blog posts Curiosities from our collections: 1893 Chicago World's Fair Apr 9, 2024 1:00 pm According to Winton Solberg, a renowned historian of the university, it took our faculty two and a half years to prepare our exhibit, 'which consisted of nine freight carloads...and occupied eight thousand square feet in the Illinois State Building.' 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. Cultural tourism that began in Depression-era created image of Old South Nov 30, 2022 9:00 am During the Great Depression, women in Natchez, MS, developed one of the first cultural tourism sites in the U.S., centered around the city’s antebellum architecture. In doing so, they created an image of the Old South as grand mansions and gracious living. Cultural capital is key to a sense of belonging for college students of color Nov 20, 2023 11:15 am Researchers found that college students derive belongingness from four broad factors – their identification with the university overall; feelings of being a social match with others; their sense of being accepted and welcome; and their cultural capital. CS head Nancy Amato wins inaugural Robotics Medal from MassRobotics Dec 13, 2023 10:45 am The Robotics Medal is the world’s first major prize to acknowledge the impactful contributions of female researchers to the field of robotics. Amato has also recently been voted president-elect of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society. C-sections in Mexico increase with obesity level and health care specialization Nov 21, 2023 4:00 pm 'Our hypothesis was that hospitals with a higher pool of obese patients become specialized in C-sections, and therefore will be more likely to perform the procedure,' said study co-author Catalina Herrera-Almanza. COVID vaccines linked to unexpected vaginal bleeding Sep 26, 2023 3:30 pm Nature (Sept. 25) 'Postmenopausal bleeding is often very concerning and a possible sign of cancer. Knowing a patient’s vaccination status could put their bleeding incidence into context,' says U of I professor Kate Clancy. COVID brought open jobs, new power to workers. Recession would reverse course Aug 5, 2022 10:45 am Chicago Tribune (Aug. 5) A recession would tip the balance of power from employees back to their bosses, experts say. 'There’s no question they will lose that leverage,' says Robert Bruno, the director of the labor studies program at the U. of I. COVID-19 virus spike protein flexibility improved by human cell's own modifications Jul 5, 2022 8:45 am “The dynamics of a spike are very important – how much it moves and how flexible it is to search for and bind to receptors on the host cell. ...We hope that the results of our simulations can be used for developing new treatments.' COVID-19 vaccines tested in clinical trials, despite bogus social media claims Jan 19, 2023 10:15 am FactCheck.org (Jan. 18) 'Sasha Latypova’s argument is a classic example of a causal fallacy,' says U of I law professor Jacob S. Sherkow. 'It’s bogus as a matter of law, as a matter [of] logic, and a matter of fact.' Countries will solve the chip crisis by working together, not by acting alone May 3, 2022 1:00 pm Fortune (April 29) Illinois professor Rakesh Kumar writes, 'The solution to the chip shortage isn’t to increase onshore production, but rather to deepen supply chains, even if only between like-minded countries.' Could wheat’s worst enemy be eliminated in the next few decades? May 16, 2022 11:30 am Illinois Farmer Today (May 13) 'By the time I retire, we should be at the point where almost all the varieties will have pretty good resistance by default,' says U. of I. crop sciences professor Jessica Rutkoski. Could Brazil surpass U.S. as world's top corn exporter? Jan 31, 2023 3:30 pm Effingham Daily News (Jan. 30) 'Brazil could surpass the U.S. in corn exports sometime between 2024 and 2026,' says Joana Colussi, a postdoctoral researcher at the U. of I. and native of Brazil. 'We’ll see. There are many factors at play.' Corn genetic heritage the strongest driver of chemical defenses against munching bugs May 3, 2022 1:30 pm University of Illinois researchers compared how different corn varieties responded to chewing insects in the presence of a soil bacterium. Cook's last-minute free throw clinches Illinois' Senior Day victory over Nebraska Mar 4, 2024 8:00 am The Fighting Illini held the Cornhuskers without a field goal for the final five minutes and scoreless for the final two-and-a-half minutes, as the hosts closed the contest on a 6-0 run en route to the one-point victory. Cook, McKenzie lead Illini to 69-62 victory over Minnesota Feb 6, 2023 9:45 am Illinois used a 9-0 run late in the fourth quarter to secure its 11th home victory of the season in a 69-62 win over Minnesota at State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon. Consumers across political spectrum share food pricing frustrations Mar 14, 2024 11:30 am 'There aren't many things that the U.S. public agrees on, but this seems to be an exception. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents all feel like they're being overcharged,' says consumer economics professor Maria Kalaitzandonakes. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau looks at regulating 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Jul 28, 2022 10:30 am Bloomberg (July 28) 'There’s always going to be some new transaction that existing statutes don’t cover, so we need a regulatory agency to track these things, because Congress – even a functioning one – can’t keep up,' says Professor Robert Lawless. Considering a nation without Roe v. Wade May 24, 2022 9:30 am How other nations deal with abortion reveals what the U.S. might face in the near future, and U of I sociologist Cynthia Buckley says the U.S. is not prepared to deal with a likely increase of unwanted and unplanned births. Congress quashed a rail strike by forcing a deal between workers and bosses Dec 2, 2022 10:15 am WBEZ-FM (Dec. 1) Robert Bruno, a professor and director of the Labor Education Program at the U. of I., discusses the implications for rail workers and other unionization efforts around the country. Congratulations! May 11, 2022 10:15 am This linked page includes the complete Commencement program, links to the livestream of the ceremony, and much more. Conflict in marriage less harmful for kids when dad keeps it constructive Jun 21, 2023 9:30 am 'Fathers using constructive conflict resolution led to more parental involvement, which led to more positive child development. Destructive conflict has the opposite effect on kids,' says family development professor Karen Kramer. Computer-aided vision makes it possible to predict cement durability in minutes Jul 18, 2023 10:15 am On-Site (July 17) –U of I engineers have created a new test makes it possible to predict the durability of cement in minutes rather than the hours needed for traditional testing methodologies. Common hair loss, prostate drug may also cut heart disease risk Feb 20, 2024 1:30 pm A new U of I study suggests finasteride (aka, Propecia or Proscar) may also provide a surprising and life-saving benefit: lowering cholesterol and cutting the overall risk of cardiovascular disease. Commencement Speaker Jill Ellis: U of I coach to two-time World Cup champion Apr 29, 2022 1:00 pm Jill Ellis, who won back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cups as coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team, will serve as the Illinois University-wide Commencement speaker Saturday, May 14, at 9:30 a.m. in Memorial Stadium. Commencement speaker Jill Ellis: Illinois coach to two-time World Cup champion Apr 25, 2022 8:00 am Jill Ellis, who won back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cups as coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team, will serve as the University-wide Commencement speaker Saturday, May 14, at 9:30 a.m. in Memorial Stadium. Commencement speaker, architect Jeanne Gang, designs buildings that connect people, nature and communities May 8, 2024 3:00 pm Internationally renowned architect Jeanne Gang believes architecture can connect people to each other, their environment and their communities. She is the U. of I. Commencement speaker and an Illinois alumna. Commencement 2022: Explore Memorial Stadium through the years Apr 25, 2022 8:00 am This year, we are thankful to be able to celebrate the 2022 University-wide Commencement Ceremony at Memorial Stadium. Explore the stadium through the years. Commencement! May 10, 2023 4:45 pm The university-wide Commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. in Memorial Stadium. It will be livestreamed at https://go.illinois.edu/live. Coming soon: new hotline, website, and maps on private wells Nov 28, 2023 2:15 pm EPA funding aims to support private well owners who are responsible for ensuring their own water is safe. Throughout most of the U.S., there are no government standards for water quality and safety for private wells. Colleges should reexamine career services for students with disabilities Apr 28, 2023 3:30 pm 'Too often these college students’ career aspirations are negatively shaped by the limiting attitudes of family, campus policies and society to lock in an identified career,' said Professor Chang-kyu Kwon. 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. Coleman Hawkins: Family Man Mar 6, 2023 11:45 am For Coleman Hawkins, Fighting Illini power forward, family is at the heart of everything. To really know him, you have to know his family. 'Cold War: Illinois Stories' wins Mid-America Regional Emmy Award Nov 3, 2022 4:45 pm “Cold War: Illinois Stories” won the Mid-America Regional Emmy Award for best magazine program. It was the seventh Emmy for producer Tim Hartin, and the cap to his thirty year career at Illinois. Cockburn, Howell Named Dike Eddleman Athletes of the Year Jun 29, 2022 8:00 am Ffirst-team basketball All-American Kofi Cockburn and track All-American Olivia Howell are winners of the 2021-22 Dike Eddleman Award, presented annually to the top Fighting Illini male and female athlete. Coca-Cola and McDonald's left Russia. Their brands stayed behind Aug 17, 2022 10:30 am Reuters (Aug. 17) – Western brands that exit Russia face years of battling knockoffs. Coke, which left in August, is fighting a rip-off of its Fanta brand. 'This should, in normal times, be an easy win for Coca-Cola,' says U of I's Peter Maggs. Coach Bielema press conference quotes ahead of contest at Wisconsin Sep 27, 2022 9:15 am 'I like where we're at from a health standpoint... Actually, we're going to see Jamal Woods back, he's been out the last two weeks...it's going to be a huge advantage in a tough game, obviously.' Climate-smart cows could deliver 10-20x more milk in Global South Oct 31, 2023 11:00 am U of I animal scientists are set to deliver a potential game changer for subsistence farmers in Tanzania: cows that produce up to 20 times the milk of indigenous breeds. Climate change creating more destructive hurricanes - and it will only get worse Jun 2, 2022 12:45 pm Time (New York City, June 2) In Florida that means rising insurance costs. 'There is a price to be paid for living in what is arguably the most vulnerable natural disaster location in the U.S.,' says Lynne McChristian, a U of I risk management expert. Climate change could unearth Cold War-era nuclear waste buried by the US Mar 1, 2024 9:45 am ABC News (Feb. 29) '[We are] probably going to have greater issues from climate change than the mobilization of radionuclides from the Cold War,' says U of I radiological engineering expert William Roy. Click beetle-inspired robots jump using elastic energy Jan 23, 2023 3:30 pm U of I professor Sameh Tawfick led a new study introducing click beetle-sized robots small enough to fit into tight spaces, powerful enough to maneuver over obstacles and fast enough to match an insect’s rapid escape time. Cleaning water naturally the ancient Maya way Jan 29, 2024 9:15 am Scientific American (Jan. 26) U of I anthropology professor Lisa Lucero discusses the way ancient Mayans cleaned their water naturally, and the lessons we can learn from them. CI MED Welcomes Class of 2027 Jun 30, 2023 1:45 pm Carle Illinois College of Medicine – the world’s first engineering-based medical school – welcomed the Class of 2027, its largest class to date. CI MED students partner with Champaign Unit 4 schools to host "Doctor for a Day" May 22, 2023 3:30 pm Students from the Carle Illinois College of Medicine are creating new opportunities to expose high school students to careers in health care. CI MED students establish new free eye care clinic Mar 20, 2024 10:15 am 'We have a lot of patients who are excited to see us because they often do not have vision insurance... Many patients have waited over three or four years to be seen because they simply cannot afford new glasses or an eye exam.' CI MED students' anti-fatigue vest helps surgeons operate at their best Feb 23, 2023 10:45 am Studies indicate that between 50 and 85% of surgeons regularly experience discomfort in the back, neck, and shoulders. The students' solution combines both monitoring functions and supportive features in one product. CI MED student elected national delegate to prestigious medical education group Jan 23, 2024 12:00 pm Alexa Lauinger has been elected to represent medical students nationwide on policies affecting diversity and mentorship within medical education through the American Association of Medical Colleges. Cicadas nothing to fear: They don’t bite, sting or harm gardens May 6, 2024 2:45 pm Naperville Magazine (May 1) 'When they’re nymphs hanging out in the soil, they drink sap from tree roots,' says U of I Professor Kacie Athey. 'But with [mature] cicadas, they’re not going to be a big problem for crops.' Cicadas and tinnitus: Here's what you need to know May 20, 2024 1:15 pm Professor Fatima Husain explains why individuals with tinnitus may find peace among the audial onslaught and offers suggestions for how people can safely shield their ears from the impending 'wall of sound.' Choose Illinois: Accept your offer by May 1 Apr 20, 2022 11:15 am Ten reasons why you should choose Illinois