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University of Wisconsin-Madison


Coldest Northern Hemisphere temperature, first recorded by UW, officially confirmed

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has officially confirmed the lowest recorded temperature in the Northern Hemisphere, a chilly -93.2 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme reading was first detected in Greenland in 1991 and has been verified through rigorous review processes by the World Meteorological Organization.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalQuarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society·DateSep 25, 2020

Understanding how birds respond to extreme weather can inform conservation efforts

A study of 109 bird species across eastern North America over a 15-year period found that some birds are more resilient to climate change than others. The research, published in Global Change Biology, suggests that conservation efforts should target vulnerable species and locations predicted to experience extreme weather events.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateAug 21, 2020

Showing pro-diversity feelings are the norm makes individuals more tolerant

A new study from University of Wisconsin-Madison found that showing people how their peers feel about diversity can increase tolerance, reduce exclusion, and close racial achievement gaps. The intervention, which used social marketing strategies, resulted in enhanced sense of belonging among marginalized groups and reduced intergroup a...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateJul 1, 2020

Hamsters develop protective immunity to COVID-19 and are protected by convalescent sera

Researchers show that hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop protective immunity against reinfection, while treatment with convalescent serum limits virus replication. The study demonstrates the potential of hamsters as a model for COVID-19 research and suggests a possible effective treatment using convalescent plasma.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 22, 2020

Long-term data show hurricanes are getting stronger

A study analyzing nearly 40 years of hurricane satellite imagery found a global increase in maximum sustained winds, consistent with expectations of how hurricanes respond to a warming world. The research built on previous work identifying trends in hurricane intensification and poleward migrations of hurricanes.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2020

How new data can make ecological forecasts as good as weather forecasts

A new study reveals that analyzing large-scale ecological patterns can help predict changes in ecosystems. Ecologists are using decades of weather data to forecast bird migrations and wildlife population fluctuations, which can inform conservation measures. The research aims to improve understanding of the climate-ecology link, enablin...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 9, 2020

Driven by Earth's orbit, climate changes in Africa may have aided human migration

A recent study suggests that climate changes in Africa, driven by Earth's orbit and vegetation patterns, may have provided resource gradients for humans, driving migration outward to areas with more water and plant life. The model showed large increases in rainfall and vegetation at specific time periods, potentially creating advantage...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 27, 2020

Discovery sheds new light on how cells move

Researchers have discovered that the force each cell applies to the surface beneath it primarily controls its shape and motion in a collective cell migration. This finding provides new insights into how cells rearrange and migrate as a group, which could lead to the development of new treatments to speed up wound healing.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJan 24, 2020

Human migration out of Africa may have followed monsoons in the Middle East

A new study suggests that summer monsoons from Asia and Africa reached the Middle East at least 125,000 years ago, providing suitable corridors for human migration. This finding corresponds with cyclical changes in Earth's orbit that brought increased summer precipitation, supporting animal and human migration into the region.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2019

Injectable, flexible electrode could replace rigid nerve-stimulating implants

Researchers have developed an injectable, flexible electrode that can reduce the cost of neuromodulation therapy, increase its reliability and make it less invasive. The 'injectrode' uses a liquid that cures in the body to create a wired contact, allowing for more elasticity and flexibility compared to traditional rigid implants.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateNov 11, 2019

Invasive species short-circuiting benefits from mercury reduction in the Great Lakes

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that reduced mercury use in the Great Lakes region has not led to a decline in mercury accumulation in large game fish. Instead, aquatic invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels are forcing fish to seek atypical food sources enriched in mercury.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2019