blog postsSampling sewer water for COVID-19 in the communityAug 4, 2021 12:00 pm0 views Previous work on sewage monitoring has shown that high-resolution sampling can provide an indication of infection a few days before other types of COVID tests return positive results, which could provide an important early warning tool. Study offers insight into underlying causes of seizure disorder in babiesAug 3, 2021 8:00 am0 views Researchers discovered that genetic mutations associated with the disease impair a pathway that is involved in building new synapses in the hippocampus, a brain region essential to learning and memory.Some birds steal hair from living mammalsJul 29, 2021 6:45 pm4 views 'We know that birds use a variety of materials to line their nests, but why are these birds risking their lives to approach these mammals?' asks Mark Hauber, an Illinois professor of evolution, ecology and behavior.Study tests microplasma against middle-ear infectionsJul 29, 2021 8:45 am3 views 'Many more studies must be conducted before we can explore the use of this technology in the human ear, but early indications are that this approach could be a viable alternative to surgery in cases where antibiotics alone are not effective.'Report: Many Illinois students not receiving critical computer science educationJul 27, 2021 8:45 am55 views Researchers at U of I found that many elementary, secondary school students in Illinois lack access to computer science education and qualified teachers. Over wo-thirds of states have learning standards for computer science - but not Illinois.Researchers develop self-healing materials for testing on International Space StationJul 26, 2021 1:30 pm6 views Some materials used in aerospace applications such as polymers can degrade and erodein that atmosphere. These self-healing materials with specially designed nanoparticles and microparticles could prove more durable in space.New approach eradicates breast cancer in miceJul 21, 2021 10:30 am8 views A new approach to treating breast cancer kills 95-100% of cancer cells in mouse models of human estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancers and their metastases in bone, brain, liver and lungs; shrinks even large tumors to undetectable levels.The physiological consequences of workplace incivilityJul 20, 2021 10:45 am2 views Study explores how workplace dynamics can affect an individual’s ability to respond to an uncivil act in a way that de-escalates conflict and downregulates stress responses.2020 deadlier than previous five years, even with COVID-19 numbers removedJul 19, 2021 4:15 pm2 views Compared with the previous five years, March through November 2020 saw an increase of more than 450,000 deaths – and more than 176,000 of those were not from COVID-19, according to an analysis of data from the CDC.The environmental lessons of COVID-19Jul 19, 2021 10:15 am2 views The Global Carbon Project estimated that, due to worldwide COVID-19 restrictions, carbon dioxide emissions dropped by 2.4 billion tons, or 7 percent, in 2020 - an unprecedented decline. Chemical reactions break free from energy barriers using flyby trajectoriesJul 15, 2021 10:00 am4 views Researchers are first to use mechanical force to access new chemical reaction pathways along energy surfaces. The technique could help researchers produce fuels, fertilizers, pharmacueticals and other materials more efficiently. Study: Idea sharing increases online learner engagementJul 14, 2021 9:30 am2 views Business professor Unnati Narang found that online learning engagement can be increased by nearly one-third by simply prompting students to share course ideas rather than personal details in the form of icebreakers and social introductions.Major revamp of SNAP could eliminate food insecurity in the USJul 12, 2021 1:45 pm3 views Expanding SNAP benefits and eligibility could eliminate food insecurity in the United States, suggests Craig Gundersen, professor in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics.New book argues local newspapers bear brunt of media's increasing elitismJul 6, 2021 11:45 am2 views A new book by U of I journalism professor Nikki Usher examines how the news media, and local newspapers in particular, are becoming increasingly focused on serving wealthy, white and politically liberal news consumers.Protein ‘big bang’ reveals molecular makeup for medicine, bioengineeringJul 2, 2021 9:00 am2 views A new study from Illinois researchers maps the evolutionary history of protein domains over 3.8 billion years. 'This could help identify, for example, why structural variations and genomic recombinations occur often in SARS-CoV-2.'Frequent COVID-19 testing key to efficient, early detection, study findsJun 30, 2021 9:30 am4 views Study: The chance of detecting the COVID-19 virus increases with more frequent testing, no matter the type of test. Used every 3 days with rapid reporting, both polymerase chain reaction and antigen tests can achieve 98% sensitivity.Consistent bedtime routines in infancy improve children's sleep habits through age 2Jun 29, 2021 2:45 pm0 views Consistent bedtime routines and activities such as reading books and cuddling with caregivers beginning when infants are 3 months old promote better sleep habits through age 2, a recent study suggests.Combining three techniques boosts brain-imaging precisionJun 23, 2021 9:45 am0 views Researchers report that they have developed a method to combine three brain-imaging techniques to more precisely capture the timing and location of brain responses to a stimulus. Researchers report breakthrough in quest for renewable carbon-based fuelsJun 24, 2021 3:45 pm2 views Researchers report that small quantities of useful molecules such as hydrocarbons are produced when carbon dioxide and water react in the presence of light and a silver nanoparticle catalyst.DNAzymes could outperform protein enzymes for genetic engineeringJun 24, 2021 9:15 am3 views Move over, gene-editing proteins – there’s a smaller, cheaper, more specific genetic engineering tool on the block: DNAzymes – small DNA molecules that can function like protein enzymes.Cancer survivors' tongues less sensitive to tastes than those of healthy peersJun 23, 2021 10:15 am0 views Study finds that head and neck cancer survivors’ tongues are less sensitive at the tip, and problems with taste dysfunction may persist for years after patients complete oncology treatments.New modeling shows greater likelihood of extreme heat events in urban areasJun 22, 2021 9:30 am36 views Urban heat waves can be devastating; a 1995 heat wave in Chicago caused more than 1,000 deaths. Last year’s heat wave on the west coast caused wildfires. But if cities fully understand their risk, they can prepare better.Cholesterol metabolite induces production of cancer-promoting vesiclesJun 11, 2021 8:30 am0 views Molecular and integrative physiology professor Erik Nelson and his colleagues found that a byproduct of cholesterol metabolism causes some immune cells to spew out cancer-promoting signals.Beneficial arthropods find winter sanctuary in uncultivated field edgesJun 3, 2021 1:30 pm0 views U. of I. entomology professor Alexandra Harmon-Threatt and former doctoral student Scott Clem found that field edges with a diversity of plants help keep pest species populations in check.Geology helps map kidney stone formation from tiny to troublesomeMay 25, 2021 2:00 pm0 views Advanced microscope technology and cutting-edge geological science are giving new perspectives to an old medical mystery: How do kidney stones form, why are some people more susceptible to them and can they be prevented?Study examines how pandemic-related changes affect college students’ motivationMay 25, 2021 9:15 am0 views Some at-risk biology students’ interest in their studies and motivation increased during the pandemic despite concerns they would be demotivated by the challenges associated with distance learning, researchers found.Study: Fluorescent light clarifies relationship between heat stress and crop yieldMay 24, 2021 10:15 am0 views Scientists report that it is possible to detect and predict heat damage in crops by measuring the fluorescent light signature of plant leaves experiencing heat stress.Solid-state batteries line up for better performanceMay 20, 2021 10:30 am0 views An Illinois research team developed new battery electrodes made of strategically arranged materials in an effort to drive better solid-state battery technologies.Nudges for default decisions influenced by time constraints, study saysMay 19, 2021 8:45 am0 views The default option is an easy way to 'nudge' people toward a decision, but new research shows that time constraints can play an important role in influencing decisions.A faster way to make multifunctional vascular materialsMay 14, 2021 3:30 pm0 views Beckman researchers use frontal polymerization to manufacture environmentally-adaptive multifunctional materials in a matter of minutes instead of days.
