blog posts RIP Jim Kaler: Beloved professor, world-renowned expert on stars Dec 6, 2022 11:00 am Astronomy Magazine (Dec. 5) Jim Kaler, astronomy professor and one of the world’s leading experts on stars, died at his home at age 83. Kaler taught an estimated 10,000 students during his nearly 40-year career at the U. of I. At the heart of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, anthropology matters as much as history Jan 3, 2024 10:45 am The Hill (Dec. 27) Illinois professor emerita of anthropology Alma Gottlieb and a co-author discuss the importance of using anthropology to analyze the history of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Fall 2022: Record-breaking international student enrollment Jan 18, 2023 10:30 am Overall international fall enrollment at Illinois is 11,548, which topped the previous record of 10,826 students in 2017, and includes record high enrollments from India and Africa. Geothermal 'battery' repurposes abandoned oil and gas well in Illinois Jan 25, 2023 2:00 pm Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have successfully demonstrated efficient geothermal heat storage while simultaneously repurposing an abandoned oil and gas well. Illini Men's Basketball at Penn State tonight Feb 14, 2023 8:00 am The Illini have back-to-back road trips this week, beginning Tuesday night at Penn State (6 p.m. CT, ESPNU). Illinois has won eight of its last 10 games, compiling four- and three-game win streaks during this stretch. 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. Illini Baseball set for First Pitch invitational Mar 1, 2024 9:30 am Illinois baseball heads out on the road again, making the trip to Greenville, S.C., for the First Pitch Invitational, hosted by Michigan State at Fluor Field, home of the Greenville Drive, the High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Illinois to co-lead new Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub in Chicago Mar 2, 2023 11:30 am CZ Biohub will work to embed sensors into tissues to understand how healthy and diseased tissues function in unprecedented detail. 'This might feel like science fiction today, but we think it’s realistic to achieve huge progress in the next 10 years.' The truth about prebiotic sodas: Are they actually good for your gut health? Jun 7, 2024 12:30 pm The New York Times (June 6) They provide multiple types of fibers. 'It’s these complex mixtures of different fibers that support lots of different microbes' and general gut health, says U of I Professor Hannah Holscher. $4.5 million gift will support brain health innovation Jun 9, 2023 9:45 am The gift from the late Edward (Rick) Heiken emphasized the development and deployment of state-of-the-art assessment of cognitive and brain health, with special interest in being able to conduct assessments remotely. Men's, women's basketball season tickets on sale today Jun 12, 2023 9:00 am Season tickets for 2023-24 Fighting Illini men's and women's basketball go on sale today at noon. Both programs are coming off successful campaigns with anticipation high for the upcoming season. U of I student’s research reveals signaling molecule key to activating hair regrowth Aug 3, 2022 10:30 am New research by a Carle Illinois College of Medicine student may unlock new naturally occurring treatments for patients with hair loss. 'The genetic basis for understanding how hair follicles can be reactivated has been a mystery until now.' U of I students win second place in food science competition with 'Churroats' Aug 28, 2023 1:30 pm 'Churroats' are a rethinking of churros, made with oat pulp and baked instead of deep fried for a lower-fat snack. Oat pulp is a residue from the production of oat milk; it degrades quickly and usually goes to waste. The Galloping Ghost: Red Grange's unrivaled legacy Sep 1, 2023 9:00 am In honor of the 100th anniversary of Grange's Illinois debut back in 1923, we remember a man who revolutionized the game of football at the college and professional levels. Big Ten's Men's basketball schedule released Sep 20, 2023 9:45 am Illinois is the Big Ten's most winning team in conference play over the last four years, with Head Coach Brad Underwood directing the program to a 55-25 record. FAA faculty to lead Chancellor's Arts Integration initiative Sep 29, 2023 11:45 am In an effort to further integrate the arts into campus life, Chancellor Robert Jones has named Professor as Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Arts Integration. Dr. Amy L. Powell will serve as Curator of Campus Arts Research under Oliver’s direction. Xinzhu Yu receives NIH Director's New Innovator award Oct 3, 2023 11:30 am The New Innovator Award from the National Institutes of Health, which provides $2.4 M in funding over five years, will allow her to continue her exploration of mechanisms driving astrocyte-neuron interactions in the brain. State population trends higher-paid, more foreign-born, but losing older, Black, rural residents Oct 11, 2023 10:00 am Chicago Tribune (Oct. 10) U of I's Robert Bruno, the director of the Project for Middle Class Renewal, says the state trends suggest it is attracting a more educated workforce. 'That’s an optimistic view of where the state is heading.' Migration trends show stability in Illinois population, growth in its tax base Oct 12, 2023 12:15 pm Illinois Business News (Oct. 11) 'Reports of Illinois’ population decline have been greatly exaggerated by a reliance on political narratives and population estimates over hard data and actual census counts,' says Professor Robert Bruno. Chicago Mayor Johnson to split police union contract into two votes Oct 26, 2023 10:00 am Chicago Tribune (Oct. 24) Johnson’s move to split the bulk of the contract, including salaries and consent decree provisions, from controversial disciplinary measures is 'fascinating and unusual,' says U of I labor expert Bob Bruno. Strong guard play propels Illini Women in win over Alcorn State Nov 14, 2022 8:45 am Makira Cook led all scorers with 21, while Adalia McKenzie, Genesis Bryant, and Jada Peebles all finished in double figures. The Illini had an efficient day from deep, shooting 52.2% from beyond the arc. Terrence Shannon Jr. earns Big Ten Player of the Week honor Nov 22, 2022 9:15 am Shannon earns the award after averaging 22.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 59.5% from the field, including 56.5% from 3-point range. He led the No. 16 Fighting Illini to a 2-1 record on the week, including a top-10 victory. 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). Soy protein blocks LDL cholesterol production, reducing risks of metabolic diseases Jan 23, 2023 9:45 am U of I food scientists discover that soybean varieties with greater proportions of the protein B-conglycinin reduce plasma cholesterol levels and promote liver homeostasis, showing potential for preventing fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis. 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. 25th anniversary of Ebertfest announces ‘Star 80’ as opening night film Feb 29, 2024 11:30 am Roger Ebert’s Film Festival, running April 17-20, 2024, at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, will kick off with an opening night screening of Bob Fosse’s film Star 80 with stars Eric Roberts and Mariel Hemingway in attendance. 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. Supreme Court leak investigation will be led by U of I Law alumna May 4, 2022 10:15 am Bloomberg Law (May 3) Col. Gail A. Curley, who earned a law degree from U of I in 1999, will lead the probe of the leak of a draft opinion that would overturn abortion rights in the U.S. by striking down a 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision. Next-generation robots may have a more human exterior: Electronic skin Jul 5, 2022 9:45 am Inverse (July 1) U of I postdoctoral researcher Kyungseo Park has shown how electrodes and microphones could be built into hydrogel and silicone e-skin to provide more sensitive tactile input. A fruitful partnership in agricultural robotics Jul 25, 2022 9:00 am Being at the nexus of ag technology is great for startups and students. The ability to teach agricultural and robotics students a mere mile from campus at the Illinois Autonomous Farm testbed provides meaningful research experiences for all. Bold: Honoring the legacy of Nobel laureate Rosalyn Yalow Aug 1, 2022 11:00 am In September, 1941, Bronx-native Rosalyn Yalow arrived at the U of I to embark on her PhD in nuclear physics and a teaching assistantship. She was the only woman among 400 male faculty and teaching assistants in the college of engineering. U of I announce plans for Discovery Partners Institute for South Loop Sep 26, 2022 1:45 pm WGN-TV (Sept. 23) The University of Illinois announced Friday it is ready to make its mark on Chicago’s South Loop. Ground will be broken on the Discovery Partners Institute in 2024, creating a new hub for technology and innovation in Chicago. U of I joins five tech industry leaders in new Speech Accessibility Project Oct 3, 2022 10:30 am 'This task...requires a lot of infrastructure, ideally the kind that can be supported by leading tech companies, so we’ve created a(n) interdisciplinary team with expertise in linguistics, speech, AI, security, and privacy to help us meet this challenge.' What's behind the national surge in book bans? A low-tech website tied to Moms for Liberty Oct 5, 2023 2:45 pm USA Today (Oct. 5) 'The real problem is that people try to say, "I know what's best for the school system, and for the library, and the library should reflect my own values – no matter what the values are of other people in the community."' Why create 'An African American Reflection on the Potawatomi Trail of Death'? Oct 9, 2023 12:45 pm Christian Science Monitor (Oct. 6) 'We read land acknowledgments. ...They sort of say we’re sorry, but they don’t say what happened,' says U of I Professor Latrelle Bright, co-creator of the interactive experience. Maui Strong Relief Matchup supports wildfire relief efforts Oct 25, 2023 3:00 pm U. of I. men’s basketball takes on No. 1 Kansas on Oct. 29 in the Maui Strong Relief Matchup. Study: Canada geese beat humans in longstanding territory battle Nov 29, 2022 12:00 pm Cities spend a lot of time and money harassing geese to relocate, but new University of Illinois research shows standard goose harassment efforts aren’t effective, especially in winter when birds should be most susceptible to scare tactics. U of I College of Law represented at signing ceremony for Respect for Marriage Act Dec 13, 2022 3:15 pm The contributions of Robin Fretwell Wilson and her colleagues proved to be quite influential. Their letter to Senators Collins and Baldwin urging Republican support was cited on numerous occasions during the Senate debate. Earliest form of Mickey Mouse becomes public domain in 2024 - with caveats Dec 15, 2023 10:30 am Associated Press (Dec. 14) 'There’s actually more pushback now than there was 20-some years ago when the Mickey Mouse Act was passed,' says Paul Heald, a professor of law at the U. of I. Zac Braunagel named NCAA/B1G Wrestler of the Week Jan 12, 2023 9:00 am Redshirt junior Zac Braunagel (197) was named to NCAA Wrestler of the Week and Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the week honors for this weekend's performances against No. 2 Iowa and No. 13 Wisconsin. What led to the attempted coup in Brazil, what comes next? Jan 19, 2023 8:45 am Professor Jerry Dávila, who specializes in the history of Brazil in the 20th century, spoke about civil unrest in Brazil. 'It was a coup attempt, and it was styled after the (Jan. 6, 2021) attack on the U.S. Capitol.' CABBI, Crop Sciences team achieves first precision gene editing in miscanthus Jan 20, 2023 12:00 pm The results will accelerate efforts to tap the huge potential of this highly productive but genetically complex grass as a source for biofuels, renewable bioproducts, and carbon sequestration. Will a nuclear reactor spring up on the U of I campus? Jan 23, 2024 12:45 pm Crain’s Chicago Business (Jan. 22) If the U of I wins approval and funding for the project, it would mark the return of a nuclear reactor to the Urbana-Champaign campus for the first time in more than two decades Allegretti wins Illini-record third Super Bowl Feb 12, 2024 8:45 am Allegretti's three Super Bowl wins is the most ever by a former Illini. He passed Jim Grabowski, Ray Nitschke, Preston Pearson, Howard Griffith, Eugene Wilson, Dave Diehl, and Ted Karras, who all have two Super Bowl rings. 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. Oldest US agricultural plots go digital: 130+ years of Morrow Plots data now online Apr 21, 2023 9:00 am 'I’ve gotten requests from government and university researchers, both in the U.S. and abroad. They’re mainly modelers trying to link weather patterns with yield and soil data; a lot of modelers salivate at the Morrow Plots data.' Alumna Lisa Holder White to replace state Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman May 11, 2022 11:30 am Fourth District Appellate Justice Lisa Holder White was named Tuesday to replace retiring Justice Rita Garman on the Illinois Supreme Court, becoming its first Black female justice. Both Garman and White are U of I alumna. How much nitrogen does corn get from fertilizer? Less than farmers think Jun 5, 2023 9:00 am Recent studies by U of I researchers show that corn takes up the majority of its nitrogen – about 67% on average – from sources occurring naturally in soil, not from fertilizer. Illinois partners with Hope Chicago to support accessible education Jun 6, 2022 1:30 pm The partnership will support all incoming Hope Scholars to Illinois starting this fall, as well as future Hope Parent Scholars. Nature-inspired orthopedic implant coating kills bacteria, monitors strain Jun 6, 2023 10:45 am Bio IT World (June 5) – Researchers at Illinois believe they have come up with an attractive approach to the battle against bacteria that can infect orthopedic implants: an integrated strain sensor that provides a 'warning of instrument failure.'