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Category: Business/Technology

How Wisconsin is creating the future of precision medicine

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PBS Wisconsin

Every patient is a unique individual. They have their own genetics, their own exposures to the environment that they have been in,” said Dr. Muhammed Murtazais, associate director of the Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicineat the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “And, so, precision medicine is this approach that could we actually learn more about each individual patient, so that each patient gets the right drug at the right time.

Wisconsin biohealth industry named one of nation’s elite tech hubs

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Wisconsin State Journal

The Wisconsin hub focuses on personalized medicine, or tailoring treatments to a patient’s genetic makeup or other individual characteristics. Along with UW-Madison and Madison Area Technical College, partners include Madison companies Accuray and Exact Sciences, GE Healthcare and Rockwell Automation in the Milwaukee area and Neenah-based manufacturer Plexus.

More efforts are underway to limit social media. How do you separate good from bad?

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Heather Kirkorian is a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison who studies how kids and parents interact with digital media. Warning labels are good for raising awareness, she said, but “my sense is that most teens and parents have heard about the potential risks and are aware that that might be a concern.” Treating social media “as analogous to cigarettes is unhelpful, because there are potential benefits of using social media as well, and I don’t think we can make that same argument for smoking cigarettes.”

Vel R. Phillips Plaza is opening on downtown Milwaukee’s west side. Here’s what to know

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Born Velvalea Hortense Rodgers in Milwaukee in 1923, the influential public figure was ahead of her time.

She received a scholarship to attend Howard University, in Washington D.C., where she obtained her bachelor’s degree. Phillips continued her studies at the University of Wisconsin Law School and was the first African-American woman to graduate there. She and her husband then opened a Milwaukee law firm.

Eradication of insect pests and invasive plants

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Wisconsin Public Radio

UW-Madison entomologist PJ Liesch is back. We talk with him about what’s hampering  the spread of spongy moths in Wisconsin. We also talk about how climate change is aiding the spread of joro spiders to northern regions. Then, two WDNR invasive species specialists share success stories from across the state.

US Supreme Court ruling on abortion pills, The murky market for legal weed products, How pagans celebrate summer solstice

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Wisconsin Public Radio

With a wave of new hemp-derived THC alternatives hitting the market in Wisconsin, we check in with a cannabis historian about what these products are and how they’re shaping policy discussions around marijuana in the state. Interview with Lucas Richert, professor in the School of Pharmacy at UW-Madison.

UW-Madison sociologist’s new book says women fill gaps in US social programs

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Wisconsin Public Radio

University of Wisconsin-Madison sociologist Jessica Calarco believes her profession is an act of “un-gaslighting people.” She said she wants to help others see the challenges they face in their lives as products of large social structures and forces. In particular, she said she wants women to let go of guilt they might feel when they face struggles because of the unfair burden of social structures place on women.

In her new book, “Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net,” Calarco said women are often tasked with more of the unpaid or underpaid care work that keeps the economy moving.

Adaptive Gaming Expo gives gamers with disabilities options, community

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The Capital Times

Sloan Gibson, meanwhile, came looking for ideas she could bring back to her job in the information technology division at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “A rising tide raises all boats,” Gibson said. “Just because a game is accessible … or a piece of tech is accessible doesn’t mean it’s just for people who need the accessibility. It just means more people can use it and enjoy it.”

Best student checking accounts

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WalletHub

“When looking for a new checking account, students should take their time to identify accounts specifically tailored to their needs – frequently these are promoted on college campuses in the fall,” says Anita Mukherjee, an associate professor in Risk and Insurance Department at the Wisconsin School of Business. “Many banks offer student-specific checking accounts that come with perks such as no monthly fees, lower minimum balance requirements, and free online banking.”

For our children’s mental health: Ban cell phones in Ripon schools (editorial)

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Ripon Press

Answering the political science professor’s query was Dr. Jenny Higgins, director of UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“How do you feel, right now, being here in person?” Higgins asked the audience in the Great Hall of Harwood Memorial Union. 

“I see some nods,” Higgins said. “Now think about trying to communicate that with somebody on your phone or even on Zoom.” 

Cicada records help scientists study long-term health impact of pesticide exposure

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Jason Fletcher, professor of public affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said during the early 20th century, producers of tree crops like apples commonly used the chemicals when preparing for an emergence.

“Because cicadas are known, when they’re coming and where they’re going to be in general terms, certainly in the past, farmers tried to protect their crops by dousing everything with pesticide,” he said.

Rainfall leads to improvement in Wisconsin drought conditions

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Less than 1 percent of the state is considered to be experiencing drought, according to the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

It’s made for a quick end to a long period of drought, state climatologist Steve Vavrus said.

“Drought has virtually disappeared from Wisconsin finally, after 12 solid months,” he said.

Farm safety experts say Wisconsin law may let youth operate tractors too early

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Wisconsin Public Radio

John Shutske, professor and agricultural safety & health specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said from the beginning, Wisconsin’s age minimum has been much younger than other farm states who have similar requirements. National best practices for farm safety recommend youth be at least 14 years old before being allowed to operate equipment.

You can try beer, and a dessert, made with cicadas at Lake Geneva’s ‘Cicadapalooza’

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Insect Diagnostics Lab PJ Liesch received the first reports of Brood XIII cicadas in Wisconsin this year out of the Lake Geneva area just over a week ago. With some of the best-documented historical cicada activity in the state, Lake Geneva could very well be Wisconsin’s “bug central” this summer. Residents have already shared photos of cicadas covering tree trunks, sidewalks and other surfaces.

UW survey finds inflation, gun violence and health care top issues for Wisconsin residents

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Main Street Agenda is a project designed to focus on the issues Wisconsinites rank as most important heading into the 2024 election. The topics come from a survey of nearly 4,000 residents conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Survey Center in partnership with the La Follette School of Public Affairs.

Jefferson County lands more than $1 billion in new foreign-owned company investments

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Jefferson County and surrounding areas have ample agricultural products to fuel the growth of ClonBio, which requires corn to make ethanol; and Kikkoman, which requires soybeans and wheat for its soy sauce. Also, the county is well positioned to attract other food companies and biotech startups from the University of Wisconsin System.

One of a kind meat training program brings people from across the country to Madison

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Madison Commons

UW–Madison is home to a two-year training program, known as the Master Meat Crafter Program, that offers members of the meat industry new skills and knowledge to take their careers to the next level. Created in 2010 by Jeff Sindelar, Ph.D., a professor and extension meat specialist in Animal & Dairy Sciences, it is a one-of-a-kind program that brings people from across the country and abroad to Madison to earn the “Master Meat Crafter” distinction upon graduation.

Rocket Lab to launch satellite to monitor Earth’s polar regions

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RNZ

The mission, called PREFIRE, short for Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment, includes two shoebox-sized satellites or ‘cubesats’ to find out how much heat Earth’s polar regions radiate out to space and how that influences our climate. University of Wisconsin professor, and principal investigator for the mission, Tristan L’Ecuyer spoke to Corin Dann.

No credit check loans guide

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WalletHub

“These loans can be appealing to those with poor or limited credit histories, yet they carry inherent risks,” says Anita Mukherjee, a professor at the Wisconsin School of Business. “Specifically, they often come with significantly higher interest rates and fees due to the increased risk lenders assume by not checking credit. The allure of accessibility should be carefully weighed against these loans’ short repayment terms, which can make monthly payments more challenging.”

Cybersecurity pros in high demand as hacking attacks soar

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The Capital Times

Meanwhile, new technologies like artificial intelligence will give cybercriminals new frontiers, said University of Wisconsin-Madison computer science professor Somesh Jha, who specializes in security. While machine learning tools can be used to automate some parts of the cybersecurity process, they also offer bad actors new ways to wreak havoc, like, for example, interfering with self-driving cars.

Fear over avian flu has died down for Wisconsin dairy farms. But experts warn of continued threat.

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Jackie McCarville is a regional dairy educator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Division of Extension in southwestern Wisconsin. She also feels like concern around avian flu has died down, especially as many farms begin work in their fields this spring.

“But I think it’s still in the back of a lot of minds: what happens if it does get into Wisconsin?” McCarville said. “What considerations should we be looking at? It’s a great time to look at your biosecurity plan to see what you can do to protect your farm.”

Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, said much of the national dairy industry has been opposed to doing more testing for the virus on farms. He said the number of avian flu tests in cattle across the country has actually declined since the federal order requiring them went into place.

What you need to know about Microsoft’s big investment in Wisconsin data centers and workers.

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The slate of new initiatives to help them get there includes: Partnering with the University of Wisconsin’s Connected Systems Institute and Gateway Technical College to establish an an AI Co-Innovation Lab, an immersive training program for companies learning to operate in an AI environment. Microsoft has two other labs, both on the West Coast.

Microsoft Racine County data center expansion, new AI training focus of Biden visit to state

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The jobs and training programs are tied to the construction of Microsoft’s massive data center, the company’s TitletownTech partnership with the Green Bay Packers, the company’s involvement with the University of Wisconsin’s Connected Systems Institute and technical education programs that Microsoft has supported in northeastern Wisconsin and Milwaukee.

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Peter Hart-Brinson, Eileen Newcomer, Dr. Keith Poulsen

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PBS Wisconsin

Dr. Keith Poulsen, director of the UW-Madison Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, has been monitoring a strain of avian influenza called H5N1 that has so far been identified in dairy cows in nine states. It has not been found in Wisconsin, but Poulsen said researchers are testing cows that are transported across state lines.

The pandemic especially hurt the work/life balance of women. The stressors haven’t gone away.

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Green Bay Press-Gazette

It’s having a deep impact on the labor force. According to a 2023 report from High Roads Strategy Center, part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin’s women labor force participation dropped below 60% for the first time since the late 1980s.

“Our relative (workforce) advantage shrank quite substantially over the last two years,” said Laura Dresser, associate director of High Roads Strategy Center. “We know that child care has been in crisis, even before the pandemic. Our structures for taking care of kids tend to weigh heavily on women and on women’s work.”

Sustainable energy at home and in the community

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Wisconsin Public Radio
By first inviting Wisconsin communities to identify their clean energy needs, a network of researchers, entrepreneurs and investors are pursuing projects in rural and urban areas as well as on tribal lands. Interview with Oliver Schmitz, associate dean for research innovation in the UW-Madison College of Engineering. 

Tom Still: Fusion energy is a nascent ‘hot spot’ for Wisconsin economy’

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Wisconsin State Journal

The UW-Madison’s Fusion Technology Institute lists 167 Ph.D. graduates and is the largest program in the United States for advanced degrees in fusion engineering. Since 1965, the university has produced more than 400 graduates overall in fields such as plasma experimental, plasma theory and fusion technology.

“I came to Madison because of its nuclear energy programs,” said Oliver Schmitz, a Germany native who is the associate dean of research innovation in the UW-Madison College of Engineering. “Whenever I travel to fusion events elsewhere, it seems like 80% of the participants are UW-Madison graduates.”

Eviction filings have spiked in Dane County. A new report looks at why.

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Wisconsin Public Radio

“Available housing is incredibly low,” said Grace Kobe, who co-directs the University of Wisconsin Law School’s Eviction Defense Clinic, which is part of the partnership. “And so much of that housing that is being built is not affordable, and so when folks are facing eviction, or not facing eviction and just trying to find somewhere to go, their options are so incredibly limited here.”

Wisconsin tribe sues social media companies over suicide rates among Native youth

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Heather Kirkorian, professor of human development and family studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, researches the effects of media on children’s development. Kirkorian said media effects vary widely among individuals, noting it can pose both positive and negative outcomes. While clear evidence exists of manipulative practices to keep youth engaged longer, she said a direct link is lacking between the use of social media and an increase in suicidal ideation or mental health problems.

“It’s really important for us to understand that the effects of media are not the same for everybody, and some groups of children might be disproportionately affected by media,” Kirkorian said.

Best online savings accounts

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WalletHub

“First, consider whether an online savings account is the only banking product you need right now,” says Jonathon Ferguson, a financial capability specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Financial Education Division of Extension. “Online savings accounts can be great due to their relatively high-interest rates and tech tools. However, these accounts do not solve all needs.”

Choose your own journalism adventure: Teaching media literacy with ‘Headlines and High Water’

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Wisconsin Life

We live in a time when fake news permeates social media feeds and partisan coverage blasts through some cable news channels. Teaching media literacy can help people wade through the disinformation and become critical news consumers. As Christina Lieffring tells us, a video game created by UW-Madison’s Field Day Labs aims to teach students to become more media literate and what it takes to be a journalist.

New scarecrows: Lasers aim to deter wild birds and reduce disease on Wisconsin farms

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Avian flu remains prevalent in Wisconsin’s wild bird populations and the risk to farms this year is about the same as recent years, said Ron Kean, a poultry specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Kean said lasers are a great option to reduce spread of the disease.

“Keeping the wild birds away from our domestic birds seems to be a big part of biosecurity,” he said.

Voter enthusiasm, Popularity of online videos, Social connections

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Nielsen data shows that the top streaming service on home televisions is not Netflix or Hulu but YouTube. UW–Madison media studies professors Jonathan Gray and Derek Johnson weigh in on how the video social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok are becoming the top competition for the television and movie industries.

Wisconsin dairy farms closely watching avian flu cases in cattle

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, said the case highlights the importance of immediate action by dairy farmers if they see disease symptoms in their animals, which can include decreased lactation and low appetite. He said the people working on a farm with sick animals should be monitored closely.

“We don’t think that it’s a significant public health threat at this point,” Poulsen said. “But just like in our farms with poultry (highly pathogenic) avian influenza, they’re getting a large challenge, so we need to watch them very closely, and make sure that everyone is provided with the best public health care that we have available.”