blog posts Weekend series against Minnesota closes baseball homestand Apr 21, 2023 8:45 am Fighting Illini baseball (15-18, 4-8) closes out their season-long seven-game homestand with a Big Ten weekend series against Minnesota (10-24, 4-5) at Illinois Field. New Latin American Ensemble diversifies musical offerings at Illinois Apr 19, 2023 11:15 am Ensemble director Guido Sánchez-Portuguez says he started the ensemble because he wanted a group that was devoted to playing underrepresented types of Latin American music - beyond the salsa or merengue that are most familiar. American Lung Association: A quarter of Americans live with polluted air Apr 20, 2023 11:30 am There’s a myth that only poor communities live with disproportionate pollution levels, says Chris Tessum, U of I professor of civil and environmental engineering. Tessum says race really is the determining factor. Two decades of student investment in campus sustainability Apr 19, 2023 11:30 am In 2003, U of I students approved a 'Cleaner Energy Technologies Fee' of $2 per semester. Its overwhelming approval marked one of the first times a university’s student body financially committed to funding renewable energy sources. Inaugural showcase to celebrate student media production projects Apr 14, 2023 1:00 pm The Department of Media & Cinema Studies presents the inaugural student showcase, featuring faculty-curated work created by students throughout the academic year. New campus building named in honor of alumnus Steven Wymer Apr 14, 2023 12:45 pm Set to open in 2025, this state-of-the-art building will help prepare Illinois students for futures of purpose and impact. Three Illinois students honored with Goldwater scholarships Apr 18, 2023 2:15 pm U of I students Daniel Cudzich, Max Fan and Aidan Lindsay are among 413 scholars selected for Goldwater scholarships from the 1,267 mathematics, science and engineering students nominated by colleges and universities nationwide. Coleman named vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost Apr 19, 2023 10:45 am John Coleman will be the next vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost at Illinois, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Fighting Illini spring sports fest features 13 events across four days Apr 18, 2023 11:15 am Kicking off Thursday evening with the Orange and Blue Spring Football Game, Spring Sports Fest will feature seven athletic programs hosting 13 events over four days - all free and open the public, with several promotions planned. Two Illinois researchers receive Council of Learned Societies fellowships Apr 6, 2023 2:45 pm The ACLS Fellowship Program supports exceptional scholarship in the humanities and interpretive social sciences that has the potential to make significant contributions within and beyond the recipients’ fields. Curiosities found in the U of I Map Library Apr 13, 2023 2:15 pm From illustrating fictional lands to helping you find your way home, these colorful way finders tell us as much about where we are as who we are. Why reports of period weirdness after covid shots were ignored Apr 18, 2023 10:30 am The Washington Post (April 18) U of I anthropology professor Kate Clancy writes about her research into the menstrual side effects of coronavirus vaccines and how early claims of such side effects were ignored and ridiculed. U of I astronomers just spotted two supermassive black holes nearing a collision Apr 17, 2023 1:45 pm It's rare to see an impending supermassive black hole collision. 'We don’t see a lot of double quasars at this early time in the universe. And that’s why this discovery is so exciting,' says grad student Yu-Ching Chen Skirkey, Anaya earn national titles at NCAA Championships Apr 17, 2023 8:00 am Ian Skirkey (pommel horse) and Ashton Anaya (still rings) both were named national champions at the NCAA Championships Saturday night in State College, Pa. This is the first time Illinois has two national champions since 2012. U of I scientist to serve on White House task force on carbon capture, storage Apr 6, 2023 8:15 am Task force members will provide recommendations on federal permits of carbon dioxide pipelines. The capture of manmade CO2 can potentially reduce pollution and make further progress on the goal of a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Illinois Softball hosts Ohio State in weekend series Apr 13, 2023 1:00 pm Illinois softball battles Ohio State in a Big Ten series this weekend at Eichelberger Field. The Fighting Illini face the Buckeyes on Friday at 5 p.m. Saturday's game is set for 1 p.m. while Sunday's finale is slated for noon. The surprising science of how pregnancy begins Apr 12, 2023 2:00 pm NPR (April 12) The more scientists learn, the more they realize that the start of pregnancy isn’t a moment but a process that often ends before it really begins. U of I professor David Miller and other experts weigh in on how a pregnancy begins. Faculty, advisers honored with Excellence in Instruction awards Apr 12, 2023 9:45 am Awardees are recognized for sustained excellence and innovation in undergraduate and graduate teaching, undergraduate and graduate advising and mentoring, online teaching and research guidance. Illini score 16 runs in dominant win over Illinois State Apr 12, 2023 8:00 am Fighting Illini baseball (14-15) got back into the win column in a big way on Tuesday night, scoring 16 runs on 17 hits in a 16-5 victory over Illinois State (10-17) at Duffy Bass Field. Are Illinois farmers aware of the risk of tick-borne diseases? Apr 11, 2023 3:30 pm Tick-borne illnesses like ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are on the rise in Illinois, and outdoor workers like farmers are at higher risk than those who spend more time indoors. Chicago mayor-elect Brandon Johnson joins picket line at Chicago State University Apr 11, 2023 12:15 pm Crain’s Chicago Business (April 10) 'It would certainly be consistent with Johnson’s values to be out there, and this is probably a departure from what we’ve seen, quite frankly, from other mayors,' says U of I labor expert Robert Bruno.. Report shows U of I grads' success in job placement, starting salaries Mar 28, 2023 10:45 am “No matter where they are from or where they land, a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of the best decisions and best investments a student can make for their education, career and life,” Chancellor Robert J. Jones said. “We are thrilled to see our graduates succeeding at such high rates.” Buchanan, Illini post record rounds on day 1 of Tiger Collegiate Apr 11, 2023 8:30 am The Illini men's golf team closed out Day 1 of the Tiger Collegiate Invitational with a commanding performance that left the Illini alone atop the team standings with a 15-stroke lead heading into today's final round. Should educators worry about ChatGPT? Apr 4, 2023 10:15 am Educators need to help students understand and use artificial intelligence language tools in appropriate ways to prepare them for a future in which their use is commonplace, says information sciences professor Ted Underwood. New book chronicles personal, professional journey studying futures markets Apr 11, 2023 8:15 am Stunts with motorcycles, snowmobiles, race cars, farm equipment and run-ins with renegade cows... 'I thought that I had enough crazy personal stories about risk and risk management that these could serve as scaffolding for a larger story.' No, being bullied or ignored doesn’t make kids stronger Apr 10, 2023 12:15 pm Education Week (April 7) Teens who haven’t felt accepted by their peers tend to interpret new rejections “in terms of ‘there’s something wrong with me. This has happened before,’” says Karen Rudolph, a U of I professor of psychology. Women's Tennis 4-3 comeback win at Maryland Apr 10, 2023 8:15 am Down 3-1 at Maryland, Illinois Women's Tennis battled all the way back to secure a 4-3 victory on Sunday from the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland. Illini Baseball travels to Northwestern for weekend series Apr 7, 2023 8:45 am Illinois looks to rebound following a midweek defeat to Illinois State at Illinois Field. In the 12-9 defeat, Branden Comia hit the first Illini grand slam since 2018 and Jacob Schroeder added a three-run homer, his seventh in 15 games. Bollero named College of ACES dean Apr 6, 2023 4:00 pm Germán Bollero will be the next dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. Bollero has served as the interim dean of ACES since September 2021. Illinois and U of I System commit $50 million to support NCSA services for campus researchers Apr 5, 2023 11:45 am The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois System have announced significant new investments in world-class computing and data resources for campus researchers and students. Department of Speech and Hearing Science celebrates 50 years Apr 5, 2023 2:45 pm The Department of Speech and Hearing Science celebrates 50 years of empowering lives through enhanced communication. Book describes how Hong Kong media waged Asia's cultural cold war Apr 6, 2023 2:30 pm Illinois history professor Po-Shek Fu wrote about how Hong Kong media was used in a cultural cold war in Asia and the effects it had on the political and cultural environments in Hong Kong. Dumont de Chassart named B1G Golfer of the Week Apr 6, 2023 2:30 pm Fighting Illini fifth-year senior Adrien Dumont de Chassart has been named Big Ten Golfer of the Week after leading Illinois to a second-place finish last weekend at the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational in Augusta, Ga. ChatGPT becomes ChatRepair to automate bug fixing for less Apr 6, 2023 11:15 am The Register (April 5) – U. of I. researchers have enlisted ChatGPT to repair software bugs without breaking the bank. The title of their recent preprint paper: 'Fixing 162 out of 337 bugs for $0.42 each using ChatGPT.' Bursting bubbles: Tiny yet hazardous Mar 31, 2023 9:15 am Aerosols produced by bubble bursting can impact air pollution, global climate and even the transmission of infectious diseases, and smaller aerosol drops are more easily lifted by winds and can travel much further. Hubble unexpectedly finds double quasar in distant universe Apr 5, 2023 7:45 pm These two gravitationally bound quasars existed when the universe was just 3 billion years old. 'We don't see a lot of double quasars at this early time... and that's why this discovery is so exciting,' said grad student Yu-Ching Chen, lead author of the study. Witherspoon shows first-round talent at Pro Day Apr 5, 2023 7:30 pm Illinois Football All-American Devon Witherspoon shined at his personal Pro Day on Wednesday at the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility. Witherspoon performed in front of 31 scouts representing 23 NFL teams. New AI tool predicts enzyme function better than leading tools Mar 31, 2023 8:30 am Better understanding of enzymes and their functions would be a boon for research in genomics, chemistry, industrial materials, medicine, pharmaceuticals and more. The tool is being made available online for the use of researchers everywhere. Illini Baseball wraps up homestand with tonight's matchup vs. Illinois State Apr 4, 2023 9:45 am Fighting Illini baseball wraps up this four-game homestand hosting Illinois State, scheduled for tonight at 6:00 p.m. This is the first of two meetings in eight days between the two programs, as Illinois heads to Normal on April 11. Shifting interpretations of the U.S. Constitution; stalling of the ERA Apr 3, 2023 10:00 am WGN-AM (April 2) How much can the Constitution really be amended? Illinois law dean Vikram Amar talks about Article 5 and analyzes our government’s long history of making amendments to the constitution. Hartleb: Winningest coach in Illini Baseball history with victory over Michigan Apr 3, 2023 8:45 am Dan Hartleb is now Illinois baseball's winningest coach in program history. With Sunday's victory over Michigan, Hartleb overtook Lee Eilbracht, who finished his Illini career with 518 wins. Grad student's nonprofit brings educational tools to young women in India Mar 29, 2023 12:15 pm Bringing education to historically marginalized girls between the ages of 10 and 18, SwaTaleem co-founder Ananya Tiwari is dedicated to helping women across India connect to technology, overcome language barriers, and achieve financial freedom. Hope for salamanders? Illinois study recalibrates climate change effects Mar 31, 2023 1:30 pm 'Older estimates were predicting almost 100% of the suitable habitat being wiped out for some of these species. But once we incorporated microclimate data at fine spatial scales for our study area, we found it might not be nearly that severe.' Full list of Ebertfest 2023 films, guests announced Mar 29, 2023 11:00 am As this year marks the 10th anniversary of Roger Ebert’s death, the program reflects his guiding principle of empathy, said Chaz Ebert. The program includes 11 films, two shorts, 20+ guests, and two musical performances: Green: WBCA Coach of the Year Finalist; Cook: Honorable Mention All-America Mar 31, 2023 8:45 am The WBCA announced that Shauna Green – the architect of one of the biggest one-year turnarounds this season – was a finalist for the National Coach of the Year honor while Makira Cook collected All-America honorable mention status. Mimicking biological enzymes may be key to hydrogen fuel production Mar 29, 2023 1:00 pm Researchers say nickel-iron hydrogenase may be key to producing hydrogen for a renewable energy economy. U of I chemists have designed a synthetic molecule that mimics the hydrogen gas-producing chemical reaction performed by the enzyme. U of I Engineering dean discusses new Chicago-based masters in computer science Mar 30, 2023 10:00 am The new computer science program aims to keep the next generation of tech talent in the state. Dean Rashid Bashir says with better access to opportunities, Illinois can compete with other tech hubs for fresh talent that can transform the industry. Illini return to Illinois Field for weekend series vs. Michigan Mar 30, 2023 10:45 am Fighting Illini baseball returns to Illinois Field on Friday to host Michigan for a three-game set in Champaign. Friday's contest is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. first pitch, with 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. first pitches to follow on Saturday and Sunday. U of I's ballbot wheelchair may be the future of mobility assistance Mar 22, 2023 9:45 am The ballbot wheelchair may be the future of mobility assistance. Researchers from across the U of I have created a robotic wheelchair that uses a single, rolling ball to provide a handsfree, intuitive, and flexible device for users. Launch of new Amazon-Illinois Center on AI for Interactive Conversational Experiences Mar 27, 2023 11:15 am 'To begin AICE will focus on a multimodal form of knowledge acquisition. Some tools intake only textual data, but a multimodal interface can continually learn and update knowledge from users through voice, text, image and video interactions...'