A new analysis found that over half of US adults consume excessive calories in their daily coffee or tea by adding sugar, cream, or other calorie-dense additives. The study also reveals that drinking black coffee reduces total daily calories by nearly 69 compared to those with added sweeteners.
Researchers at the University of Illinois used a novel imaging technique to visualize microscopic shifts in metabolism and vesicle production in tumor cells. The study found that these changes can precede larger-scale events in the tumor environment, potentially preparing the way for cancerous cells to spread and metastasize.
Researchers have found that Staphylococcus aureus uses a unique enzyme called superoxide dismutase to resist nutritional immunity and cause disease. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibacterial therapies to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
A comprehensive report warns of dire prospects for many nonhuman primates due to habitat loss, hunting, and poaching. Conservation efforts are crucial to address local poverty and population growth, as well as humanity's agricultural footprint and mining activities.
A review of 207 studies found that therapeutic interventions led to an average decrease in neuroticism and increase in extraversion. Emotional stability was the primary trait domain showing changes as a result of therapy, with patients with anxiety disorders changing the most.
A new study reveals that experiencing cultural distinctiveness can broaden an individual's definition of 'home' to include related cultural groups. This expansion allows consumers to fulfill the need to connect with their home culture by favoring brands associated with a related group.
A study by University of Illinois researchers links higher blood serum levels of lutein to better performance on crystallized intelligence tests in older adults. Participants with higher lutein levels also showed thicker gray matter in the parahippocampal cortex, a brain region associated with preserved cognitive function.
Researchers use informatics to analyze over 39,000 consumer products and identify 30% containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The approach complements gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, enabling detection of unlisted chemicals and predicting cumulative exposure
A recent study by University of Illinois researcher Dorothy L. Espelage found that nearly half of middle school students reported experiencing verbal sexual harassment, with 43% saying they were targeted in the past year. The study also revealed that students who dismissed their experiences with sexual harassment were more likely to pe...
A new report by University of Illinois professors recommends standardizing sharing of data sets and software code to improve reproducibility in computational research. The recommendations include documenting digital objects, making datasets and workflows accessible, and implementing reproducibility checks before publication.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that mice lacking functional copies of the Bco1 gene had lower blood concentrations of testosterone and smaller prostates. The study suggests that Bco1 may also play a role in regulating prostate growth and androgen synthesis, challenging current understanding of carotenoid metabolism.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that pollinator habitat seed mixes sold by companies in the Midwest contain seeds of Palmer amaranth and other invasive weeds. The USDA does not license or inspect these seed companies, leading to the unintended introduction of these weeds to thousands of acres of land.
A new study suggests that waiving the $85 fee for frequent fliers to enroll in TSA PreCheck would result in significant cost savings for the Transportation Security Administration. The study found that costs saved by frequent travelers using expedited security exceeded the cost of waiving their enrollment fees.
A new study reveals that small, brief messages can significantly increase the completion rate of health care programs, with a 16% gain in retention. The 'meta-intervention' technique uses empowering and instrumental messages to motivate patients.
Research from Richard Benton reveals that corporate boards' social connections and 'interlocks' facilitate managerial control, undermining shareholder interests. The study finds that institutional investors' concentrated ownership can be mitigated by the entrenched management structure.
A new study by Renée Baillargeon and colleagues found that 2.5-year-old children can answer questions about people acting on false beliefs, a skill previously thought to develop until age 4. The researchers developed a modified version of the Sally-Anne test, which gave children a chance to prepare for the question and reduced processi...
A new study found that rats with low blood alcohol levels do not consume more calories, contradicting previous assumptions. However, rats with high blood alcohol levels consume fewer calories and lose weight, suggesting a different relationship between feeding behavior and intoxication.
A new study reveals an efficient means of attaching lipids to peptides, which can improve the molecules' drug-delivery capabilities. This breakthrough enables peptides to be more druglike, overcoming issues with poor absorption and breakdown.
Researchers developed a method to increase plant productivity by boosting levels of three proteins involved in photosynthesis. In field trials, modified tobacco plants showed increases of 14-20% in productivity. The study confirms that improving photosynthesis can lead to higher crop yields.
A study analyzing the genomes of 25 individuals from 1,000 to 6,000 years ago and their descendants found that variants beneficial before European contact became disadvantageous upon arrival. The researchers discovered a significant decline in these alleles, suggesting negative selection may have contributed to population decline.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that isoliquiritigenin, a licorice compound, disrupts steroid sex hormone production in the mouse ovary. This can lead to problems with reproduction and potentially impact fertility, estrogen levels for healthy brains and bones, and cardiovascular health.
Researchers found that direct livestock-transfer programs had a rapid and persistent positive effect on poverty and food insecurity, increasing dietary diversity and economic resilience. The programs also improved gender empowerment and reduced poverty among participating households.
The University of Illinois-led project aims to calculate the economic benefits of urban forestry on health care costs. It will use Kaiser Permanente data to examine the relationship between green spaces and health expenditures among over 4 million members.
A study found that juvenile offenders with PTSD are at a 67% greater risk of entering substance abuse treatment within seven years. The research suggests that clinicians can expect most young offenders who need treatment to have experienced serious emotional or physical trauma.
A new study found that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities on Illinois' Medicaid wait list are more likely to have unmet service needs, including preventive health care, dental services, and physical therapy. The survey of 230 caregivers identified disparities based on race, income, and health status.
A new study suggests that preschoolers are forming their body images, both positively and negatively, despite parental unawareness. Researchers found that most parents believe their children are too young to have body-image concerns, but 40% of parents described their child exhibiting at least one body-related behavior.
A new study suggests that affluent women's ability to seek help for domestic violence is hindered by societal expectations of perfectionism and social status. Women who 'bought in' to the culture of affluence reported feeling pressured to maintain a happy family image, preventing them from disclosing abuse.
A systematic review of brain-training studies found limited evidence supporting claims of improved cognitive abilities in daily life. The researchers identified numerous methodological flaws, including inadequate control groups and a lack of measures for real-world performance.
Researchers developed a method to measure lithosphere strength using magnetotelluric imaging, revealing accurate descriptions of surface structures and correlating with volcanic and seismic activity. This technique may aid understanding of earthquake and volcanic processes.
A new study by University of Illinois professor Carlos J. Torelli found that younger, more educated Chinese consumers tend to favor phonosemantic brand translations, which integrate both sound and meaning into a product's name. This approach signals cultural sensitivity and respect for the local culture.
Researchers identified nuclear transport genes, particularly XPO1, as key players in tamoxifen resistance. Combining tamoxifen with selinexor improves sensitivity and prevents tumor recurrence.
A new study finds that while elevated CO2 concentrations boost plant growth under ideal conditions, drought will outweigh those benefits and cause yield losses sooner than anticipated. Soybeans grown in a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere used more water under hot and dry conditions, leading to reduced yields.
A new survey of college students found that childhood bullying inflicts the same long-term psychological trauma as severe physical or sexual abuse. Students who experienced bullying reported significantly greater levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD than their peers.
Researchers at University of Illinois discovered that mechanical force can directly trigger gene expression by stretching chromatin, a condensed DNA and protein mixture. The study found that the degree of stretching affects gene expression, with varying effects based on the direction of the force in relation to the cell's cytoskeleton.
A new analysis by civil engineering faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign outlines the factors that led to the 2013 Interstate 5 bridge collapse in Washington. The study highlights the importance of updating databases to reflect minimum heights and implementing automated reporting systems to prevent similar accidents.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that guaranteed-tuition laws are making higher education more costly and possibly unaffordable for some students. Public colleges and universities in states with such laws have increased mandatory student fees and out-of-state tuition rates.
A new study by University of Illinois expert Ravi Mehta found that the color red can elicit noncompliant behavior, also known as a rebellious streak, in individuals who are high on the sensation-seeking scale. This effect is due to the arousal caused by exposure to the color red, which leads to reactance and increases noncompliance.
A new paper by University of Illinois expert Andrew Weaver finds that only 16-25% of US manufacturing establishments struggle with skilled worker shortages. The study reveals that reading skills and cluster membership are key predictors of long-term vacancies, contrary to the notion of a severe math and science shortage.
A study found that nearly half of US adults consume sugar-sweetened beverages daily, and two-thirds eat discretionary foods like cookies and candy. Despite supermarket access, these unhealthy choices persist, suggesting a need to address junk food marketing and nutrition education.
A new study at Cahokia reveals the 'beaded burial' feature includes both males and females of high status, challenging earlier interpretations. The analysis confirms the presence of male-female pairs in the mass graves, suggesting a nobility with equal representation of males and females.
A new study reveals that investments in both function and ergonomics result in higher market share, whereas investments in both function and form impose a share penalty. Older vehicles with higher form design hold their market-share value better than older vehicles with higher functional or ergonomic designs.
Researchers have developed iron catalysts that can diversify chiral amino acids into 21 different structures while preserving their handedness. This technology allows for the creation of modified peptides or entirely new structures, expanding the pool of unnatural chiral amino acids available to researchers.
A University of Illinois research project is examining the effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) in helping young adults stay sober after substance use treatment. MBRP targets negative emotions and cravings, fostering greater tolerance of stress and reducing relapse.
Despite societal perceptions, many seniors consider sexual activity essential to their well-being. Researchers found that some older adults are finding their golden years optimal for exploring new dimensions of sexuality. Others emphasized they remained sexually able and interested throughout their later years.
Engineers developed a numerical model to calculate nitrogen's age in corn and soybean fields, potentially improving fertilizer application techniques. The research found that nitrogen topsoil has a relatively high average age compared to water, with ammonium accumulating in the upper layers.
University of Illinois researchers have developed a way to etch very tall, narrow finFETs, a type of transistor that forms a tall semiconductor 'fin' for the current to travel over. The new method addresses problems in creating 3-D devices by stacking layers or carving out structures from a thicker semiconductor wafer.
Researchers at University of Illinois successfully tested nanoparticle drug delivery in dogs with naturally occurring bone cancers, which are similar to human bone tumors. The study demonstrated anti-cancer activity and tolerance to high doses without toxicity in the dogs.
A new study from the University of Illinois confirms a link between Pap smear screenings and a lower risk of developing cervical cancer in women over age 65. The researchers found that women in this age group were 36% less likely to have had a Pap test, resulting in a 52% reduced risk of malignant cervical cancer.
Researchers created dozens of human-made ponds with cloned water fleas to understand their dispersal patterns and success in the wild. Higher genetic diversity among the clones was found to enhance the likelihood of at least one clone surviving and dominating a new pond, providing insights into aquatic ecosystems.
A new study found that when people focus on the inherent traits of something, they are more likely to assume that the patterns they see around them are good. However, when participants were exposed to information about external factors, they became more flexible in their thinking and less likely to think that the way things are is good.