Place a chunk of the clear mineral Iceland spar on top of an image and suddenly you'll see double, thanks to a phenomenon called double refraction—a result of a quality of the crystal material called optical anisotropy. ...
Optics & Photonics
Jun 19, 2018
2
208
A new study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences says we are dramatically underestimating the role inland fisheries play in global food security.
Ecology
Jun 18, 2018
0
57
On June 6, 2018, the Center for Limnology reported that a toxic algae bloom had begun to spread across Lake Mendota. It quickly led to the closure of beaches around Madison's largest lake.
Environment
Jun 12, 2018
0
6
Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin—the world's first natural antibiotic—is famously told as a story of serendipity: a petri dish growing bacteria was contaminated by mold, which secreted a substance to keep bacteria ...
Biochemistry
Jun 7, 2018
0
31
For anyone who has ever wished there were more hours in the day, geoscientists have some good news: Days on Earth are getting longer.
Earth Sciences
Jun 4, 2018
11
378
Who would guess that cracking the mystery of how infinitesimally small atoms arrange themselves at the edges of crystals in advanced materials could be as simple as one, two, three?
Nanophysics
Jun 4, 2018
1
172
It's a common assumption: Bats are important because they feast upon those pervasive warm-weather pests known as mosquitoes. You want to see bats flying above, cleaning up the night sky and ridding you of itchy bites and ...
Plants & Animals
May 23, 2018
0
407
Potentially paving the way toward advanced computers, lasers or optical devices, University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have revealed new effects in tiny electronic devices called quantum dots.
Nanophysics
May 22, 2018
0
59
The soil supporting a field of crops teems with life. Untold numbers of bacteria and fungi strive for space and food. Most are harmless. Many are vital to creating healthy soil. But farmers worry about a handful of species ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 22, 2018
1
192
On a grassy runway just outside of Madison, Grant Petty makes the final checks on his skeleton-framed airplane. Once ready, he hits the throttle and lurches forward. After a few 100 feet, the ultralight aircraft is airborne ...
Engineering
May 17, 2018
0
4
