UW-Madison's January scientific discoveries

Glaciers 

 

 

 

A glacier last covered Madison more than 10,000 years ago, according to soil samples from the pit dug on the site of the future Microbial Sciences building. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blindness 

 

 

 

Mutations of the gene calnexin, a protein-building gene, contribute to retinal degeneration. 

 

 

 

Malaria 

 

 

 

Deforestation in the Amazon makes malaria-carrying mosquitoes more than 200 times more likely to infect humans. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ants 

 

 

 

UW scientists discovered that fungus-farming ants rely on bacteria living on their bodies to protect their fungus crops from parasites.