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WISCIENCE changes their name and expands their purpose

When I walked into the WISCIENCE office on Henry Mall, I wasn’t surprised to see a giant glass aquarium filled with potted plants basking in the glow of a U.V. light. After all, WISCIENCE stands for Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement. Thus, I was both pleased and unsurprised to discover that it took its biological responsibility very seriously, as evidenced by the plants. As the door behind me closed on a frigid winters day, I refrained from throwing myself under the light and instead, made my way to the office of Janet Branchaw, the director of WISCIENCE. 

Oxygen is the green oxidant

University of Wisconsin-Madison professor of chemistry, Shannon Stahl, received one of the five Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  for his work with aerobic oxidations.  Green chemistry concerns the reduction or elimination of hazardous wastes through specifically researched products or processes. It represents an effort toward providing environmental benefit via cleaner air and water through toxic waste elimination. The award was created by the EPA to recognize novel green chemistry.

Communicating bacteria use quorum sensing before attack of the host

One of the great mysteries of modern science has been how when bacteria congregate in small numbers, they are relatively innocuous. However, when the amount of bacteria grows, it is as if a switch goes on and they go from being a clump of innocuous bacteria to synchronized, lethal killers.

Ask Ms. Scientists: Physical retina stimulation causes geometric hallucinations

Dear Ms. Scientist,

UW-Madison neuroscience program wins national award

A UW-Madison neuroscience program recently won a national annual award, earning the title of top graduate program in the country for 2014.

Green chemistry flask

UW-Madison medical and computer science researchers invent virtual surgery simulator

UW-Madison computer scientists and medical researchers recently collaborated to create an “unprecedented” learning simulator tool for surgical students.

Grassland swallow

Bioenergy and birds can coexist

“What would it do for the birds?” This simple question spurred scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to investigate whether it’s possible to grow economically viable amounts of biomass to generate bioenergy and, at the same time, provide habitat for bird populations, including rare grassland birds.

Machine-learning program used 3-D tissue chip to distinguish neurotoxins

The United States has been one of the world’s leading countries in terms of scientific innovation throughout the past few decades. This would not be possible without the over $400 billion our government invested in research and development grants. It is no surprise that the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a major contender for this money as it is one of the nation’s top research universities with an over $2 billion endowment in the year of 2013.

UW alumnus fights to help disabled patients navigate healthcare

While searching for ways to fill a gap year before medical school, University of Wisconsin-Madison alumnus and aspiring physician Jeff Mahlum never imagined he'd find such a perfect fit in the Center for Patient Partnerships' patient advocacy program.

How is everyone responding to the annual gravity savings?

As we all know, the annual gravity savings came into effect over the weekend. All over the world, people are adjusting to the remarkably different way of life that comes with a significant change in the force that holds us all to Earth. Right here in Madison, things have been completely turned upside down by this odd natural phenomenon.

Biology center expansion broadens science opportunities

UW-Madison’s Institute for Biology Education is expanding to create broader opportunities for students who wish to pursue studies in science fields.

How can yoga help alleviate PTSD?

The field of mental health is as diverse and complex as the problems that are therein examined and treated. Researchers and doctors alike strive to provide the best results for those who suffer from disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Aphid

Beetle study illuminates how changing wind speeds can impact an ecosystem

In dense field of soybean alfalfa plants, a lady beetle perches atop a plant, looking for aphids to prey on, unknowingly serving an indispensible role to the ecosystem and health of the plants. But just as in any other ecosystem, a host of factors compromise the lady beetle and its role­­­­­—some more unexpected than others.

Ask Ms. Scientist: Horrible Halitosis

Dear Ms. Scientist,

Yogic PTSD Therapy

Food science writer Dave Arnold visits UW-Madison Wednesday

Culinary innovator Dave Arnold spoke with UW-Madison students and community members about new techniques and changing culinary mindsets Wednesday.

University to hold fall HR Design information sessions

After nearly three years of work and re-evaluation, UW-Madison will continue developing a human resource redesign project with campus input sessions this fall.