Science

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Ask Ms. Scientist: Thanksgiving and study jams

Dear Ms. Scientist,

Rocks reveal an oxygenated ocean earlier than assumed

The oceans of the Archean were nothing like today’s vast blue pools. In fact, these oceans lacked free oxygen. Until recently, it was thought the oceans’ water columns were uniformly anoxic until the Great Oxidation Event, which occurred 2.4-2.2 billion years ago. However, researchers at UW-Madison have discovered evidence of free oxygen in Earth’s shallow oceans much earlier.

Extending the bounds of modern chemistry

UW-Madison electron storage ring named historic site

The American Physical Society named a UW-Madison electron storage ring a historic site Friday, recognizing it as an imperative tool for many scientific studies over its 20 years of operation.

Science Podcast: Dr. Falh on Cancer

Dr. William Fahl has a long history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He completed his B.S in zoology and chemistry in 1972 and went on to complete his Ph.D in physiology and oncology here in 1975. He is now a Professor of Oncology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and runs a research lab in the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research. His lab's main interests involve finding a way to enable cells to protect their genomes against natural, environmental, or chemotherapy induced toxins. In this podcast, Dr. Fahl discusses the modern day approach to combating cancer as well as his lab's recent discoveries. One of these, which is a focus of this podcast, is the development of a protective drug molecule to prevent hair follicles from deteriorating during chemotherapy. This molecule is applied via a topical lotion which is absorbed into the scalp which then acts as a vasoconstrictor on hair cells and prevents them from receiving the toxic chemotherapy drugs which cause hair loss. This discovery is currently in clinical trials. If successful, this revolutionary discovery by Dr. Fahl and his lab has the potential to completely eliminate the adverse side effect of hair loss due to chemotherapy. 

Wisconsin Science Festival: Designing genes with synthetic biology

There are many committees held for the regulation of synthetic biology, the design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems, including the redesigning of our existing biological systems such as designer genes. Many argue that designer genes could be used to cure diseases, such as Huntington’s disease, autism and cancer. Others argue that scientists are playing god when they can design genes. Most are unsure of the impact that it will have on society.

Wisconsin Science Festival: Pursuing science in a male-dominated field

Every year, the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery hosts the Wisconsin Science Festival, a two-day event where many local organizations set up activities for Madison-area children. Throughout the day, they also schedule a variety of talks centered on topics in science.

Ask Ms. Scientist: post-Halloween candy hangover

Dear Ms. Scientist,

Taking a stroll on the Lakeshore Path

The light shines through the branches and casts illuminated streaks on the surface of the Lakeshore Path.

Managing our ecosystems in smart and efficient ways

In an age where many things are micromanaged and controlled for the most efficient results, aquatic ecologist Stephen Carpenter says that this kind of management may end up being detrimental in the long run.

New museum celebrates local science

The city’s longstanding ties with historical scientific achievements have a new home in the Madison Science Museum, which opened Thursday.

Pharmacy garden embodies research of herbal medicine

Flaxseed, ginkgo, milk thistle–these recognizable names can likely be found at any grocery store.

WARF opposes proposed ban on fetal tissue research

UW-Madison’s scientific research has long been recognized as top-notch and paramount to the advancement of science, technology and medicine. UW-Madison is also home to some of the best scientists in the world. All of this, however, could be threatened by the Wisconsin legislature’s proposed ban on using fetal tissue for research purposes.

Lazy eye shifts brain wiring

Amblyopia, or ‘lazy eye’, has long been thought of as a permanent feature in adults. This facial feature, where one eye is often slightly askew, is seen in both children and adults.

18 fungal proteins found to play role in spore formation

“We study sex in an obscure fungus,” says Dr. Christina Hull, an associate professor in UW-Madison’s biomolecular chemistry department.

Letter to the Editor: The strange silence about climate change policy and the looming apocalypse

I kid, of course: Silence is the last adjective one would use about climate policy, except with respect to such minor parameters as the actual benefits of various policy prescriptions and the actual evidence of climate impacts, about which more below.

IceCube detection of high energy neutrinos confirmed

Buried almost a mile below the Antarctic ice, strands of optical sensors spread through a cubic kilometer of ice, hanging perpendicular to the horizon and stretching as deep as a mile and a half toward bedrock. Above those strands, surrounded by barren ice, is a two-story building flanked by a pair of spires and home to some 300 computers. This is IceCube, a kilometer-wide neutrino detector embedded in the South Pole. Built and operated by the UW-Madison in collaboration with universities and laboratories across the globe, IceCube has been gradually collecting data on neutrinos since 2010, six years after construction began in the Antarctic ice shelf.

Iron rock formation records distant past and distant planets

From an ancient Mesopotamian plow to corroded engine parts, rusty remnants of past human life have long provided glimpses into worlds more colorful than their own reddish hue.

Ask Ms. Scientist: coffee and allergies

Dear Ms. Scientist,

Study links inherited anxiety with brain metabolism

In a study done by the UW-Madison department of psychiatry, certain regions in the brain were discovered to be responsible for determining the likelihood of a person developing anxiety. These regions were found to likely contain genes that are the cause of genetically inherited anxiety.