blog posts Illinois study suggests aerobic excercise changes the makeup of the microbes in our gut Dec 11, 2017 2:30 pm Business Insider (Dec. 10) 'These are the first studies to show that exercise can have an effect on your gut independent of diet or other factors,' says Professor Jeffrey Woods Turning down the toxicity of nature’s most powerful antifungal Dec 12, 2023 12:30 pm Fierce Pharma (Audio, Dec. 8) Illinois chemistry professor Martin Burke talks about a new drug without the toxicity of a known anti-fungal, its path to the clinic and how it could influence the next generation of antimicrobials. Are we seeing more destructive tornadoes in winter months? Dec 14, 2022 10:45 am Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Dec. 13) 'The only months in the U.S. that have experienced a robust positive trend in tornado activity are December and January,' says U of I atmospheric sciences professor Jeff Trapp. 'So yes, this is indeed factual.' Illinois researchers are looking at cover crops as a source of feed savings Dec 15, 2016 1:15 pm Iowa Farmer Today (Dec. 15) Illinois has two trials going on now with 104- and 110-day corn followed by cover crops. Gifts won’t make you happy for long Dec 16, 2019 1:45 pm Baltimore Sun (Dec. 14) Illinois happiness expert Ed Diener has found that those who value attaining material possessions more than they value creating happy experiences have nearly as many negative moods as positive moods. U of I to receive $5.5 million to help local communities hit hard by cuts in defense spending Dec 17, 2015 1:15 pm The Republic (Dec. 16) - The idea is to collect data about Illinois' defense sector and help communities by putting the data to work. Girls face a staggering amount of sexual harassment and violence Dec 17, 2018 8:45 am Dallas Morning News (Dec. 16) – Nearly 7 in 10 girls experience sexual harassment before they leave high school, according to a 2014 study from Illinois Democrats rush to back union as labor dispute threatens presidential debate Dec 17, 2019 2:15 pm Washington Times (Dec. 16) 'It’s a really bad look to cross a picket line,' says Illinois labor expert Robert Bruno. 'It clearly signals how important organized labor’s support is to all of the candidates.' Illinois social work professor's program helping children who are victims of tragedies Dec 18, 2015 11:00 am NPR (Dec.17) - Now Tara Powell's team is adapting the program for young Syrian refugees. The best defense against fake news? Knowledge about how the news media work Dec 18, 2017 2:15 pm CDC News (Dec. 16) Illinois journalism professor surveyed 400 adults to see whether their tendency to believe in conspiracy theories was related to their understanding about how the media work Researchers consider storing CO2 underground at more Decatur-area sites Dec 20, 2016 9:00 am They're looking at the Forsyth oil field north of Decatur, says Sallie Greenberg, the associate director for energy research and development with the Illinois State Geological Survey at Illinois Simple mantle plume can’t account for size, complexity of volcanic system in western U.S. Dec 20, 2017 9:45 am United Press International (Dec. 18) Instead, Illinois researchers believe Yellowstone volcanism derives much of its heat and power from the Pacific oceanic mantle Engineering expert in New York Times on importance of aquifers Dec 21, 2015 10:00 am The New York Times (Dec. 21) -- Megan Konar, an engineer at Illinois, is among the experts eager to see California lead the world toward more sustainable methods. Biosensor-based microscope may help scientists understand how stem cells specialize Dec 21, 2016 8:45 am Photonics (Dec. 19) The Photonic Crystal Enhanced Microscope, developed by Illinois researchers, could help biologists better understand how stem cells transform into specialized cells and how diseases like cancer spread. Study: Famed Domesday Book was completed later than historians thought Jan 3, 2019 4:15 pm Arts Technica (Jan. 2) Carol Symes, a professor of history at Illinois, argues that the famed Domesday book was actually completed years, maybe even decades, later than originally thought. Meet the Illinois startup helping NASA, Boeing detect errors in their software Jan 4, 2019 11:45 am Chicago Inno (Jan. 3) Runtime Verification's technology can automatically detect bugs that are lurking in a company’s software and identify problems before a program crashes 3-D printer manufacturer promises “more innovations” later in the year... Jan 6, 2016 3:30 pm Tech Times (Jan. 5) - ...including an online 3-D printing course created in collaboration with the Makerlab at Illinois. Illinois professor’s research looks at brain activity as it relates to yoga Jan 6, 2020 12:45 pm BTN (Jan. 3) 'Anecdotally, anyone you talk to will tell you it helps them. The instructors...can tell how different poses will help,' says researcher Neha Gothe. 'But there definitely needs to be more science to back it up.' Was this a coup attempt? Here’s some history and context to help you decide Jan 7, 2021 1:30 pm PolitiFact (Jan. 6) 'We define a coup d’etat as the sudden and irregular (i.e., illegal or extra-legal) removal, or displacement, of the executive authority of an independent government,' wrote the Coup D’etat Project at Illinois. Does sexual harassment training work? Jan 9, 2018 11:30 am PBS Newshour (Jan. 8) Illinois' Louise Fitzgerald says ignorance of what constitutes harassment is not the problem. 'Do you reallty think grown men need to be taught not to grope their co-workers?' Statins great at lowering cholesterol, research says, but may hinder fitness Jan 10, 2017 9:00 am “Mice that received statins gradually reduced the amount of voluntary wheel running over the course of two weeks, whereas the mice that received saline maintained their mileage,” says lead researcher Marni Boppart, a professor at Illinois. Let hospitals, not politicians, triage care during the latest COVID-19 surge Jan 10, 2022 10:00 am Chicago Tribune (Jan. 10) Omicron may be less virulent than delta and other variants but the volume of infections is placing unprecedented demand on hospitals and their resources, writes U of I professor Sheldon Jacobson. U of I's rail transportation center calculates cost of delayed maintenance on Chicago's Metra system Jan 11, 2019 9:30 am Daily Herald (Jan.10) Study by the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center shows the failure to spend $1 in preventive maintenance now can cost $4 in deferred maintenance later Dual-purpose biofuel crops could extend production, increase profits Jan 12, 2017 9:00 am According to recent Illinois research, dual-purpose biofuel crops could produce both ethanol and biodiesel for nine months of the year—increasing profits by as much as 30%. 'Be A Quitter' helps Illinois businesses provide tobacco cessation programs Jan 12, 2022 12:15 pm The Center Square (Jan. 11) 'Our mission at Illinois Extension is to provide unbiased, research-based solutions to the challenges faced by Illinois residents, families, communities and businesses.This project does exactly that.' Christian foster care reopens debate on religious freedom and government Jan 18, 2019 11:00 am WBUR-FM (Jan. 17) Experts including Illinois law professor Robin Fretwell Wilson take a closer look at how church and state clash when it comes to federal funding for adoption and social services Phishing scheme targeting Gmail users fools even seasoned security experts Jan 20, 2017 12:30 pm Chicago Tribune (Jan. 19) Nikita Borisov, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Illinois, says the scam can be hard to spot. Urban farms, insects, key in battle against hunger Jan 20, 2022 10:30 am Sci Dev Net (Jan. 19) Food security is an ongoing challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Raised in a drought-prone area of Kenya, U. of I. entomology professor Esther Ngumbi says insects can be a sustainable source of food and nutrition. Tendency to rely on the internet as a memory aid increases after each use Jan 24, 2017 10:45 am The Guardian (Jan. 24) Researchers at Illinois and U-C Santa Cruz have identified the phenomenon they call 'cognitive offloading' Are federal workers being forced into involuntary servitude? Jan 25, 2019 1:00 pm San Fancisco Chronicle (Jan. 25) Professor Michael LeRoy writes that no court has addressed the question of whether the government can fire federal employees working without pay for not showing up Fulton County grand jury could be necessary ammo in prosecuting Trump Jan 25, 2023 10:00 am Newsweek (Jan. 24) 'Would the grand jury report help the credibility of the government’s allegations? Probably,' says law professor Andrew Leipold. '...We can be modestly confident the jurors' oversight made the report more careful and precise.' Microplastic contamination found in underground aquifers Jan 28, 2019 10:00 am Earth.com (Jan. 28) U of I study is first to reveal the discovery of microplastics in fractured limestone aquifers, an underground freshwater source that supplies 25% of drinking water worldwide University of Illinois system office is shrinking Jan 29, 2018 12:45 pm Chronicle of Higher Ed (Jan. 29) When its administrative realignment is complete, the U of I System will have shifted 115 positions, $8.4 million in recurring funds to the three campuses Reducing air pollution saved the US $24 billion on elderly health benefits Jan 29, 2020 10:30 am 'One of the main ways...we differ from previous studies of air pollution is that we rigorously estimate the counterfactual life expectancy of individuals killed by acute pollution exposure,” says Illinois's Tatyana Deryugina Experts sound alarm on herbicide resistance: For some weeds, we may have no good chemical options Jan 31, 2018 11:15 am Country Guide (Jan. 30) Adam Davis, a professor of crop sciences at Illinois, says Palmer amaranth and waterhemp have gone beyond mere 'hard-to-control weed' status U of I Prof Jason Mazzone on the significance of Justice Breyer’s retirement Jan 31, 2022 10:00 am WGN Radio (Jan. 29) Law professor Jason Mazzone explains what makes Justice Breyer unique to the Supreme Court and whether or not President Biden is the first to place a specific kind of justice on the court. Mayor Rahm Emanuel, execs from Chicago tech companies, visit campus to recruit young techies Feb 1, 2017 10:00 am Crain's Chicago Business (Jan. 30) Their itinerary included a visit to the U of I Research Park, where researchers are working on everything from prosthetics to solar cars UI researchers predict corn yields based on weather at three critical growth periods Feb 1, 2019 11:00 am New Food (Jan. 31) Beyond predicting crop yield quantity, this study identifies conditions leading to higher oil or protein concentrations – information that matters to grain buyers UI launches bioenergy research center to generate fuel products directly from plants Feb 2, 2018 1:00 pm Kansas City Star (Feb. 1) 'We're really hoping to open the door to a whole bio-economy where we're using plants as factories,' said Center director Evan DeLucia 'Insects run the planet, something most people don't know' Feb 5, 2020 1:00 pm Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Feb. 4) Illinois professor May Berenbaum will deliver the keynote address, 'How humans affect insect evolution without even realizing it,' at a celebration of the life, works of Charles Darwin. Two-thirds of our electricity still comes from fossil fuels, but solar is growing rapidly Feb 6, 2018 11:00 am WGLT-FM (Feb. 6) – About 1% of all electricity generated in the U.S. comes from solar power, says Illinois professor Don Fullerton. 'It’s not going to take over the world yet' NSF-funded institutions must now report if a researcher commits sexual harassment Feb 8, 2018 2:30 pm Nature (Feb. 8) 'At the end of the day, if the employing institution doesn’t do its job, those who are affected will still be in a very difficult situation,” says Illinois' C.K. Gunsalus Some states considering bills requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns Feb 9, 2017 12:30 pm Bloomberg BNA (Feb. 8) Vikram David Amar, dean of the College of Law at Illinois, says such bills would likely be challenged and states would have to take steps to defend their actions. The U.S. grows massive amounts of soy. So why is our edamame imported? Feb 12, 2016 10:00 am Modern Farmer (Feb.11) - “Vegetable processors identify weed interference as a major limitation to domestic edamame production on a commercial scale,” writes a University of Illinois crop scientist How Earth's new Rubin Observatory will usher in the next era of asteroid space missions Feb 12, 2024 1:00 pm Space.com (Feb. 9) The new Rubin Observatory may kick-start a new era of space exploration. 'Nothing will come close to the depth of Rubin’s survey and the level of characterization we will get for solar system objects,' says U of I Professor Siegfried Eggl. Illinois entomologist, colleagues found fungicides make it harder for bees to metabolize food Feb 15, 2017 11:15 am KTCS-TV (Feb. 14) If bees can’t get energy from their food, they can’t fly. The study was published Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Gov. Pritzker touts benefits of $500 million investment in U of I-led research institute network Feb 17, 2020 9:00 am Journal Gazette & Times Courier (Feb. 13) 'Today’s announcement is so exciting. It will fast-track construction planning and we hope to break ground for DPI in a few months,' says University System President Tim Killeen. USA Today (Feb. 17) -- Former Illini coach Lou Henson headed for Hall of Fame. Feb 18, 2015 11:30 am "I still think they made a mistake," Henson said, offering a good-natured laugh. "There are a lot of people out there that deserve it more than me." Coyote numbers have rebounded. Some 2,000 are even in Chicago Feb 20, 2017 2:30 pm Chicgo Tribune (Feb. 20) Illinois Extension agrees that “coyote population reduction (removing some or all of the coyotes in an area) is usually unrealistic and always temporary.” Three charged with conspiring to illegally sell manuscripts of Eagles hits Feb 21, 2024 11:15 am AP (Feb. 20) Clashes over collectibles abound, but criminal trials like this are rare. 'If you can avoid a prosecution by handing over the thing, most people just hand it over,' says Travis McDade, a U of I expert in rare document disputes.