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John Karl Scholz named next College of Letters & Science dean

Economics Professor and Department Chair John Karl Scholz is set to be the next dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters & Science, according to a university news release.

Rust-less steel and nano-paint future of UW Engineering

Most people on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus walk past the old, three-story brick building along Lakeshore path without a second thought. On the outside, it looks like an abandoned warehouse used for storing lab equipment or boats from Lake Mendota in the winter. What is actually inside is more surprising: a nano-technology development lab that could change life as we know it.

Microbes May Set Squid's Internal Clock

Growing up in an antibiotic age has predisposed many of us to think of all bacteria as harbingers of death and disease. We see them as things to be wiped, washed and scrubbed away. But for the past decade or so, the research, consistently proving the essentiality of microorganisms to human life, has us changing our tune. Because the truth is, we live in a bacterial world. Microorganisms in and on our body outnumber human cells 10 to one, and it can be argued we are more bacteria than we are human. And instead of threatening us, they keep us healthy by supporting basic physiological processes from digestion to defense.

Researchers closely watching new strain of avian flu

It takes two things to create a human influenza pandemic: the introduction of a novel virus for which the world’s population has no immune response, and the adaptation of that novel virus to spread easily from human to human.

Elmer McCollum

Elmer McCollum discovered Vitamin A in 1913, which he called ‘Factor A.’

Rats

McCollum noted ‘Factor A’ deficiency caused cases of ophthalmia in rats (left). ‘Factor A’ would later come to be know as Vitamin A, the first discovered vitamin.

100 years later: Vitamin A’s birthday

Anyone who eats ice cream, eggs, mango or sweet potato is getting some of their necessary intake of Vitamin A. Even pumpkin pie contains Vitamin A. Because Vitamin A is found in many different foods, either naturally or supplemented, the consequences of not having enough are rarely a topic of discussion.

Arms of spiral galaxies longer lived than once believed

The Milky Way is only one of, by some estimates, 500 billion galaxies in the universe. Its distinctive shape, a central disk with arms reaching out like those of an octopus, make it one of the most common types of galaxies, a spiral galaxy; about 70 percent of nearby galaxies share this shape.

Ask Mr. Scientist: insect repellent and transitioning glasses

Dear Mr. Scientist,

Finalists named for Letters and Science dean

The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced the names of four finalists for the dean of the College of Letters and Science Monday, three of which are current professors on campus, according to a university press release.

Science communication

Framing of science may affect attitudes

A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests the way science information is framed affects a person’s attitude toward it and willingness to seek out more information.

Autism diagnosis may be linked to behavior

The results of a recent study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center show the age at which a child is diagnosed with autism is correlated with the behavior he or she exhibits. This finding sheds light on a disorder that remains very elusive to researchers and psychologists.

Ask Mr. Scientist: Earthworms and wrinkly fingers

Dear Mr. Scientist,

Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center receives renewed funding

On the western edge of campus, a new building now decorates the horizon. The Wisconsin Energy Institute officially opened its doors to the public April 5 for a grand opening that included demonstrations for all ages and a career fair.

Video game re-sellers are adapting to digital downloads

Video games are everywhere. Anyone who owns a smartphone, tablet, computer or gaming console has access to countless video games and a few ways of getting them. Going out to a video game store used to be the only way to buy a new game, but with the advent of Internet gaming, a player can pay for and download a new game in seconds. How is this affecting local video game retailers?

UW-Madison researchers successfully use stem cells to improve memory in mice

A University of Wisconsin-Madison professor, recently successful in planting stem cells into monkeys’ brains, has now successfully created nerve cells that could transform into brain cells and repair learning and memory in damaged laboratory mice.

Researchers work to use stem cells to build new body parts

Organ regeneration, a phrase usually found only in science fiction movies, is closer to reality thanks to a new generation of bioengineering scientists. They are investigating how stem cells develop into tissues or organs and mimic the growth process in the lab environment.

UW nuclear fusion celebrates milestone

Nuclear fusion education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has reached a major milestone after the graduation of the 400th Ph.D. student since the start of the program in 1963. While the number of people researching nuclear fusion is relatively small at UW-Madison, the university is consistently one of the strongest fusion programs in the country.