blog posts Illinois Men's Tennis takes down No. 13 Georgia Feb 16, 2023 8:00 am The Illinois men's tennis team defeated No. 13 Georgia on Wednesday night at the XS Tennis Village in Chicago, Ill. 'The theme of the day was focus,' head coach Brad Dancer said. 'It was a great way to start off Chicago.' Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative to help students with autism, dyslexia, ADHD Mar 6, 2023 11:00 am Awareness is growing of the array of talents and skills that neurodivergent individuals can bring to the workplace. INI aims to see that students are successfully employed within six months of graduation, said program creator Jeanne Kramer. Nurturing a tropical paradise in the heart of the Midwest Mar 10, 2023 9:00 am The U of I Plant Biology Greenhouse and Conservatory houses more than 200 species and 60 families of tropical and subtropical plants selected for their botanical interest or economic importance. Illinois Athletics announces 2023 Hall of Fame inductees May 9, 2023 11:45 am The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics named 12 new members to the UI Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023, including athletes and coaches from nine different teams. Heat waves may cause humans to slow down. But it gets crickets chirping Jul 24, 2023 11:45 am Nebraska Public Media (July 21) Insects might find themselves out of sync with plants they rely on, says U of I's May Berenbaum. 'If you’re an insect with one host plant and you emerge when the leaves are no longer edible, you’re out of luck.' Kyprianou named director of Illinois Track & Field, Cross Country Jul 27, 2022 9:45 am Petros Kyprianou was a three-time U.S. Track & Field Coaches Association National Coach of the Year. In six seasons as head coach at the University of Georgia, he led the Bulldogs to a pair of NCAA titles and a total of 16 top-ten NCAA finishes. Grant supports online Women, Power, and Money Program for Financial Planning Aug 5, 2022 11:45 am The Women, Power, and Money Program familiarizes students with financial planning fundamentals and negotiation skills, and empowers them to make confident decisions and overcome sexism and other obstacles in the workplace. U of I researchers have a plan to harvest fresh water from ocean vapor Dec 21, 2022 10:15 am Gizmodo (Dec. 20) U of I professor Praveen Kumar says drought-affected places like the American Southwest would be ideal beneficiaries of a device that would harvest water vapor from above the ocean to supply fresh water. 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. New census figures: Illinois’ population actually gained. Experts say warning signs remain May 23, 2022 2:00 pm Chicago Tribune (May 23) Follow-up survey shows Illinois’ population was likely undercounted in 2020 census that cost it a congressional seat. 'Our problem is we are not growing as fast as places like Florida and Texas,' says U of I's Cynthia Buckley. Freshman Morez Johnson Jr. selected to USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team May 30, 2024 8:30 am Johnson becomes the third Illini signee of the Brad Underwood era to represent USA Basketball. Ayo Dosunmu (2018) and Ty Rodgers (2022) both earned gold medals at the U18 Americas Championship prior to their freshman year at Illinois. Illini Football handles Virginia, 24-3 Sep 12, 2022 9:30 am The Illini scored 24 unanswered points, while the defense held the Cavaliers to 1-for-16 on third down, 1-for-4 on fourth down, and racked up five sacks on the day. Hawkins' triple-double leads Fighting Illini past Syracuse Nov 30, 2022 9:45 am Coleman Hawkins registered the first Illinois triple-double in two seasons, recording 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Fighting Illini's 73-44 win over Syracuse. Terrence Shannon Jr. led all scorers with 17 points. When libraries like Gaza’s are destroyed, what’s lost is far more than books Dec 13, 2023 10:45 am Los Angeles Times (Dec. 12) U of I professor Laila Hussein Moustafa writes about what is lost when libraries are destroyed during times of war, especially as it pertains to the libraries in the Gaza Strip in the ongoing conflict. 20 somethings who speak their minds at work are changing the office forever Dec 18, 2023 10:15 am 'I think you still want work to matter in your life, but you’re thinking about how it fits into your identity, into your consciousness in a more critical way than I think the previous generations likely did,' says U of I labor expert Robert Bruno We have a mink problem: Birds aren’t humanity’s only bird-flu worry Mar 1, 2023 11:00 am The Atlantic (Feb. 28) –A bird-flu outbreak at a mink farm killed thousands of the animals. The good news, says U of I professor James Lowe, is that, 'we’re just not very susceptible' to bird flu, even when other mammals are infected. University of Illinois researcher helps create first-ever insulin-producing cow Mar 25, 2024 9:30 am WBBM-TV (March 21) – Illinois animal sciences professor Matt Wheeler discusses his research that helped create the first-ever insulin-producing cow that has the potential to save lives. 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.” 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.' 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. Hamlin’s injury highlights precarious position of many young NFL players Jan 30, 2023 11:00 am The New York Times (Jan. 29) 'The world’s collective heart is pouring itself out for Hamlin, but the main point is there are a lot of journeymen players who leave the league with serious problems,' says U of I labor law expert Michael LeRoy. How a billionaires boys’ club came to dominate the public square May 2, 2022 12:15 pm Washington Post (May 1) 'Even if Elon Musk was the smartest person on earth, had the best heart, had been touched by God, I wouldn’t want him to have that much power,' said U of I professor Robert McChesney. 'It's antithetical to democratic political theory.' World's largest softball tailgate returns Saturday May 6, 2022 9:00 am With a goal of filling every seat at Eichelberger Field, tailgating begins at 11:00 a.m. with inflatables, balloon artists, face painting, food trucks, and more. Fans are encouraged to stay to watch their Fighting Illini take on Penn State. Kayla Burbage joins Illini Volleyball for Fall 2022 May 10, 2022 9:30 am A 6-4 opposite/outside hitter from Clayton, N.C., Burbage transferred to Illinois following a year at the University of Missouri, where she started 24 of their 28 matches as a Freshman and led the team in blocks. Chicago soil can contain high levels of lead and other heavy metals May 25, 2022 10:15 am WBEZ-FM (Chicago, May 24) U of I Crop sciences professor Andrew Margenot's study found that 20% of the city exceeds the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s safe limit of 400 ppm for growing crops and backyard gardens. Why are so many states trying to limit transgender rights? Jun 14, 2022 2:00 pm An increasing number of states are proposing anti-transgender bills aimed at issues affecting children. They will lead to more legislation limiting the rights of transgender adults as well, says Professor Toby Beauchamp. Welcome, Class of 2027 Aug 14, 2023 4:00 pm LInk to Welcome Week events page Why businesses are still furiously hiring even as a downturn looms Sep 6, 2022 10:00 am Yahoo Finance (Sept. 5) The demand side of the jobs market has not changed much by the pandemic, but the supply side was more radically altered according to a recent study by U of I professor Eliza Forsythe and three co-authors. Paper: Neurotic personality trait a key risk factor for stress perception Nov 29, 2022 11:15 am While all of the 'Big Five' personality traits – agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism and openness – are related to experiencing stress, neuroticism showed the strongest link Illini face No. 24 Rutgers in Saturday showdown at State Farm Center Feb 10, 2023 2:30 pm Following an unexpected idle week with Tuesday's home game against Minnesota postponed due to COVID concerns, U of I returns to action Saturday at home against Rutgers (1 p.m. CT, FS1). Illinois has won seven of its last nine games. Friday night football: Illinois hosts Nebraska Oct 3, 2023 4:00 pm Illinois and Nebraska meet on Friday night at Memorial Stadium with the Illini looking to extend their three-game winning streak in the series. Both teams enter the game at 2-3 overall, and both seek their first Big Ten wins of the season. Men's Basketball: Illini face UCLA Friday in Las Vegas Nov 17, 2022 9:30 am No. 19 Illinois faces No. 8 UCLA on Friday night, marking the 21st game against a top-10 team under head coach Brad Underwood. The Illini set a single-season school record in 2020-21 with six wins over top-10 opponents. Ojibwe Tribe joins scientists to save Midwest's sacred wild rice plant Feb 15, 2023 12:30 pm The Nation (Feb. 15) 'If we can scaffold (Western science and ‘traditional ecological knowledge’), we'll strengthen our knowledge about these places and what’s happening to them,' says U of I historian Rosalyn LaPier, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. Illini Hall demolition uncovers a time capsule Feb 16, 2023 10:45 am WCIA-TV (Feb. 15) U of I officials didn't know there was a time capsule in a cornerstone of Illini Hall, but they'll be excited to see what it contains when it's opened this fall as part of the campus YMCA's 150th anniversary celebration. A fern’s ‘zombie’ fronds sprout unusual roots Feb 26, 2024 5:15 pm New York Times (Feb. 25) 'This is completely unknown in any other plant in the world'” says Jim Dalling, a professor and forest ecologist at the U. of I., who discovered the fern while searching for a completely unrelated plant. Alumnus Eli Murray wins Pulitzer Prize with ‘Tampa Bay Times’ team May 10, 2022 4:15 pm Murray, and his colleagues won for their series 'Poisoned,' an exposé of highly toxic hazards inside Florida’s only battery recycling plant that forced the implementation of safety measures to protect workers and nearby residents. Cycle syncing is trendy. Does it work? Jun 2, 2023 3:00 pm The New York Times (June 1) Much of the advice about timing training regimens around menstrual cycles is impractical, given that cycles vary, says Kathryn Clancy, a biological anthropology professor at the U. of I. 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. Executive Director of Facilities & Services announced Jun 29, 2022 11:15 am Ehab Kamarah has been selected to serve as the new Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Facilities and Services, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. What's the legacy of Federal Indian Boarding Schools in Illinois? Aug 1, 2023 12:00 pm WNIJ-AM (Aug. 1) Professor Dave Beck describes the legacy of St. Mary’s Training School for Boys in Maryville, Ill., where many Native American children were indoctrinated into white American culture, and where several of them died. U of I, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation creating East St. Louis ag & nutrition center Aug 2, 2022 9:45 am The space will include indoor, outdoor ag demonstration sites along with space for engagement with hands-on training and certification programs related to growing food, ag innovation, as well as space for athletics and physical training. U of I research: Reading for pleasure can strengthen memory in older adults Dec 7, 2022 12:00 pm Reading is simultaneously engaging and relaxing, and it’s fun to do alone or with friends. Now researchers say reading may help preserve memory skills as people — and their brains — grow older. Illini take down No. 2 Texas in overtime Dec 7, 2022 8:45 am Illinois fought back from a double-digit second-half deficit to force overtime and take down No. 2 Texas, 85-78. Freshman guard Jayden Epps scored the Illini's final five points of the second half to send the game to overtime. Illini face Northwestern tonight at State Farm Center Feb 23, 2023 9:00 am Fighting Illini Men's Basketball plays its penultimate game at State Farm Center on Thursday night, facing No. 21 Northwestern. Illinois is 13-2 at home this season and carries a four-game winning streak at State Farm Center. No. 12 Illini Host Senior Night vs. No. 3 Purdue Tuesday Mar 5, 2024 8:15 am The Illini close out the home schedule with Senior Night at State Farm Center, honoring seven players and three managers in a pregame ceremony. Illinois program turns cowgirl dreams into livestock research reality Apr 15, 2022 12:15 pm The moment 4-year-old Sarah Graham sat in a saddle for the first time, she announced she wanted to be a cowgirl. For the suburban Chicago preschooler, it was an unlikely dream. But it stuck. Robot farmers? Machines are crawling through America's fields. Some have lasers. Jun 5, 2023 10:00 am USA Today (June 4) Robots developed at Illinois can scoot under the canopy of crops to plant cover crop seed before the main crop is harvested. 'This will expand the ability to do cover cropping and take less time.' says professor Shadi Atallah. Can you hear corn grow at this time of year? In fact... Jun 13, 2023 10:45 am KKRC-FM (June 12) 'On very still nights you can hear a popping or cracking noise,' says U of I crop physiologist Fred Below. 'What you hear is the cell walls of the stalk expanding. Mostly I believe it is the tracheids expanding.' Homecoming Week at Illinois Oct 3, 2022 2:15 pm Events throughout the week include a student dinner on the Quad, the Global Talent Show, Saturday Night Live: Homecoming Edition in downtown Champaign, two concerts at State Farm Center and - of course - football on Saturday. 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.