blog posts 16 Illinois students, recent graduates offered Fulbright grants Jun 9, 2022 9:30 am Sixteen Illinois students and recent graduates were offered Fulbright grants to pursue international education, research and teaching experiences around the globe. Another six students were named Fulbright alternates. SHIELD program a model for effective pandemic management, data show Jun 9, 2022 9:30 am The SHIELD: Target, Test, Tell program combined frequent saliva tests with modeling and an app to keep the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus and surrounding community safe when on-campus operations resumed in fall 2020. Latin dance may be a step toward better working memory for older Latinos Jun 10, 2022 8:00 am Latino adults who participated in a health intervention that provided Latin dance lessons showed significant improvements in their working memory, according to a new Illinois study. Mike Hebert's impact on Fighting Illini Volleyball Jun 10, 2022 9:30 am This two-part series showcases how former head coach Mike Herbert evolved Illinois volleyball into a unit that would earn Illini women's athletics' first three Big Ten championships. Tour the Business Instructional Facility Jun 10, 2022 9:45 am The Business Instructional Facility (BIF) is a state-of-the-art, collaborative space where business students learn and study. The rise in book bans, explained Jun 10, 2022 9:45 am The Washington Post (June 9): “Book banning” has become a catchall phrase, says Emily Knox, who teaches library science at the U. of I. and is the author of “Book Banning in 21st-Century America.” Four exhibits to visit at Krannert Art Museum this summer Jun 10, 2022 11:15 am Learn about some of the rotating exhibits you should visit at KAM this summer. Illinois Extension: Serving state residents Jun 13, 2022 8:15 am Illinois Extension is the university’s statewide network of educators, faculty experts and staff dedicated to serving Illinois residents. No matter where you are in the State of Illinois, you’ll find Extension—they have a presence in every county. 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. 401(k) savers will see a ‘wake-up call’ in their next statement, says U of I law professor Jun 15, 2022 8:45 am CNBC (June 13) Starting in a few weeks, certain retirement investment account notices will contain new data: the monthly income a saver would get in retirement. 'For the bulk of Americans, it’ll be a wake-up call,' says Professor Richard Kaplan. Illini pitching ace Kirschsieper named ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Jun 15, 2022 8:45 am Cole Kirschsieper finished fifth in the Big Ten in innings pitched (87.1) and seventh in ERA (3.40). His 88 strikeouts ranked 10ths and his seven wins tied for fourth in the conference. What are the global security implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Jun 15, 2022 9:15 am The Russian invasion of Ukraine directly challenges the security order established by the Western democracies after World War II, said Edward A. Kolodziej, an expert in international relations and global politics. Illini Women’s Athletics begin to take flight in the ‘80s Jun 16, 2022 9:00 am After taking 'baby steps' during their first six years of existence, Fighting Illini women's varsity teams and athletes began to sprout wings during the 1980s. Scientists capture stunning view of Tarantula Nebula, a 'star factory' Jun 16, 2022 1:45 pm CNET (June 15) Newly released images show lavalike wisps, which may be 'remains of once-larger clouds that have been shredded by the enormous energy being released by young, massive stars,” says U of I's Tony Wong. Will the Jan. 6 committee hearings affect public opinion? Jun 20, 2022 10:00 am 'The one-sidedness of the entire process, where no one has presented alternative perspectives or cross-examined witnesses, hasn’t helped its cause,' says elections expert and Illinois political science professor Brian Gaines. Planet Hunger: Inside the global food crisis Jun 20, 2022 10:30 am Rolling Stone (June 19) Study says crop production today 21% lower than without climate change; alarming declines may begin as early as 2040. 'The largest single global change that threatens food security is high temperature,' says Professor Don Ort. Study examined COVID-19 policies' effects on people with disabilities Jun 20, 2022 1:15 pm COVID-19 safety policies in the U.S. that constrained leisure physical activities negatively affected the health and well-being of some people with disabilities, according to a survey by researchers at Illinois. Q+A with alumnus Russell Wigginton, president of the National Civil Rights Museum Jun 21, 2022 9:30 am From academia to public service, Russell Wigginton has led a career driven by a passion to assist others and build relationships – traits he’s carried since he was a student at Illinois. Rescuing ancient Maya history from the plow Jun 22, 2022 3:45 pm Anthropology professor Lisa Lucero and her colleagues are working to capture the history from Maya ruins before they are plowed under. Taking on the pandemic—and winning Jun 23, 2022 8:00 am How the College of Education successfully placed 100% of its students that required placements in schools or with community organizations during the first two years of the pandemic. U of I researchers create first high-yield plastic microprocessors that cost under a penny each Jun 23, 2022 9:15 am Researchers developed the first flexible plastic microprocessor chips that can be manufactured at scale for less than a penny per unit. They could help even everyday objects become 'smart' - including your beer. Extreme heat threatens U.S. herds and crops, will get more intense Jun 23, 2022 11:45 am Marketplace (June 22) U of I's Madhu Khanna says temperature swings could be just as harmful as the heat. 'We need crops that are more adapted to varying changes in climate, not just to be made more heat resistant or drought tolerant.' Chancellor Jones joins World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors Jun 24, 2022 9:15 am 'The chance to be part of one of our world’s most visible and most important organizations devoted to food security and agricultural innovation is exciting and humbling. I am grateful...for this singular opportunity,' Dr. Jones said. How intimate partner violence affects custody decisions Jun 24, 2022 11:00 am 'When we rely on mothers to self-report (intimate partner violence) to their attorney...they aren’t necessarily going to disclose it... That indicates a need for universal screening and assessment for IPV in divorce cases.' Small molecule transports iron in mice, human cells to treat some forms of anemia Jun 24, 2022 11:15 am Study demonstrates that the small molecule hinokitiol potentially could function as a 'molecular prosthetic' when the iron-transporting protein ferroportin is missing or defective, offering a potential treatment path for certain kinds of anemia. New program to support U of I freshmen with autism Jun 24, 2022 12:00 pm Incoming freshmen at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign this fall with autism spectrum disorder can take part in a new program that will offer a variety of support to help them succeed at college and beyond. Will renaming carp help control them? Jun 27, 2022 9:00 am Illinois officials this month announced that Asian carp would now be called 'copi' in an attempt to make the fish more desirable for eating. Creating consumer demand will help enlist commercial fishermen to cull these invasive species. Jonathan Davis placed second in USATF Finals Jun 27, 2022 9:15 am Illini track and field star and graduate student Jonathan Davis earned silver in the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championship in the 1500m on Saturday, adding a noteworthy accomplishment to his long list of accolades. Illini Motorsports: National Champions! Jun 28, 2022 9:30 am For the first time in its Formula SAE 40-year history, U of I's team won both competitions that comprised the 2022 Formula SAE National Collegiate series, finishing as the national champions with a nearly clean sweep of first-place trophies. Anaya, Wiles voted Illinois Freshmen of the Year Jun 28, 2022 9:45 am The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced its 2021-22 Freshmen of the Year. Lauren Wiles (softball) and Ashton Anaya (gymnastics) have been named the top female and male freshman competing for the Fighting Illini. Illinois to become abortion 'oasis' in wake of Dobbs ruling Jun 28, 2022 12:15 pm Law360 (June 27) If a projected 30,000 women a year from neighboring states seek abortions in Illinois, state residents may struggle to get an abortion because of high demand, says U. of I. law professor Robin Fretwell Wilson. 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. 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. Is interrogation of women who miscarry the next post-Roe reverberation? Jun 29, 2022 11:45 am Time (June 28) 'They were all suspects,' says abortion history expert Leslie Reagan. Doctors 'couldn’t tell if it was a natural miscarriage or whether they had induced it. They came to assume that anyone who came in...miscarrying, had induced it.' 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. Zacharie Perrin joins Fighting Illini Basketball Jul 5, 2022 8:30 am 'He has benefited from playing against older competition on the international stage, and he has what I value so much in recruiting: versatility. Zach can play multiple positions. He has perimeter skills, can step out and shoot it, and is a gifted passer.' 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.' Study explores coevolution of mammals and their lice Jul 5, 2022 9:00 am Lice first took up residence on a mammalian host tens of millions of years ago, thus beginning the long association between mammals and lice and setting the stage for their coevolution as new animal species developed. 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. 10 year anniversary: Remembering U of I's contribution to the Higgs Boson discovery Jul 5, 2022 11:30 am The discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider exactly ten years ago, and the progress made since then to determine its properties, have allowed physicists to make tremendous steps forward in our understanding of the universe Mathematics collaborates with Spurlock Museum to preserve iconic math models Jul 6, 2022 9:15 am The collection of math models in Altgeld Hall is considered one of the best in the world. They come from a pre-digital era: a way to help students understand geometry and algebra by literally grasping the concepts in their hands. Yu-Chieh Chiu: Clear for take off Jul 6, 2022 9:45 am How the joy of paper planes led graduate student, Yu-Chieh Chiu, to compete on the world stage at the Red Bull Paper Wings World Championships in Austria, and find community at Grainger Engineering ‘Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois’ opens newer window to old world Jul 6, 2022 11:15 am Chicago Sun-Times (July 3) Three experts, including Illinois Natural History Survey herpetologist Christopher Phillips, have published an illustrated guide to all things herpetology in Illinois, with 177 photographs, 100 maps and an identification key. Study explores unusual interaction between viruses, live vaccines Jul 6, 2022 1:45 pm Illinois researchers found that live vaccines and viruses can infect the same cells in living animals and sometimes share molecular tools that aid new infections. The findings should inform the design of vaccines to reduce spread of viruses. Illinois alumna receives Presidential Medal of Freedom Jul 8, 2022 4:00 pm Gies College of Business alumna and Brigadier General Wilma Vaught served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1985, becoming one of the most highly decorated military women in U.S. history at the time of her retirement. How the 1990s propelled Illini women’s athletics to national prominence Jul 8, 2022 4:15 pm The 1990s included individual NCAA championships and multiple Big Ten Athlete of the Year recognitions. What explains the cryptocurrency crash? Jul 8, 2022 4:15 pm Robert Brunner, the associate dean for innovation and chief disruption officer at the Gies College of Business, explains the cryptocurrency market. Illinois alumna sworn in as first Black woman on state Supreme Court Jul 8, 2022 4:30 pm Daily Herald (July 7) Lisa Holder White was sworn in as the first Black woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. Holder White earned a law degree from the U. of I. College of Law in 1993. University, area businesses invest $300,000 to fight local crime Jul 11, 2022 11:30 am 'Businesses and organizations have a responsibility...to lift up and advance the communities in which they live and work,' Chancellor Robert Jones said. 'We are coming together to do our part by supporting with words, actions and financial support.' Exodus from Illinois increased slightly during the pandemic Jul 11, 2022 11:45 am The Neighbor (July 9) U of I's Zach Kennedy says many who left the state were considered working age. “The U.S. population actually grew in the prime working age, young adult age cohorts, where Illinois actually lost population in these age cohorts.'