Written by Jonathan Patz, the Vilas Distinguished Professor & John P. Holton Chair of Health and the Environment at the Nelson Institute & Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
February 28, 2025
Research
Midwest winters are changing. So is the ancient sport of falconry
Jonathan Pauli, a professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has observed by systematically capturing, collaring and monitoring carnivores and their prey across the state and comparing their historical numbers to current-day ones. He said his team has observed a “relatively fast range contraction” of snowshoe hares, moving northward as climate change increasingly turns them into “white lightbulbs” highly visible to their predators in the winter.
‘It’s really heartbreaking’: UW biochemist’s research uncertain with NIH funding
“It’s been impossible to predict and impossible to plan for the future,” Aaron Hoskins said. Hoskins is the Wasson Professor of Biochemistry and a chemistry professor. With his small lab, he works on gene expression, making sense of what we may find senseless and finding solutions.
‘It’s an enormous concern’: UW-Madison medical researcher reacts to proposed NIH funding cuts
“For us to be in a situation where NIH funding is threatened,” UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health Professor and Associate Dean Jon Audhya said. “It’s an enormous concern. It’s going to really slow down our progress and our ability to address some of those diseases that are most prevalent in our society.”
Higher Education/System
Wisconsin race-based college grants are unconstitutional, appeals court rules
A state appeals court ruled a Wisconsin college grant program restricted to certain students of color was unconstitutional and ordered the state to end administering the program.
Campus life
Madison’s State Street Pedestrian Mall Experiment may be extended
City planners recommend adding a fire hydrant, lighting upgrades and raised pedestrian crossings on State Street, which stretches from the state Capitol to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. They also favor adopting one-way traffic, automatic retractable bollards and bike lanes.
UW-Madison student organizes off-campus art gallery to bring more eyes to local artwork
Bryce Dailey is a junior at UW-Madison. His art has been featured several times in the Memorial Union’s annual Student Art Show. However, he and several of his classmates wanted more showcasing experience, so Dailey organized an independent show.
UW evaluates graduate program admissions amid federal funding uncertainty
Following NIH, NSF funding cuts, no central UW directive to decrease new admissions.