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  • stock image of a woman working/researching in a library

    ‘Zombie’ retracted papers continue to infect future research, scholars warn

    The College Fix (Jan. 17) U of I information sciences professor Jodi Schneider calls these papers 'zombie studies' because though they appeared dead, they continue to live on, infecting research in the future. 

  • Professor Zaynep Madak Zerdogan

    Zeynep Madak Erdogan receives American Association for Cancer Research award

    'At the time of our paper’s publishing, our system was a novel concept and more disputed, but as the paper was shared, cited, and tested, our system is now more mainstream in the lab and the field,' said Madak Erdogan.

  • recruit Zacharie Perrin in an Illini uniform

    Zacharie Perrin joins Fighting Illini Basketball

    'He has benefited from playing against older competition on the international stage, and he has what I value so much in recruiting: versatility. Zach can play multiple positions. He has perimeter skills, can step out and shoot it, and is a gifted passer.'

  • referee raises Zac Braunagel's hand in victory

    Zac Braunagel named NCAA/B1G Wrestler of the Week

    Redshirt junior Zac Braunagel (197) was named to NCAA Wrestler of the Week and Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the week honors for this weekend's performances against No. 2 Iowa and No. 13 Wisconsin.

  • Yu-Chieh Chiu launches a paper airplane. Photos by Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool

    Yu-Chieh Chiu: Clear for take off

    How the joy of paper planes led graduate student, Yu-Chieh Chiu, to compete on the world stage at the Red Bull Paper Wings World Championships in Austria, and find community at Grainger Engineering

  • YouTube did not actively direct users toward anti-vaccine content during COVID-19

    New research led by data science experts at Illinois and United Nations Global Pulse found that there is no strong evidence that YouTube promoted anti-vaccine sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Illinois molecular and integrative physiology professor Xinzhu Yu. Photo by Fred Zwicky

    Xinzhu Yu receives NIH Director's New Innovator award

    The New Innovator Award from the National Institutes of Health, which provides $2.4 M in funding over five years, will allow her to continue her exploration of mechanisms driving astrocyte-neuron interactions in the brain. 

  • Dr. Michael Schlosser, director of the Police Training institute at U of I

    Wrongful conviction course now required for all police recruits in Illinois

    U. of I. Police Training Institute director Michael Schlosser worked with colleagues at the Illinois Innocence Project to develop a Wrongful Conviction Awareness and Avoidance course that is now required training for police recruits across Illinois.

  • wrestler Lucas Byrd works out with 75 pound dumbbells

    Wrestler Lucas Byrd selected to NWCA All-Star Classic

    Illinois wrestler Lucas Byrd has been selected to wrestle in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic on November 22 in Austin, Texas. 'This group is the elite of the elite in college wrestling,' said Illini head coach Mike Poeta. 

  • 70s-era crew at WPGU. Image courtesy Illini Media Group

    WPGU: Playing the sounds of summer since 1953

    'It was the best learning laboratory that I ever could have asked for, and to this day, my college friends forever regard me as ‘cool’ because of what I did at WPGU.'

  • Professor Michael LeRoy. Photo by Brian Stauffer

    Would court ruling mean college athletes are employees?

    A ruling in favor of college athletes in Johnson v. NCAA could potentially herald the most consequential change in college athletics since the NCAA was formed in 1906, says U of I labor expert Michael LeRoy, 

  • Fans tailgate before an Illini Softball game

    World's largest softball tailgate returns Saturday

    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.

  • World renowned architect, Illinois alumna Jeanne Gang named 2024 commencement speaker

    Internationally recognized architect and Illinois alumna Jeanne Gang will serve as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s commencement speaker on Saturday, May 11, at 9:30 a.m. in Memorial Stadium. 

  • junior pole vaulter Tori Thomas running forward on their approach

    Women’s Track and Field ranked No. 1 nationally for first time ever

    The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its first round of weekly national rankings on Monday. The Fighting Illini women debut as the national leaders, and the men close out the top-10 rankings at No. 10. 

  • doubles partners Ashley Yeah and Josie Frazier congratulate each other after a match

    Women's Tennis earns singles and doubles championships at UTR College Circuit

    Illinois women's tennis racked up 26 combined wins across two days of play in the UTR College Circuit hosted at the Atkins Tennis Center. Ashley Yeah and Josie Frazier earned the doubles title. In singles, all four semifinalists were Illini.

  • an Illini tennis player watches her return volley

    Women's Tennis 4-3 comeback win at Maryland

    Down 3-1 at Maryland, Illinois Women's Tennis battled all the way back to secure a 4-3 victory on Sunday from the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland. 

  • Female doctor comforting senior female patient in a hospital. Stock photo via Storyblocks

    Women seeking credibility in health care feel ‘on trial’

    Women whose health problems have been dismissed in the past said they struggle when interacting with physicians who make them feel illegitimate as they pursue diagnoses and treatment. 

  • Huddled with players, Coach Grentz charts a play in this file photo.

    Women’s Basketball to honor Illini coaching great Theresa Grentz

    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.

  • Junior guard Makira Cook drives from the outside against Hoosier defenders in a previous game

    Women's Basketball returns for two-game homestand starting tonight vs Purdue

    Illinois women's basketball (6-3 B1G) is set to host the program's first Philanthropy Night on Thursday as the Illini host Purdue (5-4 B1G) for a 7 p.m. game at State Farm Center.

  • Coaches and players on the sideline celebrate a three point shot in the new year's day victory over 12th ranked Iowa

    Women's Basketball receiving AP Top 25 votes after upset of Iowa

    Now out to a 13-2 start under Shauna Green, the Illini are coming off their biggest win yet - a New Year's Day upset of Iowa. The last time the Illini appeared in the Top 25 was Nov. 27, 2000, when the team was ranked 24th in the AP poll. 

  • graphic promoting Illini vs Mississippi State on March 15, 2023

    Women's Basketball opens NCAA Tournament against Mississippi State tonight

    Illinois has secured the biggest one-year Big Ten win improvement in program history, and for the first time since 2003, the Illini have earned a berth in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

  • a video camera views U of I Women's Basketball Head Coach Shauna Green at Big Ten Media Days press conference

    Women's Basketball Coach Shauna Green's debut at B1G Media Day

    The name of the game will be defense: It prevent opponents from scoring and allows the Illini to play fast. 'We want to play really, really fast, but...you can't run and play fast if you're playing off of a dead ball and a make, so gotta get stops.'

  • Physicians and nurses walking in the hallway of the hospital. GETTY stock image

    Women physicians face burnout crisis amid lack of support from staff

    Forbes (Feb. 10) Nurses often push back on female doctors' requests, questioning their authority and withholding basic assistance – things that male physicians don’t experience, according to a study by U of professor Teresa Cardador, colleagues.

  • women sitting around a desk as an instructor takes notes

    Women, Money & Power online course now open to public

    'From negotiating for a first job to unique challenges in retirement, Women, Money & Power is valuable to everyone at any stage of their career,' said Presley Fee, digital financial planning program coordinator. 

  • Girl hiding face behind cellphone (Image by Cyn Yoder from Pixabay via Courthouse News)

    With more opportunities than ever, why are teen girls so depressed?

    Courthouse News Service (March 7) U of I's Karen Rudolph says bullying is down overall, but bullying on social media can be worse. 'Social media is 24/7. It was bad before, but you could escape. Now it’s constant and the whole school knows...'

  • Mallory Mizuki competes on the beam

    With four career-highs, beam program shatters records against Michigan State

    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. 

  • a smiling Devon Witherspoon talks with members of the press

    Witherspoon shows first-round talent at Pro Day

    Illinois Football All-American Devon Witherspoon shined at his personal Pro Day on Wednesday at the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility. Witherspoon performed in front of 31 scouts representing 23 NFL teams.  

  • graphic courtesy of Intercollegiate Athletics includes images of Dike Eddleman Award winners Devon Witherspoon and Olivia Howell

    Witherspoon, Howell named Dike Eddleman Athletes of the Year

    U of I football consensus All-American Devon Witherspoon and track national champion Olivia Howell are winners of the 2022-23 Dike Eddleman Award, presented annually to the top Fighting Illini male and female athlete.  

  • Smiling U of i cornerback Devon Witherspoon on the sideline during a game

    Witherspoon first Illini defensive back named Consensus All-American

    Witherspoon will be honored with a permanent plaque in Grange Grove, a banner in Memorial Stadium, and his jersey hung in the Smith Center staircase. He's the first Illini to earn consensus honors since Whitney Mercilus in 2011.

  • Devon Witherspoon holds up a Seattle Seahawks jersey bearing his name after being selected in the NFL draft

    Witherspoon fifth overall pick by Seattle, becomes highest drafted DB in Illini history

    Witherspoon joins an elite group of Illini to be drafted in the top 5. Only Jeff George (No. 1, 1990), Kevin Hardy (No. 2, 1996), Simeon Rice (No. 3, 1996), Dick Butkus (No. 3, 1965), and Joe Rutgens (No. 3, 1961) were selected higher.

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign political science professor Brian Gaines.  Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    Will the Jan. 6 committee hearings affect public opinion?

    'The one-sidedness of the entire process, where no one has presented alternative perspectives or cross-examined witnesses, hasn’t helped its cause,' says elections expert and Illinois political science professor Brian Gaines.

  • Scott Irwin, the Laurence J. Norton Chair of Agricultural Marketing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

    Will Russian invasion of Ukraine spark a global food crisis?

    Professor Scott Irwin: 'On the international front, the invasion of Ukraine is having a major impact on worldwide grain, livestock and food markets because of the role of the Black Sea region as a major supplier of the world’s grain needs.'

  • Silver carp produce more offspring than other carp species.  Photo by USGS

    Will renaming carp help control them?

    Illinois officials this month announced that Asian carp would now be called 'copi' in an attempt to make the fish more desirable for eating. Creating consumer demand will help enlist commercial fishermen to cull these invasive species.

  • Professor William Trent

    William Trent wins Spencer Foundation Mentorship Award

    'We wanted to tell the story of his mentorship from his students’ perspective... We each had our own personal story of how Dr. Trent had affected us as humans and scholars, and when we shared our stories his cumulative impact was clear.'

  • Credit: University of Illinois. A rendering of the research nuclear reactor that University of Illinois wants to build.

    Will a nuclear reactor spring up on the U of I campus?

    Crain’s Chicago Business (Jan. 22) If the U of I wins approval and funding for the project, it would mark the return of a nuclear reactor to the Urbana-Champaign campus for the first time in more than two decades

  • Cicada expert Catherine Dana, an affiliate of the Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Will 2024 be the year of the cicada in Illinois?

    Cicada expert Catherine Dana describes the variety and abundance of cicada species that will make 2024 a very special year. The overlap of Brood XIII and Brood XIX this year only occurs once every 221 years. 

  • bat roosts in a pine tree. stock photo via pxfuel, Wikimedia Commons license

    Why you want bats in your yard — and how to attract them

    Washington Post (July 27) 'Plant long-lived trees like oaks, which will provide both foraging and roosting habitat,' says Professor Joy O’Keefe. Also, fast-growing trees like pines will provide roosting space under the bark, or in cavities inside dead branches.

  • Woman Practicing Yoga On A Mat. stock image from Storyblocks

    Why yoga may be even healthier than you thought

    WebMD (Feb. 6) 'Yoga serves as a sort of brain fertilizer,' says U of I professor Sean Mullen. Yoga 'leads to the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a chemical that supports brain growth and learning and memory.'

  • In the Persian tradition, Yalda celebrates the sunrise after the longest night of the year. Jasmin Merdan/Moment via Getty Images

    Why winter solstice matters, is celebrated around the world

    The Conversation (Dec. 20) Native American communities held solstice ceremonies as well,, says U. of I. professor Rosalyn LaPier, and reflect their understanding of the workings of the solar system and the interconnectedness of the world.”

  • Scott Althaus, the center’s director and a professor of both political science and communication at Illinois.  Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    Why was the Jan. 6 assault on the US Capitol considered an 'auto-coup d’état'?

    An auto-coup occurs when 'the incumbent chief executive uses illegal or extra-legal means to assume extraordinary powers, seize the power of other branches of government, or render powerless other components of the government...'

  • Why the University Of Illinois is a top college for entrepreneurs

    Forbes (Aug. 31) - The University of Illinois has an incredible history of producing world-class startups and cutting-edge technologies. 

  • stock image of a couple sitting on a bench. Photo from Getty Images

    Why saying ‘thank you’ in a relationship is more important than you might think

    Stylist (Oct. 13) 'Gratitude almost seems to be a secret sauce to relationships, says U of I researcher Allen Barton. '...it’s not just about being appreciative for your partner but also about feeling appreciated by your partner.'

  • (Washington Post staff illustration; iStock) menstrual pad surrounded by corona virus

    Why reports of period weirdness after covid shots were ignored

    The Washington Post (April 18) U of I anthropology professor Kate Clancy writes about her research into the menstrual side effects of coronavirus vaccines and how early claims of such side effects were ignored and ridiculed. 

  • North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un Meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok (April 25, 2019). File photo via Wikimedia Commons

    Why is Putin trying to buy weapons from North Korea?

    WLS-AM (Sept. 7) Political science professor Nicholas Grossman discusses why the Russian president is seeking to purchase weapons from North Korea, alternative supply channels, and the potential outcomes of the Russo-Ukrainian War.

  • An ethanol biorefinery in Iowa, U.S.Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

    Why green air travel will be a lifeline for US corn farmers

    Bloomberg Business News (Sept. 26)  If ethanol demand for aviation fuel takes off, the market may 'more than make up' for the decline in demand amid the transition to electric vehicles, says U of I ag economist Scott Irwin. 

  • Accounting majors in the class of 2023, the first to enter a postpandemic professional world, will find no shortage of demand for their services as the industry grapples with a scarcity of candidates. PHOTO: THOMAS WELLS/THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI DAILY/ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Why grads aren’t hot on accounting careers: Low starting pay, onerous testing

    The Wall Street Journal (May 12) – Michael Donohoe, the head of accounting at Illinois, blames stagnant salaries. 'Over the last eight to 10 years, starting salaries have not kept pace with these really cool emerging fields, like data science.' 

  • English professor Jim Hansen in his office, surrounded by horror movie posters. Photo by Fred Zwicky

    Why do we love horror films?

    Horror films dominate Netflix queues right now. English professor Jim Hansen spoke about why we love horror. He says it’s because horror films let us 'choose the shape of our fears and then to face up to those fears.'

  • A yellow-banded poison dart frog. Leszek Leszczynski via Flickr under CC BY 2.0

    Why do poison dart frogs ‘tap dance’? U of I researchers shed light

    Smithsonian Magazine (March 4) Two U of I biologists suggest the vibrations from the frogs’ footwork cause insects to react and move around. 'Frogs can only really forage when prey is alive and moving,' says Professor Eva Fischer.

  • graphic - Duck shooting gallery by Jon Reinfurt

    Why don’t ducks get the flu?

    Ducks carry flu viruses, but rarely get sick. Could waterfowl hold clues to preventing future pandemics? 'Maybe we can get inspiration from these animals and make much better antibodies or drugs,' says biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu.

  • A historical marker erected in 1994 in Mueller Park in Decatur, Illinois, includes excerpts from the journal of the Rev. Benjamin Petit, who traveled the Trail of Death with the Potawatomi in 1838. Photo by Maisie Sparks

    Why create 'An African American Reflection on the Potawatomi Trail of Death'?

    Christian Science Monitor (Oct. 6)   'We read land acknowledgments. ...They sort of say we’re sorry, but they don’t say what happened,' says U of I Professor Latrelle Bright, co-creator of the interactive experience.