Illinois Featured Content

Adelia McKenzie and Genesis Bryant share a high-five during Monday's game against Canisius.

#21 Illini Women's Basketball secures road win over Canisius

Dec 3, 2024 10:30 am

No. 21 Illinois pulled out a gritty 68-55 road win over Canisius on Monday night in Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green's return to her alma mater.

Aidan Laughery reacts after scoring in the game played at Wrigley Field in Chicago

Laughery named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

Dec 3, 2024 10:30 am

Illinois running back Aidan Laughery ran for 172 yards and three touchdowns, both career-high marks, to lead Illinois to a 38-28 win over Northwestern on Saturday. He averaged over 14 yards per carry.

a deaf boy works with a notebook computer. Image Credits: ASL Aspire

U. of I. students' startup takes a game-based approach to STEM education for the deaf

Dec 2, 2024 2:45 pm

TechCrunch (Nov. 29) Working in a lab with deaf scientists, Jawed 'saw that the biggest gap in the language was in STEM. Around 10% of Americans are deaf or hard of hearing, but only around 0.1% are in STEM fields.'

Study tracks PFAS, microplastics through landfills and wastewater treatment plants

Nov 19, 2024 10:00 am

Scientists analyzed the liquid waste released by four Illinois landfills to determine the fate of two contaminants.

Communication professor Matea Mustafaj sits in front of a screen showing some of the films used in the study, including, “Hidden Figures,” “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Pawn Sacrifice” and “The Martian.” Photo by Fred Zwicky

Study: Brilliant white male characters more believable, some viewers say

Nov 22, 2024 8:45 am

Brilliant characters often play key roles in movies and TV shows. However, when they are played by women and people of color, some audience members dismiss them as unrealistic, even if they portray real people.

the researchers. Image courtesy Yang Wang and Yaman Yu

Illinois researchers examine teens’ use of generative AI, safety concerns

Dec 2, 2024 8:00 am

Professor Yang Wang and doctoral student Yaman Yu examined teens’ use of generative AI and found parents had little understanding of how their children used it and that GAI platforms offer insufficient safety protections.

Mina Raj, a professor of health and kinesiology. Photo by Fred Zwicky

How can the health care system more effectively support caregivers?

Dec 2, 2024 8:00 am

Caregivers to loved ones with aging, disability or health concerns face challenges within the healthcare system and in their personal lives, but policy and culture changes can help, said Professor Mina Raj.

happy graduates in gowns and mortar boards

Free tuition for Illinois residents. That's Illinois Commitment.

Dec 2, 2024 8:45 am

We’ll cover tuition and fees for up to four years for all qualified in-state students. That’s our mission as a land-grant institution. That’s Illinois Commitment.

Illini Volleyball team reacts to their selection to the NCAA tournament

Illini Volleyball secures NCAA Tournament berth

Dec 2, 2024 8:45 am

The Orange and Blue will face off against Northern Iowa in its tournament opener in Louisville, Ky., on Friday at 3 p.m. CT. The winner of the match will take on the victor of the Louisville and Chicago State match-up.

Illinois finishes regular season at #21 in the AP Top 25

Dec 2, 2024 8:15 am

Illinois (9-3, 6-3 B1G) won nine or more regular-season games for the eighth time in program history - the first time since 2007, when Illinois finished the regular season ranked at #15.

GAME DAY | Illinois against Northwestern at Wrigley Field

Nov 30, 2024 9:45 am

No. 22 Illinois looks to carry its momentum from its last-gasp victory over Rutgers last weekend to Wrigley Field on Saturday, when the Fighting Illini take on Northwestern in the battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy.

Paul Mescal, 'Gladiator II' and how genes affect our fitness

Nov 27, 2024 2:45 pm

USA Today (Nov. 26) 'There is some evidence for skeletal muscle "memory," or the ability for muscle to grow faster than normal due to prior training exposure,' says U. of I. professor Marni Boppart.

Political science professor Brian Gaines. Photo by Brian Stauffer (2018)

What message did voters send this election?

Nov 21, 2024 8:45 am

Although Trump made inroads with some demographics, political science professor Brian Gaines says he’s 'not confident that those swings reflect enduring changes of party loyalty rather than short-term candidate effects.'

Illinois researchers developed a nanorobotic hand made of DNA that can grab viruses for detection or inhibition. In this artist’s rendering, three “NanoGripper” hands wrap around a COVID-19 virus. Image courtesy of Xing Wang

Nanorobot hand made of DNA grabs viruses for diagnostics and blocks cell entry

Nov 27, 2024 10:30 am

U. of I. researchers created a four-fingered 'hand' folded from a single piece of DNA that can pick up the virus that causes COVID-19 for highly sensitive rapid detection and can even block viral particles from entering cells to infect them.

flags from nations around the world hang in the International Studies building on the U. of I. campus

U. of I. continues to rank among leading destinations for international students

Nov 27, 2024 9:45 am

Illinois is once again a top destination for international students, according to data from this year’s Open Doors report. The report ranks the U. of I. second in the nation among public universities for the most international students.

stock image of woman sitting with cup of coffee and a computer via Getty Images

At all costs: Caregivers need more awareness of financial risks

Nov 26, 2024 4:45 pm

Next Avenue (Nov. 26) University of Illinois Spanish and Portuguese professor Annie Abbott talks about how caregivers need to be more aware of financial risks - avoiding scams is another role caregivers may need to manage.

B1G player of the Week graphic with image of Bostic standing beside a rack of basketballs

Kendall Bostic named Big Ten Player of the Week

Nov 26, 2024 3:00 pm

The fifth-year senior led the way with 28 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, one steal per game, and zero turnovers as the Fighting Illini climbed to 5-0 after downing their third 2024 NCAA Tournament team of the season.

Men and women in 1920s-era clothing surround a 100th anniversary cake, from which springs a man

Main Library celebrates 100 years

Nov 26, 2024 12:15 pm

University Library and the U of I Foundation are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Main Library building and the dedication of the Shebik Family Reading Room.

children in an open field with the Chicago skyline in the background

MCB student launches sports program for children of Chicago's migrant families

Nov 26, 2024 10:45 am

Hannah McGee's interest in health and medicine led her to Illinois' Molecular & Cellular Biology department, and inspired her to start a free soccer program designed to offer migrant children a safe place to play and make friends.

This heat map displays in red the areas in the U.S. where atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib) are most prevalent. Image by Connor Oltman

CI MED research offers updated snapshots of AFib, anti-stroke treatment across U.S.

Nov 21, 2024 9:30 am

A study reveals more Americans than previously estimated have developed an irregular heartbeat that puts them at higher risk for stroke and death. It also shows important gaps in how atrial fibrillation is treated in the U.S.

Illini freshman Kasparas Jakucionis dribbles while surveying the floor for an outlet during the game against Little Rock on Nov. 25, 2024.

Illinois cruises to home win over Little Rock

Nov 26, 2024 9:30 am

Illinois cruised to a 92-34 victory over Little Rock at State Farm Center on Monday night in the team's final home non-conference game ahead of the start of Big Ten play.

Stock image of a Thanksgiving meal (except the turkey is replaced with a chicken). Photo: Kaboompics/Pexels

Worried about political tensions with family this Thanksgiving? Here’s some expert advice

Nov 25, 2024 1:45 pm

WILL-AM (Nov. 25) In light of the recent presidential election, politics may be unavoidable at your family Thanksging celebration. Family Studies professor Allen Barton suggests some things you can do to help keep the peace.

Illinois Football up to #22 in the AP poll following win over Rutgers

Nov 25, 2024 9:00 am

Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) is coming off a 38-31 win at Rutgers, ahead of Saturday's trip to Wrigley Field to take on Northwestern (11 a.m. CT, BTN).

graphic promoting the basketball game on Monday, November 25, 2024 features sophomore Jake Davis

Illini Men's Basketball hosts Little Rock tonight

Nov 22, 2024 10:45 am

No. 25 Illinois (4-1) continues a stretch of what will be four games in nine days across three different cities, hosting Little Rock Monday night at State Farm Center (8 p.m. BTN).

wrestlers face off in a meet held in a parking lot tent

No. 12 Illinois Wrestling upsets No. 6 Missouri, improves to 4-0

Nov 22, 2024 9:15 am

The No. 12 Illinois wrestling team won their home opening dual over No. 6 Missouri, 23-14, on Thursday, improving to 4-0 for the first time since the 2020-21 season.

Rudy Giuliani in a still from a CBS News story on his filing for bankruptcy

Personal bankruptcies are on the rise. When does it make sense to file?

Nov 22, 2024 9:00 am

CBS News (Nov. 20) Professor Robert Lawless says most people struggle with debt for years before seeking help. 'People misunderstand bankruptcy and wait too long to see a bankruptcy lawyer. Most people would benefit by going earlier.'

Illinois Extension director Shelly Nickols-Richardson. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer (2019)

Why does the state need Illinois Extension?

Nov 18, 2024 10:00 am

U. of I. Extension serves the state by focusing on food and agriculture, as well as the economic, community, environmental and health sectors. Its director discusses how Extension tackles so many issues at once.

Study: Community Notes on X could be key to curbing misinformation

Nov 21, 2024 11:15 am

A crowdsourced fact-checking tool on X encourages users to voluntarily retract misinformation, which could balance the need to curb false information while respecting free speech, and as a transparent alternative to traditional fact-checking.

Bioengineering professors pioneer new methods in microscope technology

Nov 13, 2024 9:45 am

The Omni-Mesoscope has the ability to see many cells with clarity. 'The system captures a large number of images like Google Earth, examining the details of sub-cellular structure within each cell across large areas.'

Six Illinois scientists rank among world's most influential

Nov 19, 2024 9:00 am

Highly cited researchers this year at Illinois are Ed Deiner, Brent Roberts, Atul Jain, Axel Hoffmann, Stephen Long and Kaiyu Guan.

ACES’ financial planning program ranks among top nine nationally

Nov 18, 2024 3:00 pm

U. of I. has been named one of the nine colleges with the best financial planning programs by WealthManagement.com, a distinction that highlights the program’s ability to prepare students for successful careers as financial advisors.

Study reveals advantages of informative brand names

Nov 15, 2024 11:45 am

By clearly communicating a product's purpose, informative names can significantly boost a product's visibility and success, suggesting that businesses can benefit from adopting descriptive names to gain a competitive edge.

Illini Kylan Boswell dribbles against defenders as he looks for an outlet

Illini's second half comeback falls short against to Alabama

Nov 21, 2024 8:45 am

After trailing by as many as 18, the Illini (3-1) cut their deficit to eight points with 3:32 remaining, but the comeback ultimately fell short in the Orange and Blue's first loss of the season.

Future proofing photosynthesis

Nov 20, 2024 2:00 pm

C&EN (Nov. 18) Integrative biology professor Stephen Long admits that success in increasing photosynthetic efficiency is a long shot, but one upon which the future of the planet depends.

Third-largest crowd in program history sees No. 22 women's hoops team win on Field Trip Day

Nov 19, 2024 9:45 am

A crowd of 13,486 fans filled the stands Monday at the State Farm Center to watch the Illini post a dominant 69-point victory over the visiting Dolphins.

Image of history professor Marc Hertzman beside the cover of his new book, “After Palmares: Diaspora, Inheritance, and the Afterlives of Zumbi.” Credit: Courtesy Marc Hertzman

New book looks at Brazil’s longest-lasting maroon society, its influence today

Nov 8, 2024 11:30 am

History professor Marc Hertzman examines the longest-lasting society formed by people who escaped slavery and their descendants in Brazil and how its memory shapes concepts of Black resistance and national identity today.

joyous Illini football players leap and 'high-five' each other

Illinois Football back in AP Top 25 following victory over Michigan State

Nov 17, 2024 2:30 pm

The Illinois football team is ranked #24 in this week's AP Top 25. The Illini's eight AP Poll appearances are the program's most since 2001, when the Illini appeared in 10 polls.

Adalia McKenzie, arms raised in celebration of a score, receives a hug from Kendall Bostic

Fast start, dominant defense carry ranked Illini past EIU

Nov 15, 2024 8:15 am

No. 23-ranked Fighting Illini Women's Basketball continued its strong start to the season with a dominant 84-37 win over Eastern Illinois at State Farm Center on Thursday night.

Proofessor Matt Stasiewicz. Photo by Fred Zwicky

How are outbreaks of foodborne illness found and fixed?

Nov 11, 2024 10:45 am

The outbreak of e-coli linked to onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers is just the latest of many recent cases. Food Science professor Matt Stasiewicz talks about how outbreaks happen, how they are traced and stopped.

stock photo shows pills and syringe in front of dumbells. (Photo/Shutterstock)

No banned substances: ‘Enhanced Games’ aim to push physical limits to extremes

Nov 14, 2024 3:00 pm

Gear Junkie (Nov. 13) 'An assumption of the Enhanced Games is that if athletes have unrestricted drug use, it will lead to world-record performances. It won’t be that simple,' said Illinois professor Julian Woolf.

Join us for these International Education Week events, Nov. 18-22

Nov 14, 2024 10:30 am

International Education Week at the Illinois aims to raise awareness about the breadth of international education activities and resources available in our community.

Are AI chatbots safe for children? Experts weigh in after teen's suicide

Nov 14, 2024 9:00 am

Newsweek (Nov. 13) 'It's important to recognize that chatbots are not mere ... glorified autocompletes but instead are closer to having real minds with beliefs and perhaps even desires about the world,' writes U of I's Ben Levinstein.

Zuppke Field in Memorial Stadium on a game day.

Illinois hosts Michigan State to finish home schedule

Nov 13, 2024 4:30 pm

Illinois is back at home on Saturday, Nov. 16 to take on Michigan State for the final home game of the Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary season. The Senior Day kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT on FS1.

a hand uses a computer touch screen to analyze data on hand gestures

Thinking hands: How gesturing can help us understand difficult concepts

Nov 6, 2024 9:30 am

Hand gestures are a common, natural part of human communication. And if you’ve ever seen someone gesturing when on a cell phone or when trying to solve a geometry problem, you know that gestures also help us think.

sociology professor Jose Atiles. Photo by Fred Zwicky

New book examines the impact of colonialism on Puerto Rico

Nov 7, 2024 8:45 am

Professor Jose Atiles' book suggests the Puerto Rican and U.S. governments exacerbated crises such as hurricanes, COVID-19, and spiraling public debt through socioeconomic, legal and racialized conditions they created.

graphic promoting the basketball game between Illinois and Oakland on 11/13/2024. Features sophomore Tomislav Ivisic

Illini Men's Basketball closes homestand tonight vs. Oakland

Nov 13, 2024 9:30 am

Illinois (2-0) hosts the final contest of a three-game, season-opening homestand on Wednesday night, welcoming Oakland (1-1) to State Farm Center (8 p.m. CT/BTN) for the second straight season.

computer graphics show octopus arm musculature wrapped around objects

A new milestone in the study of octopus arms

Nov 13, 2024 9:30 am

The new model is a milestone both in biology, where it helps explain the octopus’s impressive capability, and engineering. 'The computational model is a useful testbed for roboticists to test their algorithms,' Professor Prashant Mehta said.

Students in the Concept Art for Video Games class, led by Michael Curtin, front center, show off some of their work. Lily Choi created the background environmental image, and Nia Brass created the character whose image is shown on the right. Photo by Fred Zwicky

‘World building’ in a video games class

Nov 12, 2024 11:15 am

Students are searching the INHS insect collection for inspiration as they create creatures for a swampy alien planet. The students are designing characters and an environment for a Concept Art for Video Games class offered through Illinois Informatics

Riley named Big Ten Freshman of the Week

Nov 12, 2024 10:45 am

Illini forward Will Riley is the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award after breaking the team's freshman debut scoring record last Monday, scoring 31 points on 10-for-13 shooting, including 5-for-6 on 3-pointers and 6-of-7 free throws.

uncredited graphic shows image of a padlock surrounded by digital, computer looking stuff

Quantum computing threatens cybersecurity: Are we prepared?

Nov 11, 2024 1:45 pm

SciTechDaily (Nov. 10) 'The problem is urgent because practical quantum computers will break classical encryption in the next decade,' says Phuong Cao, a cybersecurity researcher at the U. of I.

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