The Wisconsin Week Wire — June 21, 2006
Top News
UW–Madison completes transfer agreement with MATC in Milwaukee
Students from Milwaukee Area Technical College will have a simplified path to UW–Madison as the result of a new transfer contract agreement between the two institutions.
New ‘nicotine vaccine’ treatment to be tested in Madison
An innovative new approach to treating tobacco addiction — an experimental nicotine vaccine — will be tested in Madison by the Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention starting this month.
Big Ten media deal boosts sports coverage
The Big Ten Conference has reached two milestone media agreements that will provide the organization with its greatest media exposure ever and ensures long-term vitality for its member institutions’ broad-based athletic programs, Big Ten Commissioner James Delany announced today (June 21).
Research
E. coli work identifies new keys to regulation of bacterial gene expression
The cellular process of transcription, in which the enzyme RNA polymerase constructs chains of RNA from information contained in DNA, depends upon previously underappreciated sections of both the DNA promoter region and RNA polymerase, according to work done with the bacterium E. coli and published June 16 in the journal Cell by a team of UW–Madison bacteriologists.
Researchers find new clues to biochemistry of ‘anti-aging’
UW–Madison researchers have found that sirtuins, a family of enzymes linked to a longer life span and healthier aging in humans, may orchestrate the activity of other enzymes involved in metabolic processes in the body.
On Campus
Events calendar
NewsLab’s Midwest News Index tracks local TV coverage
The Midwest News Index, a part of UW–Madison’s NewsLab, has begun tracking the content of local television news in nine markets spanning five Midwestern states as part of a study that will be the most comprehensive examination ever conducted on the content of local broadcast news.
Call for Wisconsin Welcome program announcements
The Office of Orientation and New Student Programs invites program announcements for the fall Wisconsin Welcome Web site. All student organizations or campus units may submit information about a meeting, program or event related to orientation and new students. Wisconsin Welcome orients new students to the UW–Madison community from Friday, Sept. 1-Saturday, Oct. 7. List events at http://www.newstudent.wisc.edu/wiwelcome/2006/cfp/comments.htm For more information, contact Kathy Kruse at 265-3079 or kruse@das.wisc.edu.
Law School diversity successes chronicled in new book
A new publication traces the history and success stories behind the Legal Education Opportunities Program at the Law School.
Historic Olin House set for renovation
Design work on a privately funded renovation of Olin House, the official residence of the chancellor, will begin this summer, university officials announced June 15.
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences prepares for sweet instruction
Candy makers from around the world will gather in July at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences for two weeks of sweet instruction in the art and science of making candy.
Three finalists named for top hygiene lab post
A national search has yielded three candidates for the top position at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, the state agency responsible for safeguarding public health in Wisconsin.
Milestones
Concrete Canoe team takes fourth consecutive national championship
UW–Madison’s Concrete Canoe team won its fourth national championship in a row during its competition June 15-17. The team defeated 22 entries from other top engineering schools across the country.
Center on Business and Poverty earns Bader grant
The Center on Business and Poverty, a UW–Madison research and information dissemination organization that works with companies to assist their low-income employees, has received a $35,000, two-year grant from the Helen Bader Foundation Inc.
Students earn high marks in business plan competitions
School of Business students and alumni recently placed among the top finalists in two business plan competitions. The finalists developed innovative plans for technology-based companies as well as businesses targeting baby boomers.
Education professors receive prestigious Spencer Awards
Three UW–Madison professors have been honored by the Spencer Foundation.
Digging in Denmark, archaeologist uncovers rare prize
UW–Madison researcher T. Douglas Price has earned the unique distinction of being the first non-Dane to be awarded the Westerby Prize, Denmark’s pre-eminent award for archaeology.