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January 29, 2024

Research

With deep roots in Wisconsin, Carbone Cancer Center does vital work

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Near the start of a Jan. 23 presentation by the director of Wisconsin’s signature cancer research center, I asked those attending how many had family members who had been touched by the disease over time. Nearly every hand in the room went up.

That speaks to the insidious nature of a disease that in some ways remains a mystery to researchers such as those who work at UW-Madison’s Carbone Cancer Center. It also illustrates the need for continued progress in finding better approaches to prevention, diagnosis and therapy surrounding one of mankind’s oldest scourges.

A high school wrestling evolution: Out with vomiting, in with hydration

Posted on
The Washington Post

These habits can only lead to negative physiological and mental effects and also can make wrestling more dangerous. A University of Wisconsin study, published in 2022 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, followed 67 Division I college wrestlers over seven seasons and found that a 1 percent loss in body weight correlated with an 11 percent higher chance of injury during competition.

Higher Education/System

Wisconsin’s budget surplus is shrinking but still large

Posted on
Wisconsin Public Radio

This estimate from the bureau included spending that has passed since June, as well as bills currently working their way through the legislature. That includes $423 million for building projects on University of Wisconsin system campuses and other items.

Republican leaders said the new estimates show there is still enough of a surplus to deliver more tax cuts.

Campus life

How Wisconsin Watch debunked a false national headline

Posted on
Wisconsin Watch

Amid the Israel-Hamas war, misinformation has spread rampantly on college campuses. One particular moment on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus created a social media firestorm after a false claim regarding a pro-Palestinian rally reached over 2.8 million views on Twitter.

State news

Wisconsin residents are pushing for a ‘home lake’ rule for wake boats to limit movement of invasive species

Posted on
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

He also noted state history: a petition by state residents helped lead to a ban of the pesticide DDT. The petition, filed in 1968 with the DNR, requested a “declaratory ruling on whether DDT was an environmental pollutant” within state statutes, according to a University of Wisconsin law review article.

Agriculture

Community

UW construction impacting MMSD graduation ceremonies

Posted on
WMTV - Channel 15

The decision comes after UW Athletics announced the renovation of the Kohl Center ice hockey rink floor. Currently, UW leadership is unaware if the construction will take place before or after the scheduled graduation ceremonies this June.

Health

8 weeks of free medication available to help people quit tobacco

Posted on
Wisconsin Public Radio

Fiore, a professor of medicine, founder and director of the Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said there are about 650,000 smokers in Wisconsin. If those smokers don’t quit tobacco products, Fiore said about half will die prematurely of a disease caused by smoking.

“There’s nothing a person can do that will improve their current and future health as much as quitting smoking,” he said.

Athletics

Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell, three other fall sports coaches receive contract extensions

Posted on
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The University of Wisconsin athletic board on Friday approved contract extensions for four fall sports coaches: Luke Fickell (football), Kelly Sheffield (volleyball), Paula Wilkins (women’s soccer) and Neil Jones (men’s soccer).

Fickell signed a seven-year contract in November 2022. He receives a $100,000 raise and is due to be paid $7.6 million from April 1 of next year through March 31 of 2025.

UW Experts in the News

These Americans more likely to suffer from hearing loss, new study finds

Posted on
The Associated Press

Audiologist Melanie Buhr-Lawler, a clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said she saw the threats to hearing health growing up on a farm in rural Wisconsin and later researching hearing loss in rural residents.

“People who live in rural areas have a hearing health double-whammy,” said Buhr-Lawler, who was not involved with the study. “So they’re more exposed to high noise levels through their work, be it mining or farming or other rural occupations, but also through leisure activities.”

Opinion | C’mon drivers, chill out

Posted on
The Capital Times

One of the experts Shaer interviewed was UW-Madison psychologist and specialist on anger Martin Ryan, who attempted to explain what’s going on. Ryan explained that emotions have to go somewhere, and far too often drivers find their outlet in a car.

“If I was to set out to create a situation that would make the most people act badly and angrily, I couldn’t come up with anything better than driving,’ Ryan told the Times. “Every element that provokes an anger response is there. There’s your mood when you entered the car in a rush. There’s provocation — something that happens to you, like being cut off. And relatedly, there’s how you interpret the provocation based on your mood.”

States rethink reading

Posted on
Axios

The system is populated with educators who were taught entirely different methods, and “the resistance is real,” said Mark Seidenberg, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin.

Obituaries

Linda Howard Newman

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

After receiving a master’s degree in 1965, Linda continued her studies and also began a long career as an academic advisor in the history department. She later joined the School of Education Academic Services office, serving as assistant dean and advisor. In 2000, Linda received the school’s Ann Wallace Academic Staff Distinguished Achievement Award.

James Edward Wilcox

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Jim enlisted in the army in 1947, and served until 1949. After discharge, he worked at Ray-O-Vac for three years, then was the assistant registrar at UW-Madison for ten years. He then took a role at UW-Madison’s Administrative Data Processing (now DoIT) where he worked in management for 28 years, retiring in 1987.

Robert Booth Fowler

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

He spent his entire career as a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, endearing himself to thousands of students. As they say frequently, “He taught me to think.” He retired as Professor of Political Science and as the Herbert and Evelyn Howe Professor of Integrated Liberal Studies.

UW-Madison Related