A report by University of Illinois professor Susan Schantz highlights dozens of common chemicals posing risks to fetal and child neurodevelopment. The report criticizes regulatory lapses allowing toxic chemicals into everyday products.
A novel substance abuse treatment program, Community Wise, targets marginalized populations in impoverished neighborhoods with high retention rates and reduced substance use. The NIH-funded study aims to create an efficient and effective program with a targeted delivery cost of $250 per client.
Researchers identified two distinct brain biomarkers associated with fluid intelligence: brain volume and NAA concentration. The findings suggest that specific brain properties contribute to different aspects of problem-solving abilities.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have observed transposon activity in real-time using fluorescent microscopy. The study reveals that jumping gene activation is dependent on environmental factors such as food availability.
A new study of fossil records found that the modern latitudinal diversity gradient for North American mammals is an exception to the rule, with more species at the equator than poles. The team analyzed 63 million years of mammalian life and found a strengthening of the gradient between 10 million and 4 million years ago.
Clinical trials of the anti-cancer agent PAC-1 are continuing to expand, thanks to a $7 million angel investment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted PAC-1 orphan drug status for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly brain cancer with limited therapeutic options.
A new educational software application, Food for Thought, is introducing middle school students to the topic of climate change and its impact on the environment. The app allows students to create a meal and visualize the nutritional data and carbon footprint associated with each food item.
A new study suggests that student loan debt compromises young people's ability to accumulate wealth after college, particularly for black young adults. The researchers found that those with outstanding balances on their student loans when they graduated or dropped out of college had lower net worth, fewer financial and nonfinancial ass...
A new study reveals that police recruits and experienced officers are more likely to subscribe to colorblind racial beliefs, which can lead to problematic interactions with racial minorities. The research highlights the need for training programs that address police racial attitudes and social identities.
A new paper by University of Illinois expert Eliza Forsythe finds that younger workers are less likely to be hired during recessions and tend to find lower-quality jobs. This can lead to long-term consequences, including underemployment and a lack of job mobility.
A new study found that parental depression is linked to increased brain activity in areas responsible for risk taking in adolescent children, leading to more rule-breaking behaviors. The study suggests that even mild depressive symptoms in parents can influence teens' behavior through changes in the brain's response to rewards.
A new University of Illinois study reveals that the shape of a tumor may play a significant role in determining whether cells can metastasize. The research found that curved edges and corners activate cancer stem cells, which are responsible for spreading cancer to other tissues.
A faith-based health promotion program, Abuelas en Acción, successfully motivated older Latinas to adopt healthier lifestyles by integrating spiritual and family values. Participants showed significant improvements in physical activity, nutrition, and stress management.
Researchers studied animal puncturing methods, including snakes' venom-injecting strikes, mantis shrimp's harpooning prey, and stinging sea creatures' microscopic nematocysts. The study found kinetic energy was the best predictor of penetration depth, with smaller animals often being faster to achieve this
A new review suggests that family communication, mealtime interactions, and emotional regulation can help reduce children's genetic risks for obesity. Shared family meals promote healthy eating habits and reduce the likelihood of weight problems.
A four-year study found substantial differences between fetal and newborn dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The researchers identified lung abnormalities and small size among stranded perinatal dolphins, suggesting they died in the womb or shortly after birth due to exposure to petroleum products.
A study found that commercial bumble bee pollination operations coincided with infections and declines in wild bumble bees. The fungus, N. bombi, was present in the US as early as 1980, well before wild bumble bee species began to decline.
A new computer simulation called MEteor engages middle school students in learning physics concepts like planetary motion and gravitational acceleration by having them physically act out asteroid travel. The study found that students who used the immersive simulation showed significant gains in understanding and positive attitudes towa...
A rat study found that adolescent amphetamine abuse leads to long-lasting changes in brain function, affecting dopamine signaling and prefrontal cortex development. These changes persist into adulthood, contributing to behavioral consequences like addiction and relapse.
A new study found that parents who experience emotional distress when their child is angry or upset are more likely to engage in binge eating and restrict their child's food intake. This can lead to unhealthy eating habits and weight problems in children, as well as difficulties for parents in regulating their own emotions.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method for trapping multiple particles in solution, which relies on fluid flow to manipulate and assemble particles. The Stokes Trap technique can trap a range of submicron- to micron-sized particles, including single DNA molecules, vesicles, drops or cells.
Chemists at the University of Illinois have identified the complex chemical structure of alpha-synuclein, a protein that forms long fibrils in the brains of Parkinson's disease patients. This knowledge will help researchers identify specific targets for diagnosis and treatment.
A new study found that treating withdrawal symptoms can help cannabis users quit, with 85% of participants relapsing within 16 days. The study also showed that people who experienced withdrawal symptoms had difficulty staying abstinent, highlighting the need for immediate treatment.
University of Illinois researchers have achieved record-breaking speeds for fiber-optic data transmission, reaching 57 Gbps at room temperature and 50 Gbps at higher temperatures. This technology could enable faster data transfer and use of large data streams in applications such as virtual reality.
Researchers discovered that DNA molecules interact directly with each other based on their sequence and epigenetic factors, suggesting a new mechanism for DNA organization in the cell. The study found that methyl groups play a key role in regulating these interactions, which could impact gene expression and chromosome organization.
A new study published in Cerebral Cortex found that brain metabolism is a significant predictor of fluid intelligence in young adults. The research used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure concentrations of the molecule N-acetyl aspartate in different regions of the brain, revealing a link between NAA levels and fluid intelligence.
A University of Illinois study found that including four key biophysical processes in computer models can estimate permafrost area and stability more accurately. The new model suggests that permafrost has declined more slowly than previously thought, and its release could impact climate change.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new class of miniature biological robots powered by muscle cells genetically engineered to respond to light. The breakthrough allows for non-invasive control over the bots' motion, paving the way for applications in diagnostics, medicine and sensing.
A University of Illinois expert argues that investing in public higher education yields significant economic benefits, including tax revenues and lower welfare costs. The state's underinvestment in education could have serious implications for its fiscal health and human capital.
A new study by University of Illinois engineers found that the transistor laser device can switch faster than traditional technologies due to photon-assisted tunneling, enabling ultra-high-speed signal modulation. The technology has the potential to revolutionize big data transfer and computing.
Researchers found that giant reed uses C3 photosynthesis despite being more productive than other crops, with exceptionally high Rubisco activity and efficient water use. This discovery could help improve C3 photosynthesis in other plants.
Researchers have gained a clearer understanding of how HIV defeats a cellular defender by interacting with cyclophilin A. The study reveals that the virus uses cyclophilin A as a disguise to trick the cellular protein, allowing it to enter the nucleus and commandeer the cell.
A study analyzing over 14 million RateMyProfessors reviews found that male professors are described as brilliant and genius in fields with low female and African-American representation. The researchers suggest that the emphasis on brilliance and genius may contribute to the underrepresentation of women and African-Americans in these f...
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that high engagement with mobile technology is linked to anxiety and depression in college-age students. Researchers surveyed over 300 university students, finding that those who used devices for emotional escapism scored higher on depression and anxiety scales.
A study of over 18,300 U.S. adults found that increasing plain water intake by 1% daily led to significant reductions in calorie intake, saturated fat, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol consumption. The study suggests universal nutrition interventions promoting plain water consumption may be effective across diverse population subgroups.
A new study suggests that individual differences in brain structure and function affect both anatomical and cognitive factors, such as intelligence and memory. The researchers identified four unique traits that explained most of the differences in brain anatomy, with the remaining differences accounting for individual differences in in...
A University of Illinois study found that graphic warning labels on cigarette packs can backfire, causing smokers to feel threatened and less likely to quit. The study suggests that these labels can produce a 'boomerang effect', leading smokers to smoke more despite the warnings.
A new study reveals that certain fungi associated with tree roots can alter the fate of tropical forests, boosting plant diversity or giving one tree species a distinct advantage. The research found that these fungi, particularly ectomycorrhizas, make nitrogen unavailable to competing species, allowing dominant trees to thrive.
Five major US school systems paid millions of dollars in finder's fees to Teach For America, despite budget cuts and teacher shortages; contracts favored TFA corps members over non-TFA teachers
Researchers measured trap-jaw ant speed in high-speed cameras, finding species range from 19.5 to 41.5 strikes per second, with Odontomachus brunneus recording the fastest recorded speed. Understanding antennal boxing can inform our understanding of ant sociology and behavior.
A new study using an advanced computer model casts doubt on the previously held theories about Yellowstone's origins, adding to the mystery of its formation. The simulation results showed that a mantle plume was blocked from traveling upward toward the surface by ancient tectonic plates.
A new paper finds that millennials still want to own homes but face obstacles like high student loan debt, low credit ratings, and delayed marriage and children. This delay may lead to a more sustainable and financially stable homeownership in the future.
University of Illinois engineers have developed a device that can desalinate seawater using electricity, potentially providing a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. The technology uses saltwater-filled batteries to draw out salt ions, leaving fresh water behind.
A two-year project integrates computing with elementary school mathematics, developing research-based learning trajectories for each grade level. The Track 1 Exploratory Integration Project aims to democratize access to computer science education and promote diversity in the U.S. technology workforce.
Research by a University of Illinois business professor reveals that high-quality boss-worker relationships are positively related to higher salaries and greater responsibility in the next job. However, employees still leave their good managers due to limited internal opportunities for growth. Retaining valued employees can lead to inc...
The study found that different subspecies of western rattlesnakes have distinct head shapes, which have evolved to accommodate feeding and reproductive behaviors. Combining head shape with genetic analysis confirmed that some groups should be classified as separate species.
A recent study by University of Illinois graduate student Gabriel Merrin found that youths who resisted pressure to join street gangs were more likely to perceive fair treatment by teachers and have at least one adult in their life for support. These findings underscore the importance of positive educational experiences and supportive ...
A new study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that children who participate in collaborative group work to learn about significant social issues become better decision-makers than their peers. The study compared the efficacy of collaborative group work with conventional direct instruction, and found that students ...
Researchers developed a new class of dissolvable electronic sensors that can monitor temperature and pressure within the skull after a brain injury or surgery. The sensors are made from biodegradable materials and can transmit signals wirelessly, eliminating the need for additional surgery to remove them.
Researchers developed a color-changing indicator that detects small cracks and scratches in polymers, highlighting areas of mechanical damage. The system uses microcapsules with pH-sensitive dyes that change color upon stress or fracture, allowing for early detection and prevention of costly failures.