A new study found that second-generation biofuels, such as perennial grasses, can efficiently meet emission reduction goals without significantly displacing cropland used for food production. The researchers estimate that meeting the federal biofuels goal will reduce annual U.S. transportation emissions by up to 7-12%.
Geologists have discovered a unique landform in the Wabash River Valley that was formed by erosion from melting glacier floodwaters. The finding provides insight into how floodwaters may behave as glaciers continue to melt today, with potential effects on surrounding landscapes.
Researchers discover FDA-approved medications with dual-action against bacterial energy production and specific enzymes, potentially reducing resistance. Such multitarget drugs could treat a range of infections, including tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus.
A new study found that pre-adolescent children who have sustained sports-related concussions have impaired brain function two years following the injury. The research suggests that childhood concussions may have a lasting impact on cognitive performance, with potential lifelong academic and vocational consequences.
A new study reveals that people with lower tinnitus distress use different brain regions when processing emotional information. Patients who have adapted to their symptoms use more of the frontal lobe, a region critical for attention and impulse control.
A social and emotional skills intervention, developed to help children recover from disaster trauma, is being pilot-tested with at-risk youth in the US. The program has served 80,000 children worldwide and could be adapted for young refugees.
Researchers developed a nanostructured metal coating that lets light through without hindering electrical access, outperforming flat surfaces. The coating combines enhanced optical transmission with electrical contact, enabling higher-efficiency optoelectronic devices.
Bacteria sense their environment and change direction using a molecular machinery that relies on protein interactions and chemical signals. The new study reveals key insights into the chemosensory array, shedding light on how bacteria make decisions.
Researchers developed a portable sensor, OcuCheck, that uses graphene and ascorbate oxidase to detect vitamin C levels in ocular fluids. The device can rapidly determine the extent of eye injuries in various settings, including rural areas with limited access to ophthalmologists.
A new study reveals that female leatherback sea turtles choose nest sites based on sand pH and conductivity levels, with slightly higher pH and milder conductivity being preferred. This knowledge will aid in protecting the species' nesting habitat and boost ecotourism incentives.
A new study finds that US wood pellet exports to the EU have a significant environmental advantage over coal, with carbon emissions savings ranging from 74-85%. The research suggests that using agricultural biomass in wood pellet production can further increase these savings.
A new study found that children from chaotic homes who attended more hours of child care experienced better cognitive, emotional and social development. Higher degrees of household chaos were associated with less optimal executive functioning, weaker vocabularies and worse social behavior.
A meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine and nonpharmacological interventions found that they alleviate symptoms such as depression, fatigue, and pain in Chinese cancer patients. These interventions include acupuncture, therapeutic massage, stress management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and physical training.
Research by Ravi Mehta shows that scarcity leads to increased product-use creativity without compromising appropriateness. In contrast, abundant resources may negatively impact creativity. Mehta's findings suggest that marketers should activate a general sense of scarcity to promote innovation.
Researchers developed a machine-learning simulation system to create accurate galaxy models, reducing computational time. The method uses algorithms to approximate properties from rare simulations, producing nearly identical galaxy distributions.
A team of University of Illinois engineers has created a new, energy-efficient material for desalination by exploiting the unique properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanopores. The material can filter through up to 70% more water than graphene membranes, making it a promising solution to the global water crisis.
Researchers have developed new compounds that target three ways to interrupt the disease's pathology in cells, showing promise against myotonic dystrophy type 1. The compounds reduce levels of mutant RNA and reverse symptoms in a fruit fly model.
A new school safety project, Project SOAR, aims to use mobile apps and high school youths to prevent violence by promoting student involvement and restorative justice. The $1.6 million project will utilize technology-based tools and involve students in developing a school safety framework.
A new study reveals that fitness level impacts brain connectivity in older adults, with more fit individuals showing stronger brain connections. The research suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness has a positive effect on brain health as people age.
A new study reveals that ground-level ozone has been reducing crop yields of maize and soybeans by 5% and 10%, respectively, over the last 30 years. The researchers calculated an annual loss of $9 billion due to ozone damage, highlighting the need for upgraded emissions regulations.
A new study suggests that massive magma chambers in supervolcanoes may erupt when the roof above them cracks or collapses, rather than building up internal pressure. The researchers found that the size of the magma chamber is a key factor in triggering eruptions, and that external forces such as earthquakes or faults may play a role.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a mechanism that propels liver development after birth through alternative splicing, allowing the liver to acquire new functions tailored for adult needs. The study highlights the importance of an RNA binding protein, ESRP2, in controlling this developmental program.
Scientists sequenced the pineapple genome to understand its unique photosynthetic pathways, such as crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), which allows it to thrive in water-limited environments. The study also sheds light on the evolutionary history of grasses and their ability to survive drought.
Researchers tracked juvenile cowbirds using automated telemetry systems, finding they leave host nests at dusk and spend nights in nearby fields before returning just after daybreak. This behavior helps young birds avoid imprinting on their host parents and learn essential survival skills.
Researchers found that honey bee larvae acquire social information from their environment, which affects their aggression and resilience. The study suggests that early-life experiences shape the behavior of adult bees, with aggressive individuals exhibiting increased resistance to pesticides.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found participants with MS had significantly higher peak aerobic capacity and muscle strength when using computerized dynamometers and recumbent steppers. This challenges conventional methods that may underestimate participants' capabilities, highlighting the need for more effective exercis...
Researchers at University of Illinois developed spiral polypeptides that target bacteria's outer membrane, perforating it until the cell falls apart. The antimicrobial agents are designed to interact with bacterial membranes while minimizing interaction with human cells.
A federal grant will fund a new course at the University of Illinois and support training for clinicians in conducting early interventions with people who abuse substances. The training uses a computer simulation called SBIRT, which identifies clients at risk of substance abuse problems and teaches clinicians how to respond accordingly.
Research in Alaska's Yukon Flats reveals massive carbon losses due to increasing fire frequency, challenging assumptions about recent fire activity. The study finds that the region has become a net exporter of carbon, posing a significant threat to the global carbon cycle and climate balance.
The COMPASS method uses a combination of molecular spectroscopy techniques, predictive protein-folding algorithms, and image recognition software to determine a protein's likely structure. The approach has been successfully applied to 15 proteins and holds promise for studying complex protein structures that have eluded researchers.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a manganese-based catalyst that combines high reactivity and selectivity, enabling chemists to install nitrogen into carbon-hydrogen bonds with greater ease. This breakthrough has the potential to accelerate drug discovery and development, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
New research suggests that multiracial individuals may be healthier than minority peers who consistently identify as monoracial. Health care systems continue to use outdated approaches to racial categorization, masking health conditions and obscuring disparities in healthcare access and utilization among multiracial populations.
A new study suggests that providing low-income households with financial incentives to buy fruits and vegetables can encourage them to purchase and consume more healthy food. According to the study, these incentives, in the form of rebates, are unlikely to prompt consumers to increase their spending on junk food.
A new study by Richard Benton suggests that participating in voluntary civic organizations strengthens ties to high-status individuals and improves social capital. This is particularly true for shared social spaces like workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods, which are often segregated by social class traits.
Researchers have developed a reliable method to trace viral evolution, supporting the hypothesis that viruses are alive and share a long evolutionary history with cells. The study found that viruses possess unique genetic sequences and protein folds that are unlike anything seen in cells.
A new study finds that many forests cannot absorb as much carbon dioxide as projected because of a shortage in vital nutrient nitrogen. This limits the ability of plants to fix carbon, leading to higher net carbon emissions.
A new analysis found that healthy adults with larger orbitofrontal cortices tend to be more optimistic and less anxious. The study suggests that a thicker OFC may act as a buffer against anxiety by boosting optimism, and that increasing optimism can reduce anxiety.
A study found that inadequate protein intake during pregnancy activates a genetic pathway leading to muscle atrophy and autophagy in the fetus. This can result in low birth weight and stunted growth in male offspring, increasing the risk of chronic health problems such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
A new hand-held probe using optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology has been found to correlate well with traditional pathologists' diagnoses in a clinical study, enabling reliable real-time guidance for surgeons. The device can identify differences between cancer cells and normal tissue with high sensitivity and specificity.
A new study of over 22,000 U.S. adults found that diet-beverage consumers often make up for the calorie lack in their drinks by consuming more sugar, sodium, fat, and cholesterol in other foods. The study suggests a possible compensation effect where people who drink diet beverages may feel justified in eating more high-calorie foods.
Participants focused on inherent traits, rather than external factors, as explanations for wealth disparities. Simple explanations can alleviate feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, leading people to see societal disparities as fair.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have successfully isolated 19 unique phosphonate natural products, including those with antibiotic properties, using genome mining. The discovery could potentially lead to new treatments for diseases such as malaria and other bacterial infections.
Researchers developed a new 'zippered tube' configuration that makes paper structures stiff enough to hold weight yet can fold flat. This technique could be applied to other thin materials to transform structures from furniture to buildings to microscopic robots.
A new study suggests that lawyers' deep knowledge of law has little impact on civil court cases. Instead, the difference lies in their ability to assist with procedures, navigate relationships, and phrase key phrases. This expertise can lead to better outcomes for those representing themselves.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technique to create synthetic tissue environments that can realistically recreate microenvironments found in biology. This allows for more accurate study of tumor growth and behavior, and has potential applications in drug screening and personalized medicine.
A study at the University of Illinois identified p-coumaric acid as a key factor in determining honey bee caste. The research found that larvae fed with beebread and honey containing p-coumaric acid undergo changes in gene expression, shifting them away from queen development.
A recent study found that older adults who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity have more variable brain activity at rest, which is associated with better cognitive performance. The research also revealed that physically fit individuals tend to have larger brain volumes and more intact white matter than their less-fit peers.
A study published in Neurocase found that Olga Kotelko's brain showed some promising signs, with intact white-matter tracts and a hippocampus larger than expected. However, her brain also had advanced aging markers, highlighting the need for further research into the effects of exercise on cognition in older adults.
A new study suggests that rogue supernovas that explode in deep space were likely kicked out of their galaxies at high speeds and then ejected into space by the gravitational pull of a binary black hole. The study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, used data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to trace 13 h...
A new study reveals that 9- and 10-year-old children who are aerobically fit tend to have significantly thinner gray matter than their peers, associated with better mathematics performance. The study suggests cardiorespiratory fitness contributes to gray matter thinning, a normal process of child brain development.