primary for post 1365527503 Team looking to tap underground ‘thermal batteries’ to cool AI Data centers and save water Jul 2, 2026 8:00 am Aquifer-based geothermal systems, known as aquifer thermal energy storage, could help ease the environmental stress stemming from artificial intelligence data centers in the United States. Researchers at the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are proposing a new way to keep those facilities cool by using the naturally stable underground temperatures and groundwater as a giant natural “thermal battery.” Share this Story Share Team looking to tap underground ‘thermal batteries’ to cool AI Data centers and save water on Facebook Share Team looking to tap underground ‘thermal batteries’ to cool AI Data centers and save water on X primary for post 1330463528 Citizen scientists wanted: Learn about mosquitoes in your backyard Jul 1, 2026 12:15 pm People across Illinois can help researchers track mosquitoes as part of a new citizen science project at the Prairie Research Institute. Share this Story Share Citizen scientists wanted: Learn about mosquitoes in your backyard on Facebook Share Citizen scientists wanted: Learn about mosquitoes in your backyard on X primary for post 1002122651 New climate monitoring station provides local, real-time data to Coles County Jun 17, 2026 2:45 pm A new monitoring station installed recently in Coles County provides previously unavailable local, real-time weather, soil, and water data used by farmers, weather forecasters, industry, policymakers, and others. Share this Story Share New climate monitoring station provides local, real-time data to Coles County on Facebook Share New climate monitoring station provides local, real-time data to Coles County on X primary for post 1607634916 Ten students begin summer Potter internship at ISGS Jun 11, 2026 8:00 am The Potter Internship is a 10-week paid program designed for bachelor’s and master’s students. It provides students with hands-on research experience, focusing on topics related to the geology of Illinois. Share this Story Share Ten students begin summer Potter internship at ISGS on Facebook Share Ten students begin summer Potter internship at ISGS on X primary for post 356854650 Mild May wraps up an otherwise warm spring in Illinois Jun 8, 2026 9:00 am Despite milder May temperatures, spring 2026 was still a top 10 warmest on record in Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Prairie Research Institute. Share this Story Share Mild May wraps up an otherwise warm spring in Illinois on Facebook Share Mild May wraps up an otherwise warm spring in Illinois on X primary for post 1760287174 Bat in the house? Here’s how to remove it safely Jun 4, 2026 8:00 am There’s a very good chance that you’ll encounter a bat at some point in your life. Here's what you need to know if you find a bat in your house or elsewhere. Share this Story Share Bat in the house? Here’s how to remove it safely on Facebook Share Bat in the house? Here’s how to remove it safely on X primary for post 1636422619 Climate-driven urban growth could erase 55,000 Illinois cultural sites by 2100 May 8, 2026 9:30 am Land-use changes and urban growth will destroy tens of thousands of cultural sites in Illinois — and millions around the globe — by the year 2100, Prairie Research Institute archaeologists project. Share this Story Share Climate-driven urban growth could erase 55,000 Illinois cultural sites by 2100 on Facebook Share Climate-driven urban growth could erase 55,000 Illinois cultural sites by 2100 on X primary for post 1538637570 April 2026 warmest on record May 7, 2026 8:00 am April was the second warmest and eighth wettest April on record statewide, and was notable for many severe weather events, including tornadoes. Share this Story Share April 2026 warmest on record on Facebook Share April 2026 warmest on record on X primary for post 1072937284 IDPH grant supports tick, mosquito surveillance across the state May 1, 2026 8:00 am The two-year project supports statewide mosquito, tick, and biting midge surveillance. The lab will also test these specimens for pathogens like West Nile virus in mosquitoes and Lyme disease in ticks. Share this Story Share IDPH grant supports tick, mosquito surveillance across the state on Facebook Share IDPH grant supports tick, mosquito surveillance across the state on X primary for post 907430867 Warm, wet March kicks off spring Apr 10, 2026 4:30 pm March saw rollercoaster temperatures set numerous records and well above average precipitation that improved drought conditions in Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Prairie Research Institute. Share this Story Share Warm, wet March kicks off spring on Facebook Share Warm, wet March kicks off spring on X