blog posts Health study involves adults with Down syndrome ‘every step of the way’ Oct 15, 2025 9:45 am A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health will collect the direct perspectives of young adults with Down syndrome and develop community resources to support their social, mental and physical well-being. Study: Tariffs have potential to reshape US beer market Oct 7, 2025 8:30 am Tariffs could stimulate increased domestic beer production, but gains in domestic market share would most likely be concentrated among multinational firms rather than independently owned craft breweries, said Professor Aaron Staples. Study: Muscle-building response to weight training differs among high-protein animal foods Sep 22, 2025 3:45 pm Studies suggest that whole foods are better at stimulating post-workout protein synthesis than their processed counterparts, and that the fat content of whole foods may, in some circumstances, improve the rate of muscle-building. Long-term alcohol use suspends liver cells in limbo, preventing regeneration Sep 14, 2025 11:15 pm Excessive alcohol consumption can disrupt the liver’s unique regenerative abilities by trapping cells in limbo between their functional and regenerative states, even after a patient stops drinking, U. of I. researchers describe in a new study. U. of I. researchers unlock new insights into granular hydrogels for biomedical applications Sep 4, 2025 8:45 am 'The work that we're doing is fundamental to having high quality models of tissue you could use to understand disease progression and aging, and to validate new therapeutics,' said Professor Brendan Harley. Professor’s book examines how doctors in history established what was 'normal' Aug 26, 2025 10:45 am Stephanie Hilger's book considers how 18th century European medical doctors shaped perceptions of 'hermaphrodites' - people who were deemed to have non-normative sexual genitalia - through case histories. 4D images show spacecraft heat shield damage goes below the surface Jul 29, 2025 2:15 pm Carbon fiber heat shields decompose to dissipate heat during re-entry. It was assumed this only happens on the surface, but new U. of I. research show degradation beneath the surface as well, possibly threatening the life of the vehicle. Illinois information sciences researchers develop AI safety testing methods Aug 12, 2025 11:15 am 'I think AI security research needs to expand. We hope to push the research to a direction that is more practical — security evaluation and mitigation that will make differences to the real world,' said professor Haohan Wang. Stoichiometric crystal could solve quantum memory issue Jul 9, 2025 9:30 am Although classical memory—like the type used to store text messages between users—is relatively simple to facilitate, quantum information can't be stored, copied, or retained in this way. Model tackles key obstacle to efficient plastic recycling Jun 24, 2025 8:00 am Researchers developed a better model for the catalytic depolymerization of plastics, addressing a key obstacle to widespread plastic recycling. How are veterinarians advancing cancer research in dogs, people? Jun 23, 2025 1:00 pm A professor of veterinary clinical medicine at Illinois is among those developing new treatments for cancer in dogs and studying their translation to human medicine. Machine-learning model reliably predicts cognitive performance Jun 16, 2025 8:45 am A machine-learning algorithm developed byIllinois researchers determined that age, blood pressure and BMI were the best predictors of cognitive performance. Study links influenza A viral infection to microbiome, brain gene expression changes Jun 18, 2025 10:00 am In a study of neonatal piglets, Illinois researchers linked influenza A viral infection to alterations of the nasal microbiome and potentially detrimental changes in brain gene expression. Fermenting legume pulses boosts their antidiabetic, antioxidant properties Jun 6, 2025 2:45 pm U. of I. researchers identified the optimal fermentation conditions for pulses ― the dried edible seeds of legumes ― that increased their antioxidant and antidiabetic properties and their soluble protein content. Study: Erasing medical debt has little impact on financial health, credit access Jun 2, 2025 9:00 am Major credit bureaus will eliminate medical debt from credit reports in hopes of making it easier for debtors to get other loans. U. of I. researchers found no evidence the change would effect consumers’ credit scores or borrowing behavior. Eating craved foods with meals lessens cravings, boosts weight loss May 19, 2025 1:30 pm Eating small amounts of craved foods as desserts with well-balanced meals helped dieters lose weight and manage cravings, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found in a new study. Paper: AI-human task-sharing could cut mammography screening costs by up to 30% May 7, 2025 8:45 am A study by Professor Mehmet Eren Ahsen finds the most effective way to use artificial intelligence when screening for breast cancer may be through collaboration with human radiologists — not by wholesale replacing them. DNA origami guides new possibilities in the fight against pancreatic cancer Apr 22, 2025 3:00 pm 'This research highlights not only the potential for more accurate cancer imaging, but also selective chemotherapy delivery, a significant advancement over current...treatments,' said U. of I. Professor Bumsoo Han. Omnivorous? Vegan? Makes no difference to muscle building after weightlifting, study finds Apr 21, 2025 9:15 am A new clinical trial tested a vegan diet against an omnivorous diet and found no difference in the rate of muscle-protein synthesis after weight training. Federal privacy law needed for sensitive consumer data when companies go bankrupt Apr 16, 2025 11:30 am What happens to your personal information when a genetic testing company goes belly up? It would most likely be sold to a successor company that customers might not want to entrust with their genetic data, says law expert Sara Gerke. Wearable technology continuously monitors heart-rate recovery to predict risk Apr 9, 2025 11:00 am U. of I. researchers used a 'smart shirt' to track participants’ heart-rate recovery after exercise and developed a tool for analyzing the data to predict those at higher risk of heart-related ailments. Study finds global downturn in bias against stigmatized groups Apr 7, 2025 10:45 am A study in 33 countries between 2009 and 2019 found substantial reductions in explicit, self-reported bias against all categories of stigma they examined: age, race, body weight, skin tone and sexual orientation. Drug-delivering aptamers target leukemia stem cells for one-two knockout punch Apr 3, 2025 9:45 am The aptamers - short single-strand snippets of DNA that can target molecules like larger antibodies do - not only deliver cancer-fighting drugs, but also are themselves toxic to the cancer stem cells, the researchers said. Study: Microalgae and bacteria team up to convert CO2 into useful products Apr 1, 2025 12:15 pm The successful production of these compounds is a proof-of-concept that the system works, said study lead Yong-Su Jin. 'We can also imagine that we can use this approach to make other valuable proteins such as insulin.' New IVF method mimics fallopian tube environment, increasing sperm viability Mar 25, 2025 1:15 pm “There are companies, especially related to dairy cattle, that use IVF to produce and sell high-genetic-merit embryos that... will produce milk more efficiently,' said professor David Miller. 'This technology could help produce meat and milk more efficiently.' To overcome antibiotic resistance, new research says to let it flow Mar 18, 2025 8:00 am Some notoriously difficult to treat infections may not be as resistant to antibiotics as has been thought, according to research using a microfluidic device that more closely duplicates the fluid flow found in the body than standard cultures. Study: 'Sustainable intensification' on the farm reduces nitrate losses, maintains yields Mar 13, 2025 8:30 am U. of I. researcher Lowell Gentry and his colleagues found that an intensive three-year crop-rotation system reduced nitrate pollution runoff by 50% without compromising crop yields. Safer infrastructure through AI Feb 26, 2025 9:30 am 'My research aims to automate, enhance corrosion detection, segmentation and measurement using (AI), which can improve accuracy, efficiency and consistency in corrosion analysis,' said doctoral student Shengyi Wang. Solving the hidden cost of constant connectivity at work Mar 3, 2025 8:45 am New research from Gies Business on the hidden cost of constant connectivity in modern workplaces, which leads to relational overload as employees struggle to balance multiple requests and expectations. Mutation increases enzyme in mouse brains linked to schizophrenia behaviors Feb 18, 2025 1:30 pm Professor Uwe Rudolph and researcher Maltesh Kambali led an international group who found a key role for an enzyme regulating glycine in the brain while investigating a rare genetic mutation found in two patients with schizophrenia. Dating is not broken, but the trajectories of relationships have changed Feb 12, 2025 8:45 am Despite societal changes such as dating apps and young adults waiting longer to marry, college students’ expectations about romantic relationships remained much the same over the last decade, according to U. of I. research. Study: Civil organizing persisted during Syrian civil war Jan 30, 2025 8:45 am Civil organizing persisted during Syria’s civil war but also shifted to 'translocal organizations' operating in rebel-held territory inside Syria and in neighboring countries, according to research by Professor Rana Khoury. Book: Maya wisdom should guide humanity’s future Jan 21, 2025 9:15 am Anthropology professor Lisa Lucero’s book explores how the Maya survived for thousands of years by building their societies on a respect for, and integration into, the natural world. Students' research points to concussion risks, symptoms in high school athletes Jan 15, 2025 9:00 am New research from a Carle Illinois College of Medicine team reveals certain high school athletes may be more likely to sustain a concussion while playing school-sponsored sports than others. Physical neglect as damaging to children’s social development as abuse Jan 9, 2025 12:45 pm 'Maltreated children often feel shame and may have lower self-esteem and sense of belonging... Experiencing abuse or neglect may also cause children to anticipate rejection or victimization by their peers, making them less likely to reach out to others.' Targeting cancer solutions with Grainger Engineering Jan 10, 2025 8:45 am Two Grainger Engineering-led teams received $54 million from ARPA-H to deliver solutions to cancer-related problems. 'We're one of a few institutions to receive two separate awards. This speaks to the power of (our) engineering-driven science.' Gene editing tool reduces Alzheimer’s plaque precursor in mice Dec 23, 2024 1:30 pm A new gene editing tool that helps cellular machinery skip parts of genes responsible for diseases has been applied to reduce the formation of amyloid-beta plaque precursors in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. U. of I. historian: Midwest played a crucial role in Black freedom movements worldwide Dec 12, 2024 8:00 am The Midwest played a key role in incubating and expanding the ideas of political activist Marcus Garvey, not only in the U.S., but globally, Professor Erik McDuffie writes in his new book. Illinois researchers examine teens’ use of generative AI, safety concerns Dec 2, 2024 8:00 am Professor Yang Wang and doctoral student Yaman Yu examined teens’ use of generative AI and found parents had little understanding of how their children used it and that GAI platforms offer insufficient safety protections. Separating home life from work: Maybe there’s a 'Vegas rule' for that Dec 9, 2024 12:00 pm Professor Oscar Ybarra explores how well individuals can separate their work and home life, suggesting that people with stronger working memory are better able to keep home stressors from affecting their work. CI MED research offers updated snapshots of AFib, anti-stroke treatment across U.S. Nov 21, 2024 9:30 am A study reveals more Americans than previously estimated have developed an irregular heartbeat that puts them at higher risk for stroke and death. It also shows important gaps in how atrial fibrillation is treated in the U.S. Study: Community Notes on X could be key to curbing misinformation Nov 21, 2024 11:15 am A crowdsourced fact-checking tool on X encourages users to voluntarily retract misinformation, which could balance the need to curb false information while respecting free speech, and as a transparent alternative to traditional fact-checking. Thinking hands: How gesturing can help us understand difficult concepts Nov 6, 2024 9:30 am Hand gestures are a common, natural part of human communication. And if you’ve ever seen someone gesturing when on a cell phone or when trying to solve a geometry problem, you know that gestures also help us think. New book examines the impact of colonialism on Puerto Rico Nov 7, 2024 8:45 am Professor Jose Atiles' book suggests the Puerto Rican and U.S. governments exacerbated crises such as hurricanes, COVID-19, and spiraling public debt through socioeconomic, legal and racialized conditions they created. 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. Earthquake prediction techniques lend quick insight into strength, reliability of materials Nov 6, 2024 8:45 am 'The results of this work allow researchers to test material failure more quickly than high-powered, detailed simulation models,' said graduate student Jordan Sickle, a leader of the study. Professor’s book explores the relationship between beauty and crisis Nov 4, 2024 10:15 am Mimi Thi Nguyen explores the relationship between beauty and crisis, and how examining beauty can point to the social and political conditions necessary for a good life. Her new book is 'The Promise of Beauty.' Thin skin significantly blunts injury from puncture, study finds Oct 28, 2024 11:00 am Researchers found that thin animal skin significantly dissipates the energy of a puncturing projectile. In their experiments, skin worked better than a thicker synthetic gel designed to mimic skin. Study: Youth action research projects need thoughtful design, youths’ input Oct 24, 2024 11:15 am Called the Youth Researcher Empowerment Framework, this proposed framework ensures that youth have an equal voice in these projects and connects their projects with the development of 11 specific social and emotional competencies. 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.