The SALT Telescope will provide unparalleled views of the southern Milky Way and nearby galaxies like the Magellanic Clouds. The telescope's Prime Focus Imaging Spectrograph will capture high-resolution pictures and spectra, enabling scientists to study star formation and galaxy evolution.
Researchers found that specific brain regions are linked to inflammation and lung function in asthmatic patients. The anterior cingulate cortex and insula were found to be hyper-responsive to emotional and physiological signals, influencing symptom severity.
A group of women scientists and administrators analyzed the issue of bias in science careers, highlighting four broad challenges: pipeline, climate, unconscious bias, and balancing family and work. The study reveals that these barriers prevent women from advancing in their careers and achieving equity.
Astronomers have conducted the most detailed survey of the Milky Way's inner regions to date, revealing a long stellar bar spanning 27,000 light years. The bar is oriented at about a 45-degree angle relative to the galaxy's center, providing new insights into the galaxy's structure and evolution.
A novel method for disinfecting long-term intravascular devices with ethanol solution may prevent serious bloodstream infections and hospital deaths. The study found no adverse effect on the catheter materials after a daily rinse cycle.
Researchers have identified a key role for two proteins, SHH and Bmp2, in the development of barbs on feathers. The dynamic signaling interaction between these proteins supports an activator-inhibitor mechanism, which explains how feather patterning is achieved.
Researchers at UW-Madison are developing cell transplant techniques to repair damaged myelin and protect nerve fibers in multiple sclerosis. The $3.4 million grant will support the use of human stem cells and minocycline, an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties.
A team of UW-Madison scientists has developed a technique to easily manipulate and exchange the sugars found in chemicals produced in nature. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-cancer treatments by allowing researchers to rapidly scan the roles of different sugars in complex natural products.
A study analyzing government census data finds that housing growth in and around US national forests is threatening biodiversity and ecosystem health. The number of housing units within national forest boundaries increased from 500,000 to 1.5 million between 1950 and 2000, largely due to private land ownership.
Researchers have provided unprecedented insight into the properties of super-hard ceramic materials, which exhibit unusual pliability and potential applications in fields like aerospace and medical implants. The study's findings could lead to the development of stronger materials with improved ductility and control over their properties.
A new study suggests that the Olmec civilization imported pottery from other cultures, contradicting previous claims that it was the sole source. The findings use petrography to identify minerals in pottery fragments and reveal reciprocal trade between highland and lowland centers.
A new study links aging to genetic mutations in mitochondria, accelerating cell death and critical organ failure. Researchers found that accumulated mitochondrial DNA damage triggers cell death, leading to symptoms like hair loss, weight loss and vision impairment.
Scientists have discovered a way to treat Huntington's disease by targeting multiple proteins and genetic pathways simultaneously. This breakthrough has the potential to provide new hope for patients with this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.
A new study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has streamlined a method for making large quantities of human papillomavirus, a major human pathogen. The technique allows scientists to culture any of the virus's 100 subtypes and genetically manipulate it, enabling faster development of therapeutic drugs and new vaccines.
A new study models phosphorus loading into Lake Mendota, finding that the buildup of phosphorus in soils is likely to be the source of serious chronic environmental problems for hundreds of years. The research suggests that restoring water quality is unlikely unless soil erosion is greatly reduced and new technologies are developed.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a four-phase catalytic reactor to convert biomass-derived carbohydrates into sulfur-free liquid alkanes. The process produces 90% of the energy found in the feedstock and creates twice the energy as ethanol production, with no additional heating or distillation required.
Researchers have developed a new technique that allows for the creation of complex patterns in nano-electronics using self-assembling materials. This breakthrough enables the production of complex nano-electronic devices with non-regular geometries, which is crucial for advancing computer architecture by Moore's Law.
Researchers found that dyslexic children struggle to ignore 'noise' and isolate relevant visual and auditory cues, leading to reading problems. This ability is crucial for learning to read, as it allows individuals to distinguish between sounds in words.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a novel fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) grid system for bridges, boasting advantages over traditional steel rebars. The FRP grid system boasts durability that can last at least 75 years and eliminates weeks of labor-intensive work.
A renowned psychologist aims to explore how various cultures perceive and measure well-being, with a focus on its interplay with biological markers. The proposed MidLife in Japan (MIDJA) study will survey adults in Tokyo to gather data on socio-demographic, psychosocial, and health information.
Researchers have discovered the inverse Doppler effect, a phenomenon where electromagnetic waves compress and expand, leading to new advances in optics and communications equipment. This discovery challenges the basic laws of nature and could lead to breakthroughs in material engineering.
A new study published in Child Development found that children placed in a stable home environment fare better than those bounced from one home to another. Children whose emotions were more sad than angry tended to do well, while confusion and intense feelings of sadness prevail among many.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Grid Laboratory of Wisconsin (GLOW) is a campus-wide distributed computing environment that harnesses spare processing power from hundreds of individual computers. This allows researchers to sort through massive DNA sequences and power simulations in a fraction of the time previously required. By a...
Researchers found that cranberry juice powder relaxes and opens blood vessels in genetically susceptible pigs, improving vascular function. The next step is to identify the specific components of cranberries responsible for this effect and develop a palatable way to consume them.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a key gene involved in regulating sleep duration, which could lead to new approaches to treating sleep irregularities. The study found that mutations in this gene affect the amount of sleep individuals need and can even impact life span.
The university's new regenerative medicine program aims to translate basic stem cell science into therapies for degenerative diseases. The program will draw on faculty from five Medical School departments and be supported by $700,000 in annual funding.
Researchers found a pathway for cells to turn on genes and respond to singlet oxygen, a highly reactive substance that destroys biological molecules. This discovery could lead to modified plants with enhanced crop yields and improved bioenergy sources.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison successfully infused rat spinal cords with brain-derived human stem cells that secrete neuron-protecting protein GDNF. This approach has shown promise in protecting healthy neurons and prolonging life in ALS-ridden rats, paving the way for potential treatment of other diseases.
Researchers at UW-Madison develop a system using living microbes as templates for fabricating nanoscale structures. The ability to capture and analyze individual microbes could lead to new ways of assembling nanodevices and detecting biological threats.
Researchers aim to control biofilm formation by manipulating quorum sensing in bacteria. They are designing new compounds that mimic natural molecules to disrupt bacterial signaling, potentially preventing hospital infections.
University of Wisconsin-Madison materials chemist Anne Bentley discovered how suspended nickel wires can scatter light in various fluids, including molasses-like liquids. The phenomenon could aid in photonics and lead to the development of magneto-optical switches for storing information in tiny electronic systems.
Research reveals that two brain systems, amygdala and right prefrontal cortex, play a crucial role in determining an individual's behavior and emotional expression when seeking help. The study found that animals with more secure relationships had increased activity in the right prefrontal cortex and decreased amygdala activity, while t...
A UW-Madison study found that autistic children's amygdalas light up during non-threatening face gazing, stunting brain activity in the fusiform region. This challenges existing notions of facial processing in autism, suggesting a more complex relationship between social interaction and brain function.
A two-year study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that tailored dietary interventions can improve fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income young adults. The participants who received personalized phone calls and materials showed significant progress in eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
As climate change intensifies, humans will become more vulnerable to heat-related mortality, air pollution-related illnesses, infectious diseases, and malnutrition. Developing climate forecasts and warning systems can mitigate future health problems, but it's crucial to avoid maladaptation and take proactive measures to minimize risks.
Researchers at WiCell Research Institute and University of Wisconsin-Madison develop method to eliminate need for feeder cells, simplifying culture of human ES cells. The new approach uses protein FGF2 to preserve undifferentiated state and reduce differentiation.
A team of Wisconsin scientists discovered molecular switches that govern the development and evolution of form in animals. The study found that genetic changes to these switches can produce diverse patterns and features, such as spots on fruit fly wings or stripes on zebras, which confer advantages for survival and reproductive success.
Researchers have successfully grown functional motor neurons from human embryonic stem cells in a lab, providing a critical breakthrough for treating diseases like ALS. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that stem cell differentiation occurs in linear fashion.
A new study suggests that ocean extinction can predict key ecological changes by analyzing the impact of species loss on sediment mixing and oxygen levels in marine ecosystems. The research found that the extinction of certain species can lead to reduced sediment mixing, diminishing oxygen concentrations that sustain bottom-dwelling life.
A toxic molecule from bacteria causes massive tissue damage in humans but promotes organ development in a tiny Pacific Ocean squid. This discovery challenges long-held perceptions of microbes and their role as pathogens, highlighting the importance of context-dependent relationships between bacteria and host organisms.
The new Keck images capture unusual weather phenomena on Uranus, including a big southern hemisphere storm feature that seesaws over 5 degrees of latitude. The complex cloud formations vary dramatically in size, brightness, and longevity, with some dissipating completely within a month.
Researchers discover that adding a single gene from the 1918 virus to a benign strain of influenza can transform it into a highly virulent form. This finding supports the idea that the 1918 Spanish flu virus was inherently more dangerous and provides insight into its transmission among humans.
The Wisconsin team developed two assays for botulinum toxin, including a real-time test and a cell-based assay that can screen millions of chemicals. The new technology could lead to the development of drugs that act like a prophylactic to confer protection from botulinum poisoning.
Scientists have found a trackway of fossil genes in the Japanese yeast Saccharomyces kudriavzevii, showing how an organism discards traits when they are no longer needed. The discovery provides insights into the process of evolution and how genetic pathways become obsolete.
A study of Japanese children with influenza treated with oseltamivir found nearly 20% produced mutant drug-resistant viruses within four days. The study highlights the risk of rapid emergence of resistant flu viruses, threatening a line of defense against deadly diseases.
Researchers found that wastewater treatment plants employing reverse osmosis successfully removed more contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and hormones. This process improves the quality of reused water for irrigation and groundwater recharge.
Research by Pearl Latteier and Joshua Gamson finds that media giants can actually increase local content and create niche markets for diverse audiences. However, conglomerates may also influence the material presented in media, favoring business interests over diverse viewpoints.
Researchers found that as rural forests are developed, native bird species face risks due to habitat loss and increased predation. The study suggests that housing density is a key driver of these changes, with some birds benefiting from human activities like feeding stations and nesting boxes.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher used historic aerial photographs to track road density and found that invasive species can colonize roads within up to 60 years. Forest managers can employ proactive monitoring and quick action to mitigate the impact of roads on native plant life.
A new study reveals that New England forests are under greater threat from air pollution compared to those in the Southeast region. The research used lichen community composition as an indicator of air pollution and found that nearly one-eighth of the New England area is affected by poorer air quality.