Written by James Pikul, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at UW-Madison.
UW engineer: Feeding robots could be breakthrough
Wisconsin State Journal
June 3, 2025
featured
Wisconsin celebrates Dairy Month as state trade exports reached $8.2 billion last year
Spectrum News
Chuck Nicholson is an associate professor of agriculture and economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He said 20% of the milk produced ends up outside the U.S.
Nicholson said he doesn’t expect the dairy export market with China to be significantly impacted for the time being and that’s a good thing for Wisconsin.
“Cheese is definitely important as an export product, and it’s obviously quite important in Wisconsin. The other part about that is that with cheese typically comes whey, and we’re also a major exporter — from the State of Wisconsin — of whey products, and China is also a major market for our whey products as well,” Nicholson said.
Research
Wisconsin child care strategy caught in partisan struggle
The Cap Times
A University of Wisconsin-Madison survey found that a quarter of providers might shut down without some form of direct aid from the state and a third would close at least some classrooms.
Extension
10 hazardous plants and animals to beware of in Wisconsin, and tips for avoiding them
Appleton Post-Crescent
Fortunately, a little basic sense and some insider tips can help us avoid the perils of Wisconsin’s outdoors — or at least deal with the effects of ill-fated encounters. One valuable resource on that front is a free 40-page booklet from the University of Wisconsin-Extension titled “Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin: A Guide to Insects, Plants, and Wildlife.”
Health
How your pets alter your immune system
BBC
According to Nasia Safdar, an infectious disease professor at the University of Wisconsin in the US, this concept has attracted interest from the pet food industry. The idea would be to develop products marketed as promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in cats and dogs, which might then be transferred to their owners, she says.
“That angle has been an attractive one for people to fund, because for most of us, it’s the human condition that we’re interested in,” says Safdar. “So what role can the animal play in that?” she asks.
UW Health expert shares friendly family summer activities
WMTV - Channel 15
While many kids will reach for screens, Dr. Shilagh Mirgain, a distinguished psychologist with UW Health, said this doesn’t have to be the default.
She suggests going to the library with your kids and having them check out books.
She also recommended parents take their kids to a local or state park, even going as far as planning a picnic. “Think about bringing your food outside to eat. Kids outside thrive,” she said.
Dane County health officials monitoring federal COVID vaccine limits
The Cap Times
Dr. Dominique Brossard, chair of the Department of Life Sciences Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said social scientists are worried the federal policy changes could instill more distrust in science more broadly.
“My concern is that if you start with (existing distrust in science) and giving doubt about these specific vaccines … does that instill a doubt about all the vaccines? So, is it opening the door or building that hesitancy?” Brossard said. “The whole context is definitely breeding ground for doubt and that we need to closely watch.”
Opinion
Please, Democrats, just try to be normal
The Washington Post
And Allison Prasch, an instructor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, is quoted as saying that “Democrats trip over themselves in an attempt to say exactly the right thing.”
Nonsense. Some Democrats trip all over themselves trying to obscure the meaning of what they say. Take referring to felons as part of “justice-involved populations.” Likewise, the term “undocumented person” implies that the problem is one of paperwork. It simply omits the fact that the person resides in the United States illegally.
UW-Madison Related
Local PhD student to make history in ocean rowing race
Madison Magazine
On June 7, University of Wisconsin–Madison PhD student Taylan Stulting and two teammates will start a 2,800-mile ocean race, rowing from Monterey, California, to the island of Kauai.
Hunters register more than 50,000 turkeys in 2025 Wisconsin spring season
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The project was a partnership of the DNR, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the National Wild Turkey Federation. The University of Wisconsin-Madison also provided assistance.