The Wisconsin Week Wire — Sept. 27, 2006
Top News
Computer scientist spearheads $30 million ‘Open Science Grid’
UW–Madison computer scientists will play a central role in the expansion of a national “Open Science Grid,” an interconnected computing infrastructure that provides scientists with a massive infusion of computing power and storage capacity to solve large, data-intensive challenges in science.
Most widely used organic pesticide requires help to kill
The world’s most widely used organic insecticide, a bacterium known as Bacillus thuringiensis, requires the assistance of other microbes to perform its insect-slaying work, a new UW–Madison study has found.
Research
Research aims for more efficiency in harvest, handling
A UW–Madison professor wants farmers to put less energy into harvesting and handling biofuel crops — less fuel, less time and less labor.
Glue made from ethanol-production leftovers may be worth more than fuel
Mixing up a batch of ethanol from alfalfa or switchgrass isn’t nearly as efficient as creating it from corn, but that doesn’t mean growing grass crops for fuel won’t pay, according to a UW–Madison researcher.
On Campus
Events calendar
Homecoming events start Oct. 6
“Bucky Goes to Camp…Randall” is the theme of the 2006 Badger Homecoming celebration, which kicks off on Friday, Oct. 6, and concludes with the Wisconsin-Minnesota football game on Saturday, Oct. 14. The entire university community is invited to join in the festivities.
Dedication planned for new Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab
A dedication event for the new Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 2.
Somalian human rights leader to speak
The Hon. Asha Hagi Elmi will be this year’s J. Jobe Soffa and Marguerite Jacqmin Soffa Distinguished International Visitor, the Division of International Studies has announced.
Senior German official addresses transatlantic relations
Karsten Voigt, coordinator for German-American Cooperation in the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany and a senior member of the German parliament, will speak on campus on Friday, Oct. 6.
Noted ethanol critic plans lecture
Ted Patzek, a civil engineering professor at the University of California, Berkeley, will present “The Environmental Impacts of the Corn-Ethanol Cycle” on Thursday, Oct. 5.
UW–Madison continues anti-sweatshop efforts
The university is continuing its efforts to curb sweatshop abuses in collegiate apparel.
Summer flooding prompts pilot project to curb run-off
The Physical Plant and Office of Transportation Services are undertaking a pilot project that will hopefully prevent flooding caused by storm-water runoff and recharge the water table.
Milestones
Continuing studies dean to retire next summer
Howard Martin, dean of the Division of Continuing Studies, has announced plans to retire next summer after a 42-year career with the university.
Community
EcoHealth One conference to explore global health, environment
Nearly 300 people from around the world will gather Friday–Tuesday, Oct. 6-10, for “EcoHealth One.”