Scientists have developed a method to identify all 20 amino acids in proteins using nanopores, a major breakthrough towards protein sequencing. The technology allows for precise differentiation of modified forms of amino acids, potentially identifying hundreds of modifications.
Researchers developed a method to capture and count cancer-associated microRNAs in blood or serum with single-molecule resolution. This approach could enable low-concentration cancer-related molecules to be detected for diagnostic purposes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new heat model that can help improve the thermal conductivity and reduce defects in gallium nitride semiconductors. This could lead to longer-lasting electronic devices with improved reliability.
Researchers found that low-status consumers prefer national brands over private-label equivalents due to their desire for 'heightened status.' However, enhancing the prestige of private-label brands may successfully attract these consumers. The study has implications for private-label marketers targeting developing markets.
A new study has confirmed that bovine kobuvirus is the causative agent for calf diarrhea in US cattle. The virus was found in four of nine samples tested at the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
A review of 11 studies on yoga and brain health found that regular practice can increase the volume of the hippocampus, a region involved in memory processing, and enhance brain regions related to emotional regulation. Yoga also tends to improve prefrontal cortex function, which is essential for decision-making and multitasking.
Researchers found that specific brain structures, including the parahippocampal cortex and caudate nucleus, are linked to improved fluid intelligence in individuals. These brain attributes distinguish people who benefit from targeted training from those who do not.
A recent study found that honey bees fare well during the summer months when placed next to soybean fields, but struggle in winter due to a lack of food. Moving hives to prairie sites with late-flowering plants improved their nutritional health and helped them survive the winter.
Researchers tracked genomic changes in hybrid orangethroat and rainbow darters, finding regions with genetic divergence contributing to reproductive incompatibility. These differences likely disrupt cell division and alter gene expression, driving the evolution of distinct traits.
Researchers have made breakthrough in recreating nature's efficient machinery for generating hydrogen gas using biological enzymes. The study focuses on iron-iron hydrogenase enzyme, which is faster and more efficient than current industrial process.
Researchers developed a free online app, eNTRyway, to speed up the discovery of new antibiotics for Gram-negative bacteria. The tool quickly evaluates potential drug compounds and can convert existing drugs into potent killers of Gram-negative pathogens.
A new paper by J. Ryan Lamare found that hiring a lawyer in arbitration doesn't guarantee better outcomes for employees, as employers can also hire lawyers to counteract positive effects
Researchers successfully simulated every atom of a light-harvesting structure in a photosynthetic bacterium, revealing how it converts sunlight into chemical energy. The study confirms physics drives biology at the atomic scale, informing future studies of complex energy-generating organelles.
Researchers found that racialized sexual discrimination emerges in online communities and mobile apps, perpetuating stereotypes and shame among men of color. A new scale developed to measure its impact may help better understand the well-being of ethnic minorities.
New research reveals that multilayer graphene behaves differently when bent a little versus a lot, with two distinct regimes of stiffness and flexibility identified. This discovery has implications for the creation of machines that can interact with cells or biological material.
Researchers develop AI-driven platform to design, build, test and learn complex biochemical pathways for efficient production of lycopene, a red pigment used as food coloring. The system reduces time and cost by narrowing down possible pathways from over 10,000 to 100.
Researchers developed a new technique using light to stabilize proteins for study, allowing scientists to observe how specific proteins contribute to health, development, and disease. The method, called GLIMPSe, involves attaching a short peptide sequence that signals the cell to degrade the protein, which can be controlled using light.
A new online tool uses an interactive database of genetic information to help authorities quickly identify the origin of confiscated ivory from African elephants. The Loxodonta Localizer matches genetic sequences from poached ivory to those stored in the database, providing a faster and cheaper analysis than current approaches.
A two-legged robot named Little Hermes has been developed to walk, run, jump and interact with the environment synchronously with a human operator. The robot is guided by a person from a remote location who feels the same physical forces as the robot.
A new study by University of Illinois expert J. Ryan Lamare examines how firms use alternative dispute resolution practices to resolve workplace issues. The researchers found that firms with different strategic orientations, such as efficiency and satisfaction, are more likely to use mediation or arbitration.
A long-term study found that five consecutive years of drought effectively ended copperhead snakes' reproductive output. Snakes produced significantly fewer offspring during and after the drought, with no pregnant females recorded in the year following the drought's end.
Researchers from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern University have developed techniques to observe and simulate the self-assembly of crystalline materials at a higher resolution. They pinpointed individual motions of tiny nanoscale particles as they orient themselves into crystal lattices, confirming that synt...
Researchers discovered that astroturfing campaigns rely on human coordination and behavior to evade detection. By analyzing Twitter accounts and patterns of activity, the team identified a small fraction of 'bots' involved in these campaigns.
The study analyzed how enzymes work and reconstructed the evolutionary history of metabolic networks, showing they became less random and more organized over time. The researchers created a database called MANET, which revealed that early metabolic pathways were more random and less efficient than present-day ones.
Researchers found DNA from pyrophilous fungi inside the surface-sterilized mosses and lichens from burned and unburned areas. The team also discovered fungal DNA in soils from both within and outside burn zones.
A new study from the University of Illinois introduces a tool that helps quantify the connection between traffic accidents and city road networks. Researchers found that commuters willing to take longer trips can reduce accidents by up to 18%.
A new study found that consuming potato puree during prolonged exercise can sustain blood glucose levels and improve performance in trained athletes. The research compared the effects of potato puree to commercial carbohydrate gels on cycling performance.
Researchers from the University of Illinois have discovered a way to repurpose biological molecules, once considered for cancer treatment, as organic semiconductors. These molecules can interact with biological material with high specificity, making them good candidates for use in biosensors.
A new study found that genetically diverse corn plants have varying responses to high ozone levels, with some experiencing yield losses of up to 10%. The research could lead to the development of ozone-resistant corn varieties, helping plant scientists address the hidden threat to corn agriculture.
Researchers have discovered that purple martins are roosting in small forest patches as they migrate from North America to Brazil. The birds seem to be intentionally seeking out these isolated habitats, possibly due to fewer predators than in larger forest areas.
Repeated disasters and environmental changes are rapidly eroding the land in Southeastern Louisiana, affecting the tribe's ability to sustain its culture, health, and livelihoods. Tribe members express a deep sense of grief about the lost land and lack of agency in decisions impacting them.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed soft robotic devices driven by neuromuscular tissue stimulated by light, enabling biobots to swim and walk autonomously. The new generation of two-tailed bots uses skeletal muscle tissue and optogenetic neurons for propulsion.
Research tracks narcissism from young adulthood to middle age, finding that certain personality traits, such as vanity and entitlement, are associated with negative outcomes. However, most people experience a decline in narcissism over time, particularly those who enter into serious relationships or have children.
A team of researchers has developed a new volcano eruption forecasting technique using the Kalman filtering method, which captures the unique unrest patterns of the Okmok volcano in Alaska. The study reveals that past eruptions are key to understanding the likelihood of future volcanic activity.
A new study by Dolores Albarracin and Duo Jiang found that people with action-oriented goals are more likely to make purchases under time pressure. The research suggests that movement, whether walking or running, activates action-oriented concepts, promoting behavior change.
Researchers found that participants in financial education programs were more likely to save for retirement, invest and own homes. However, these programs did not positively associate with home ownership. Women and those without health insurance faced greater challenges building wealth.
A new study by Jack Goncalo reveals that creativity in the workplace can lead to self-disclosure, as employees share unique perspectives and ideas that reflect their personal preferences. This can make the creative act feel risky and consequential, particularly when sharing ideas with colleagues.
A new technique developed by researchers at the University of Illinois and Kyushu University in Japan uses less than 1% of the energy required for traditional de-icing methods to melt a thin layer of ice at the surface interface, allowing it to slide off under gravity. This approach is more efficient and reduces system downtime.
Researchers developed a tiny thermometer probe to measure temperature inside living cells, revealing quick bursts of heat from mitochondria releasing proton energy. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic targets for obesity and cancer.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to break down polyurethane waste into other useful products, such as adhesives and glues. This approach reduces the amount of toxic byproducts generated from incineration, providing an environmentally friendly solution to managing polyurethane waste.
The SING workshop brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous scientists to discuss genomic tools and their social and political ramifications. Participants learn about the limitations of genomics research and its applications in health and environmental policy.
A team of veterinarians, emergency medical services experts, and canine handlers developed protocols for treating law enforcement K-9s. The guidelines cover vital signs, analgesics, and equipment needed to care for canine patients.
A University of Illinois study finds that designers who focus on how a product makes consumers feel create more innovative products. By incorporating feelings into the design process, designers experience greater empathy and cognitive flexibility, leading to higher levels of outcome originality.
Engineers at the University of Illinois have found a way to redirect misfit light waves to reduce energy loss during optical data transmission. By exploiting an interaction between light and sound waves, they were able to suppress backscattering in silica glass, a common material used in fiber optic cables.
Conjugated polymers are stretched and flattened using polymer printing, enabling better charge transport. The new method produces flat conjugated polymers with exciting optoelectronic properties.
A study of over 3,500 participants aged 32-51 found significant associations between optimism and various characteristics of self-reported sleep. Optimists were more likely to report very good sleep quality and adequate sleep duration. The research suggests that positivity may buffer the effects of stress by promoting adaptive coping.
University of Illinois researchers discovered that tiny defects formed during fabrication can be used to direct molecules into membrane pores. Their findings could lead to devices that quickly sequence DNA for personalized medicine, increasing capture throughput by several orders of magnitude.
A new study by University of Illinois psychology professor Renée Baillargeon and graduate student Maayan Stavans found that infants as young as 17 months old expect leaders to right wrongs in their social groups. In experiments with bear puppets, infants stared longer when a leader ignored wrongdoing than when she rectified it.
A study by University of Illinois social work professor Kate M. Wegmann found that black middle school students were significantly less likely to receive verbal or written warnings from their teachers about behavioral infractions. Black students were also more likely to experience exclusionary forms of discipline, such as suspensions a...
A new study reveals that American robins have a preference for using one eye over the other when looking at decoy eggs, with those who exhibit this bias being more successful at ejecting foreign eggs. This specialized ability is thought to be an adaptation to avoid brood parasites.