blog posts Illini take down No. 2 Texas in overtime Dec 7, 2022 8:45 am Illinois fought back from a double-digit second-half deficit to force overtime and take down No. 2 Texas, 85-78. Freshman guard Jayden Epps scored the Illini's final five points of the second half to send the game to overtime. Illini face No. 24 Rutgers in Saturday showdown at State Farm Center Feb 10, 2023 2:30 pm Following an unexpected idle week with Tuesday's home game against Minnesota postponed due to COVID concerns, U of I returns to action Saturday at home against Rutgers (1 p.m. CT, FS1). Illinois has won seven of its last nine games. 150,000-year-old human tooth rare evidence of Denisovans May 20, 2022 11:45 am If confirmed, this discovery would be the first fossil evidence that Denisovans — an extinct hominin species that co-existed with Neanderthals and modern humans — lived in southeast Asia. What's the legacy of Federal Indian Boarding Schools in Illinois? Aug 1, 2023 12:00 pm WNIJ-AM (Aug. 1) Professor Dave Beck describes the legacy of St. Mary’s Training School for Boys in Maryville, Ill., where many Native American children were indoctrinated into white American culture, and where several of them died. Friday night football: Illinois hosts Nebraska Oct 3, 2023 4:00 pm Illinois and Nebraska meet on Friday night at Memorial Stadium with the Illini looking to extend their three-game winning streak in the series. Both teams enter the game at 2-3 overall, and both seek their first Big Ten wins of the season. Men's Basketball: Illini face UCLA Friday in Las Vegas Nov 17, 2022 9:30 am No. 19 Illinois faces No. 8 UCLA on Friday night, marking the 21st game against a top-10 team under head coach Brad Underwood. The Illini set a single-season school record in 2020-21 with six wins over top-10 opponents. U of I research: Reading for pleasure can strengthen memory in older adults Dec 7, 2022 12:00 pm Reading is simultaneously engaging and relaxing, and it’s fun to do alone or with friends. Now researchers say reading may help preserve memory skills as people — and their brains — grow older. U of I celebrates Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary in 2024 Jan 10, 2024 11:15 am Illinois is set to host Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 19 - 100 years and one day from Red Grange's historic six-touchdown game at the stadium's opening. 100th anniversary celebrations are planned throughout the year. Hamlin’s injury highlights precarious position of many young NFL players Jan 30, 2023 11:00 am The New York Times (Jan. 29) 'The world’s collective heart is pouring itself out for Hamlin, but the main point is there are a lot of journeymen players who leave the league with serious problems,' says U of I labor law expert Michael LeRoy. Exhibition explores black ink, watercolor paintings by Shozo Sato Mar 21, 2023 1:45 pm The black ink and watercolor paintings by Shozo Sato, including landscapes of the American West, are featured at Krannert Art Museum. Contemporary work by artists using traditional Japanese aesthetics has not been well-studied by art historians, says curator Maureen Warren. World's largest softball tailgate returns Saturday May 6, 2022 9:00 am With a goal of filling every seat at Eichelberger Field, tailgating begins at 11:00 a.m. with inflatables, balloon artists, face painting, food trucks, and more. Fans are encouraged to stay to watch their Fighting Illini take on Penn State. 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. Kayla Burbage joins Illini Volleyball for Fall 2022 May 10, 2022 9:30 am A 6-4 opposite/outside hitter from Clayton, N.C., Burbage transferred to Illinois following a year at the University of Missouri, where she started 24 of their 28 matches as a Freshman and led the team in blocks. Cycle syncing is trendy. Does it work? Jun 2, 2023 3:00 pm The New York Times (June 1) Much of the advice about timing training regimens around menstrual cycles is impractical, given that cycles vary, says Kathryn Clancy, a biological anthropology professor at the U. of I. Vet Med: Saving an endangered breed of donkey Jun 3, 2022 10:45 am Numbers of Baudet du Poitou donkeys have dwindled to only 300-400 worldwide. A breeding effort is underway at Illinois to expand their numbers and help save the breed from extinction. Photos by Michelle Hassel. Welcome, Class of 2027 Aug 14, 2023 4:00 pm LInk to Welcome Week events page Why businesses are still furiously hiring even as a downturn looms Sep 6, 2022 10:00 am Yahoo Finance (Sept. 5) The demand side of the jobs market has not changed much by the pandemic, but the supply side was more radically altered according to a recent study by U of I professor Eliza Forsythe and three co-authors. Reflecting on Thurgood Marshall's speech at U of I in 1956 Jan 17, 2024 10:15 am On March 8, 1956, future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall visited the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to talk about his work, the many cases of segregation in Illinois, and the murder of Emmett Till. We have a mink problem: Birds aren’t humanity’s only bird-flu worry Mar 1, 2023 11:00 am The Atlantic (Feb. 28) –A bird-flu outbreak at a mink farm killed thousands of the animals. The good news, says U of I professor James Lowe, is that, 'we’re just not very susceptible' to bird flu, even when other mammals are infected. Report shows U of I grads' success in job placement, starting salaries Mar 28, 2023 10:45 am “No matter where they are from or where they land, a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of the best decisions and best investments a student can make for their education, career and life,” Chancellor Robert J. Jones said. “We are thrilled to see our graduates succeeding at such high rates.” ChatGPT becomes ChatRepair to automate bug fixing for less Apr 6, 2023 11:15 am The Register (April 5) – U. of I. researchers have enlisted ChatGPT to repair software bugs without breaking the bank. The title of their recent preprint paper: 'Fixing 162 out of 337 bugs for $0.42 each using ChatGPT.' Coleman named vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost Apr 19, 2023 10:45 am John Coleman will be the next vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost at Illinois, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. 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. 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. How a billionaires boys’ club came to dominate the public square May 2, 2022 12:15 pm Washington Post (May 1) 'Even if Elon Musk was the smartest person on earth, had the best heart, had been touched by God, I wouldn’t want him to have that much power,' said U of I professor Robert McChesney. 'It's antithetical to democratic political theory.' New census figures: Illinois’ population actually gained. Experts say warning signs remain May 23, 2022 2:00 pm Chicago Tribune (May 23) Follow-up survey shows Illinois’ population was likely undercounted in 2020 census that cost it a congressional seat. 'Our problem is we are not growing as fast as places like Florida and Texas,' says U of I's Cynthia Buckley. Chicago soil can contain high levels of lead and other heavy metals May 25, 2022 10:15 am WBEZ-FM (Chicago, May 24) U of I Crop sciences professor Andrew Margenot's study found that 20% of the city exceeds the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s safe limit of 400 ppm for growing crops and backyard gardens. Illini Football handles Virginia, 24-3 Sep 12, 2022 9:30 am The Illini scored 24 unanswered points, while the defense held the Cavaliers to 1-for-16 on third down, 1-for-4 on fourth down, and racked up five sacks on the day. Paper: Neurotic personality trait a key risk factor for stress perception Nov 29, 2022 11:15 am While all of the 'Big Five' personality traits – agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism and openness – are related to experiencing stress, neuroticism showed the strongest link Hawkins' triple-double leads Fighting Illini past Syracuse Nov 30, 2022 9:45 am Coleman Hawkins registered the first Illinois triple-double in two seasons, recording 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Fighting Illini's 73-44 win over Syracuse. Terrence Shannon Jr. led all scorers with 17 points. 20 somethings who speak their minds at work are changing the office forever Dec 18, 2023 10:15 am 'I think you still want work to matter in your life, but you’re thinking about how it fits into your identity, into your consciousness in a more critical way than I think the previous generations likely did,' says U of I labor expert Robert Bruno Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative to help students with autism, dyslexia, ADHD Mar 6, 2023 11:00 am Awareness is growing of the array of talents and skills that neurodivergent individuals can bring to the workplace. INI aims to see that students are successfully employed within six months of graduation, said program creator Jeanne Kramer. Nurturing a tropical paradise in the heart of the Midwest Mar 10, 2023 9:00 am The U of I Plant Biology Greenhouse and Conservatory houses more than 200 species and 60 families of tropical and subtropical plants selected for their botanical interest or economic importance. Illinois Athletics announces 2023 Hall of Fame inductees May 9, 2023 11:45 am The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics named 12 new members to the UI Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023, including athletes and coaches from nine different teams. Kyprianou named director of Illinois Track & Field, Cross Country Jul 27, 2022 9:45 am Petros Kyprianou was a three-time U.S. Track & Field Coaches Association National Coach of the Year. In six seasons as head coach at the University of Georgia, he led the Bulldogs to a pair of NCAA titles and a total of 16 top-ten NCAA finishes. Grant supports online Women, Power, and Money Program for Financial Planning Aug 5, 2022 11:45 am The Women, Power, and Money Program familiarizes students with financial planning fundamentals and negotiation skills, and empowers them to make confident decisions and overcome sexism and other obstacles in the workplace. U of I researchers have a plan to harvest fresh water from ocean vapor Dec 21, 2022 10:15 am Gizmodo (Dec. 20) U of I professor Praveen Kumar says drought-affected places like the American Southwest would be ideal beneficiaries of a device that would harvest water vapor from above the ocean to supply fresh water. Poets&Quants’ MBA Program of the Year for 2022: The Gies iMBA Jan 5, 2023 10:45 am Poets & Quants (Jan. 5) Illinois' iMBA has revolutionized online business education, and not just because of its $23K price tag. In 2022, it launched a pair of fully online, credit-bearing graduate certificates, with up to six more options within the year. New study discovers coal's unexpected role in next-gen microelectronics Jan 8, 2024 11:30 am Interesting Engineering (Jan. 4) 'Our novel processing techniques have transformed coal into high-purity materials,' says U of I's Qing Cao. 'These materials have unlocked possibilities for creating ultra-small electronics with exceptional performance.' Women’s Basketball to honor Illini coaching great Theresa Grentz Feb 8, 2023 4:15 pm The Illini welcome back former head coach and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Inductee Theresa Grentz to celebrate her legendary career with a Hall of Fame banner ceremony on February 19 before a game against Penn State. 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. 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. Heat waves may cause humans to slow down. But it gets crickets chirping Jul 24, 2023 11:45 am Nebraska Public Media (July 21) Insects might find themselves out of sync with plants they rely on, says U of I's May Berenbaum. 'If you’re an insect with one host plant and you emerge when the leaves are no longer edible, you’re out of luck.' Thousands of farmers in China have started to grow a remarkable new perennial rice Nov 9, 2022 10:00 am NPR ( Nov. 7) 'This is a really big deal. This is a change in the way that we think about agriculture,' says Erik Sacks, a plant geneticist at the U. of I. who collaborated with the Chinese scientists and co-wrote a new study. Magic lamps: Microcavity plasma devices Nov 10, 2022 11:15 am The most prominent application of microcavity plasma devices to date has been producing ozone for drinking water disinfection. Microcavity plasmas developed in Eden’s lab overcome raditional barriers of cost and power consumption. 3M plant in Illinois was nation's worst emitter of climate-killing ‘immortal’ chemical in '21 Jan 3, 2023 11:30 am Inside Climate News (Dec. 29) 'Any emissions of CF4 are going to drive further climate change and lead to things that are going to affect our planet for many, many thousands of years.' says Professor Donald Wuebbles. Illinois Men's Tennis takes down No. 13 Georgia Feb 16, 2023 8:00 am The Illinois men's tennis team defeated No. 13 Georgia on Wednesday night at the XS Tennis Village in Chicago, Ill. 'The theme of the day was focus,' head coach Brad Dancer said. 'It was a great way to start off Chicago.' With four career-highs, beam program shatters records against Michigan State Feb 28, 2023 9:00 am No. 24 Illinois women's gymnastics broke its program best beam score. Amelia Knight, Mallory Mizuki, Abby Mueller and Ruthuja Nataraj shattered their career-highs in a 197.450-196.425 loss to No. 13 Michigan State Monday night. Hartleb: Winningest coach in Illini Baseball history with victory over Michigan Apr 3, 2023 8:45 am Dan Hartleb is now Illinois baseball's winningest coach in program history. With Sunday's victory over Michigan, Hartleb overtook Lee Eilbracht, who finished his Illini career with 518 wins. Denial of institutional racism linked to anti-Black prejudice, U of I study says May 24, 2022 11:00 am UPI (May 23) 'The denial of structural racism appears to be a big barrier to racial equity because it allows for more victim-blaming explanations of systemic inequality,' says doctoral student, study leader Jacqueline Yi.