Nearly 130 UW undergraduates showed off their research in the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday. Topics ranged from environmental research to social media analysis.
Students from across the state showcase research at the Capitol
NBC-15
Author: gbump
UW students prepare to compete at SpaceX
NBC-15
Engineer students at UW Madison are trying to change the way people travel.
UW Badgerloop team unveils new pod
WKOW-TV 27
The next generation of transportation may come right out of UW-Madison.
Iowa County DA dies unexpectedly in his office, officials say
WISC-TV 3
Larry Nelson was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School who served first as the assistant district attorney and corporation counsel of Iowa County for 17 years.
‘I can’t thank them enough’: UWPD officers get surprise visit from men whose lives they saved
WISC-TV 3
The University of Wisconsin Police Department hosted its annual awards ceremony Wednesday to present awards to a number of department personnel and community members. At the event, four award recipients got quite the surprise.
Why are fewer people wanting to become teachers?
WISC-TV 3
UW-Madison put together a task force to find possible solutions. Deb Kerr is one of the leaders of the team. Kerr, with the help of the dean at UW Madison’s School of Education Diana Hess, is leading the effort to combat the teacher shortage in Wisconsin. What they’ve found is felt by teachers everywhere.
‘What were you wearing?’ UW Baraboo exhibit addresses sexual assault
WISC-TV 3
An art installation at University of Wisconsin Platteville Baraboo Sauk County is challenging stigmas surrounding sexual assault.
Column: Trend of UW students joining the Peace Corp is promising for future of the US, world
Badger Herald
For the second year in a row, UW was awarded No. 1 for Peace Corp’s 2018 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities.
UW economics professors find Medicaid expansion could save Wisconsin $100 million
Badger Herald
Finding conflicts with February report that said expansion would cost $600 million.
National report shows Wisconsin had fourth-largest decline in higher education funding over five years
Badger Herald
While most states re-invested in higher education after Great Recession, Wisconsin did not follow suit.
Effects on UW System funding remain uncertain a decade after Great Recession
Daily Cardinal
Chancellor Rebecca Blank has spoken out multiple times about the state’s lack of taxpayer funding and the “challenges” it poses. “The first challenge was a set of budget cuts that reduced our state funding by almost $90 million,” Blank said, referencing the 2015-’17 budget cuts. “About $50 million of those cuts was absorbed by units around the university. It was not an easy task but I think these were implemented in a way that minimized their effects as much as possible. The remaining state cuts were offset by expansion in other revenue sources.”
Trying to downsize your home? Good luck with that
MPR News
With the market tight, more elders are remaining homeowners. A Boston College study last year found 8 in 10 people aged 80 to 84 are homeowners — up by nearly one-fifth since 1980. University of Wisconsin professor Michael Collins, who worked on the study, said more older homeowners may feel they can still handle a larger home.
Study identifies predictors of early death among autistic people
Spectrum News
“Our goal was to identify factors that service systems, physicians and families could focus in on, as a way of maybe addressing the disparity,” says lead investigator Marsha Mailick, emerita professor of social work at the University of Wisconsin’s Waisman Center in Madison.
Working Bees to Death
Community Idea Stations
Noted: Over a decade since the news of Colony Collapse Disorder hit the United States, many beekeepers and honey bees continue to struggle. Dr. Suryanarayanan, Assistant Scientist in the Population Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, spoke at a Science Pub in Richmond, VA and discussed how the “new normal” of honey bee deaths was shaped by historically established relationships of power and expertise between beekeepers, entomologists, growers, agrochemical corporations and governmental agencies.
Heat-Loving Microbes, Once Dormant, Thrive Over Decades-Old Fire
Quanta Magazine
By the time Tobin got her research fully up and running again, Shade had completed her doctorate in microbiology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and found a faculty position at Michigan State University.
How To Share Science In A World Of Fake News
WUNC
Featured: Dietram Scheufele studies the science of science communication and researches public attitudes and policy dynamics regarding science. He is a professor in science communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Reflecting on 30 Years of Forgiveness Science
Psychology Today
It was great to be able to share our knowledge on the science of forgiveness, which we began to examine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1985, to aid in the advancement of this important area of research.
–Robert Enright, UW–Madison
Astronaut twins, Nepal tornado and malaria vaccine
Nature
Quoted: Tornadoes are typically formed by thunderstorms known as supercells, which are not usually found in Nepal, says Leigh Orf, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
‘White Dreams’: Where Do Our Minds Go When We Fall Asleep?
The Atlantic
In a 2017 study, Francesca Siclari at Lausanne University Hospital and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin at Madison invited 32 participants to spend a night in the lab while EEG electrodes on the scalp recorded their brain activity as they slept.
Hidden Brain: America’s Changing Attitudes Toward Gay People
NPR
Public opinion about gay rights has shifted enormously in the United States over the past few decades. What are some of the factors that have led to this historic change in attitudes?
–Featured: William Cox, assistant scientist, Dept of Sociology
Badgers to open 2026 season against Western Michigan at Camp Randall Stadium
Wisconsin State Journal
The Badgers will open the 2026 season against Western Michigan on Sept. 5 of that year at Camp Randall Stadium, UW announced Tuesday.
Computers stolen again from off-campus housing, Madison police say
Wisconsin State Journal
This time, a burglar came in through a sliding glass door early Saturday morning and took two laptop computers and other items from an apartment on Saint James Court, Madison police said.
UW-La Crosse forms free speech committee in response to porn star speech backlash
On Monday, Chancellor Joe Gow announced the formation of a Joint Committee on Free Speech Promotion, a group of students and staff members that will organize events during National Free Speech Week and issue “recommendations regarding matters of importance to our campus community,” a release said.
Leckrone put on a great final show — Curtis Haugen
Wisconsin State Journal
Letter: The spirit of Wisconsin grabbed me from the moment I entered the Kohl Center where I was surrounded by a sea of cardinal red and white worn by everyone from toddlers to elderly fans moving enthusiastically through the crowd with their walkers.
Sunburst chairs to return to UW-Madison’s Memorial Union Terrace
Wisconsin State Journal
The university’s sunburst chairs in green, orange and yellow mark the start of UW-Madison’s terrace season. Another 100 or so of the chairs are expected to return to Union South next week.
Terrace season returns to UW-Madison campus
WKOW-TV 27
The Terrace chairs are coming back the Wisconsin Union this week.
Potato chips are America’s homegrown snack
Madison Magazine
Frederick J. Meyer put himself through college by selling salty tidbits called “Korn Parchies.” After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1932, he, along with his wife Kathryne Meyer—who was an equal business partner—decided to expand his distribution of packaged foods.
Question and answer panel talks race and education in Madison
WISC-TV 3
Noted: The panel was moderated by Brandi Grayson, the executive director for Urban Triage. Audience members could ask questions and talk with the other panelists, including Matthew Braunginn, a senior associate with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
What speech? Watt can’t wing commencement address
WISC-TV 3
Houston – Former Wisconsin and current Houston Texans defensive star J.J. Watt thought he could ad-lib his speech at next month’s UW-Madison commencement ceremony. He was wrong. The school wants a copy of what Watt plans to say, which came as a surprise to the former all-American.
Flamingos Defeat Badgers as “Best Fan Base in USL League One” Gets a Glimpse of Breese Stevens Field
Madison365
The estimated 1,500 fans got their first taste of professional soccer in Madison and a glimpse at the $3 million stadium renovation in a friendly (soccer lingo for an exhibition match) at Breese Stevens Field.
Making Space: White People Give Up Seats to Angela Davis Lecture so Black People Can Attend
Madison365
“Give up positions that you’re in that you know Black people or [another] group [don’t] have access to. I feel like it’s a first step to allyship.”
After long winter, UW Arboretum prepares for warm weather ahead
Badger Herald
Arboretum is undergoing controlled burns to prepare grounds for new plant life.
UW recognizes efforts, challenges faced by returning adult students
Badger Herald
Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award given to two hardworking adult students.
In her visit to UW, Angela Davis advocates for youth involvement in politics
Badger Herald
Activist, scholar said young people are an important force driving overdue change in our country.
Wage wars: In search of the ‘American dream,’ students are often pushed to accept unpaid internships as necessary evil
Badger Herald
Seen to stifle diversity and benefit the wealthy, unpaid internships leave students caught between the prospect of invaluable work experience and the threatening lack of a paycheck.
International students look towards future careers, face challenges
Daily Cardinal
Finding a job after school can be a challenge.
Racist sticker exposes campus presence of national extremist group
Daily Cardinal
A sticker labeled with white-nationalist messaging created by extremist group Hundred-Handers was found on campus today. The sticker read “Make America White Again,” and included the group’s Twitter handle, official website and email address, listed from a secure email service.
Discussion of campus sustainability practices kicks off UW Earth Week
Daily Cardinal
Led by Jacob McInnis, Associate Director of Events for the Wisconsin Union Directorate Society & Politics Committee, the discussion focused primarily on sustainable energy and what political action needs to be taken in order to institute change.
Jonathan Wolman, Detroit News Editor, Former AP Exec, Dies
New York Times
Wolman attended the University of Colorado for two years before transferring to the University of Wisconsin’s main campus in Madison, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1972.
Fewer than 2% of British children’s authors are people of colour
The Guardian
The UK only began to track diversity in children’s books last year. In the US, where the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has tracked diversity statistics for years, campaigners recently pointed to a “seismic shift” in representation, with the number of children’s books featuring African-American characters more than doubling over the last 10 years, and the number featuring Asians more than tripling.
UW-Madison’s Yiddish Music Cylinders Added To National Recording Registry
Wisconsin Public Radio
UW-Madison’s music library is home to wax cylinders holding the oldest known recordings of Yiddish songs, made between 1901-1905. We talk to a librarian about the music, which is now part of the National Recording Registry.
Anesthesia nightmare: what it feels like to wake up during surgery
The Independent
General anaesthesia, in contrast, aims to do just that, creating an unresponsive drug-induced coma or controlled unconsciousness that is deeper and more detached from reality even than sleep, with no memories of any events during that period. As Robert Sanders, an anaesthetist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, puts it: “We’ve apparently ablated this period of time from that person’s experience.”
What’s on MPR News
Minnesota Public Radio News
Guests: Julie Margetta Morgan, a fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, specializing in college affordability and finance issues; Fenaba Addo, assistant professor of consumer science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Camp Randall railings to be installed on limited basis for 2019 football season
WKOW-TV 27
UW Athletics will begin installing railings in Camp Randall Stadium in two aisles in an effort to assess the viability of doing so in other parts of the facility.
Apartment building evacuated during early morning fire
NBC-15
UW-Madison reached out to any students living in the building, to assess their needs.
Local partnership helps give back to the community
NBC-15
The relationship between Porchlight, a nonprofit that works with the homeless, and the Wisconsin Union started about a year and a half ago. Both groups said so far, it has been a huge success.
Alder-elect first woman to represent district 8 in over 20 years
NBC-15
The 19-year-old freshman at UW-Madison is studying philosophy and political science. Reddy said she had heard the District 8 seat might be opening before she arrived at UW, and after encouragement from a friend, decided to run.
Lit candle ignites fire at Madison apartment building; 1 person displaced, fire officials say
WISC-TV 3
The occupant suffered minor injuries but didn’t seek emergency medical care, the fire department said.
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan to lecture at Notre Dame
Former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan is joining the University of Notre Dame faculty and will be a guest lecturer in political science and economics.
Editorial Agenda 2019: Trees in the city
WISC-TV 3
A new study, co-authored by a UW Madison professor, finds trees play a big role in keeping towns and cities cool. That’s important for humans, but it’s also important for other organisms essential to life.
Madison’s pro soccer team to break in home field with exhibition game Tuesday night
WISC-TV 3
Madison’s new professional soccer team will be playing at its home field Tuesday night in a friendly exhibition game. Forward Madison FC will be taking on the University of Wisconsin Madison men’s soccer team.
Wisconsin Athletics commits to limited trial run for hand rails at Camp Randall Stadium
Wisconsin State Journal
Responding to fan requests for hand rails in aisles of the seating sections at Camp Randall Stadium, the University of Wisconsin athletic department has launched a test project for next season.
UW to open Prevention Research Center
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison will open Wisconsin’s first Prevention Research Center this fall, thanks to a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Column: Increased funding for computer science will prove beneficial for Wisconsin
Badger Herald
As universities struggle to keep up with increasing demand for computer science, government has a duty to fund these programs.
Gene-edited babies: What a Chinese scientist told an American mentor
New York Times
“A lot of people wish that those who knew or suspected would have made more noise,” said R. Alta Charo, a bioethicist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who co-led a 2017 national committee on human embryo editing.
Nepali scientists record country’s first tornado
Nature
Quoted: In countries such as the United States, which is hit by some 1,200 tornadoes every year, these rotating columns of wind are identified using Doppler radar imagery, says Leigh Orf, an atmospheric scientist at University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Americans are having less sex and here’s why it matters
Today.com
Quoted: “The economic issues are real and significant,” Christine Whelan, director of Money, Relationships and Equality Initiative in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, told TODAY. “Increasingly what both men and women are looking for it a good financial prospect.”
Wind turbines proposal whips up dispute in rural Wisconsin
AP
Quoted: Jennifer Van Os, a University of Wisconsin-Madison assistant professor of dairy science, said she knows of no scientific research published on the effects of wind turbines on cattle
Scientists Look for the Genes That Determine Beauty
Healthline
In a study published this month in PLOS Genetics, lead author Qiongshi Lu, assistant professor in the department of statistics at University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his colleagues used attractiveness scores to locate and identify several genes correlated to facial attractiveness in 4,383 individuals.
New Twitter account outs shoddy reporting in science stories
Quartz
Qutoed: “Let me start with an audacious assertion: A major problem confronting science journalists is that they have trouble communicating what’s true,” Sharon Dunwoody, an Evjue-Bascom professor emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison school of journalism, wrote in a 2014 article on Sci Dev Net.