The New Farmers of America (NFA) organization taught tens of thousands of rural Black boys about farming and helped them develop leadership skills. The book reveals how the NFA transformed rural Black life and legacy, and its story serves as a model for promoting Black youth interest in agriculture.
Researchers found that corisin, a bacterial protein fragment, drives tissue fibrosis by disrupting the cell's quality-control system. Antibody treatment can help by blocking corisin, demonstrating its biologically active and causally supported role in disease.
A recent study found that Black parents who experienced higher levels of appropriated racial oppression were less likely to transmit positive, culturally protective messages to their adolescent children. The effects of racial oppression were more pronounced among lighter-skinned parents and teens, according to the study.
Pregnancy loss is a common outcome, not an unusual event, according to a new book by University of Illinois professor Kate Clancy. The book highlights the intricate and uncertain process of pregnancy, where numerous tests and developmental milestones must be met for a fetus to grow and thrive.
A new book by Siobhan Somerville explores the history of US naturalization, revealing contradictions between liberal ideals and settler colonialism. The author examines how assumptions about race, sexuality, and Indigeneity have shaped citizenship laws and policies.
Researchers found that men experiencing volatile work hours are more likely to report worsening health but remain employed, while women tend to reduce hours, suspend work, or leave jobs entirely. The study's findings add to the understanding of the health effects of unstable work time and schedules, particularly for precarious employment.
A new study finds that emotion-regulation training reduces distress in college students by changing brain connectivity. The training, which focuses on attention and reappraisal, also leads to changes in brain activity and functional connectivity.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a gene editing tool to treat Huntington's disease by altering a specific point in the huntingtin gene. The treatment reduced toxic protein fragments, symptoms, and brain degeneration in mice, providing a new approach for treating genetic diseases.
Research finds that bestselling children's science biographies often portray scientists' abilities as innate, discouraging young readers, especially girls and minority children. The study highlights the importance of growth mindset narratives in promoting motivation and accessibility in STEM fields.
The new book, written by University of Illinois linguistics professor Ryan Shosted and computer language designer Neal Davis, traces the full story of the Deseret alphabet. The alphabet was developed at a time when the Latter-day Saints moved from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Utah and were struggling to survive in the desert.
The widespread implementation of driverless truck technology in the US could reduce transportation costs by 35%, resulting in significant increases in total interstate trade value. The impact would vary across states, with specific regions exhibiting higher percentage increases in exports.
A new study found that honey bee larvae lack the sophisticated olfactory capabilities of adult honey bees. Adult bees have a suite of chemosensory receptors, including olfactory receptors and ionotropic receptors, essential for detecting odors from potential sources of pollen and nectar.
Researchers have designed a 3D device that can hide objects from infrared cameras and protect them from extreme temperatures, with potential applications in electronics, security, and defense
A new collaborative study has developed an electrochemical device that can pull carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere using electricity and water-based chemistry, addressing the planet's excess CO2 problem. The technology is designed to reduce new emissions and remove CO2 that has already accumulated in the atmosphere.
Researchers developed microparticles that infiltrate stubborn bacterial matrices and release tiny oxygen bubbles to clean surfaces and wounds efficiently. The particles were shown to effectively clean surgical instruments and infected wounds, accelerating healing and reducing inflammation.
A new study develops the first high-resolution urban air temperature dataset, providing detailed maps of air temperature across cities. This dataset helps explain why satellite-based data often overestimates heat stress and exaggerates disparities between neighborhoods.
Researchers modeled key physical characteristics of biological tools to understand their diversity, finding that shape affects trade-offs between efficiency and resistance. The analysis revealed optimal cone shapes for puncture tools, including those resembling scorpion's stingers and shark teeth.
A new analysis of state health department data reveals that more than 6,400 Illinois residents were diagnosed with tickborne diseases from 2004-2022. Lyme disease is the most common tickborne malady in humans in the state, accounting for 4,297 infections.
A new study from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scholar John Kallas examines how union activists practiced intersectional organizing by drawing on their experiences as marginalized individuals. Union activists united around shared social identities, such as sexual orientation and disability, to advance organizing campaigns.
A randomized controlled trial found no differences between whole-food plant meals and nutrient-matched shakes in stimulating muscle-building response after exercise. The study suggests that consuming high amounts of carbohydrates with protein may limit blood amino acid availability for post-exercise muscle repair.
A new study found that global rice production nearly doubled between the 1960s and 2010s due to increased irrigation and nutrient inputs. Climate change reduced rice production by an estimated 7% between 2006 and 2015, but elevated atmospheric CO2 levels contributed to improved water-use efficiency and enhanced photosynthesis.
A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that over 8 million people in the US, approximately 2.8% of the population, reported using psilocybin in the past year. Psilocybin users were more likely to be white, male, and affluent compared to nonusers, and often used other mind-altering substances.
A study analyzing nearly 2,000 human infections with Shiga-producing E. coli found increasing resistance to antibiotics, particularly for tetracycline and sulfisoxazole. The researchers propose a 'One Health' approach to address the issue, focusing on antibiotic stewardship in agriculture, food safety, and environmental controls.
A new AI-powered translation program developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) translates weather forecasts into multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Samoan, and French. The program aims to provide life-saving information to over 68 million US residents who do not speak English at home.
Researchers developed a new method to raise germ-free zebrafish using gamma irradiation, enabling long-term studies of host-microbe interactions. This approach revealed significant differences between germ-free and intact zebrafish, suggesting conserved roles for microbiomes in immunity and metabolism across species.
Researchers found two distinct growth patterns in river deltas, uniform and composite, which can help engineers estimate land build-up based on channel length. This insight will aid coastal restoration and flood protection efforts by directing limited resources to areas where they can make the most impact.
Researchers developed multiplexed MRI technology, enabling simultaneous imaging of signals from multiple molecules in the brain. The technology provides a comprehensive view of the brain's structure, physiology, and molecular processes, allowing for more precise diagnosis and individualized treatment planning.
A recent study found that positive psychology interventions such as mindfulness and gratitude journaling can consistently improve blood pressure and inflammation markers within weeks. The researchers suggested that ongoing reinforcements are necessary to stay on course for long-term benefits.
Two new studies reveal that social media content promoting recreational nitrous oxide use can lead to adolescent inhalant misuse, with younger teens and girls being at higher risk. The research also found that behavioral problems, such as fighting and stealing, coincide with inhalant use.
A new paper highlights concerns over autonomous AI-based drug prescribing, citing complex questions about the role of the FDA in regulating these technologies. The use of AI sandboxes to test medical tools before market release is also being questioned.
A new study sheds light on nonconsensual condom removal, also known as stealthing, which exposes survivors to health risks without adequate medical or legal recourse. Survivors often struggle to communicate their trauma and navigate a cultural context that normalizes these experiences.
A study found that repeated use of low-cost mobile breathalyzers led to changes in drinking behavior, with heavy drinkers reducing blood-alcohol concentrations. The device's introduction allowed individuals to track their intoxication levels in real-time, enhancing self-awareness and leading to improved decision-making.
Researchers discovered that mutations in a key protein make yeast found in dogs with common outer ear infections more resistant to topical antifungals. The team recommends using shorter-tailed azoles as initial therapy for dogs with yeast ear infections, reserving longer-tailed azoles for recurrent or non-responsive cases.
By tagging neurons with molecular “barcodes,” researchers created a platform that maps connections among thousands of neurons in the mouse brain with unprecedented speed and resolution. This approach enables simultaneous mapping of neural connections with single-synapse resolution, revealing previously unknown connectivity patterns.
A new study found that some Arctic regions regain their 'greenness' within a decade of a sudden permafrost collapse, while others can take centuries or more to recover. The difference is directly related to each site's gross primary productivity, allowing scientists to predict how long it will take a specific site to recover after a pe...
Researchers found that mobility device users experience heightened concerns about falling, leading to physical deconditioning and mental performance decline. The newly developed Fall Concerns Scale for People who Use Wheelchairs and Scooters provides a detailed analysis of these concerns.
A new US-based method using engineered yeast produces oxalic acid, enabling efficient and sustainable recovery of rare earth elements. The process extracts almost all the rare earth elements from low-grade ore with high efficiency.
Researchers found that the river recovered its natural shape within four years after mining stopped, but the local economy did not bounce back. The study recommends a fairer, more sustainable model for river sediment extraction to minimize environmental and human impacts.
A recent study found that coral reefs in Moorea are struggling to recover from bleaching events due to the presence of algae encrusting dead coral skeletons. The algae, particularly Lobophora variegata, are stabilizing the dead corals, making it difficult for juvenile corals to establish themselves and rebuild the reef.
A recent study suggests that social media users are more likely to watch TV programs endorsed by members of their political party. However, individuals' racial identity and perceptions of racial and political ingroup norms also play a role in their decisions. The study found that white Republicans reported the weakest intentions to wat...
A new study reveals that deep-sea microbes like Nitrosopumilus maritimus can adapt to warmer, nutrient-poor waters, maintaining their role in nitrogen cycling and primary production. This finding suggests that these microbes may play an important role in reshaping ocean-nutrient distribution in a changing climate.
Researchers at the University of Illinois simulate the entire cell cycle of a minimal bacterial cell, replicating DNA and cellular functions. The team's three-dimensional, fully dynamic kinetic model mimics the actual cell, revealing the extent of DNA replication and symmetrical cell division.
Researchers at University of Illinois have developed a new method using solar energy to power a key chemical reaction in the textile, plastic, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. This method can significantly reduce the industry's carbon footprint by eliminating harsh oxidizing byproducts and minimizing carbon emissions.
Scientists have engineered a microbial assembly line that converts plastic waste into a variety of useful products, including biopolymers, enzymes, and electricity. The breakthrough uses pyruvate as a universal currency to generate a wide range of outputs.
A new study by Illinois researchers found that agrivoltaics can increase or reduce yields and profits, depending on the crop and region. The study reveals 'win-win' opportunities for soybean farmers in semi-arid regions, but highlights limitations due to high installation costs.
A new edge-of-field water-treatment system has been developed to reduce excess nutrients washing into waterways from farm drainage systems. The system, combining woodchip bioreactors with biochar water-treatment modules, demonstrated significant reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus runoff.
A new paper argues that FDA-required drug labels should not be used as key evidence in patent cases against generic-drug manufacturers. Instead, clinicians rely on guidelines, experience, and medical literature when making prescribing decisions.
A recent study found that couples who prioritize savoring positive experiences in their relationship tend to have lower conflict levels, higher satisfaction, and increased confidence. This joint activity provides a buffer against stress, promoting stronger relationships.
A new study by University of Illinois professor Brenda Straka found that demographic forms can make Latino Americans feel like outsiders in their own country. The researchers used a mock-US Census form to test how questions of race, ethnicity, and citizenship affected Latino participants' identity and perceptions of inclusion.
The FDA's plan to phase out animal testing in drug development has raised concerns among experts about the potential risks of relying on new methodologies. Researchers emphasize the need for rigorous validation and evidence-based approaches to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these alternative methods.