more in taxes to support some, but not all, watershed restoration efforts.
Climate-stressed trees get a boost from new microbial partnerships
On top of a better understanding of the way trees and microbes work together in a race against climate change, plant-fungi matchmaking may be a boon to plans to reforest the planet.
UW Center for Healthy Minds will research machine learning predictions of well-being
The project aims to discover and develop technologies that in the future may inform the delivery of algorithm-based micro-supports — short well-being practices like mindful breathing that may help in the moment.
Flowing between art and science
Now in its third year, the Flow Project highlights not only the value of art as a tool to communicate science, but also as a way to inspire new science across University of Wisconsin campuses.
2 UW professors elected to National Academy of Sciences
Jo Handelsman and Shannon Stahl are among 120 scientists elected this year. Membership is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive.
Atmospheric rivers linked to melting Greenland ice sheet
New research from UW–Madison's Space Science and Engineering Center shows the melting effects of atmospheric rivers on the ice sheet, which contains enough water to raise sea levels by 7 meters, or 23 feet.
Students who see science in the real world are more likely to stick with STEM majors
Students in STEM majors whose coursework included reflection on the relevance of basic science concepts in everyday life were more likely to stick with their science, technology, engineering and math majors.
Northern lights put on show above Lake Mendota
Members of the University of Wisconsin–Madison community who stayed up late Sunday evening were treated to a dazzling light show as the aurora borealis — or northern lights — danced across the night sky in hues of green and pink.
Monica Turner elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Her work and long-term research on the 1988 Yellowstone fire has helped us better understand how climate change is altering the internationally loved landscape and helped land managers plan for the future.
Informed by mechanics and computation, flexible bioelectronics can better conform to a curvy body
In the future, for example, a flexible bioelectronic artificial retina implanted in a person’s eyeball could help restore vision, or a smart contact lens could continuously sense glucose levels in the body.
Newly described ancient reptile named in language of First Nations where fossils were found
A newly identified rynchosaur, ancient relative to modern crocodiles and birds, is the first species to be scientifically named in the Arapaho language.
Brain-penetrating drug candidate effective against deadly encephalitis viruses
The multidisciplinary team of researchers found that BDGR-49 protects mice infected with deadly eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) or Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV).
New atomic-scale understanding of catalysis could unlock massive energy savings
Catalyst materials are critical for refining petroleum products and for manufacturing pharmaceuticals, plastics, food additives, fertilizers, green fuels, industrial chemicals and much more.