Skip to main content

Category: UW Experts in the News

Beyond screening: How a UW study revealed persistent racial disparities in Wisconsin cervical cancer rates

Posted on
The Badger Herald

University of Wisconsin obstetrics and gynecology researchers published a new study highlighting the disparities in cervical cancer in Wisconsin between 1998 and 2022, according to the Wisconsin Medical Journal. The study investigated why invasive, yet preventable cancers are still prevalent, particularly in patients who face barriers to receiving adequate health care, according to an email statement from assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and study co-author Dr. Ran Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH.

Form and Function

Posted on
The New Yorker

I tried, but I was too small to lift you
Up and out of that bathtub—

Your two arms cut open, your two legs—

You were January, bamboo shooting through darkness
In that village, monsoonal and rude, that you stopped imagining
Coming home to altogether—

An LL.M. can offer a break from legal practice to focus on studies and try out the academic world.

Posted on
LLM Guide

For some lawyers, academia is a long-standing ambition. Others discover an interest in research and teaching only after spending time in legal practice or pursuing further studies.

An LL.M. can provide a pathway into academia, allowing students to explore research interests, develop relationships with professors and prepare for doctoral studies. But the qualification itself is not always necessary.

Fascism mixed into cringey online content is easy to mock – but no less dangerous

Posted on
The Conversation

Against the backdrop of an unpopular war in Iran, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on July 15, 2026, that the Pentagon would begin testing male service members 30 and older for low testosterone. That, the department later said, would include assessing symptoms of low testosterone such as “reduced libido, loss of spontaneous morning erections, erectile dysfunction, diminished energy and physical performance, impaired concentration, reduced muscle mass, and depressed mood.”

Upcoming midterm election sees new opportunities for student representation

Posted on
The Badger Herald

As the Nov. 3 midterm election approaches, news has been dominated by political coverage of candidates running for political offices and positions across Wisconsin.

With combined advertising and campaign spending totaling over $80 million, Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany spent substantial amounts criticizing each other to reach voters statewide, according to WisPolitics.

Food Allergies In Dogs: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Posted on
Forbes

What Are Food Allergies in Dogs?

Food allergies can be a source of irritation in dogs. They can cause severe itching and other skin complications, as well as stomach upset.

To better understand food allergies in dogs, we reached out to Dr. Katie Anderson, a board-certified small animal veterinary internist and assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.

Study shows link between Alzheimer’s disease and gut health

Posted on
Spectrum News 1

Could your gut influence your risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease? University of Wisconsin researchers say the answer may be yes.

Barbara Bendlin, a professor of medicine at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, joined Spectrum News 1 to share about a study published in Nature Communications showing the link between food and cognitive decline as we age.

Is it possible to reform fraternities?

Posted on
WGCU News

Cornell University suspended all fraternity parties through the end of the school year in the aftermath of a sexual assault case that has sent shockwaves through campus.

But many are torn over how to address fraternities on campus moving forward. Is it possible to reform the culture, or should they be banned outright?

Latest Wisconsin Nobel Prize winner shares how scientific collaboration enabled cosmic discoveries

Posted on
WPR

Francis Halzen used to dread October.

October is the month when the Nobel committees announce the winners of each year’s Nobel Prizes, and the theoretical physicist and University of Wisconsin-Madison professor had been passed over for the award for many years.

“I always felt that I disappointed people,” Halzen said. “I got these emails that were like condolences.”

UW-Madison is training Ukrainians on microsurgery to heal victims of war

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

uslana Hoisa peers into a microscope in a UW-Madison lab, carefully maneuvering fine-tipped metal forceps to stitch together a blood vessel that’s only a few millimeters wide.

Just about a week ago, the 26-year-old frontline microsurgeon was in a Kyiv children’s hospital treating young patients with burn and blast injuries from Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Fall Yard Cleanup Tips to Protect Plants Through Winter

Posted on
Wisconsin Ag Connection

As winter approaches, Wisconsin homeowners should prioritize yard cleanup, composting, bulb care, watering and proper pruning to protect their landscapes from cold weather.

Although mild fall temperatures may make winter seem distant, time is running short, especially in northern Wisconsin.

Bruce Spangenberg, horticulture outreach specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, recommends focusing on cleaning up garden spaces and preparing plants for the colder months ahead.

COUNTERMAPPING INDIGENOUS DISPOSSESSION THROUGH THE HOMESTEAD ACT

Posted on
Edge Effects

Mapping tells stories—stories that share, challenge, and recover knowledge and narratives. The story of this map began in the fall of 2023, when I (Keeler), a scholar of Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS), approached Gareth Baldrica-Franklin, a Ph.D. candidate in Geography with expertise in cartography, to make an interactive map (featured below) to supplement my book project on American Indians and the Homestead Act.

AI reshapes some political advertising ahead of Election Day

Posted on
Channel 3000

Artificial intelligence is changing the way political campaigns reach voters, raising questions about transparency and accountability ahead of Election Day.

Wisconsin is among 31 states with legislation addressing AI deepfakes in elections. The state’s 2024 law requires disclosure if certain types of political advertisements incorporate audio or video content that is produced by artificial intelligence. There is also a $1,000 fine per violation.

Paternity Leave Is More Than a Perk. It Builds a Baby’s Brain

Posted on
TIME

We often treat paternity leave like a company perk—something HR lists next to the gym stipend and the 401k match. The research says we are wrong about that categorization. Paternity leave should be part of routine medical care during this stage of life: interventions we already agree are worth investing in because the return on investment continues years later in a child’s brain.

How do we connect extreme weather events to climate change?

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Question: How do we know if an extreme weather event is due to our changing climate?

Answer: Weather events result from an interaction of many factors, including current conditions of the atmosphere. Weather is considered extreme when it’s far outside of normal for a particular place and time. Weather-related extreme events include heat waves, freezes, heavy downpours and tornadoes. Attributing an extreme weather event to the observed climate change is referred to as the science of extreme event attribution.

A chemical produced by gut bacteria may accelerate Alzheimer’s disease

Posted on
PsyPost

A byproduct produced by certain gut bacteria may directly accelerate the brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Elevated blood levels of this molecule, known as imidazole propionate, correlate with worse cognitive decline in humans and actively drive neurodegeneration in animal models. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

Your Ferns Are Starting to Yellow—Here’s When to Cut Them Back and When You Should Leave Them Alone

Posted on
The Spruce

Ferns come in many varieties, and most fern fronds will develop a yellow-gold hue in the fall, just like many other trees and plants in your yard.

“It’s a very normal and often welcome part of the changing of seasons,” horticulturist and garden designer Grace Coburn says.

However, if your fern develops too many yellow fronds too quickly—or you see webbing, sticky residue, or stippling on leaves in addition—it might be cause for concern. Here’s what pro horticulturists say you should know when your fern starts yellowing.

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Michael Wagner, Chief Justice Jill Karofsky

Posted on
PBS Wisconsin
  • Social media is rife with disinformation during the2026 election season. New and easy-to-use artificial intelligence tools can put real-sounding words in candidates’ mouths alongside possibly convincing video manipulation. In Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District race, Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke responded by sending a cease-and-desist letter to Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden for his use of AI to generate video making it look like she was saying things she did not actually say. Wagner said it’s a confusing landscape for voters.

Researcher who listens to forests wins 2026 Pritzker Environmental Genius Award

Posted on
Mongabay

“Receiving this award feels really humbling, and also special, maybe particularly so during times that are challenging for work in environmental issues and conservation,” Burivalova told Mongabay by email. “I see getting an award like this to also mean taking the responsibility for doing as much as I can for biodiversity conservation in the years to come.”

An associate professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, U.S., and the principal investigator of the Sound Forest Lab, Burivalova has worked in forests across the world, including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Peru, Madagascar, and Ecuador.

It’s time to end the fraternity monopoly on campus nightlife | Opinion

Posted on
USA Today

Since news broke of gang rape allegations against a Cornell University fraternity and a lawsuit filed by a former student, my phone has been abuzz with messages from fellow Cornell alumnae – many of them, like me, former sorority members.

We are furious at the callous way Chi Phi fraternity members appear to have regarded “Jane Doe” in their group Snapchat communications – as subhuman, a mere vehicle for their sexual gratification. But none of us are much surprised. The fraternity culture that enabled this remains vivid in our memories, even 15 years removed.

Fall Leaf Cleanup Tips for a Healthier Lawn Next Spring

Posted on
Wisconsin Ag Connection

Fallen leaves are a familiar sight during autumn but leaving them on the lawn throughout winter can affect grass health and spring growth.

According to Bruce Spangenberg, a horticulture outreach specialist with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension, homeowners can manage fallen leaves by raking them, composting them, or using them as mulch around gardens and landscape beds.

UW-Madison professor wins Nobel Prize in physics

Posted on
The Daily Cardinal

University of Wisconsin-Madison physics professor Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics on Oct. 6 for his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory.

Halzen is the principal investigator at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, where he and the IceCube team study neutrinos — massless, chargeless particles that travel through the universe and give insight into the deepest cosmos.

Francis Halzen wins the 2026 Nobel Prize in physics

Posted on
Astronomy.com

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded Francis Halzen, principal investigator of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and professor of physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Nobel Prize in physics on Oct. 6, 2026. Halzen’s work on high-energy neutrinos has shaped our understanding of the universe’s mysterious and powerful natural particle accelerators.

Physicist Wins Nobel Prize for Developing a Massive, Ice-Embedded Observatory That Detects Ghostly Cosmic Particles

Posted on
Smithsonian Magazine

On October 6, the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Francis Halzen, a theoretical physicist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, for his role in developing a massive observatory to detect ghostly cosmic particles called high-energy neutrinos.

These electrically neutral and nearly massless particles constantly whiz through space, although they seldom interact with ordinary matter, which makes up stuff we can see like planets and people. In fact, roughly 100 trillion zip through your body per second. Neutrinos with low energies are produced by everyday astrophysical phenomena, such as nuclear fusion in the sun.

Why can’t people regenerate limbs like salamanders?

Posted on
The Conversation

Imagine losing an arm and simply growing a new one. This amazing ability of regeneration isn’t just something from a superhero movie – it actually happens in real life for some animals.

Salamanders are known as champions of regeneration. If a salamander loses a leg, it can regrow another one, complete with bones, nerves, blood vessels and muscles.

Scientists use bacteria to produce muconic acid from plants

Posted on
The Microbiologist

Their findings, recently published in Metabolic Engineering, lay the groundwork for a more environmentally friendly way to produce plastic, textiles, pharmaceuticals and more.

“In order to build a sustainable society, we need to move away from fossil fuels. But what many people don’t realize is that there’s a significant portion of fossil fuels that are not extracted for energy usage, but for chemical manufacturing,” said Anne Lalande, a graduate student in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at UBC and first author of the study. “We’re interested in using lignin, or wood waste, to make valuable chemicals in order to displace the fossil fuel industry.”

Waukesha County dairy cattle test positive for EHD; expert weighs in

Posted on
Fox 6 Milwaukee

In an interview Wednesday from the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Poulsen said he’s been getting questions from plenty of dairy farmers and trade associations about how worried they should be about EHD.

“The question is how much time do I have to put into this? And my answer is always the same: almost none,” Poulsen said. “Go worry about more important things, whether we’re dealing with the environment, weather issues or supply chain geopolitical issues. I mean, we are never bored.”

Protein and Healthy Aging: Could Less Be More?

Posted on
Medscape

Protein restriction, rather than higher-protein intake, could improve metabolic health in older adults and extend both healthy life expectancy and overall lifespan. This is the conclusion reached by Bailey Knopf, researcher, and Dudley Lamming, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in Cell Press Blue.

How the wet spring and dry Summer are affecting bee & wasp colonies in Wisconsin

Posted on
CBS 7 Wausau

If you have noticed bees and wasps acting more aggressively, crashing your backyard cookouts or buzzing around garbage cans across north-central Wisconsin, recent drought conditions are a big reason why.

A wet spring provided ideal nesting conditions for emerging queens coming out of hibernation, allowing colonies to thrive and build robust populations through the early summer.

PJ Liesch is an extension entomologist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has noticed how the drought is affecting these colonies.

“There’s the maximum amount of mouths to feed, so to speak,” he said.

Essay: The Flesh Eaters

Posted on
Channel 3000/Madison Magazine

I’ve been given directions to meet him at the hill behind Birge Hall, across the street from the Botany Garden on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. I pause by a concrete ramp that’s stained with black streaks. It leads to a steel door banked by a pile of dead leaves. The area seems deserted. In fact, it looks like the entrance to a fallout shelter.

Panel calls Madison schools critical for community’s growth, workforce

Posted on
The Cap Times

What does the Madison school district need to ensure students, staff, the local workforce and the broader community are all thriving 10 years from now? That was the opening question Marcelle Haddix, dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education, asked Tuesday at a sponsored Cap Times Idea Fest session about the district’s preparations for the future.

Your Gut Could Be Fueling Alzheimer’s — Here’s the Molecule to Blame

Posted on
The Street

Could the key to understanding Alzheimer’s disease be hiding in your gut? In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Barbara Bendlin, PhD — Professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a member of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute — breaks down more than a decade of groundbreaking research on the gut-brain connection.

Reading proficiency remains a challenge for students across the country

Posted on
NBC 17 Decatur

Before students can solve a word problem or follow written instructions, they must be able to read.

And for many kids across the country, that’s a challenge.

“Most kids are really not proficient readers. And that’s been true in the United States for many years. It’s gotten a little worse recently,” said Dr. Mark Seidenberg, a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor.

The Nation’s Report Card shows that only 31% of fourth graders are at or above the proficient level. Professor Dr. Mark Seidenberg says screen time and socioeconomic status contribute to this decline.

WisBusiness: the Podcast with David Noyce, UW-Madison

Posted on
WisBusiness

This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Prof. David Noyce, director of the Traffic Operations and Safety Laboratory at UW-Madison.

Noyce, the executive associate dean and Arthur F. Hawnn professor of transportation engineering at the university’s College of Engineering, discusses the work being done around self-driving vehicles and other advanced technologies at UW-Madison.

Living in disadvantaged communities accelerates brain aging, MR imaging shows

Posted on
Radiology Business

“We’ve long suspected that your living environment affects your brain, but until now it’s not been proven at scale in clinical populations,” John-Paul J. Yu, MD, PhD, associate professor of radiology, psychiatry, biomedical engineering, biostatistics and medical informatics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s school of medicine, said in an RSNA news release on the findings. “We’ve shown very robust, measurable metrics that our living environment has an outsized impact on the brain at the molecular and cellular level.”

Alzheimer’s and dementia doctor touched by disease in own family, recommends early testing

Posted on
WPR

Dr. Nathaniel Chin was in residency when his father, Dr. Moe Chin, a family physician in Watertown, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2012. The elder Chin retired the next day, ending a 40-year career as a doctor. He died in 2018.

“He saw everyone in his clinic, from young kids to the elderly,” Dr. Nathaniel Chin said recently of his father on WPR’s “The Lee Rayburn Show.” “He was my introduction to health, wellness and providing care for people.”

Diesel prices are hitting record highs at a bad time for many US farmers

Posted on
Spectrum News 9 Tampa

The price of diesel is hitting record highs just when many U.S. farmers need it to power combines, tractors and other equipment to harvest two of the nation’s largest commodities, soybeans and corn.

The spike adds to an already tough year for these farmers, who also faced higher costs for fertilizer, seeds and equipment.

Diesel hit a record price in the U.S. on Sept. 4, soaring to an average of $5.85 a gallon for the first time as the six-month war with Iran disrupted the world’s flow of fuel. It has gone even higher since then, going for an average price of $6.05 a gallon on Friday, according to AAA.