The Wisconsin Week Wire — July 1, 2009
Top News
Five big ideas to fill out Wisconsin Institute for Discovery portfolio
Capping an intensely competitive process, five proposals from UW–Madison faculty have been selected to form the intellectual heart of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.
UW–Madison announces vice chancellor for university relations
Citing his deep knowledge of the UW–Madison community, his effectiveness as an ambassador on behalf of the institution and his experience, Chancellor Biddy Martin has selected Vince Sweeney to be the university’s first vice chancellor for university relations.
Research
Major study links malaria mosquitoes to Amazon deforestation
In one of the most field-intensive efforts to explore the connection between malaria and tropical deforestation, a team led by a UW–Madison environmental expert has established a strong correlation between the extent of forest destruction and the incidence of the Amazon’s most dangerous malaria vector.
Experts: Big Tobacco dead by 2047, possibly sooner
President Barack Obama’s signature on a bill last week to grant the Food and Drug Administration regularly authority over tobacco was historic and represents a step in the march to eliminate tobacco use in the U.S. by 2047, two national tobacco experts say.
Sequencing effort to chart ants and their ecosystem
A major genomic sequencing grant from Roche Applied Science will allow UW–Madison scientists to analyze the evolution of a community of leaf-cutter ants.
Carb synthesis sheds light on promising tuberculosis drug target
A fundamental question about how sugar units are strung together into long carbohydrate chains has also pinpointed a promising way to target new medicines against tuberculosis.
New MRI technique could mean fewer breast biopsies in high-risk women
A UW–Madison biomedical engineer and colleagues have developed a method that, applied to MRI scans of the breast, could spare some women who have increased breast-cancer risk the pain and stress of enduring a biopsy of a questionable lump or lesion.
On Campus
Events calendar
Domestic-partner health insurance included in state budget
On June 29, Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law a state budget authorizing the offering of health insurance benefits to same- and opposite-sex domestic partnerships.
Sounds of early music to fill Madison air
Early music enthusiasts will get a chance to study with virtuosos and vocal masters and perform period music at an upcoming festival.
Students help New Orleans wetlands
A project led by UW–Madison students that was designed to restore New Orleans wetlands damaged by Hurricane Katrina recently took a major step forward.
Educators to learn about using hip hop as a classroom tool
More than 40 educators from nine states will attend the fourth annual Hip Hop and Spoken Word Teacher/Educator Institute on campus July 6–10.
Milestones
Chaptman named news and media relations director
Dennis Chaptman has been appointed director of news and media relations for University Communications.
Community
High school teachers leave for Rwanda on UW–Madison Fulbright grant
This week, the African Studies Program is taking 15 high school social studies teachers and curriculum planners from across the United States to Rwanda for 30 days.