Ideas and discoveries

• For nano, religion in U.S. dictates a wary view Dec. 8, 2008 When it comes to the world of the very, very small - nanotechnology - Americans have a big problem: Nano and its capacity to alter the fundamentals of nature, it seems, are failing the moral litmus test of religion.
• Can milk help prevent transplant rejections? Dec. 5, 2008 Could Wisconsin's signature product – milk – hold the key to one of the biggest problems in organ transplantation? Hans Sollinger, the surgeon who heads the transplant program at UW Hospital and Clinics, is betting on it.
• Cave’s climate clues show ancient empires declined during dry spell Dec. 4, 2008 The decline of the Roman and Byzantine empires in the Eastern Mediterranean more than 1,400 years ago may have been driven by unfavorable climate changes.
• Uncovering the real dirt on granular flow Dec. 3, 2008 Assistant Professor Dan Negrut and his team at the Simulation-Based Engineering Laboratory are developing innovative computer simulation methods for parallel computers to analyze granular material motion much faster than is possible with current technologies.
• Fast molecular rearrangements hold key to plastic's toughness Nov. 27, 2008 Plastics are everywhere in our modern world, largely due to properties that render the materials tough and durable, but lightweight and easily workable. One of their most useful qualities, however - the ability to bend rather than break when put under stress - is also one of the most puzzling.
• UW tackles neglected realm of training for science professors in training Nov. 27, 2008 U.S. science and engineering students emerge from graduate school exquisitely trained to carry out research. Yet when it comes to the other major activity they'll engage in as professors — teaching — they're usually left to their own devices. That's now beginning to change, thanks to work at UW-Madison.
• Newsletter helps parents, one month at a time Nov. 24, 2008 David Riley’s work has reached thousands of children and parents across Wisconsin and the country, but for him, a chance conversation at a pizza parlor was a powerful reminder of what his efforts really mean.
• UW-Madison scientists guide human skin cells to embryonic state Nov. 20, 2008 In a paper to be published Nov. 22 in the online edition of the journal Science, a team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers reports the genetic reprogramming of human skin cells to create cells indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells.
• Survey will help officials understand, control Lyme disease Nov. 19, 2008 This Saturday, as hunters seek white-tailed deer in Wisconsin's forested areas, a research team led by University of Wisconsin-Madison entomologist Susan Paskewitz will be conducting a hunt of its own.
• Visiting artist’s journey of collaboration, imagination Nov. 19, 2008 Fred Ho, master of the baritone saxophone, composer, writer, producer, activist, visionary and leader of the Afro Asian Music Ensemble, is this semester’s Arts Institute artist in residence.
• Students, staff eagerly await opening of student services tower Nov. 19, 2008 After years of anticipation, UW–Madison is just weeks away from launching a brand new era for many of its student services and organizations.
• Will the economy prompt greater use of generic drugs? Nov. 6, 2008 The expense of the daily dose of medicine is a bitter pill for many Americans. Yet, more than half of those taking prescription drugs are not taking advantage of an economical option: generic drugs.
• Practical experience for law students garners national attention Nov. 6, 2008 Real-world work for students has brought honors to the Law School.
• Research on human embryonic stem cells marks 10-year milestone Nov. 6, 2008 Ten years ago today (Nov. 6, 1998), the publication in the journal Science of a short paper entitled "Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Blastocysts" rocked biology - and the world - as the all-purpose stem cell and its possibilities were ushered into the limelight.
• For food industry leaders, a meeting worth its salt Nov. 5, 2008 It's no secret that Americans eat too much salt, a habit linked to numerous health problems. At first glance, the solution seems simple: stop eating so much of the stuff. But, as it turns out, salt-a.k.a. sodium chloride-can't easily be cut from the American diet.
• Student entrepreneurs working to green the economy Nov. 4, 2008 While some students use college as a transition into the "real world," an increasing number of student entrepreneurs have asked themselves, "Why wait?"
• Stretching silicon: A new method to measure how strain affects semiconductors Nov. 3, 2008 UW-Madison engineers and physicists have developed a method of measuring how strain affects thin films of silicon that could lay the foundation for faster flexible electronics.
• Journalism students tackle real-time election coverage Nov. 3, 2008 As a history-making race for the White House enters its final hours, a group of University of Wisconsin-Madison journalism students are busy crafting pre-election coverage and preparing to cover Election Day with a campus bent.
• Doughnuts, politics and a look into Wisconsin's views and values Oct. 31, 2008 A knot of older men gather around a table in a Madison-area bakery each morning to laugh, crack wise, talk about politics over doughnuts and warm themselves with round after round of hot coffee.
• High-schooler teams with UW researchers to help Madison improve bike parking Oct. 29, 2008 It wasn't a bad gig for Kira McCoy. The high school student from Denver spent two weeks in July bicycling the length and breadth of Madison, getting plenty of sun and exercise and a good look at a community where she may attend college. But those were the perks, not the mission.