Magnetic fields are found everywhere in the universe, from planets and stars to entire galaxies. These invisible forces influence major cosmic events and processes, including solar storms, the movement of high energy particles, and even galaxy formation. While small magnetic fields are often chaotic and turbulent, much larger magnetic structures appear surprisingly organized. For decades, scientists have struggled to explain how disorder in space could create such large-scale order.
May 26, 2026
Research
Higher Education/System
UW-Madison expects continued decline in number of international graduate students
UW-Madison is anticipating a smaller cohort of international graduate students on campus next fall, according to the university’s director of the graduate school.
Dean of the Graduate School William Karpus said at a campus meeting last week that fewer international students have applied to graduate programs, and the university has also admitted a smaller number than in previous years for next fall.
Campus life
Run Madtown race takes over Library Mall in Madison
Runners from all parts of the state gathered at the UW-Madison Library Mall for the annual Run Madtown half marathon and 10k run. Runners took off at 7 a.m. and ran through several parts of the city, including the State Capitol, Arboretum and Camp Randall.
Couple gifts over $85M to support UW-Madison’s Science Hall remodeling
John and Tashia Morgridge, University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni, have pledged $85.2 million to support the renovation of the 139-year-old Science Hall, a project expected to begin in 2027.
This gift is the leading private contribution to UW-Madison’s $163.2 million plan to restore and modernize the historic building.
Agriculture
Dairy Signal Sessions to Cover Herd Health and Market Trends
Professional Dairy Producers will feature two educational sessions this week through its weekly The Dairy Signal program, offering dairy producers updated information on herd management and market conditions affecting the industry in 2026.
The Tuesday, May 26 episode will focus on improving reproductive performance on dairy farms. The session will examine current reproductive protocols, management strategies, and recent research findings designed to help producers strengthen herd efficiency and productivity.
Athletics
4 questions to ask about Wisconsin’s athletic director search
The search to replace Chris McIntosh as the new University of Wisconsin athletic director commenced nearly two weeks ago. The university recently gave some answers as to the process, but there’s still plenty to wonder about what’s ahead and who could fill this prominent role.
UW Experts in the News
Dry, warm days may be pleasant, but they can add up to danger
Question: What is fire weather?
Answer: Wildfires need three essential elements: heat, oxygen and dry fuel. Fire weather refers to a mix of meteorological conditions that make it easy for wildfires to ignite and spread quickly. The main weather factors are low humidity, strong winds, warm temperatures and atmospheric instability.
UW-Madison Related
Abortion access remains available to UW students despite federal uncertainty
Despite federal and state restrictions, University of Wisconsin-Madison students can still access multiple forms of abortion care, the Bissell Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UW-Madison, Jenny Higgins, told The Daily Cardinal in an interview about Wisconsin’s changing reproductive health landscape.
UW-Madison investigates student organization for promoting Ridglan Farms raid
The University of Wisconsin-Madison opened a formal investigation into registered student organization (RSO) Animal Advocacy over its promotion of the April 18 Ridglan Farms raid, examining whether the group violated campus posting policies and Wisconsin laws related to soliciting criminal activity.
Wild turkey restoration a 50 year success story in Wisconsin
Wild turkeys were reintroduced to Wisconsin 50 years ago in what has been a conservation success story.
The National Wild Turkey Federation says the birds were native to Wisconsin but disappeared from the state in the late 1800’s due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting.
Several attempts to restore turkeys using pen-raised birds failed.
In 1976, a deal was struck to get wild trapped birds from Missouri in exchange for grouse.
Madison leaders could soon approve contentious Regent Street redesign
A proposed redesign of Regent Street near Camp Randall Stadium is heading to Madison’s City Council for potential approval, but not without controversy or testing of new roadway design guidelines.
UW-Madison denies access to payments, contract with economic impact consultant
The University of Wisconsin-Madison would not release any documents related to its contract or payments to consultant Tripp Umbach weeks after the university released a document that made claims regarding the university’s statewide economic impact.
The university claimed that it does not hold the contract and that it was denying access to what it called “draft documents” related to Tripp Umbach and payments to the firm.