blog posts U of I student wins Apple Swift Student Challenge May 2, 2024 9:30 am WBBM-TV (video; April 30) — Illinois computer science student Michael Parekh is being recognized for creating an app to help others understand how to respond to cardiac arrest. U of I study: Asian tiger mosquito more rampant in Illinois than previously thought Sep 9, 2022 10:15 am The Center Square (Sept. 7) 'It’s just an incredibly annoying mosquito,' entomologist Chris Stone says. 'It’s a very aggressive biter. It bites during the daytime, so it really has the potential to be noticed and reduce people’s quality of life.' U of I study finds Illinois workers' wages would rise if amendment passes Aug 11, 2022 10:45 am Study says guaranteeing 'fundamental right' to collectively bargain would boost wages, improve working conditions. Also, 'When you protect worker rights, you actually attract people into that workplace,' says labor expert Robert Bruno. U of I study gives a thumbs up to carefully formulated vegan diets for dogs Mar 27, 2023 9:00 am Triglycerides, cholesterol were significantly lower in dogs fed these vegan diets. Professor Kelly Swanson says that could benefit obese pets and help maintain a healthy weight. 'Overall, it looked like there were some beneficial shifts from a gut health perspective.' U of I team central to NSF project researching flow of Earth’s mantle Dec 22, 2022 11:15 am A National Science Foundation project is exploring the microphysical activities of rocks that affect the Earth's upper mantle. 'Our modeling sits at the intersection of all this work. It's at the heart of the scientific process behind this project.' U of I team develops automated platform for plasmid production May 16, 2022 2:45 pm These small, circular DNA molecules are well known for their applications in the production of therapeutic proteins like insulin, but designing and constructing them has been one of the most time-consuming, labor-intensive steps in biology research. U of I team helps DOD develop better analysis, design procedures for rail, roads Feb 22, 2023 11:30 am Civil and Environmental Engineering researchers will help the Department of Defense develop better systems to evaluate the structural health of rail lines and modernize pavement design and evaluation procedures. U of I teams to participate in national program to advocate undergrad research Oct 17, 2022 8:00 am Four teams of Illinois faculty, staff, and undergraduate researchers were selected to take part in a new program to build national awareness of the benefits of undergraduate research as a high-impact educational practice. U of I to lead feasibility studies on units that pull CO2 from air Aug 15, 2023 2:15 pm Direct Air Capture is a process that separates carbon dioxide from the air, helping to reduce legacy CO2 in the atmosphere. The separated CO2 can then be safely and permanently stored deep underground or converted into products like concrete. U of I to lead National Artificial Intelligence Research Institute focused on STEM learning May 5, 2023 10:45 am The National Science Foundation announced today it is awarding $20 million over five years to establish the Inclusive and Intelligent Technologies for Education (INVITE) Institute, based in the College of Education at the Urbana campus. Upcoming heat wave could scorch corn crops, experts fear Aug 3, 2022 10:15 am The Hill (Aug. 2) – Another major heat wave this week could damage corn crops, experts fear. 'We’re used to high yields getting higher every year and it’s certainly possible that this year might not hit that goal,' says emeritus professor Emerson Nafziger. Up next for Illini Soccer: Hosting Missouri on Thursday night Sep 7, 2022 10:30 am Illinois soccer continues its five-match homestand at Demirjian Park with matches against Missouri on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. CT and against in-state opponent Loyola on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m. CT. Urban gardens' tomatoes safe from soil lead. Gardeners, unfortunately, are not Jul 22, 2022 9:30 am Scientists don’t know much about how crops take up and accumulate lead, but new U of I research in Chicago backyard gardens shows tomatoes are likely safe to eat, even when grown in highly lead-contaminated soils. USDA confirms cow-to-cow transmission a factor in bird flu spread Apr 22, 2024 11:15 am Reuters (April 19) 'Those of us who have worked with influenza for a long time were fairly quickly saying, "Yep it moves cow to cow,"'says Illinois Professor Jim Lowe. 'You can’t explain the epidemiology any other way.' USDA grant supports U of I professor's popcorn-based curriculum for high schools Jan 25, 2024 11:45 am Laboratory Equipment (Jan. 22) 'Using popcorn to scaffold more complex science concepts keeps students more engaged because it’s already something they’re familiar with,' says crop sciences professor Tony Studer. USDA will triple its investment in 'climate-smart' agriculture to reduce carbon emissions Sep 16, 2022 10:00 am Marketplace (Sept. 15) So, what exactly does that mean? 'We’re trying to figure that out,' says Jonathan Coppess, an agricultural economist at the U. of I. U.S. deaths involving meth are skyrocketing, fentanyl a big factor Feb 22, 2023 11:15 am HealthDay News (Feb. 21) 'The staggering increase in methamphetamine-related deaths in the United States is largely now driven by the co-involvement of street opioids,' says U of I epidemiology professor Rachel Hoopsick. U.S. firm to build world’s largest GenAI platform exclusively for health Nov 8, 2023 2:00 pm The Hindu (Nov. 8) Vizzhy Inc. has decided to invest over $12.5 million in a center to investigate metabolic diseases led by Narendra Ahuja, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Illinois. Using a 19th-century hand press to teach history of printing Dec 8, 2022 9:45 am 'I want students to literally get their hands on historical technology. Rather than talking about how print worked, students do these things – set print, bind books and use computer technology,' says Professor Ryan Cordell. U.S. Senate signals support for amended Respect for Marriage Act Nov 18, 2022 11:15 am Deseret News (Nov. 16) Federal law defines marriage as between a man and a woman. 'Those laws still sit on the books. The Supreme Court says, "Thou shalt not enforce that law," but those laws should come off the books,' says Robin Fretwell Wilson. USS Illinois: The forgotten Iowa-class battleship the Navy never finished Feb 23, 2024 8:45 am The National Interest (Feb. 21) The ship’s bell was finished, and you can see the bell at the U. of I.’s Memorial Stadium, where Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps students strike the bell to signal touchdowns. US test scores fell during the pandemic - but experts say don't blame school closings Oct 25, 2022 10:45 am Salon (Oct. 25) "Even when instruction was being provided...students and staff may have been dealing with issues that meant there was less focus on conventional academics, or that instruction may have been less effective,' says U of I's Paul Bruno. U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg here to support transportation infrastructure research Aug 1, 2023 10:30 am The new Transportation Infrastructure Precast Innovation Center got 'a dose of encouragement and excitement about the mission we are undertaking' with a visit from Buttigieg, Rep. Nikki Budzinski, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on Monday. Valuable antibody patents vulnerable to overly broad doctrinal shift in patent law Aug 17, 2022 10:30 am A U of I legal scholar who studies intellectual property protection for advanced biotechnologies advocates for a middle ground in patent claims involving antibodies, the backbone of modern bioscience. Veteran TV journalist Brian Williams visits campus October 23 Sep 27, 2023 10:15 am Brian Williams, former anchor of MSNBC's The 11th Hour and NBC Nightly News, will be on the U of I campus to talk about the evolution of broadcast news in America on Monday, October 23, 7-8 p.m. A Zoom option is available. Vet Med Open House, Oct. 2: The Adventure Awaits! Sep 23, 2022 2:15 pm On Sunday, October 2, more than 300 veterinary students will host a behind-the-scenes look at the state’s only veterinary college. Aspiring veterinarians, animal lovers of any age, there’s something for you at Vet Med Open House. Vet Med: Saving an endangered breed of donkey Jun 3, 2022 10:45 am Numbers of Baudet du Poitou donkeys have dwindled to only 300-400 worldwide. A breeding effort is underway at Illinois to expand their numbers and help save the breed from extinction. Photos by Michelle Hassel. Videos, book highlight history of skin in the early modern world Feb 23, 2023 8:45 am History professor Craig Koslofsky said skin color has not always been seen in the same way or played the same role in society. His work soesn't focus solely on skin color, but also on tattooing, scarification, cosmetics and the microanatomy of skin. Viral videos about private moments may affect offline relationships May 18, 2023 2:30 pm Posting videos about intimate relationships to social media platforms may affect offline relationships, according to a case study of the viral 'couch guy' TikTok video by Emily Mendelson, a graduate student at the U of I. Viruses finally reveal their complex social life May 20, 2024 5:45 pm Quanta Magazine (April 11) U of I microbiology professor Christopher Brooke suspects that incomplete viruses have other jobs in cells that scientists have yet to figure out. 'My limited imagination isn’t going to touch a fraction of what’s possible.' Visionary Violet: A U of I feminist pioneer Jan 5, 2023 12:30 pm This short documentary from U of I's BTN producers tells the story of the first dean of women at Illinois, Violet DeLille Jayne, who championed women’s inclusion on campus, including the first women’s intermural basketball team. Vivifying ikebana: Japanese flower arranging Oct 21, 2022 9:15 am Tamar learned jiyuka, or freestyle arrangement, which encourages contemporary artistic expression using simple design principles to create miniature arrangements highlighting the theme of kokoro, or heart, mind and spirit. Volleyball closes home slate hosting Spartans and Hawkeyes this weekend Nov 18, 2022 10:15 am The Illini went 2-0 last week, sweeping Michigan State before topping Michigan 3-1 on the road. The straight-set victory at MSU marked the seventh sweep of the season and the third in league play. Volleyball returns to Huff after spending non-conference slate on the road Sep 22, 2022 9:45 am Sitting at 5-5, the Fighting Illini will host its first home matches of the season against Big Ten opposition, starting with Maryland on Friday at 8 p.m. and Northwestern on Saturday at 7 p.m. Volunteers maintain ‘first gallery’ of flowers outside Krannert Art Museum Sep 20, 2023 10:45 am The splendor of Gelvin Gardens outside of Krannert Art Museum is a reflection of the original landscape design and the dedication of a group of volunteer gardeners. Waiting for the sun to set to find a rare bird Jun 30, 2022 10:00 am Each night, we perform checks of Whip-Poor-Will nests to record development of eggs and chicks, as well as instances of predation or failure. Nests are at risk on the ground, but a few broods hatch and reach fledging age, when they begin to fly. Wang earns top-15 finish at Cougar Classic Sep 14, 2022 10:15 am Graduate student Crystal Wang picked up right where she left off last season, finishing tied for 13th. Dating back to the end of the 2021-22 campaign, Wang has finished in the Top 15 in four-straight events. Wang named Big Ten Golfer of the Year Apr 26, 2023 12:30 pm Crystal Wang has been named Golfer of the year and All-Big Ten First Team. Wang shot a record-low final round 62 to earn medalist honors at the B1G Championships, winning the individual title by 12 strokes - the only player to finish under par. Wanted (by scientists): Birds and bats killed by wind, solar facilities Jan 23, 2023 11:15 am Undark (Jan. 23) 'I’m supportive of renewable energy developments. I’m also supportive of doing our best to conserve biodiversity,' says Mark Davis, a U. of I. conservation biologist. 'And I think the two things can very much coexist.' Washington Post obituary for legendary U of I professor Nick Holonyak Jr. Sep 22, 2022 10:45 am Nick Holonyak Jr., whose development of the first practical visible-spectrum light-emitting diode(LED) was a breakthrough with countless applications, including lightbulbs, cellphones, TVs and microscopic surgical equipment, died Sept. 18. Watch it now: BTN COVID-19 documentary showcases Illinois innovation May 22, 2023 11:15 am 'The New Normal' documentary highlights the development of a quick, saliva-based coronavirus test, and the process that made the University of Illinois campus one of the safest places to be during the pandemic. Watch: Tech giants discuss 75 years of the transistor May 10, 2023 4:00 pm 75 years ago, Grainger Engineer John Bardeen invented the transistor, spring boarding the exponential growth in technology that we see today. Leaders from IBM, Intel and NVIDIA talk about what’s next. Watch the campus celebration of Nick Holonyak, Jr. Feb 13, 2023 9:45 am This is a recording of the live presentation of the U of I's celebration and memorial of Professor Nick Holonyak, Jr., recipient of both the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2002, and the National Medal of Science in 1990. WBIT first-round game time announced for Illinois at State Farm Center Mar 20, 2024 8:00 am Illinois women's basketball will play its first-round matchup of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament against Missouri State at 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 21. Illinois is one of 16 host schools for the first round. WBIT Inaugural Champions! Apr 4, 2024 8:15 am Behind a big second-half surge, Illinois clinched the inaugural WBIT title in a 71-57 victory over Villanova at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Wednesday night. The victory marked the program's first-ever postseason title. Wearable sensors for Parkinson’s can improve with machine learning, data from healthy adults Apr 12, 2024 10:00 am The study shows that 'the expansion of datasets with healthy older adult motion data and integration with deep learning approaches can help improve the accuracy of detecting differences in motor impairment in persons with Parkinson's...' Wearable tech offers up-close look at infant development Sep 28, 2022 10:00 am Illinois researchers have developed a tool to measure stress regulation and parent-child bonding in young children. The device enables infants as young as one month to provide useful information from the comfort of their own home. Webb Space Telescope detects universe’s most distant complex organic molecules Jun 5, 2023 10:45 am Thanks to the capabilities of the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope and careful analyses from researchers, a new study lends critical insight into the complex chemical interactions that occur in the first galaxies in the early universe. Website compiles ocean data from landmark 19th-century scientific voyage Jan 10, 2023 12:45 pm English professor Gillen D’Arcy Wood’s Oceans 1876 project makes a treasure trove of 19th-century marine data accessible to help scientists better understand how our oceans have changed and how to protect them. Website tracks COVID levels in wastewater to help people ‘make informed decisions’ Jan 11, 2023 1:15 pm Chicago Sun-Times (Jan. 10) 'This helps you decide what you as an individual want to do based on the trends in your local area,' says Bill Jackson, executive director of the Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago.