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U. of I. helps educate Chicago area boaters, shoreline residents on invasive species

by Rosalind EssigAug 27, 2025 10:15 am

The new outreach is focused on kayaks, standup paddle boards, and canoes — a shift from past prevention efforts focused on motorized boats like cleaning motors and propellers, said Prairie Reseach Institute researcher Katherine O’Reilly.
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New book details the precarious financial lives of US bankruptcy filers

by Phil CicioraAug 19, 2025 3:30 pm

'Debt’s Grip: Risk and Consumer Bankruptcy' shows 'what it means to live in a state of financial precarity, where household finances are fragile, and where one small expense can blow up everything,' said author and law professor Robert Lawless.
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U. of I.'s new Wymer Hall welcomes its first students

by Champaign News-GazetteAug 27, 2025 10:00 am

News-Gazette (Aug. 26) Just past two years since groundbreaking, Steven S. Wymer Hall is open for business — business classes, that is. Students filled the space Monday for their first day of fall courses.
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Mandatory media literacy education in Illinois schools impaired by digital divides

by Sharita ForrestAug 20, 2025 10:30 am

Teachers and high school students live in vastly different media worlds, and that’s one of several digital divides that undermine the efficacy of state-mandated media literacy instruction in high schools, a recent study suggests.
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New ads highlight's Big Ten's contributions to improving lives, communities

by Katie WatsonAug 27, 2025 9:30 am

Big Ten universities make a huge impact in communities across the country, making America healthier, safer and more prosperous through discoveries like healthcare solutions to innovations that drive economic growth.
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Almuna leaves her legacy to preserve U. of I.'s beloved round barns

by Eric WilsonAug 26, 2025 11:30 am

'The round barns stand as monuments to the state’s agricultural foundation and the university’s many contributions to that industry. (Leah Wightman's estate) gift will allow us to preserve these structures and restore them...'
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Alumna finds solace in writing a book about the women who shaped Lincoln

by Maggie KnutteAug 20, 2025 10:15 am

Alumna Stacy Lynn has spent nearly 30 years studying Abraham Lincoln and shares the story of the women who helped shape the 16th president into the person we know from history.
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Paper: Decarbonize agriculture by expanding policies aimed at low-carbon biofuels

by Diana YatesAug 14, 2025 1:30 pm

U. of I. researchers propose policies that would reward farmers for adopting 'climate-smart' practices when growing biofuel crops and remove the hurdles that currently thwart such efforts.
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Professor’s book examines how doctors in history established what was 'normal'

by Maggie KnutteAug 26, 2025 10:45 am

Stephanie Hilger's book considers how 18th century European medical doctors shaped perceptions of 'hermaphrodites' - people who were deemed to have non-normative sexual genitalia - through case histories.
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Illini Football opens season against Western Illinois on Friday night

by Division of Intercollegiate AthleticsAug 26, 2025 10:45 am

Illinois is ranked #12 in the Preseason AP Top 25 and the Preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, the program's highest preseason ranking since 1990, when the Illini started #11 in the Preseason AP Top 25.
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Get to know Chancellor Charles Isbell

by Strategic Communications and MarketingAug 25, 2025 4:00 pm

Begin the new academic year by getting to know Chancellor Charles Isbell through this short video.
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A.I. paranoia: People are skipping metaphors, leaving in typos to prove they're human

by SlateAug 25, 2025 10:45 am

Slate (Aug. 20) Describing his oversensitive 'AI radar,' professor John Gallagher says he had found himself convinced an academic article had been penned by AI — before realizing that it was published in 2019, predating the ChatGPT boom.
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U. of I. appoints Matthew Vann to lead Illinois Extension

by Bridget Lee-CalfasAug 18, 2025 1:00 pm

Dr. Vann 'is a leader with a clear vision and deep commitment to the mission of Cooperative Extension,' said College of ACES Dean Germán Bollero. 'He brings the experience, resolve, and collaborative spirit we need in this moment.'
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Kidney fibrosis linked to molecule made by gut bacteria

by Liz Ahlberg TouchstoneAug 25, 2025 10:30 am

A molecule made by bacteria in the gut can travel to the kidneys, where it sets off a chain reaction of inflammation, scarring and fibrosis — a serious complication of diabetes and a leading cause of kidney failure. A new antibody can counter it.
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Study: Illinois pre-apprenticeship programs boost women, minorities in construction

by Chicago Sun-TimesAug 21, 2025 2:45 pm

Chicago Sun-Times (Aug. 20) 'As America invests in new infrastructure, energy systems and advanced manufacturing, the ability to more readily access new pockets of workforce candidates has never been more critical,' said labor expert Robert Bruno.
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Friday night football parking advisory

by Division of Intercollegiate AthleticsAug 21, 2025 2:00 pm

The Illini host Western Illinois on Friday night at Memorial Stadium, and there are several updates to parking and tailgating. The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT.
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Climate change is coming for your bananas

by TIMEAug 20, 2025 10:30 am

Time (Aug. 18) Hotter days caused by climate change are reducing yields. 'Very hot days … even for small amounts of time during the entire growing season, can cause large losses in the yield you get from a given plot of land,' says Professor Andrew Hultgren.
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New study reveals nitrous oxide misuse deaths are steeply increasing

by Ethan SimmonsJul 31, 2025 10:30 am

U. of I. research shows an alarming rise in fatalities associated with nitrous oxide (aka laughing gas or whippets) in the last decade, potentially driven by efforts to mass-market products to a new generation.
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U. of I. team updates state threatened, endangered plant species rankings

by Diana YatesAug 13, 2025 8:45 am

A total of 257 species were listed both in 1987 and 2023, but their rankings improved, with a decrease in the number of the most imperiled species from 228 to 152. Only three species were found to be more imperiled than in 1987.
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The new ChatGPT has some AI fans rethinking when to expect ‘superintelligence’

by Washington PostAug 18, 2025 4:30 pm

The Washington Post (Aug. 17) U. of I. doctoral student Sumuk Shashidhar, who'ss worked with AI companies, says many in the industry appeared to have misjudged what OpenAI would deliver. 'It doesn’t feel like the needle has moved much for the average user.'.
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Can nuclear energy be produced on the moon?

by Maeve ReillyAug 6, 2025 4:30 pm

Professor Katy Huff, formerly the assistant secretary for nuclear energy at the U.S. Department of Energy talks about the technical, logistical and policy challenges NASA’s effort entails.
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2025 Move-In Week is August 17 - 24. Welcome, new Illini!

by University HousingAug 14, 2025 11:00 am

This is where to find details on Move-in Week, from signing up for a time slot to how to get your i-card.
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Dick Butkus’ legacy lives on at U. of I. through unique partnership

by WCIA-TVAug 15, 2025 9:45 am

WCIA-TV (Aug. 13) The Butkus foundation and Carle Illinois College of Medicine have teamed up to offer life-saving cardiovascular screenings — but they also plan to improve them.
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Every box turtle has a story: Program explores 20 years of wildlife research

by Emily SteeleAug 6, 2025 10:45 am

Long-lived box turtles are omnivorous and use both land and water ecosystems, which makes them a good indicator of how strong the overall ecosystem is. Join this free webinar, 'Saving the World, One Box Turtle at a Time.'
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4D images show spacecraft heat shield damage goes below the surface

by Debra Levey LarsonJul 29, 2025 2:15 pm

Carbon fiber heat shields decompose to dissipate heat during re-entry. It was assumed this only happens on the surface, but new U. of I. research show degradation beneath the surface as well, possibly threatening the life of the vehicle.
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Illinois information sciences researchers develop AI safety testing methods

by Jodi HeckelAug 12, 2025 11:15 am

'I think AI security research needs to expand. We hope to push the research to a direction that is more practical — security evaluation and mitigation that will make differences to the real world,' said professor Haohan Wang.
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As climate change makes hail more destructive, Illinois residents pay the price

by Inside Climate NewsAug 13, 2025 8:45 am

Inside Climate News (Aug. 12) 'Hailstorms are sort of unremarkable at first take. But then collectively, we see these kinds of financial problems that come from them,' says Trent Ford, the Illinois state climatologist based at the U. of I.
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Pioneers of sport psychology have a ‘once in a lifetime’ reunion

by Ethan SimmonsAug 7, 2025 10:15 am

'All these former students, they’ve all gone on to distinguished careers. They’ve gone on to become presidents of national sport psychology organizations, and spoken all over the world. This gathering, it’s a once in a lifetime thing.'
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Illinois launches program to help African Americans trace ancestry to Africa

by Black EnterpriseAug 11, 2025 9:15 am

Black Enterprise (Aug. 7) Led by U. of I. professor LaKisha David, the Family Roots Pilot Program aims to uncover and restore family ties broken by the legacy of slavery and human trafficking.
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What happens if the EPA's landmark rule on emissions is repealed?

by Liz Ahlberg TouchstoneAug 4, 2025 9:15 am

'The reality is, there is no real science basis for its repeal. The scientific evidence is very clear that our changing climate is almost entirely due to human activities, especially from the burning of fossil fuels,' says climate change expert Don Wuebbles.
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Research: Police uses of lethal force dropped dramatically in US from 2021-23

by Phil CicioraJul 24, 2025 8:30 am

The U. of I.'s SPOTLITE dataset is the most comprehensive nationwide accounting of police uses of lethal force available today. It includes any incident in which police used a firearm, as well as any other use of force that resulted in a death.
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Brewed chicken protein made by precision fermentation shows benefits as pet food

by Sharita ForrestJul 31, 2025 8:45 am

U. of I. scientists used precision fermentation to produce brewed chicken protein and evaluated it for use in pet food. Dogs that ate it in their kibble during a six-month study had beneficial digestive effects, the researchers found.
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Invasive plant that produces severe burns, scars prompts warning

by WMAQ-TVAug 6, 2025 9:45 am

WMAQ-TV (Aug. 4) Giant hogweed secretes a clear, toxic sap, and it has been previously spotted in numerous states, including Illinois. 'It looks like Queen Anne’s lace on steroids,' according to University of Illinois Extension.
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Illini Football ranked #12 in USA TODAY preseason coaches poll

by Division of Intercollegiate AthleticsAug 4, 2025 11:45 am

The Fighting Illini begin the season in the Coaches Poll top 15 for the first time since 1990, when Illinois also checked in at #12.
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How climate change and extreme weather can hurt your health

by U.S. News and World ReportAug 4, 2025 11:30 am

U.S. News (July 30) Illinois agriculture professor Andrew Hultgren: 'A single 24-hour period at 105 degrees can reduce corn yields by over 5%. So, even short periods of extreme heat exposure can' lead to lower yields and higher prices.
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What’s missing from our understanding of Illinois history?

by Diana YatesJul 22, 2025 11:00 am

'The stories of Illinois’ people are artificially segregated between the long-term Native inhabitants and the European newcomers. This creates a vision of discontinuity and simplistic stereotypes,' says retired U. of I. archaeologist Thomas Emerson.
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Study finds differences between benign, cancerous breast calcifications

by Liz Ahlberg TouchstoneJul 22, 2025 1:15 pm

Benign and cancerous calcium phosphate deposits that look identical on a mammogram have distinct differences that could lead to new diagnostic criteria, according to U. of I. researchers and their colleagues.
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Ukrainian teachers benefit from mental health training that helps their students

by Sharita ForrestJul 25, 2025 10:45 am

Teachers in combat regions in Ukraine who engaged in a virtual mental health intervention to help their students experienced improvements in their own symptoms of depression and anxiety, a new study found.
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U. of I. history professor: Emulating Lincoln could help country get off its dysfunctional path

by Chicago Sun-TimesJul 30, 2025 8:45 am

Chicago Sun-Times (July 28) Our political dilemma isn't confined to a single issue. 'Something deeper is corroding our public life and amplifying attacks on the vulnerable. Like Lincoln, we ask, “Is this who we are?” Like him, we must answer “no.”'
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U. of I. researchers developing more realistic hearing tests to improve clinical outcomes

by Adelyn MuiJul 23, 2025 11:15 am

'Right now, clinical hearing tests can tell you someone misunderstood a sentence, but not how they misunderstood it. Our approach focuses on the types of errors people make and the conditions under which those errors occur,' said Professor Dan Fogerty.
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$15M from NSF extends Molecule Maker Lab's work to create AI tools aimed at chemistry’s challenges

by Liz Ahlberg TouchstoneJul 29, 2025 10:00 am

The NSF-funded Molecule Maker Lab Institute at Illinois is developing advanced artificial intelligence tools and pairing them with automated molecule-building systems to speed discovery,development of drugs and catalysts.
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Hotter days, higher electric bills: How climate change is impacting the Great Lakes region

by Capital B GaryJul 29, 2025 9:30 am

Capital B Gary (July 25) 'The Great Lakes region is undergoing rapid environmental change, and the science is pointing to increasingly serious impacts in the years ahead,' says U. of I. atmospheric sciences professor Donald Wuebbles.
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U. of I. researchers find deadly police shootings trend down from 2021 to 2023

by Capitol City NowJul 28, 2025 12:15 pm

Capitol City Now (July 25) 'It’s hard to know whether this decline represents some improvement in the quality of decision-making by officers... or whether this might be the result of underpolicing and withdrawal from victimized communities.'
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Trump's new AI policies keep culture war focus on tech companies

by National Public RadioJul 25, 2025 2:00 pm

NPR (July 23) 'Most of the examples I’ve seen conservatives cite of AI being too "woke" are large language models refusing to confirm conspiracy theories or racist claims,' says Illinois computer science professor Talia Ringer.
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Why is basic science support important for cancer breakthroughs?

by Liz Ahlberg TouchstoneJul 23, 2025 10:15 am

'Basic science (doesn't just) make better technology. It helps make a better society. If we focus on basic science - particularly in those areas that actually help the health of society, like cancer - I think we’ll be better off in the coming years.'
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Old school manufacturing is gone and it's never coming back

by Chicago TribuneJul 24, 2025 8:45 am

Chicago Tribune (July 22) Professor Sheldon Jacobson explains that Trump’s fixation on saving manufacturing makes for good sound bites but the U.S. economy has changed from the time when manufacturing jobs were a central part of the workforce.
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College still pays off, but wage gaps persist in Illinois, study finds

by Somer Van BentonJul 23, 2025 11:30 am

College yields higher earnings postgraduation for all Illinois students, but disparities persist among graduates from low-income families, even if they have the same college degree as peers from more affluent families.
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Beyond Bedford Falls: Social media and the new bank run

by Aaron BennettJul 14, 2025 11:30 am

Bank runs still occur, and banks still fail because of them. But they look very different from the days of George Bailey and Mr. Potter.
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Stoichiometric crystal could solve quantum memory issue

by Jeni BushmanJul 9, 2025 9:30 am

Although classical memory—like the type used to store text messages between users—is relatively simple to facilitate, quantum information can't be stored, copied, or retained in this way.
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Crucial mutant corn stocks threatened under 2026 USDA budget

by Lauren QuinnJul 14, 2025 11:00 am

Why preserve the weirdos? Because mutant genes confer some of the most important traits in modern corn hybrids. They allow us to perpetuate the wide array of genetic variation in the Midwest’s most economically important crop.
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