blog posts Unique opportunity to learn how Illinois soils have changed over 120 years Mar 16, 2023 3:00 pm In a dusty U of I barn that was scheduled for demolition, soil scientist Andrew Margenot discovered a time capsule in the form of thousands of jars of soil from around the state, some dating as far back as 1862. Possible genetic basis found for severe nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Feb 9, 2023 2:45 pm A mutant or damaged gene may be a cause of a severe, mysterious form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease that affects an estimated 25% of Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Soy protein blocks LDL cholesterol production, reducing risks of metabolic diseases Jan 23, 2023 9:45 am U of I food scientists discover that soybean varieties with greater proportions of the protein B-conglycinin reduce plasma cholesterol levels and promote liver homeostasis, showing potential for preventing fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis. U of I team central to NSF project researching flow of Earth’s mantle Dec 22, 2022 11:15 am A National Science Foundation project is exploring the microphysical activities of rocks that affect the Earth's upper mantle. 'Our modeling sits at the intersection of all this work. It's at the heart of the scientific process behind this project.' Experts boost activity of potential therapeutic target in triple-negative breast cancer Nov 30, 2022 11:00 am Illinois researchers have found that stimulating estrogen receptor beta in triple-negative breast cancers alters the activity of cancer-related genes and reduces the growth and metastasis of these breast cancers. Team uses digital cameras, machine learning to predict neurological disease Oct 11, 2022 10:45 am Illinois researchers led the development of a new approach for identifying people with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. Scientists crack upcycling plastics to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Oct 3, 2022 9:45 am Researchers have developed a breakthrough process to transform the most widely produced plastic - polyethylene - into the second-most widely produced plastic, polypropylene, which could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. DNA nets capture COVID-19 virus in low-cost rapid-testing platform Sep 23, 2022 1:00 pm Tiny nets woven from DNA strands can ensnare the spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19, lighting up the virus for a test – and also impeding the virus from infecting cells, opening a new possible route to treatment, study finds. Bringing science closer to the water Sep 2, 2022 1:00 pm The U. of I. RiverLab, the only one of its kind in the country, provides new insight into what's happening with our rivers Explore Vision 2030, a seven-year plan to enhance global learning & engagement Aug 23, 2022 3:45 pm Over the next seven years, the Global Strategy will serve as a roadmap to develop richer connections with current partners while pursuing new cooperative relationships in the Global South. U of I student’s research reveals signaling molecule key to activating hair regrowth Aug 3, 2022 10:30 am New research by a Carle Illinois College of Medicine student may unlock new naturally occurring treatments for patients with hair loss. 'The genetic basis for understanding how hair follicles can be reactivated has been a mystery until now.' 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. 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 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. 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.
