The Wisconsin Week Wire — June 7, 2006
Top News
New project lets real users gang up on software bugs
An assistant professor of computer sciences has developed a novel way to root out and eradicate software bugs by enlisting the power of real users. Ben Liblit’s approach, called Cooperative Bug Isolation, uses a program that generates feedback reports from thousands of software programs in use and helps identify the most common and troublesome software glitches.
Research
Chemists forge a new form of iron
An international team of chemists — including UW–Madison researchers — has discovered a new and unexpected form of iron, a finding that adds to the fundamental understanding of an element that is among the most abundant on Earth and that, in nature, is an essential catalyst for life.
On Campus
Events calendar
Cows to spend summer on campus
CowParade, the largest and most popular public art event in the world, has come to UW–Madison. The university sponsored three cows: “On WisCOWnsin,” located in front of the Red Gym and created by Sue Medaris, a graphic designer in University Communications; “If You Want to be Moosaic Just Come Along With Me,” located in front of the Kohl Center and created by Kari Fisher; and “Moo Rah Rah Wisconsin,” located in front of the Kohl Center and created by UW–Madison student Emily Gritt. The cows will be on campus through Oct. 13, and it is estimated that they will be seen by 1 million people. Madison has 101 cows placed in herds at UW–Madison, along State Street, on the Capitol Square and in Fitchburg and Sun Prairie. Approximately 50 of the cows will be sold to the highest bidders in an invitation-only gala auction on Nov. 10. An online auction of the remaining cows will begin at midnight on Nov. 11 and will last for two weeks. Most of the proceeds from both auctions will go to the American Family Children’s Hospital, currently under construction at UW–Madison.
Milestones
Culver receives Distinguished Business Alumnus Award
Curt Culver received the Distinguished Business Alumnus Award from the School of Business, the highest honor presented by the school.
Prominent WARF patent expert wins prestigious national award
WARF patent lawyer Howard Bremer, a pioneer in university-based technology transfer, is the 2006 winner of the Jefferson Award, an annual recognition of outstanding contributors to intellectual property law in the United States.
The Why Files celebrates decade of science exploration
The Why Files, produced under the auspices of the Graduate School, is celebrating its first decade online. It is the oldest continuously produced popular science magazine published exclusively online and now reaches an audience of roughly 340,000 users per month.
Veterinarian honored by Humane Society
Karen Moriello, a veterinary dermatologist at the School of Veterinary Medicine, has received the Ida Kittleson Award from the Dane County Humane Society. The award, named after the founder of the society, recognizes a community member whose actions and deeds exemplify the humane society’s mission of helping people help animals. Moriello was honored for her contributions to the development of the shelter’s Dermatophyte Screening and Treatment Program. Dermatophytosis, or ringworm, is a contagious skin disease of animals that is highly problematic in shelters.
Photographer wins silver medal in CASE competition
Jeff Miller, senior photographer in University Communications, has received a silver medal in an annual competition sponsored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, a national organization for university relations professionals. Miller’s portfolio was among 36 entries in the Photographer of the Year category. His submitted campus-based images included stem-cell research, the greenhouses at night, Grandparents University and faculty portraits. These, and many other UW–Madison photos, can be viewed at http://photos.news.wisc.edu/