blog posts Study: Severe drought shuts down reproduction in copperheads Oct 29, 2019 9:30 am A long-term study of copperhead snakes in a forest near Meriden, Connecticut, revealed that five consecutive years of drought effectively ended the snakes' reproductive output. Crystallization clarified, researchers report Oct 29, 2019 8:45 am New techniques allow imaging, simulation for particles that are 100 nanometers in size – 10 times smaller than before. Evidence of humans, not 'bots,' key to uncovering disinformation campaigns Oct 28, 2019 2:45 pm It’s easier to spot online political disinformation by looking for traces of the humans behind it, says an Illinois professor and his research colleagues. Drinking more water improves multitasking ability in children, study finds Oct 28, 2019 10:30 am After drinking more water for four days, 9- to 11-year-old children were more hydrated and had faster reaction times on a task-switching test, the researchers reported in The Journal of Nutrition. How Illinois scientists are perfecting the analysis of past climate change Oct 28, 2019 10:15 am Researchers can analyze isotope concentrations in the layers that coral form throughout their lives. Much like analyzing the rings of a tree, these layers give a year-by-year accounting of the state of the planet. Study tracks evolutionary history of metabolic networks Oct 28, 2019 8:45 am The study shows how metabolic networks – which drive every cellular process from protein building to DNA repair – became less random, more modular and more hierarchical over time. Fire-spawned forest fungi hide out in other organisms, study finds Oct 25, 2019 8:45 am Scientists have long argued about where, how these fungi survive, sometimes for decades, between fires. A new study finds that some hide out in the tissues of mosses and lichens. Study: Tradeoffs between commute time, safety Oct 22, 2019 2:00 pm Reserachers developed a new computer algorithm that will help city planners and others confront the issue of increased traffic congestion from rideshare services and autonomous vehicles. Potato as effective as carb gels for boosting athletic performance Oct 18, 2019 12:15 pm According to a new study of bicycle enthusiasts, potatoes make a savory alternative to sweetened commercial gels used by athletes for a quick carbohydrate boost during exercise. Paper-based technology allows reliable, low-cost sensing of iron levels in fortified foods Oct 18, 2019 10:30 am Illinois researchers have developed an affordable, reliable paper-based sensor that works with a cellphone app – also developed at U of I – to detect levels of iron in fortified food products. Researchers creating advanced autopilot to mimic 'Sully Factor' Oct 16, 2019 9:45 am With colleagues at Georgia Institute of Technology, Illinois researchers are creating an advanced autopilot to evaluate unforeseen circumstances, take the best course of action, land the plane safely. Anthropologist’s book considers culture of MBA degree, global capitalism Oct 16, 2019 9:00 am Professor Andrew Orta's book is a study of 'what MBAs learn about culture, and what that can tell us about contemporary global capitalism.' Scientists foretell fate of state’s endangered plants as climate changes Oct 14, 2019 11:30 am Plants that thrive in particular conditions are most at risk. Many rare, endangered species fall into this category. These plants have very little to no chance of adapting to or surviving in a changing climate. Prescribing oral opioids for dogs likely doesn’t help them, veterinary experts say Oct 14, 2019 9:30 am 'We have lots of good evidence that dogs respond favorably to injectable opioids, but the same is not true for the opioid tramadol when given orally,' said veterinary pain management specialist Dr. Stephanie Keating. Computational models used to predict behavior of protein complexes Oct 11, 2019 10:30 am The latest paper by Rafael Bernardi and Zaida Luthey-Schulten looks at how molecular dynamics simulations can be used to predict the behavior of protein complexes. Sweet corn growers, processors could dramatically increase yield, profit Oct 9, 2019 1:45 pm In an industry struggling to maintain profitability, it’s curious that U.S. processing of sweet corn is falling so far below its potential, according to a new study. Physics group achieves most efficient single-photon production ever Oct 4, 2019 1:30 pm With planned upgrades, the apparatus could generate upwards of 30 photons at unprecedented efficiencies. Sources of that caliber are precisely what’s needed for optical quantum information applications. Anger-prone children may benefit most from maternal sensitivity, study finds Oct 3, 2019 10:30 am Children who are prone to anger or less likely to express pleasure during everyday interactions may benefit most from caregivers who are sensitive to their emotional needs and behavioral cues. Researchers repurpose failed cancer drug into printable semiconductor Oct 3, 2019 8:45 am Illinois researchers have repurposed a failed cancer drug into a new type of organic semiconductor for use in transistors and chemical sensors. Study finds rising ozone a hidden threat to corn Oct 1, 2019 8:45 am A new study reveals genetic differences that influence how corn responds to higher concentrations of ground-level ozone. Purple martin migration behavior perplexes researchers Sep 30, 2019 2:15 pm Researchers recently discovered that purple martins are roosting in small forest patches as they migrate from North America to Brazil, an unexpected behavior. Examining climate change, land loss on Louisiana’s Houma tribe Sep 27, 2019 10:15 am Social work professor Shanondora Billiot interviewed 160 members of the United Houma Nation about the effects of climate change and land loss on their families. Illinois scientists find ways to improve cassava Sep 26, 2019 3:45 pm Illinois researchers have identified opportunities to improve cassava yields. Personalized promotion a potential 'win-win' for retailers and consumers Sep 26, 2019 10:45 am “Personalized promotion” is a potentially lucrative opportunity for retailers that also pays the additional dividend of enhancing customer satisfaction, says new Illinois research. Economics of waste reduction Sep 26, 2019 8:30 am Don Fullerton of Gies Business received a $1.3 million grant to develop ways to encourage businesses and consumers to work together to reduce waste. Illinois study examines high-frequency hearing Sep 17, 2019 8:15 am Illinois researchers examine why people struggle to hear others in noisy environments as they age. Illinois researchers build microscopic biohybrid robots Sep 16, 2019 2:15 pm Illinois researchers are bringing the field of mechanical engineering one step closer to autonomous biobots. Research tracks narcissism from young adulthood to middle age Sep 11, 2019 8:45 am Narcissism tends to wane as a person matures, a new study confirms. But not for everyone, and not to the same extent. Researchers unveil new volcanic eruption forecasting technique Sep 10, 2019 10:00 am Volcanic eruptions are especially hazardous when they show few to no signs of unrest beforehand. Geologists are now using a technique traditionally used in climate forecasting to develop new eruption forecasting models. New salt-based propellant proven compatible in dual-mode rocket engines Sep 9, 2019 12:00 pm 'We have (shown) that salt propellants work in the high-acceleration combustion mode. Now we know that this unique combination of salts will also work in the electric fuel-efficient mode.' Study: Action-oriented goals produce higher probability of purchases under tight deadlines Sep 9, 2019 8:00 am If you want sell a product or service quickly, it helps to try a busy consumer, says new research co-written by U. of I. psychology professor Dolores Albarracin. Financial education programs, income-based repayment plans promote prosperity Sep 5, 2019 1:30 pm Research finds that young adults with student loans who participate in financial education programs become better financial managers who are able to build their personal wealth after college. As an act of self-disclosure, workplace creativity can be risky business Sep 4, 2019 10:30 am Business professor Jack Goncalo finds that being creative in the workplace is potentially fraught with peril because creativity itself is deeply personal. Researchers develop technique to de-ice surfaces in seconds Sep 3, 2019 1:15 pm The method, which uses less than 1% of the energy and less than 0.01% of the time needed for traditional de-icing techniques, is published in the journal Applied Physics Letters. Researchers develop tiny thermometer to take fast temperatures in cells Aug 29, 2019 2:15 pm With a tiny new thermometer probe that can quickly measure temperature inside of a cell, Illinois researchers have illuminated a mysterious aspect of metabolism: heat generation. New technique gives polyurethane waste a second life Aug 26, 2019 8:30 am A team at the University of Illinois has developed a method to break down polyurethane waste and turn it into other useful products. Researchers look at how opioids can increase pain sensitivity Aug 20, 2019 12:00 pm The chronic use of opioids can cause opioid-induced hyperalgesia, a condition where the patient receiving opioids for pain becomes more sensitive to certain kinds of pain. Indigenous scholars confront the power, limitations of genomics Aug 20, 2019 9:15 am Participants learned how to amplify and sequence a fragment of their own DNA, and discussed the implications of genomics research involving their ancestors and communities. Developing a biocompatible nanoparticle to visualize lymph nodes Aug 15, 2019 11:45 am Currently, doctors use a blue dye to identify where the tumors aggregate lymph nodes, but the dye can cause skin lesions. Illinois researchers are developing a biocompatible nanoparticle with no toxic side effects. In product design, imagining end user’s feelings leads to more original outcomes Aug 15, 2019 11:30 am When creating products, companies should focus on how the product makes the consumer feel rather than utility, says Profressor Ravi Mehta. Researchers turn off backscattering, aim to improve optical data transmission Aug 12, 2019 9:00 am Researchers confirmed that backscattered light waves can be suppressed to reduce data loss in optical communications systems. Printing flattens polymers, improving electrical and optical properties Aug 9, 2019 11:30 am Researchers have found a way to use polymer printing to stretch and flatten twisted molecules so that they conduct electricity better. Water pollution may be keeping silver carp out of Great Lakes Aug 9, 2019 9:15 am For the past decade, the invading front of silver carp hasn’t moved past Kankakee. A new study, led by scientists at Illinois, suggests Chicago’s water pollution may be a contributing to this lack of upstream movement. Optimistic people sleep better, longer, study finds Aug 7, 2019 8:30 am 'Optimists are more likely to engage in active problem-focused coping and to interpret stressful events in more positive ways, reducing worry and ruminative thoughts when they’re falling asleep...' Researchers embrace imperfection to improve biomolecule transport Aug 5, 2019 12:45 pm This technology could ultimately lead to devices that can quickly sequence DNA, RNA or proteins for personalized medicine. Infants expect leaders to right wrongs, study finds Jul 29, 2019 3:00 pm Infants 17 months of age expect leaders – but not others – to intervene when one member of their group transgresses against another, a new study reveals. Study: Black students receive fewer warnings from teachers about misbehavior Jul 29, 2019 10:15 am Study finds that black middle school students receive fewer warnings from teachers about misbehavior, giving them fewer opportunities to correct their behavior before the consequences escalate. Coping skills program helps social service workers reduce stress, trauma after disasters Jul 24, 2019 3:45 pm A mental health intervention called Caregivers Journey of Hope can bolster social service workers’ emotional resilience and ability to cope with stress, trauma associated with disasters such as Superstorm Sandy. Understanding how mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can treat tinnitus Jul 24, 2019 11:45 am Husain’s group used MRI to scan the changes in the brain structure and function, and added a follow-up period to confirm whether beneficial behavioral changes would persist. Left eye? Right eye? American robins have preference when looking at decoy eggs Jul 24, 2019 8:45 am Robins that preferentially use one eye significantly more than the other when looking at their own clutch of eggs are also more likely to detect, and reject, a foreign egg placed in their nest.