Category Science & Technology
UW astronomer recognized for demystifying star system
Sebastian Heinz has been honored by the American Astronomical Society for his work to unravel the mystery of Circinus X-1, a bizarre binary star system in our galaxy that exploded some 2,500 years ago.
NSF awards $5 million for cybersecurity effort including UW–Madison
The security of more than $7 billion in federally-funded research will be significantly bolstered by establishment of the Center for Trustworthy Scientific Cyberinfrastructure.
Tunable materials clear the way for advanced optics
In books and movies, wizards use magic spells to make the visible see-through. In reality, materials with properties called phase transitions can pull off a similar trick.
Clouds, like blankets, trap heat and are melting the Greenland Ice Sheet
A new study shows clouds are playing a larger role in heating the Greenland Ice Sheet than scientists previously believed, raising its temperature by 2 to 3 degrees compared to cloudless skies.
Working group recommends coordination of campus research cores
“Implementation of these methods should contribute to a supportive, sustainable environment for research at UW–Madison,” the group says in its report.
UW agricultural economists recap trends of 2015, share forecasts for 2016
After a fantastic 2014, Wisconsin’s total net farm income took a big hit in 2015 — to the tune of $2 billion. While that’s a scary number, UW–Madison agricultural economists remind people to keep it in perspective.
Urban Canid Project helps track Madison’s coyotes and prevent conflicts
Since 2014, the Urban Canid Project has heavily emphasized outreach and public engagement in the study of Madison’s foxes and coyotes. So far, its efforts have met success.
Between soil and snow
Professors Jonathan Pauli and Benjamin Zuckerberg explain the subnivium — habitat between the ground and winter snow cover that is being affected by climate change.
Internet of Things Lab fosters student innovation, adds industrial partners
Will Caldwell was riding his bike and didn’t see the car coming. But the lasers in his prototype "Safe Cycle" warning system did, and the handlebars vibrated in warning.
Biotron puts any environment on Earth in researchers’ reach
One of the most flexible and unique research facilities in North America is sitting in plain sight, but near anonymity, on the west side of campus. It seems secretive, but it's easy to understand.
Bird habitat changing quickly as climate change proceeds
The climatic conditions needed by 285 species of land birds in the United States have moved rapidly between 1950 and 2011 as a result of…
Amid changing market for scientific instruments, Gilson continues to lead
Since Gilson's founding in the 1940s by a UW–Madison doctor who built instruments for his own research, the family-run company has thrived thanks to its tight customer focus.
Veterinary medicine partnership with community saves baby crane
A young Wisconsin sandhill crane is back to full health and flying south for the winter thanks to a partnership with the School of Veterinary medicine.
Study finds people transformed how species associated after 300 million years
The researchers found a surprising and very recent shift away from the steady relationship among species.
ExxonMobil, UW–Madison partner on biomass-to-transportation fuel research
The University of Wisconsin–Madison and ExxonMobil have announced a two-year agreement to research the fundamental chemistry of converting biomass into transportation fuels.
Support swells for vital university research using fetal tissue and cells
Nearly 1,000 scientists and staff joined a growing chorus of objections to a state proposal to ban the use of fetal tissue in life-saving biomedical research.
WARF announces additional grant to benefit IT, energy institute
An additional grant of $20 million to the UW–Madison campus was announced by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) Board of Trustees this week. WARFs grant will help support important IT infrastructure commitments that are essential to the universitys research and academic mission. Also benefitting from the additional funds will be the Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI).
UW System Regents, officials tour Waisman Center
UW System officials recently toured the Waisman Center, known for its groundbreaking work helping people with developmental disabilities and neurodegenerative disorders.
Greenhouse gas emissions from freshwater higher than thought
Do not underestimate the babbling brook. When it comes to greenhouse gases, these bucolic water bodies have the potential to create a lot of hot air.
First serotonin neurons made from human stem cells
Su-Chun Zhang, a pioneer in developing neurons from stem cells, has created a specialized nerve cell that makes serotonin.