blog posts After Covid, survey shows nursing profession remains in crisis in Illinois Apr 1, 2024 9:00 am Illinois Business Journal (3/27) 'The underlying conditions that nurses faced during the pandemic have not abated, and additional interventions are likely needed to retain this critical segment of the labor force,' says U of I's Robert Bruno. Aftermath of a distressing event is more memorable than the lead-up, study suggests Jan 19, 2024 12:15 pm Clarifying the relationship between trauma and memory can improve how we evaluate eyewitness testimonies, inform therapies to treat PTSD, and help clinicians combat memory decline in brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. After the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse: Are other bridges in danger? Mar 27, 2024 6:00 pm Architectural Digest (March 26) The Francis Scott Key Bridge catastrophe in Baltimore has been a shock to the nation – but not a surprise to experts. 'This incident could happen again,' says U of I structural engineering professor Bassem Andrawes. Agave is an increasingly popular substitute for honey and sugar. But is it healthy? Dec 19, 2023 8:45 am USA Today (Dec. 15) A report from the U of I College of ACES notes that agave is 1.5 times sweeter than even table sugar, so it takes less of it to achieve the same level of sweetness as other sweeteners. Ageism, mistaken beliefs complicate acceptance of older adults’ sexuality Jan 23, 2024 12:30 pm More than 25% of the young adults surveyed in a recent study mistakenly believed that sexual activity increases older adults’ risk of heart attack and that disinterest in sex is a normal and inevitable part of aging. A heart of stone: Study defines the process of and defenses against cardiac valve calcification Jun 25, 2024 2:00 pm Bruce Fouke and researcher Miyandi Sivaguru led a study that detailed the process of calcification in the heart’s aortic valve and the body’s defense tactics that can slow the process. A huge leap forward: Photosynthesis hack boosts soybean yield 20% Aug 18, 2022 2:15 pm U of I-led team of RIPE researchers prove bioengineering better photosynthesis increases yields in food crops for the first time ever. A huge number of homeowners have mortgage rates too good to give up Apr 15, 2024 3:30 pm New York Times (April 15) The average American household has a fixed rate mortgage that’s a whopping three points lower than new mortgage rates. 'You could think of your locked-in rate as an asset that you own,' says U of I professor Julia Fonseca. AI chatbots will never stop hallucinating Apr 5, 2024 3:00 pm Scientific American (April 5) When generative AI models produce responses that don’t match reality, it's called 'hallucination.' U of I professor Dilek Hakkani-Tür, says AI hallucinations spring from their fundamental construction. AI finds potential biomarker for ADHD from brain scans Dec 20, 2023 3:15 pm Psychology Today (Dec. 17) 'There is definitely an unmet need for more objective metrics for diagnosis (of ADHD). That's the gap we're trying to fill,' says Carle Illinois College of Medicine student Justin Huynh . AI models inch closer to hacking on their own Apr 30, 2024 11:15 am Axios (April 26) Some large language models already have the ability to exploit known security vulnerabilities. Computer scientists at U of I found that GPT-4 can write malicious scripts to exploit known vulnerabilities using publicly available data. AI-powered tech could help people with speech impairments to work remotely Sep 24, 2024 1:45 pm CNN (Sept. 23) The Speech Accessibility Project, led by U. of I.'s Beckman Institute, is collecting voice data from people with different conditions to build algorithms for supporting people with non-standard speech. Air pollution via wildfire smoke increases suicide risk in rural counties Sep 12, 2023 11:00 am A new paper co-written by Gies College of Business professor David Molitor found that air pollution via drifting wildfire smoke disproportionately elevates the risk of suicide among rural populations in the U.S. Air pollution via wildfire smoke takes toll on labor markets Jun 27, 2023 11:30 am A new paper analyzes how air pollution via the effects of drifting wildfire smoke impacts the U.S. labor market. All-America honors start rolling in for Newton Dec 7, 2023 9:45 am U of I defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton was named to five All-America lists on Wednesday. He's also been named named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a Nagurski Trophy finalist, as one of the nation's top five defensive players. 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. All five starters score in double figures, Illini cruise to victory over Rutgers Jan 18, 2024 10:45 am The Fighting Illini recorded at least 90 points for the second straight game, their first time hitting that scoring mark in back-to-back Big Ten games since the 1998-99 season. Along for (more than) the ride with U of I Police Jan 9, 2023 12:15 pm 'Our primary focus as crisis workers is in suicide prevention and hospital deferral when clinically appropriate,' says alumna Becky Rowe (MSW, '21). 'We bring evidence-based tools directly to the client, in the field.' Altgeld Hall cleaning brings back its long-forgotten pink color Jun 22, 2023 11:00 am 'When completed, along with the roof replacement work, the Phase 2 work of this project will return the exterior of this iconic U of I building to its former glory,' says Facilities & Services project manager Kevin Price. Although the air is now cleaner in the U.S., air pollution remains a problem for public health Sep 21, 2023 10:30 am "It’s pretty clear that wildfire smoke is affecting a lot more people on a lot more days than it used to,” says Christopher Tessum, a professor of civil and environmental engineering. Altmyer named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Sep 24, 2024 9:45 am Altmyer led Illinois to a 31-24 win at Nebraska by throwing for four touchdowns on 21-of-27 passing and amassing 236 total yards of offense. He tied the game with a touchdown pass, then threw the game-winner to Pat Bryant in overtime. Altmyer named Fighting Illini starting quarterback Aug 23, 2023 11:45 am Altmyer was 28-for-54 passing (51.9%) for 317 yards and three touchdowns during his time at Ole Miss. 247Sports ranked him as the No. 10 transfer quarterback in the nation heading into 2023. Alumna Ann Thayer Weldy helped readers find comfort—and themselves—in her books Jul 26, 2023 12:15 pm To the world, she became Ann Bannon, the name under which she published six lesbian pulp fiction novels. Over sixty years later, these books remain fundamental to the LGBTQ canon. Alumna Joanne Lee Molinaro, ‘The Korean Vegan,’ to give talk, cooking demo Sep 7, 2023 12:30 pm 'The Korean Vegan' – a lawyer, TikTok star and best-selling cookbook author – will speak and give a cooking demonstration on Sept. 21 at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts as part of the PYGMALION festival. 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. Alumna named Brave Heart Fellow for revealing Indigenous culture, influence on campus Oct 11, 2023 11:30 am Cydnee Weber designed an eco-cultural tour to help students appreciate nature and the influence of Indigenous communities. She also saw few opportunities for students to cultivate plants, so she offers ideas on raising greenery on campus. Alumni create MoonArk, a tiny museum bound for the moon Apr 20, 2023 1:15 pm At only eight inches high and two inches in diameter, the metal MoonArk sculpture has four stacked chambers packed with hundreds of images, poems, music, mechanisms, earthly samples, and nano-objects. 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. Alumnus receives first-ever Shin Humanitarian Award, pays it forward to Crop Sciences Aug 2, 2023 9:15 am Renowned crop breeder B.B. Singh was honored with the inaugural Shin Humanitarian Award by the U of I for his exemplary impact on humanity by addressing global food security. He's giving the $50,000 prize back to the College of ACES. Alumnus Russell Wigginton: 'My whole career has been a dream job' Jul 5, 2024 10:15 am Russell Wigginton believes that his history, experience and passion all led him to becoming president of the National Civil Rights Museum. 'It’s a fascinating, beautiful culmination of my life and experiences to end up in this job.' Alumnus Tyrone Phillips returns to campus as director of Theatre's 'The Royale' Feb 23, 2023 8:00 am For Tyrone Phillips, telling this story about a great boxer, based on Jack Johnson in 1905, is as much about shedding light on one of America's greatest athletes as it is an act of antiracism today. Alum's $50M gift establishes Siebel School of Computing and Data Science Apr 26, 2024 10:30 am Forbes (April 25) 'By supporting cutting-edge research and fostering innovation, we hope to empower future generations of leaders in technology and society, driving positive change in our world,' said benefactor Tom Siebel. Alum's film about his brother's life, death in Vietnam screening on campus Oct 7, 2022 9:30 am When Peter McDowell was growing up in Champaign, the life of his older brother, a Vietnam War veteran, and his untimely death in 1972 at age 24 were a mystery. See the award winning film, 'Jimmy in Saigon', and discuss it with McDowell. Alum Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, to keynote Title IX summit May 17, 2022 9:45 am 'Sheila has been a pioneer in every sense of the word, breaking new ground throughout the course of her life in education, media, business, and sports,' said DIA Director Josh Whitman. 'Sheila has always been a proud Illini...' A marvelous morning of migratory bird banding Oct 25, 2022 10:15 am Birds throughout the world are in trouble, and habitat loss is one reason for their decline. Understanding their life cycles and habitat requirements during migration is increasingly important – especially as climate change continues to affect the world. Amazon, Google make dueling nuclear investments to power data centers with clean energy Oct 17, 2024 11:30 am AP (Oct.16) If new, clean power isn’t added as data centers are developed, the U.S. runs the risk of 'browning the grid,' says Kathryn Huff, a former U.S. assistant secretary for nuclear energy, now a U. of I. professor of nuclear engineering. Amazon taps U. of I. as artificial intelligence race heats up Sep 11, 2023 11:30 am Chicago Sun Times (Sept. 22) “We want the system to have a sort of brain, a knowledge base … so that it can be more knowledgeable than a lot of humans, for example, and the conversation can be more informative,” says AICE director Heng Ji. American Lung Association: A quarter of Americans live with polluted air Apr 20, 2023 11:30 am There’s a myth that only poor communities live with disproportionate pollution levels, says Chris Tessum, U of I professor of civil and environmental engineering. Tessum says race really is the determining factor. Americans with disabilities need an updated long-term care plan, say advocates Nov 10, 2022 10:30 am NPR (Nov. 9) About half of families that care for a loved one with disabilities have made plans for the future, and an even smaller portion have revisited those plans to ensure they're up to date, says U of I Professor Meghan Burke. America's greatest AI visionary is... an English professor at Illinois Dec 6, 2023 3:45 pm Business Insider (Dec. 6) In a world filled with artificial intelligence skeptics and chatbot alarmists, Illinois English professor Ted Underwood is making one of the strongest, most compelling cases for the value of artificial intelligence. America's insurance crisis: Ballooning premiums for home, car insurance Dec 5, 2023 12:45 pm Daily Mail (Dec. 3) 'There’s been an increase in fatalities and accidents, and data showing that people are driving more recklessly,' says U of I professor of finance Lynne McChristian. A micro-scale look at how parachute textiles act under stress Oct 21, 2024 11:45 am Beckman Institute researchers used micro-CT scans to understand how stress impacts parachutes on the fiber-scale. This information will be used to develop better models for identifying promising parachute textile candidates. 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. Ancient DNA reveals Indigenous dog lineages found at Jamestown, Virginia Aug 20, 2024 12:30 pm 'Previous studies (found) there were a lot of Indigenous dogs in the United States and that they were eradicated. We wanted to understand what that entailed: were they culled, was it the competition with European dogs...' Ancient katydid fossil reveals muscles, digestive tract, glands, testicle Jun 23, 2023 11:45 am “Now we know that about 50 million years ago, this genus had already evolved and already had a morphology that mimics the grass in which it lives and hides from predators,' said Sam Heads, director of the U of I’s Center for Paleontology. A new milestone in the study of octopus arms Nov 13, 2024 9:30 am The new model is a milestone both in biology, where it helps explain the octopus’s impressive capability, and engineering. 'The computational model is a useful testbed for roboticists to test their algorithms,' Professor Prashant Mehta said. A new, more effective way to assess teachers’ competency Feb 15, 2023 2:45 pm Nancy Latham, director of the Council on Teacher Education at Illinois, coauthored a book that makes the credentialing system for teachers simpler and more trustworthy for those hiring them. As a bonus, it can be used in other industries, too. A new ‘SPIN’ on research Jun 21, 2023 10:45 am SPIN gives undergraduates at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign the chance to work with NCSA staff on research and development projects in supercomputing, data analytics, visualization, and more. Announcing the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science Apr 24, 2024 8:45 am The School will pioneer advancements at the intersection of computing and data science, addressing complex challenges and driving innovation across various fields. Another presidential portrait: Trump's mug shot Aug 30, 2023 12:15 pm New York Times (Aug. 30) Communication Professor Cara Finnegan writes that in its effect, and in the way its subject has begun to deploy it, Trump's mug shot is the natural evolution of all the images that came before it.