blog posts You don’t have to type anymore: Welcome to the golden age of voice dictation Apr 9, 2024 1:30 pm The Atlantic (April 8) 'For a long time, we were making gradual, incremental progress, and then suddenly things started to get better much faster,' says U of I electrical and computer engineering professor Mark Hasegawa-Johnson. Curiosities from our collections: 1893 Chicago World's Fair Apr 9, 2024 1:00 pm According to Winton Solberg, a renowned historian of the university, it took our faculty two and a half years to prepare our exhibit, 'which consisted of nine freight carloads...and occupied eight thousand square feet in the Illinois State Building.' Research examines tweets during Hurricane María to analyze social media use during disasters Apr 9, 2024 9:45 am Understanding how social media is used during a disaster can help with disaster preparedness and recovery for future events, says urban and regional planning professor Omar Pérez Figueroa. Fighting Illini Athletics set to host Spring Sports Fest Apr 9, 2024 9:00 am Fighting Illini Athletics is set to host Spring Sports Fest from April 12-14, featuring 11 home events across four sports - Track & Field, Softball, Baseball, and Women's Tennis. Union wave is picking up at Chicago, suburban libraries, cultural institutions Apr 8, 2024 1:30 pm Chicago Sun-Times (April 5) Overall union membership has fallen dramatically since historic highs in the 1950s. 'Employers spend a lot of money trying to stay union-free. They have a lot of tools to do that,' says U of I's Robert Bruno. Five Illinois students honored with Goldwater scholarships Apr 8, 2024 12:00 pm U of I students Sylvia E, Daniel Feng, Alice Gao, Amelia Korveziroska and Riley Trendler were awarded Goldwater scholarships for their potential to contribute to the advancement of research in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering. Moms Weekend 2024, April 12-14 Apr 8, 2024 8:00 am Celebrate over 100 years of inviting Moms to the Illinois campus! 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. Perinatal women of Mexican descent propose solutions to pandemic stressors affecting Latinos Apr 4, 2024 3:15 pm The women in the study had difficulties accessing mental health treatment, child care and food. Their insights were used to identify programs that could help meet the needs of Latino communities during future emergencies. Illinois art history scholar awarded 2024 ACLS Fellowship Apr 4, 2024 2:00 pm The fellowships support scholars with the potential to make original and significant contributions in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. They provide up to $60,000 for 6-12 months of sustained research and writing. Illini trio named to WBIT All-Tournament team, Cook named Most Outstanding Player Apr 4, 2024 8:30 am Fighting Illini women's basketball's Kendall Bostic, Genesis Bryant, and Makira Cook were all named to the WBIT's all-tournament team. The trio helped guide the Illini to their first postseason title in program history. WBIT Inaugural Champions! Apr 4, 2024 8:15 am Behind a big second-half surge, Illinois clinched the inaugural WBIT title in a 71-57 victory over Villanova at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Wednesday night. The victory marked the program's first-ever postseason title. 'We have a great opportunity to finish strong': Illini seek first postseason title Apr 3, 2024 10:30 am After taking down Washington State in the final four, Illini Women's Basketball booked their ticket in the WBIT championship game, their first appearance in a non-conference postseason title game ever. They face Villanova tonight at 6 p.m. Gymnast Brandon Dang earns Big Ten Freshman of the Year award Apr 3, 2024 10:30 am 'Brandon is the first single event specialist in my memory to win the Big Ten Freshman of the year - an award that is typically reserved for the highest-ranking all-around freshman. This just makes his accomplishments even more impressive.' Environmental scientist escapes Cameroon conflict as part of U of I Scholars at Risk program Apr 3, 2024 10:00 am 'It’s not a good feeling when guys with guns say you will die if you don’t comply. Mostly they will keep you until they get the ransom money. There are so many groups fighting that the next week another group can catch you, and then another. It’s crazy.' What can researchers learn about ecosystems, the environment during the solar eclipse? Apr 3, 2024 8:00 am Professor Carl Bernacchi describes the coordination of scientific instruments across the U.S. and Mexico that will be used to measure the physical, atmospheric and ecological changes that occur during the solar eclipse. How to regrow your age-shrunken brain in just six months Apr 2, 2024 2:15 pm Newsweek (March 29) 'We can see older people on these exercise interventions gain brain tissue in as little as six months,' says U of I professor Brad Sutton. 'And usually by the time we can see it in an image, it’s a pretty big effect.' Book: How scholars can thrive in the competitive world of research, creative enterprise Apr 2, 2024 9:15 am A new book by Illinois meteorology professor Kelvin Droegemeier seeks to empower researchers and creative professionals and give them a broader view of the world early in their careers. Fighting Illini play for WBIT Championship against Villanova on Wednesday Apr 2, 2024 8:15 am In the WBIT semifinals, Illinois took on a Washington State team that had earned a No. 1 seed. The Illini led for the final 38 minutes in its 81-58 win on Monday evening, sending them to the championship game later this week. Exhibition explores contradiction between material culture, our animal bodies Apr 1, 2024 11:30 am 'Junk Drawer,' an exhibition of work by U of I art professor Guen Montgomery, features prints made from fur pelts and family clothing as a meditation on the conflict between our material culture and our animal biology. Illini loss to top-ranked Connecticut in Elite Eight caps great season Apr 1, 2024 10:15 am After advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005 and for the 10th time in program history, Big Ten Tournament champion Illinois finished the 2023-24 season with a 29-9 record, its third-most wins in program history. U of I's famous Engineering Open House, April 5 & 6 Apr 1, 2024 10:00 am For the past 100+ years EOH has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to the University of Illinois and provided a unique outlet for visitors to explore engineering. Welcome to EOH 2024. 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. Illini prepare for WBIT semifinals, program's first-ever appearance in April Apr 1, 2024 8:45 am Earning a spot in the semifinals of the inaugural WBIT, the Fighting Illini will take on Washington State at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Monday evening. Illini Close Strong, Earn Spot in Elite Eight With Gritty Win Over Iowa State Mar 29, 2024 8:30 am Never trailing in the contest, third-seeded Illinois battled to a 72-69 win over No. 2 seed Iowa State in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night at TD Garden to secure a spot in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005. Lyric Theatre at three venues to perform ‘Fugitive Songs’ about people on the run Mar 28, 2024 10:15 am The Lyric Theatre program takes audiences on a road trip throughout the country when it presents “Fugitive Songs” at the various locations in the community. Can genetic genealogy restore family narratives disrupted by the transatlantic slave trade? Mar 28, 2024 10:15 am African Americans descended from enslaved ancestors are working to trace their family histories and are finding a new sense of identity rooted in specific ancestral lineages and homelands, says anthropology professor LaKisha David. 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. Journalism students tackle global issue of 'period poverty' with documentary Mar 27, 2024 9:45 am WFLD-TV (March 25) Six Illinois journalism students just returned from Sierra Leone, where women lack access to menstrual products, education and proper sanitation facilities. Inspired by science fiction: A monocycle robot with two legs Mar 27, 2024 9:00 am The hybrid leg-wheel mechanism enables the robot to tackle diverse terrains, and to maneuver through narrow spaces, which means this design can be adapted for last-mile deliveries in congested environments. Caring for flat-faced dogs in respiratory distress Mar 27, 2024 8:45 am Breeding flat-faced animals like bulldogs comes at a cost. U of I veterinary surgeon Heidi Phillips treats many of the respiratory problems these animals face, but says better breeding practices as a more effective way to prevent them. Illini Basketball doubleheader watch party set for State Farm Center Mar 27, 2024 8:30 am Fighting Illini Athletics will host a doubleheader watch party at State Farm Center on Thursday, with both women's and men's basketball playing postseason games being shown on the videoboard. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and admission is free. How is the Russia-Ukraine war affecting non-allied countries’ interest in joining NATO? Mar 27, 2024 8:15 am Refusing to provide additional aid to Ukraine may diminish the U.S.’s reputational soft power within NATO and with non-allied countries, according to sociology professor and demographer Cynthia Buckley. Are personality tests actually useful? Mar 26, 2024 10:30 am Time (March 25) Personality tests are a useful way for people to better understand themselves, especially when they’re young. 'Everybody wants to better know who they are – and that’s what a personality test can give you,' says U of I's Brent Roberts. Digital twin of patient's heart could lead to targeted treatment Mar 26, 2024 9:00 am A digital model that uses machine learning could simulate various patient-related factors, heart function, and treatments 'to identify the risk of developing heart failure and novel treatment options,' says MD/PhD student Pranav Dorbala. Expert advises eclipse watchers to get the best vantage point – are you ready? Mar 26, 2024 8:45 am Only those within the path of totality (about 115 miles in diameter) will be see a total eclipse. 'Partial solar eclipses are interesting, but they pale compared to totality. If you can do it, try to get to the path of totality. It is worth it,' says professor Leslie Looney. Electrochemistry helps clean up electronic waste recycling, precious metal recovery Mar 25, 2024 11:15 am A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shows how electrochemistry can be used to extract precious metals from discarded electronics in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. 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. Illini advance to Sweet 16 for first time since 2005 Mar 25, 2024 8:00 am No. 3 seed Illinois dominated from start to finish in its 89-63 second-round win over 11th-seeded Duquesne at the CHI Health Center Omaha on Saturday night. Strong start sends Illini Women past Stony Brook, into WBIT quarterfinals Mar 25, 2024 8:00 am Illinois never trailed en route to a dominant 79-62 win over Stony Brook in the second round of the WBIT at State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon. Second-half surge sends Illini past Morehead State in tournament opener Mar 22, 2024 8:15 am Marcus Domask recorded the sixth triple-double in Illinois' program history, the first by an Illini in the NCAA Tournament, and only the 10th overall in NCAA Tournament history. Illinois now plays Saturday in the second round vs. 11th-seeded Duquesne. Illini complete comeback in WBIT opener against Missouri State Mar 22, 2024 8:15 am Illinois overcame a double-digit second-half deficit to take down Missouri State, 74-69, in the first round of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament at State Farm Center on Thursday night. 'Cape lions' had an extremely rich variety of genes before extinction Mar 21, 2024 3:00 pm Earth.com (March 20) U of I researchers utilized genomics to explore whether the extinct Cape lion still influences the gene pool of existing lions, revealing unexpected genetic diversity. University of Illinois home to new global food, ag communications center Mar 20, 2024 11:45 am FarmProgress (March 19) 'When consumers, policymakers and decision-makers are better informed about agriculture, farmers will have a more productive, profitable and sustainable relationship with all those parties,' says U of I's Owen Roberts. CI MED students establish new free eye care clinic Mar 20, 2024 10:15 am 'We have a lot of patients who are excited to see us because they often do not have vision insurance... Many patients have waited over three or four years to be seen because they simply cannot afford new glasses or an eye exam.' Beneath the surface: Charting the Mahomet Aquifer for water security Mar 20, 2024 10:00 am The volume of the Mahomet Aquafir has always been a mystery, but a groundbreaking technology is giving us a deeper understanding of this vital water source, laying the groundwork for critical, equitable water management and governance. WBIT first-round game time announced for Illinois at State Farm Center Mar 20, 2024 8:00 am Illinois women's basketball will play its first-round matchup of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament against Missouri State at 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 21. Illinois is one of 16 host schools for the first round. Image of Research semifinalists. Vote for your favorite! Mar 19, 2024 1:15 pm You'll be amazed at the diversity and beauty of graduate student research at Illinois. We invite you to explore the online exhibition and vote for your top three entries. Your votes will determine the People's Choice winner ($100 award). Greenhouse gas emissions in Global South countries linked with IMF lending policies Mar 19, 2024 12:45 pm Sociology professor Matthew Soener's study found that Global South countries' greenhouse gas emissions rose after borrowing from the International Monetary Fund using a structural loan, and rose even faster with additional loans. How should voters feel about polls heading into the presidential election? Mar 19, 2024 11:15 am With the small number of swing states in play, national polls will be of limited value, says University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign political science professor Brian Gaines.