blog posts Solar farms could double as pollinator food supplies Jun 9, 2021 10:00 am Ars Technica (Boston, June 8) – A team of researchers looked at pairing solar energy production with pollinator habitats. Why is the Village of Franklin Park putting beehives atop its municipal building? Jun 16, 2021 11:00 am Chicago Tribune (June 15) 'There is a lack of habitat and there are many insecticides out there that are toxic to bees,' says Richard Hentschel, a U. of I. Extension horticulture educator. Working, post-COVID: Hybrid workforce may not be the panacea after all Jun 17, 2021 10:30 am Forbes (June 17) A consensus seems to be coalescing around a greater mixture of home- and office-based work. A U. of I. study found that having control over the work-life boundary can buffer the spikes in stress often caused by work-life balance issues. The most effective way to thank your significant other Jun 21, 2021 3:00 pm The Atlantic (June 21) 'We tend to overestimate our efforts (in) a relationship and under-estimate the amount of work our partner is contributing,' says U of I's Allen Barton. His research found that showing gratitude was highly linked to marital quality. U. of I. requires vaccinations for all students returning to campuses this fall Jun 22, 2021 3:15 pm Chicago Sun-Times (June 21) U of I has been praised for its stringent COVID-19 protocols that led to no hospitalizations or deaths on the Urbana-Champaign campus in the fall with a positivity rate below 1%. Downward U.S. jobless claims trend stalls out Jun 24, 2021 10:00 am The Wall Street Journal (June 24) 'We have reallocation happening, where most of the people who are coming back to work are searching for a new employer, potentially changing occupation or industry. That process is a lot slower,' says Eliza Forsythe. How to save Major League Baseball from itself Jun 25, 2021 9:00 am South Side Sox (June 25) Illinois professor Alan Nathan, the world’s foremost authority on the physics of baseball, discusses spin and goo gunk, the characteristics of the baseball and his ideas for meaningful, fun metrics. The red-hot Illinois real estate market is showing no signs of slowing down Jun 28, 2021 9:45 am The Center Square (June 25) 'It is going to take a while before we see a significant contribution from new construction to add to the inventory and therefore reduce some of the pressure,' U of I Professor Geoffrey Hewings says. Illinois college athletes can now hire agents, sign endorsement deals Jun 30, 2021 11:30 am Chicago Tribune (June 29) '(Name, image and likeness) legislation represents the most dramatic, meaningful change to come to the collegiate model since the adoption of athletic scholarships back in the early 1950s,' U of I Athletic Director Josh Whitman said. Black and Latinx hairdressers exposed to high levels of phthalates Jul 1, 2021 11:15 am Environmental Health News (July 1) 'It's really concerning because a lot of hairdressers are reproductive-age women, and there's lots of research out there to suggest that there are risks from prenatal exposure to phthalates,' says Professor Susan Schantz. In fossilized dinosaur poop, scientists find hidden treasure Jul 7, 2021 8:30 am CNN (July 2) 'Insect fossils of this type, preserved in three-dimensions like this, are practically unheard of from the Triassic (period), so this discovery is very important,' says Sam Heads, director of the Center for Paleontology at the U. of I. How to make cities more livable? Selectively remove pavement Jul 8, 2021 11:30 am Next City (July 8) Professor Mary Pat McGuire writes that roads and parking lots take up about 30% of city surface. It pollutes waterways through rapid run-off, contributes to flooding, and raises temperatures through the urban heat island effect. COVID-19 infections are rising again in parts of Illinois. Here’s where and why. Jul 9, 2021 11:15 am Chicago Tribune (July 8) 'If you wanted to evolve the virus to be as dangerous as possible, the perfect situation would be to have a large unvaccinated population together with a vaccinated population,' says physics professor Nigel Goldenfeld. Professor's new book: Chasing subscription dollars is bad for journalism Jul 12, 2021 1:30 pm CNN Business (July 9) With media outlets chasing subscription dollars over advertising dollars, content and coverage skews toward affluent and urban customers who are willing to pay. 2022 will be a year of change in Illinois politics Jul 13, 2021 3:00 pm WTAX-FM (July 12) Delaying Illinois' primary to June 28 will allow for Census-delayed congressional map. Professor Brian Gaines says the new date won't really benefit any candidate. But the map, drawn by Democrats, are a different story. With droughts escalating, scientists look to CRISPR gene editing Jul 16, 2021 9:45 am Genetic Literacy Project (July 15) Led by U of I Professor Stephen Long, researchers have found that by altering the expression of a single gene, they can produce a model crop that uses water 25% more efficiently with no loss of yield. Influential US climate report moves ahead — under new leadership Jul 19, 2021 4:45 pm Nature (July 16) The fact that the fifth U.S. National Climate Assessment is finally under way comes as a welcome relief to many scientists. 'We’re behind and we need to get to work,' says U of I's Donald Wuebbles, a lead author on the 2018 report. Heavy June rain brings late emergence of mosquitoes in Illinois Jul 20, 2021 11:15 am The Center Square (July 19) 'When you have a very heavy rainfall event like we have seen here in Illinois over the past couple of weeks, it’s not unusual that after that you would see large numbers of mosquitos,' says U of I's Chris Stone. New COVID-19 guidance calls for all Illinois college students to be vaccinated Jul 21, 2021 3:15 pm Chicago Tribune (July 20) U. of I. spokesperson Robin Kaler says masks were required during summer school, but will be optional in the fall for those vaccinated. 'Science is showing us that vaccines are the best way to protect our students.' Illini runner helping change how IHSA athletes will look in competition Jul 22, 2021 11:00 am WMBD-TV (Peoria, Ill., July 21) Ayah Aldadah testified before the Illinois House of Representatives in support of a law that will allow high school athletes to compete in hijabs and extra layers due to their religious beliefs. The radical notion of a 4-day workweek Jul 26, 2021 11:00 am Chicago Sun-Times (July 26) U. of I. labor expert Robert Bruno says, rather than defaulting to the traditional 8-hour/day schedule, employers should ask, how much work time is required for employees to earn their salary? Thousands believe TikTok joke about dinosaur bones found on Illinois farm Jul 28, 2021 10:30 am Chicago Tribune (July 28) Not a single dinosaur fossil has ever been found in Illinois, but paleontologist Joe Devera says he takes calls weekly claiming discovered dino-fossils. 'I told him it was a cow. He said no, he knows, he’s a doctor...' Do meal kits reduce food waste? USDA interviews U of I's Brenna Ellison Jul 29, 2021 11:15 am U.S. Department of Agriculture (July 28) Meal kits became more popular during the pandemic, as many households opted for food delivery to help maintain social distancing. Professor Ellison has studied their efficiency. Combining 3 ways to measure brain function offers new insight into working mind Jul 30, 2021 10:45 am Physics World (July 30) U. of I. psychology researchers have developed a novel trimodal brain-imaging system incorporating electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging and event-related optical signal imaging. You Anon: Reconsidering what it means to 'be yourself' online Aug 2, 2021 11:30 am New York Times (July 31) Prof. Emily van Duyn recently embedded with a group of progressive women in rural Texas. 'There’s a lack of anonymity in their community,' she says, so the group turned to discreet digital organizing. Native Americans are targets of voter suppression too Aug 3, 2021 12:30 pm The Hill (July 27) Frederick Hoxie, a professor emeritus of history, law and American Indian studies at the U. of I., and two co-authors write about the history of Native American voter suppression. Plucky birds caught on video while yanking hair from live animals Aug 4, 2021 11:45 am Live Science (Aug. 4) The inspiration for a study of birds that pluck hair off of living animals to line their nests came when a U of I researcher saw a tufted titmouse standing on a raccoon’s back, plucking its hair. 'My curiosity was piqued.' Gov. Pritzker makes U of I's saliva test available to all schools outside Chicago Aug 5, 2021 10:30 am Chicago Tribune (Aug. 4) Test developed at U of I gives rapid results and is part of the Governor's efforts to slow the spread of the delta variant, which is reponsible for a tenfold rise in COVID-19 cases, largely among young adults and children. Sneaky thieves steal hair from foxes, raccoons, dogs - even you Aug 9, 2021 10:30 am The New York Times (Aug. 6) 'This is just another example of something that was overlooked in the scientific literature but was common knowledge in the bird-watching and bird-feeding community,' says study co-author Henry Pollock. Stark warning in new climate change report: It's here globally, locally Aug 10, 2021 10:30 am Chicago Tribune (Aug. 9) State climatologist Trent Ford says past reports indicated what was coming. 'This report had the feel of this is happening ...and we are going to continue to be in a mess of trouble irrespective of what we do.' People tend to overestimate or underestimate COVID risk Aug 12, 2021 11:15 am The Conversation (Aug. 12) Professor Sheldon Jacobson writes that emotion is a big part of how you assess risk - and why it's so hard to be objective about pandemic precautions. Drifting smoke from megafires hurts economies far beyond their flames Aug 13, 2021 11:45 am CBS News (Aug. 12) 'The fact that we find (wildfire smoke) effects on employment suggests that (those effects) are triggering people to leave their jobs or get fired. That’s a big deal,. says U of I economics professor Mark Borgschulte. When it comes to innovation, this researcher is all ears Aug 16, 2021 9:30 am NIH Newsroom (Aug. 13) Stephen Boppart's quest to develop better ways to diagnose, treat, and monitor middle ear infections is built on finding ways to detect and eradicate biofilms. Should parents stock up on at-home COVID tests? Aug 18, 2021 10:00 am Slate (Aug. 17) U of I virologist Christopher Brooke says the OTC tests should be repeated. 'If someone takes two or three tests in the week after an exposure and remains negative, that is more convincing than if that person just takes a single test.' Fight for fair election maps may be delayed but remains alive Aug 19, 2021 12:00 pm Daily Herald (Aug. 18) U of I professors Sheldon Jacobson and Douglas M. King used computational redistricting to produce many congressional maps. Each one features less potential for selfish interference than Illinois’ current system. U of I's COVID testing program was a success; officials still wary of delta variant Aug 23, 2021 10:45 am The New York Times (Aug. 22) 'We’re still taking some of the same precautions, just to be on the safe side,' Chancellor Robert Jones said. 'If the data and if the science says something different, we will turn on a dime. Absolutely.' Gov. Pritzker praises U of I for quick COVID innovation Aug 24, 2021 11:15 am Chicago Tribune (Aug. 23) 'During what may be the greatest crisis of our time, leaders at the U of I accomplished miracles - a demonstration of excellence, ingenuity and of how this university shines a light on the greatness of our state.' U of I student's wood alternative made from kombucha brewing waste Aug 25, 2021 12:30 pm Fast Company (Aug. 25) A material called Pyrus is the winner of this year’s national James Dyson Award. Sustainable Design student Gabe Tavas's goal was to design products that would have a minimal impact on the planet. Minus is the anti-Twitter that grants you 100 posts for life Aug 26, 2021 11:15 am Input (Aug. 25) 'How disorienting will it be to try and use a social media platform that doesn’t try and induce endless engagement from your every waking second?' asks professor Ben Grosser. 'What will you say...when freed from infinite demand?' For students and professors, an unusual return to campus Aug 30, 2021 12:45 pm WBEZ-FM (Aug. 28) Nancy Latham's lecture, 'Freshman year is not grade 13,' helps students understand that the ways they succeeded in high school may not work in college. But adapting to college this year may be more challenging. Texas abortion ban opens up 'Wild West' of enforcement, critics say Sep 2, 2021 11:30 am Reuters (Sept. 2) A risky way to challenge the law is to continue to provide abortions after six weeks, thereby inviting a lawsuit, and then argue that the law is unconstitutional, says Vikram Amar, the dean of the U. of I. College of Law. How to make the most of online courses to boost your career Sep 7, 2021 1:45 pm Wired (Sept. 7) 'The pandemic has helped popularize...online education globally,' says U of I Professor Aric Rindfleisch. His Coursera course, Marketing in a Digital World, has enrolled more than 500,000 people from 170 countries. Three colleges explain how they raised enrollments of low-income students Sep 8, 2021 11:30 am Chronicle of Higher Education (Sept. 8) Informing students there’s financial support to enroll can make a big difference. U. of I. does that with its Illinois Commitment: “Four Years. Free Tuition” to in-state students when family income is under $67,000. TV's scariest setting right now? The wellness retreat Sep 9, 2021 11:45 am Yahoo (Sept. 8) 'In horror, there is always a safe space that one is trying to get to – like a cabin in the woods or a small town,' says U of I horror-genre expert Jim Hansen. 'Then, it’s always revealed as the most unsafe space.' Beyond CA Gov's recall vote: Case for legislative reform instead of judicial intervention Sep 10, 2021 12:15 pm Verdict (Sept. 10) 'It is pretty clear that courts aren’t going to insert themselves...into the California gubernatorial recall process. But that doesn’t mean the process shouldn’t be reformed,' writes College of Law Dean Vikram Amar. Things to look for in college career services Sep 16, 2021 9:15 am U.S. News & World Report (Sept. 14) At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Life + Career Design Lab encourages students to develop professional goals and find internships. The people who never could work from home during the pandemic Sep 22, 2021 12:00 pm The New York Times (Sept. 22) U of I economist Eliza Forsythe: 'All of these types of jobs where you’re not sitting at a computer – that’s what’s really been the backbone for allowing the rest of the economy to go remote.' Ilini football player, music major who became Broadway's Li'l Abner has passed Sep 23, 2021 1:15 pm Deadline (Sept. 22) Peter Palmer, who majored in music while playing football at the U. of I. in the early 1950s and routinely performed the national anthem at games, was cast as Broadway’s naïve, muscle-bound hero of Dogpatch. U.S. farm belt revival prompts mad dash for ‘dirt and iron’ Sep 27, 2021 11:45 am The Wall Street Journal (Sept. 26) 'It’s like the Wild West out there right now,' says U of I ag economist Scott Irwin, as higher corn and soybean prices send farmers searching for additional land to cultivate. Parasitic fungus could be a natural weapon against non-native crustaceans Sep 28, 2021 11:00 am National Geographic (Sept. 27) About seven years ago, U. of I. ecologist Eric Larson began noticing a decline in the number of invasive crayfish in a northern Wisconsin lake. What he found could be a rare, effective tool in fighting the tricky invaders.