blog posts Lynne M. Thomas named new director of Illinois' Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Jul 26, 2017 2:00 pm U.S. News & World Report (July 25) It is a homecoming of sorts for the new head of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at the U of I What are Nobel laureates buzzing about? Chemist's automated chemical synthesis machine Jul 27, 2017 9:15 am Chemical & Engineering News (July 26) — The usefulness of automated chemical synthesis machines, such as the one reported in 2015 by Illinois researcher Martin D. Burke, sparked debate recently among Nobel laureates on stage and young scientists in Lindau, Germany. More evidence that aerobic exercise is the closest thing we have to a miracle drug Jul 31, 2017 11:45 am 'The message for cancer patients and survivors is, get active!' says Illinois professor of exercise psychology Diane Ehlers Scientists concerned EPA chief will kill a new report on the state of climate change science Aug 2, 2017 3:00 pm Nature (Aug. 1) 'We can’t allow science to be held hostage,' says Illinois researcher Don Wuebbles. 'I’m hopeful it won’t get to that, because it would look really bad for the administration to fight this.' Bees are buzzing back from colony collapse Aug 4, 2017 10:45 am KTIC-AM (Aug. 3) As beekeepers have worked to improve hive conditions, the syndrome of colony collapse disorder has waned as a concern, says Illinois professor May Berenbaum Gardening apps are supplanting manuals, textbooks as the way people dig for information Aug 8, 2017 11:00 am San Francisco Chronicle (Aug. 8) 'Extension apps provide reliable, research-based information,' says Christopher Enroth, an Illinois Extension educator who evaluates gardening apps Researchers use gradient light interference microscopy to create 3-D image of embryo Aug 9, 2017 4:00 pm “One of the holy grails of embryology is finding a way to determine which embryos are most viable,” says Illinois professor of animal sciences and bioengineering Mathew Wheeler Unlike a trial jury determines guilt. A grand jury is a gatekeeper for issuing indictments Aug 11, 2017 2:45 pm PolitiFact (Aug. 10) In modern practice, the grand jury is a potent investigative tool for prosecutors, says Illinois law professor Andrew Leipold To feed the world, Illinois scientists work to improve photosynthesis Aug 14, 2017 1:45 pm MIT Technology Review (Aug. 14) By reworking the basic metabolism of crops, plant scientists at Illinois hope to forestall devastating food shortages. Illinois introduces new device that turns your smartphone into a medical lab Aug 15, 2017 11:00 am Futurism (Aug. 14) It connects to smartphones and serves as a mobile lab. The inexpensive, versatile device will bring medical access to areas that cannot support a traditional lab. Researchers using 3-D modeling to grow virtual plants could help farmers boost crop yields Aug 18, 2017 2:00 pm Scientific American (Aug. 18) A digital sugarcane, described earlier this year by researchers at Illinois, illustrates how crops 'in silico' might aid farmers Digital models of underwater robots show energy-efficient swimming Aug 21, 2017 3:30 pm New Scientist (Aug. 21) A new digital model of how fish are able to propel themselves forward without expending much energy may help create energy-efficient robots that swim just like the real thing. Diet rich in lutein, found in kale, spinach, eggs, could protect your brain from aging Aug 22, 2017 4:00 pm MSN (Aug. 22) Illinois researchers found that older people who had higher levels of lutein were more likely to match the cognitive pace of their younger counterparts who had lower levels of lutein. In releasing water from Houston dams, Army Corps picks least bad option Aug 29, 2017 11:15 am Wall Street Journal (Aug. 28) Water that tops earthen dams will quickly erode the soil and ruin the dams, says civil and environmental engineering professor Timothy Stark Illinois professor explains labor unions' growth in popularity Sep 6, 2017 10:30 am The Washington Post (Sept. 4) – Michael LeRoy, an Illinois labor and law professor, discusses a renewed national interest in labor unions. Researchers find biomarkers as effective at predicting sepsis as long-term monitoring Sep 8, 2017 2:00 pm United Press International (Sept. 7) –Researchers from Illinois and Carle Foundation Hospital found that five key biomarkers in blood that characterize sepsis can give physicians as much information as hours of monitoring symptoms. Illinois Tennis alum Kevin Anderson played his way to the U.S. Open finals Sep 12, 2017 10:45 am Chicago Tribune (Sept. 10) Anderson made it to the final, but lost to Rafael Nadal. Can fake news be successfully debunked? Sep 13, 2017 3:45 pm Pacific Standard (Sept. 13) Illinois psychologist Dolores Albarracin: 'Generally, some degree of correction is possible, but it’s very difficult to completely correct (misinformation).' National parks, writes an Illinois professor, are not 'isolated jewels in the American crown.' Sep 15, 2017 12:30 pm The Blue Review (Sept. 11) Political Science professor Robert Pahre writes that national parks are 'parts of cultural landscapes that extend outside each park.' Illinois researchers discovered significant atmospheric changes during the solar eclipse Sep 18, 2017 12:30 pm WCBU-FM (Sept. 15) An Illinois State Water Survey team documented weather during the eclipse at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center Gov. Bruce Rauner has wrapped up a nine-day trade mission to China Sep 19, 2017 12:45 pm The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus (Sept. 17) While there, Rauner signed an agreement that will send Illinois students to China to work on sustainable energy technologies Future farmers will benefit from Gates Foundation-funded research at Illinois Sep 21, 2017 2:45 pm Illinois Farmer Today (Sept. 20) – It might be a decade from now, but soybean growers could benefit directly from the $45 million reinvestment supporting photosynthesis research at Illinois Alum, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan locked arms with players Sunday Sep 25, 2017 1:15 pm Washington Post (Sept. 24) It was believed to be the first time an NFL owner had taken such a public stand on the side of his players during a national anthem demonstration New report: Large numbers of older Americans are at risk of hunger, malnourishment. Sep 26, 2017 11:45 am Deseret News (Sept. 25) The report was co-written by Illinois professor Craig Gundersen for the nonprofits Feeding America and the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger. Sen. Dick Durbin has reintroduced a bill that would make college textbooks free Sep 27, 2017 11:00 am The Daily Northwestern (Sept. 27) At Illinois and the University of Minnesota, professors have already published free online textbooks that would have cost students roughly $150 at a bookstore. Illinois alumnus Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy magazine, died Wednesday Sep 28, 2017 10:45 am Chicago Tribune (Sept. 28) At Illinois, Hefner doubled up on classes and graduated in two and a half years with a bachelor of science degree in psychology Chicago Marathon brought $282m to Chicago's economy in 2016 Sep 29, 2017 4:00 pm WMAQ-TV (Sept. 27) A study conducted by the Regional Economics Applications Lab considered the direct, indirect economic impact of the marathon Social media is full of concerns that 'margarine is one molecule away from plastic' Oct 3, 2017 12:30 pm The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Oct. 3) – This margarine myth is not backed up by science, says University of Illinois Extension educator Jenna Smith Amid the state budget stalemate, labor costs of Chicago's Metra trains rose 32 percent Oct 5, 2017 12:00 pm Chicago Tribune (Oct. 5) It's a result of underfunding infrastructure, says Illinois professor Robert Bruno. 'These public agencies are getting by with chewing gum and masking tape and a little wire' Tatyana McFadden wins eighth Chicago Marathon, breaking her own course record Oct 9, 2017 2:15 pm The victory this year was special for the Illinois alumna after missing the London Marathon and finishing fourth at Boston. She had been undefeated since 2013. Reconstructing Puerto Rico will be far more complicated than the recovery from Katrina Oct 10, 2017 12:15 pm Illinois Professor of Finance Tatyana Deryugina: 'With Puerto Rico, I would expect many of those who leave will want to return. Whether they will depends a lot on how much is rebuilt.' Players may sue if NFL punishes them for not standing during anthem Oct 11, 2017 3:00 pm New York Times (Oct. 10) 'There’s a basic fairness issue when you change a rule during the season, especially when you are getting browbeaten by the president,” says Illinois prof Michael LeRoy Nutrition scientist Sharon Donovan elected to National Academy of Medicine Oct 16, 2017 9:30 am Induction into NAM recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements and commitment to service Colleges are using sober dorms to combat alcohol and drug addiction Oct 16, 2017 12:30 pm Chicago Tribune (Oct. 13) The associate director of Illinois’ Counseling Center, says there are plans to set up a comprehensive recovery program in the next year or two First class of students at Illinois’ new medical school will get free tuition Oct 17, 2017 10:45 am State Journal-Register (Oct. 16) Carle Illinois College of Medicine has begun recruiting its first class of 32 students for fall 2018. Each will receive full four-year scholarships funded by donors White working class isn’t what you think, but does pose challenges to racial harmony Oct 19, 2017 3:30 pm The News Tribune (Oct. 18) Illinois researcher Stacy Harwood, co-authors argue that the white working class is far more diverse in its views than its stereotype. Study: Despite more coverage, mass killings not occurring more often Oct 20, 2017 12:00 pm WTTW-TV (Oct. 19) 'Because of the perception due to media, one would think there’s a growing number of these events. The conclusions do not support that statement.' 100 degrees forecast for World Series game one: How does that effect pitching? Oct 23, 2017 10:00 am The research of Illinois professor emeritus Alan Nathan indicates that a batted ball may be expected to travel an additional 3.3 feet for every 10 degrees of added temperature Rebooting the mathematics behind gerrymandering Oct 24, 2017 4:45 pm San Francisco Chronicle (Oct. 23) Mathematicians, political scientists and computing experts at Duke and Illinois are harnessing technology to address the redistricting problem Why are Canada geese overwintering in Chicago? That's where the hunters aren't Oct 25, 2017 12:30 pm Newsweek (Oct. 24) Illinois researchers found that Canada geese in Chicago had a better chance of surviving if they stayed in the city for the winter - despite the relative lack of food Biggest donation in U of I history: Alumni give $150 million to its business school Oct 26, 2017 2:15 pm Crain's Chicago Business (Oct. 26) Madison Industries founder, CEO Larry Gies and his wife, Beth Gies, both graduated from Illinois. Gov. Rauner, U of I President Killeen left Sunday for a trade and research mission to Israel Oct 30, 2017 2:15 pm State Journal-Register (Oct. 30) Killeen hopes the trip 'will build bridges for research collaborations that lead the way to progress, and exchange programs that prepare students to succeed...' This Illinois technology may revolutionize water desalination Oct 31, 2017 3:00 pm BTN (Oct. 30) Illinois researchers outline a desalination model based on modern battery technology that could slash the energy consumption, costs of treating low-salinity brackish water Illinois' review of Sears’ $15 million in tax breaks drags, company struggles to stay afloat Nov 6, 2017 2:15 pm Chicago Tribune (Nov. 3) If states are promising tax incentives, they need to set measurable benchmarks for what the state expects in return, says U of I's David Merriman Illinois postharvest loss initiative making a difference around the world Nov 7, 2017 1:00 pm World Grain (Nov. 6) some of the loss is in discarded prepared food, but more than half is lost in the supply chair between production, transportation and storage Fed Chair Janet Yellen receives Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government Nov 8, 2017 4:15 pm United Press International (Nov. 7) Yellen and her predecessor, Ben Bernanke, received the award from the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois Feds tightened oversight of surgical robot industry after lawsuits filed about older models Nov 9, 2017 10:00 am Journal News (Nob. 1) 'You can’t afford for these devices to fail or be wrong or just to stop working,' says Ravishankar Iyer, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Illinois Illinois' Plato: The greatest computer network you’ve never heard of Nov 13, 2017 1:45 pm Motherboard (Nov. 13) Some of the most popular software ever made, including Lotus Notes and Microsoft Flight Simulator, share a direct lineage with early apps built by students at Illinois GOP overhaul proposals target state and local tax deduction Nov 14, 2017 1:15 pm Omaha World-Herald (Nov. 11) Illinois' Richard Kaplan says eliminating the deduction jibes with the Republican goal (not wanting high-tax locales subsidized) and helps the proposal’s bottom line First wild alligator snapping turtle found in Illinois in 30 years discovered Nov 15, 2017 3:00 pm USA Today (Nov. 14) Illinois grad student Ethan Kessler, a co-author of the study, says the female could long be the last wild alligator snapping turtle in the state