blog posts Rooks receives College of Media Emerging Leader Award Jun 1, 2022 10:15 am Taylor Rooks, sports broadcaster at Bleacher Report, is known for her interviewing skills and for her ability to connect with athletes. This award honors her exemplary early career achievements and engagement with the college. Rose Yeboah named Big Ten Field Athlete of the Year Jun 14, 2024 8:45 am Yeboah is the first Big Ten Field Athlete of the Year in the women's program's history; Olympic medalist Ashley Spencer took home the honors for Big Ten Track Athlete of the Year in 2013. Royal Fever: Will the brand play on for King Charles? May 3, 2023 10:00 am Professor Cele Otnes says the British Royal Family brand consists of at least five types of brands - all likely to be on display during coronation weekend: Family, Global, Heritage, Human, and Luxury. Each aspect offers challenges to the new King. Ruth emerges as first Illini Big Ten champion since 2018 Mar 11, 2024 8:15 am '(Edmond) Ruth is really starting to cement himself as a national title threat. Him becoming the first Big Ten champion for us since (now-assistant coach for the Illini) Isaiah Martinez is truly incredible,' said head coach Mike Poeta. Ryan Walters named 247Sports Defensive Coordinator of the Year Dec 6, 2022 4:15 pm Illinois Football ranked in the top 10 in the nation in 17 major defensive categories during the regular season, including leading the nation in interceptions (22), ranking second in scoring defense (12.3), and third in total defense (263.8). Sand runs the world. Most don't realize the conflict it generates Feb 29, 2024 8:45 am Salon (Feb. 25) 'In some regions, illegal sand and gravel mining is associated with crime syndicates, coercion and violence, and many other related social impacts,' says James Best, a U of I professor of sedimentary geology. Saturday: Illini Football returns home to host Virginia Cavaliers Sep 9, 2022 11:00 am Looking to build some momentum heading into the first of two bye weeks, Illinois will need a strong all-around effort to take down Virginia, which enters the contest off a win in its season opener. Saturday: Your last chance to visit the Undergraduate Library May 12, 2022 10:15 am By popular demand, the UGL will remain open Saturday to allow folks to visit over graduation weekend! It will be open May 14th from 1-4 pm for anyone who would like to visit the building one last time. Its doors will close for good at 4 pm. School of Music celebrates 125th anniversary with weekend of special concerts Apr 27, 2022 10:00 am The Illinois School of Music will celebrate its 125th anniversary from April 29 to May 1, 2022, with a weekend of special concerts that demonstrate the talent and range of its students, faculty, alumni, and community performers. Schroeder's walk-off blast caps dramatic sweep of Minnesota Apr 24, 2023 8:15 am Fighting Illini baseball (18-18, 7-8) completed a series sweep of Minnesota (10-27, 4-8) with a dramatic 6-5 walk-off victory at Illinois Field on Sunday. Science historian Naomi Oreskes: How free market ideology blocks climate action Sep 28, 2023 4:15 pm Naomi Oreskes, a leader in examining efforts to undermine the scientific truth on the causes of global warming, will give a Center for Advanced Study MillerComm lecture on how free market ideology is preventing action on climate change. Scientists capture stunning view of Tarantula Nebula, a 'star factory' Jun 16, 2022 1:45 pm CNET (June 15) Newly released images show lavalike wisps, which may be 'remains of once-larger clouds that have been shredded by the enormous energy being released by young, massive stars,” says U of I's Tony Wong. Scientists crack upcycling plastics to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Oct 3, 2022 9:45 am Researchers have developed a breakthrough process to transform the most widely produced plastic - polyethylene - into the second-most widely produced plastic, polypropylene, which could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists found a way to predict your death by how you walk Oct 24, 2022 11:00 am Yahoo News (Oct. 21) The test is 'a very good external measure of what’s going on internally,' and could easily be replicated using the accelerometer in a wrist sensor or a smartphone, says Professor Bruce Schatz, a leader of the U of I study. Scientists turn data into sound, gain new insights into tiny DNA, huge galaxies Feb 3, 2023 9:45 am Los Angeles Times (Feb. 3) – U of I biochemist Martin Gruebele regularly dons a pair of headphones in his lab at the U of I to hear a cacophony of clinking, jarring noises. These sounds help him understand how bodily proteins interact with water. Searching the Texas brushland for a rare, temperamental plant Aug 18, 2022 9:45 am 'As it stands with most rare species, this work isn’t always easy, but it is fulfilling. The excitement of seeing one rare plant – let alone a thriving population – is enough to sustain me in this work.' Second-half surge sends Illini past Morehead State in tournament opener Mar 22, 2024 8:15 am Marcus Domask recorded the sixth triple-double in Illinois' program history, the first by an Illini in the NCAA Tournament, and only the 10th overall in NCAA Tournament history. Illinois now plays Saturday in the second round vs. 11th-seeded Duquesne. Second year of pandemic deadlier for middle aged than the first, analysis finds Nov 17, 2022 9:15 am The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic was deadliest for those over 65, while the second year was deadlier for middle-aged adults, even with COVID-19 deaths removed, a new U of I analysis found. See men's basketball coach Underwood's B1G Media Day comments Oct 12, 2022 8:45 am U of I head coach Brad Underwood comments on the aproaching season, the young players who'll try to fill big shoes at the guard positions, and more. Senior Night for Illini Men's Basketball Thursday vs. Michigan Mar 2, 2023 9:00 am Illinois will recognize five members of its program at State Farm Center on Thursday night – three managers and two players (Matthew Mayer and Terrence Shannon Jr.) – in a pre-game ceremony that begins at 5:39 p.m. Sense of purpose may have significant impact on teens' emotional well-being Feb 13, 2023 11:15 am In a study of more than 200 adolescents, researchers found that those who scored high on purposefulness were more satisfied with their lives and experienced more positive emotions in general. Seven Illinois faculty members elected to AAAS Jan 31, 2023 9:00 am Seven professors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have been elected 2022 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Fellows are chosen by their peers for outstanding contribution to the field. Seven Illinois professors elected AAAS Fellows Apr 18, 2024 9:00 am Seven U of I professors have been elected 2023 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society, for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements. Several universities to experiment with micro nuclear power Feb 9, 2023 5:00 pm The Associated Press (Feb. 9) New reactor technologies could have a real future in decarbonizing the energy landscape in the U.S., says Caleb Brooks, project lead of a proposed reactor that could start powering the U of I campus in 2028. Shannon Jr., Epps shine as Illini cruise to win over Monmouth Nov 15, 2022 9:15 am Terrence Shannon Jr. had a game-high and career-best 30 points, while Jayden Epps had 21 in their third regular-season contest with the Illini. Dain Dainja had 15 points off the bench, his third straight game in double figures. Shannon Jr. named top 10 candidate for Jerry West 'Shooting Guard' Award Feb 8, 2023 9:30 am Terrence Shannon Jr. is one of only two power conference players – and one of 14 players nationally – averaging at least 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal on the season. You can vote for him beginning Feb. 10. Shannon Jr. to join Honored Jerseys Program Jun 24, 2024 9:45 am Terrence Shannon Jr. will have his jersey raised to the State Farm Center rafters as part of the Illinois Basketball Honored Jerseys program. Shannon named Big Ten Player of the Week Feb 19, 2024 3:15 pm Shannon earns the award after averaging 29.0 points on 54.8% shooting from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 85.7% from the free throw line while leading the Illini to a home victory over Michigan and road win at Maryland. Sharpe named dean of U. of I. College of Law Aug 3, 2023 3:00 pm Following a national search, Jamelle Sharpe has been selected as the 14th dean of the College of Law, effective Aug. 16, 2023, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. She's loyal to you, Illinois. Jada Peebles' fifth year as an Illini Dec 13, 2023 10:15 am Jada Peebles received her first college offer from North Carolina State as a seventh-grader. By her senior year in high school, she had decided to attend the U of I, where she started the first 11 games as a freshman. SHIELD program a model for effective pandemic management, data show Jun 9, 2022 9:30 am The SHIELD: Target, Test, Tell program combined frequent saliva tests with modeling and an app to keep the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus and surrounding community safe when on-campus operations resumed in fall 2020. 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. 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. Should President Biden intervene in potential UPS strike? Jul 25, 2023 9:45 am President Biden would likely alienate a key constituency ahead of the 2024 presidential election cycle if he used his presidential powers to intervene in a potential UPS strike, says labor expert Michael LeRoy, Should the TSA end the 3-ounce liquid restriction? Jul 11, 2023 10:30 am The Chicago Tribune (July 5) Sheldon Jacobson, a U. of I. professor of computer science, writes that the 3 ounce rule has endured for 17 years. Since that time, airport security has moved forward strategically and technologically. Should the workweek be shortened to four days? Feb 27, 2023 1:15 pm There’s nothing sacrosanct about the five-day workweek, which is long overdue for an overhaul, says Robert Bruno, a professor of labor and employment relations at Illinois. Sickels named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week Apr 19, 2022 8:00 am After a dominant week that included two complete-game shutouts, senior right handed pitcher Sydney Sickels was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week. Another Illini, Tori McQueen, won the honor last week. Simple addition to corn bran could boost grain's nutritional value 15-35% Apr 19, 2023 11:00 am U of I scientists show it’s possible to increase iron up to 35% and zinc up to 15% by adding cell layers in the bran. 'For us to show increases like this with just a single trait, it's like, why didn't we do this a long time ago? It's so simple.' Simpson shatters weight throw school record in Illini debut Jan 8, 2024 8:15 am The men's and women's track and field squads completed their first meet of the season on Saturday. 509 fans saw graduate student Amber Simpson shatter the weight throw program record with a 20.31m heave. Sinfonia da Camera to perform work by Pulitzer Prize-winning Black composer Nov 9, 2022 11:15 am Pianist Rochelle Sennet and Sinfonia da Camera will perform a work by Pulitzer-winning composer George Walker to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth. Sennet says Walker inspiried her to learn more about Black composers, record their music. Single gene controls waterhemp's resistance to soil-applied herbicide Nov 8, 2023 3:15 pm Waterhemp has famously developed resistance to not one or two, but seven herbicide sites-of-action classes, nearly exhausting the chemical tools farmers can use to defend their livelihood. Single model predicts trends in employment, microbiomes, forests Oct 25, 2023 2:45 pm U. of I. plant biology professor James O’Dwyer reports the development of a single model that can predict patterns of population fluctuations in social and biological realms. Site of integrated Illinois town founded by former slave is newest national park Jan 30, 2023 1:45 pm The New Philadelphia National Historic Site in western Illinois commemorates the first U.S. town to be legally founded by African Americans. Several U of I professors were among those leading the effort seeking national park status. Six engineering faculty members win NSF CAREER awards Feb 29, 2024 12:00 pm The National Science Foundations CAREER grants are recognize early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their organization. Six Illini earn All-Big Ten, Hartleb named Coach of the Year May 22, 2024 9:00 am Coach Dan Hartleb earns his second Coach of the Year award and his first since 2015. He matches his mentor, Itch Jones, for the most in program history. Sixteen employees honored with Chancellor's Staff Excellence Award Apr 17, 2024 10:00 am Sixteen academic professionals and civil service staff members have received the Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award recognizing exceptional performance. Skin-deep resilience: Hidden physical health costs for minority youth overcoming adversity Jan 5, 2024 10:45 am 'Early adolescents with high executive function who were residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods seemed to be doing really well with indices of behavioral adjustment over time, but their planful, regulated efforts may be taking a toll on their body.' 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. Small molecule transports iron in mice, human cells to treat some forms of anemia Jun 24, 2022 11:15 am Study demonstrates that the small molecule hinokitiol potentially could function as a 'molecular prosthetic' when the iron-transporting protein ferroportin is missing or defective, offering a potential treatment path for certain kinds of anemia. Small named finalist for Dave Williams Coach of the Year Award Jun 5, 2023 8:00 am Small, who earned his record 13th Big Ten Coach of the Year award, led the program to its eighth consecutive Big Ten title – and 13th of the last 14 overall – to secure one of seven tournament wins on the year, also the most in the nation.