blog posts Survey: Teacher shortage worsening for most Illinois districts Mar 3, 2021 9:00 am 'You come to college to become a teacher, borrow a significant amount of money along the way, then go into the profession with a very low salary. ...that’s a very difficult invitation to accept,' says College of Education Dean Jim Anderson. Making a homemade COVID mask? Study explains best fabric choices May 1, 2020 11:00 am 'We found that very breathable fabrics are a good choice, like common t-shirt materials. They tend to have low droplet resistance, and their efficiency increases when used in a two-layer mask.' Can birthright citizenship be repealed? Dec 5, 2024 10:45 am Birthright citizenship was enacted as part of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and no president has the authority to eliminate or modify a constitutional amendment, says immigration law expert Michael LeRoy. Why do we love horror films? Oct 25, 2022 9:45 am 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.' What does the film 'Oppenheimer' tell us about the development of the atomic bomb? Aug 1, 2023 10:15 am 'Oppenheimer' examines the process of building an organization of unprecedented scale and wrestles with how to view one individual’s decisions as relevant in the face of such a massive system, says Dean Kevin Hamilton. How does COVID-19 affect the heart? Mar 23, 2021 9:15 am While many think of COVID-19 as primarily a respiratory disease, its effects on the heart contribute to nearly 40% of deaths – and can strike even healthy children and athletes, says Illinois medical scholar Mariam Bonyadi Camacho. Why is the NFL team in Washington, D.C., changing its name? Jul 21, 2020 9:45 am The NFL team in the nation’s capital will no longer be the Redskins. It’s the highest-profile retirement of an American Indian name by a sports team in decades. What’s at stake in Hollywood labor strikes? Jul 18, 2023 9:15 am 'I think this strike will last much longer than three months. In 1988, the writers were on strike for nearly 22 weeks. This time, they're striking over job-killing issues, such as the use of artificial intelligence in generating creative works.' What can police trainers learn from the current crisis? Jun 17, 2020 8:30 am Michael Schlosser is the director of Illinois' Police Training Institute, which has developed training programs that give officers a better understanding of their own implicit biases. Why are so many states trying to limit transgender rights? Jun 14, 2022 2:00 pm An increasing number of states are proposing anti-transgender bills aimed at issues affecting children. They will lead to more legislation limiting the rights of transgender adults as well, says Professor Toby Beauchamp. Where does the U.S. withdrawal leave the World Health Organization? Aug 18, 2020 8:45 am 'One lesson that we should learn from this pandemic is that we really are all in this together. We are so connected that a new disease appearing anywhere...can quickly impact the whole world, and only a global response can control it.' Examining Trump's First 100 Days in Office Apr 17, 2017 5:45 pm In this symposium, 31 experts analyze the administration’s achievements—as well as its shortcomings and missteps—across a wide range of areas The presidency: A tense time for transition Jan 13, 2021 10:15 am Historically, skipping inaugurations have generally been the result of bitter and divisive politics. It’s only happened four times before, with the most recent being 152 years ago. COVID-19 and the elections: What can we expect? Aug 21, 2020 3:00 pm Illinois political scientist Brian Gaines discusses the impact of the pandemic during a pivotal election year. Will a coronavirus vaccine be a cure-all? Aug 25, 2020 2:30 pm Thomas O’Rourke, a professor emeritus of community health, suggests that it is unrealistic to expect a vaccine to fully resolve the current coronavirus health crisis. Would court ruling mean college athletes are employees? Nov 28, 2023 9:45 am 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, Should we rethink assumptions about the 2020 election? Nov 12, 2020 12:00 pm We may want to question some assumptions about state-level voting predictions and the role of the pandemic in the recent election, says Professor Scott Althaus, whose expertise centers around news coverage, politics and public opinion. Skepticism about coronavirus vaccines persists in communities of color Feb 16, 2021 10:15 am USA Today (Feb. 16) 'When we talk about why Black people wouldn’t trust a medical establishment a lot of people cite Tuskegee, which makes sense,' says Rana Hogarth, a history professor at Illinois. 'But Tuskegee is not the start.' What is the coronavirus spreading across the globe? Jan 23, 2020 12:00 pm Leyi Wang, a virologist and professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois, discusses the outbreak of the new strain of coronavirus. Listen: Men’s wheelchair basketball coach Matt Buchi Mar 26, 2019 9:00 am Illinois men's wheelchair basketball coach Matt Buchi interviewed following the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament on the Illinois campus. When will teens recover from social isolation of COVID? Aug 11, 2021 9:00 am Social isolation is not a good situation for anybody, but for teenagers it’s particularly hard. Studies have long indicated that teens who are socially isolated are at higher risk for mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Why is the use of hypersonic missiles in the Russia-Ukraine conflict significant? Mar 22, 2022 8:45 am Russia used a hypersonic ballistic missile to destroy an underground arms depot in western Ukraine, marking the first known use of a hypersonic missile in combat. Professor Kelly Stephani explains what makes hypersonic missiles different. Is Russia-Ukraine war heading toward stalemate? Mar 2, 2023 10:15 am One year into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the most likely outcome is a stalemate, despite the mounting cost in blood and treasure, says political science professor Edward A. Kolodziej, an expert in global politics. What are the legal, practical bounds of free speech on college campuses? Dec 18, 2023 9:00 am One of the problems with university 'speech codes' is that they’re selectively enforced, says Lena Shapiro, the inaugural director of the First Amendment Clinic at the U of I College of Law. MLB baseballs juiced? Dejuiced? A few minutes with Alan Nathan Dec 10, 2019 9:30 am 'There could very well be differences from one ball to another within a given year...and that's just a natural consequence of the materials that are used and the actual process...there's a lot of hand work done to create a baseball.' How did Trump’s speech stack up to previous inaugural addresses? Jan 23, 2025 9:30 am 'Inaugural addresses usually emphasize the humility of the new president as they face the profound responsibilities of the office. Trump does not do so. In fact, he says he was “saved by God” to make America great again.' Future Environments with Rohit Bhargava: New tools in cancer microenvironments Jul 31, 2018 1:45 pm Rohit Bhargava, a professor of bioengineering, explains how chemical imaging, machine learning, and 3D printing are changing how we think about and fight cancer Did news coverage turn Americans against the Vietnam War? Sep 12, 2017 3:30 pm News coverage of the Vietnam War did not have the effect on popular support that many believe, says a University of Illinois researcher. 'It was a bad day for Peoria County about 450 million years ago.' Nov 14, 2019 12:00 pm 'A meteorite bigger than the State Farm Center hit near the present-day Village of Glasford, a little ways southwest of Peoria. It created a 2.5-mile-wide crater that we now call the Glasford structure.' How can cities use green spaces to mitigate the effects of extreme heat on vulnerable residents? Jul 25, 2023 9:00 am Quality and health of urban green space is impacted by environmental factors such as air temperature and the height of surrounding buildings, making it more challenging, costly to maintain a healthy urban green space, says researcher Fang Fang. What role do judges play in employment harassment cases? Nov 28, 2017 9:00 am Judges can unilaterally dismiss sexual or racial harassment cases through summary judgment, a legal maneuver that ends up favoring employers over employees, says Law professor Suja Thomas Are law enforcement agencies abusing civil asset forfeiture? Apr 19, 2017 9:00 am The controversial practice of civil asset forfeiture gets a well-deserved bad rap, says U. of I. law professor and criminal law expert Kenworthey Bilz. Is it too soon for restaurants, retailers to reopen? Jun 2, 2020 4:45 pm Kinesiology and Community Health professor Justine Kaplan talks about best practices for restaurants and retail stores as they consider reopening. What led to the attempted coup in Brazil, what comes next? Jan 19, 2023 8:45 am Professor Jerry Dávila, who specializes in the history of Brazil in the 20th century, spoke about civil unrest in Brazil. 'It was a coup attempt, and it was styled after the (Jan. 6, 2021) attack on the U.S. Capitol.' Should President Biden intervene in potential UPS strike? Jul 25, 2023 9:45 am President Biden would likely alienate a key constituency ahead of the 2024 presidential election cycle if he used his presidential powers to intervene in a potential UPS strike, says labor expert Michael LeRoy, U of I audiologist ‘hopeful’ about FDA ruling allowing over-the-counter hearing aid sales Oct 26, 2022 2:00 pm There are several devices that can be used to simply amplify sound. These are not hearing aids and 'are not meant to treat hearing loss,' says audiologist Sadie Braun. Before buying anything, she urges people to get a professional hearing check. What are the geopolitical implications of US nuclear submarine deal with Australia? Nov 11, 2021 10:15 am The U.S.-U.K. sale of nuclear subs to Australia is a response to China’s military ambitions in the South China Sea, said global politics expert Edward Kolodziej. But it effectively cut out France's participation in defining the security architecture of East Asia. Five minutes with ... Pasquale Bottalico Dec 19, 2018 4:15 pm The professor of Speech and Hearing Science talks about his study of the effects of ambient noise in restaurants and its relationship to customers' willingness to spend time in them Are bats to blame for the coronavirus crisis? Apr 24, 2020 2:30 pm Illinois wildlife biologist Tara Hohoff says the hypothesis that bats tranfered the novel coronavirus to humans has given them a bad rap, and public fears of exposure to bats are on the rise. Why people care about public monuments - and why they tear them down Sep 10, 2020 9:15 am Public monuments are built to represent an idea—and this year, in particular, the ideas of the past have been put under the microscope. What does Amanda Gorman's Super Bowl performance mean for poetry? Feb 3, 2021 8:45 am Gorman captured the attention of the nation as the youngest-ever inaugural poet. She’ll reach a far wider audience with her Super Bowl appearance. Poet, professor Ángel García hopes Gorman will inspire people to work for social change What explains the continuing appeal of Super Bowl advertisements? Feb 11, 2022 10:30 am Maria Rodas, an expert in consumer behavior and brand management, speaks about the enduring popularity of Super Bowl advertisements. This year, the network broadcasting the game has sold several 30 second spots for a record-high $7 million. What are the novel coronavirus health risks? Feb 28, 2020 9:45 am Christopher Brooke, an expert in viruses and how they spread, discussed what makes the novel coronavirus virus a public health concern. The challenges professors, students face with the move to online classes Mar 26, 2020 12:15 pm Moving quickly to online instruction comes with many challenges for professors and students. School of Information Sciences instructor Melissa Wong has been teaching online since 2001. Could cannabis be a pain relief alternative to opioids? Oct 25, 2019 1:45 pm Julie Bobitt, director of the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program at Illinois, talks about the state's Opioid Alternative program and the feasibility of cannabis as a pain management alternative. What is the new variant of coronavirus in the UK? Dec 23, 2020 8:00 am The new strain of coronavirus circulating in the U.K. has a mutation that makes its spike protein bind 20 times more strongly to the receptor on human cells, says Illinois professor Erik Procko. How will imprisonment of Russian dissident Navalny affect opposition to Putin? Feb 10, 2021 8:00 am 'Navalny is a very clever character. He’s gamed out the different scenarios. His own life and health will be protected, because it would make a terrible impression if he died in prison,' says professor Richard Tempest. Can pet dogs be infected with coronavirus? Feb 25, 2022 3:30 pm On Feb. 6, a team led by U of I pathobiology professor Ying Fang diagnosed a pet dog in Chicago with the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. This is the first dog in Illinois to test positive for the coronavirus. Southwest moves are a reaction to changing landscape in airline industry Mar 11, 2025 2:00 pm Southwest Airlines is reversing several policies - first come, first serve seating and 'Bags Fly Free' - in an effort to better compete with other airlines with razor thin profit margins. Professor Ed Rogowski explains why it was necessary now. How can science literacy help people better understand the news? Mar 24, 2025 10:15 am People get news from a wide range of sources that may not be trustworthy. 'Joe Rogan told viewers that he wasn’t going to get the COVID-19 vaccine because he worried about its safety...even though Rogan had zero evidence that it was unsafe.'