A study found that nearly half of patients with mental illness and a third of those with diabetes were not advised on dietary changes or physical activity. Health care providers may be missing opportunities to counsel high-risk patients about lifestyle modifications.
Researchers found that nitrogen-fixing bacteria evolved to become less beneficial to legumes when exposed to long-term nitrogen fertilizer. This shift could have far-reaching ecological and environmental consequences in natural areas adjacent to farmland or areas with nutrient pollution. The study suggests that changes in the quality o...
A new study suggests that education 'experts' with substantial media presence but little background in education and policy research may be more influential than those with empirical expertise. Researchers found experts associated with organizations like the American Enterprise Institute received nearly 2.5 times more citations.
Researchers traced tropical fire ant origins to Acapulco, Mexico, and mapped their invasion history using genetic diversity analysis. The ants were transported on ships going between the Americas and Asia, establishing a new distribution in virtually all tropical regions.
Researchers have discovered a distinct inner-inner core with different iron crystal alignment and behavior compared to the outer layer. This finding could reveal information about the planet's formation and evolution
University of Illinois journalism professor Matthew Ehrlich compiled hundreds of cat-related tales from the New York Times digital archive, showing a range of stories beyond just cute cat videos. He found hero cats and nuisance cats, as well as concerns over animal treatment and rights.
Researchers discovered that trap-jaw ants can tell who belongs in the nest and who doesn't by recognizing the distinctive blend of odors. The ants use chemical context to assess an individual's status, a hierarchical system that is fundamental to their social structure.
A new study finds that muskrats and minks in central Illinois have high rates of toxoplasmosis, a parasite spread by cats. The researchers suspect tile drainage systems and lack of natural wetlands in the area are contributing to the disease's spread.
A study by University of Illinois researcher Brittany Duff found that people's processing styles and moods can impact their ability to recognize ads while multitasking. Analytic processors tend to focus on specific items, while holistic processors take in everything at once.
Research conducted by University of Illinois experts found positive results in all three areas: engagement, learning and professional development. Students used tablets mostly as a tool for communication and reading, with an average of 49 percent of class reading done on the tablet.
A study found that organizational forgetting affects 16% of quality gains from autonomous learning and 13% of targeted quality improvement efforts. Firms must continually improve while also acknowledging the erosion of knowledge over time.
Researchers have discovered two new drug compounds that target endometriosis by interacting with estrogen receptors, reducing inflammation and tissue growth. The compounds, OBHS and CLI, showed promising results in mouse models and human cell cultures, offering a potential new approach to treating the disorder.
A new study suggests that women are underrepresented in academic fields that prioritize brilliance, rather than intellectual ability. Researchers found that a strong emphasis on brilliance among practitioners is the best predictor of women's underrepresentation in these fields.
A recent survey of parents found that families with higher incomes are more likely to resort to litigation when disagreeing with school officials about their children's education. The study also found links between the strength of parent-school partnerships and greater use of mediation or due process.
A study found that optimistic individuals have significantly better blood sugar and total cholesterol levels, are more physically active, and have healthier body mass indexes. They were also less likely to smoke and had a stronger association with cardiovascular health when socio-demographic characteristics were factored in.
A new study on ancient dogs in the Americas found that dogs may have first successfully migrated to the continent around 10,000 years ago. Genetic analysis revealed four previously unseen genetic signatures and low genetic diversity in some populations, suggesting dog breeding by humans.
A new study by Ruopeng An found that smokers and the obese incur substantially higher annual health care costs compared to their peers. Out-of-pocket medical expenses, inpatient and outpatient care, emergency room visits, and prescription drugs contribute to these added expenditures.
The study reveals that modern birds diversified in the wake of the mass extinction that marked the end of the age of dinosaurs. The new analysis helps clarify the evolutionary relationships of major groups of birds, showing which groups share more recent ancestors and which are more distantly related to each other.
A new method called statistical binning has been developed to help researchers construct more accurate species trees detailing the lineage of genes and relationships between species. By combining gene data using statistical optimization techniques, scientists can use all available data without having to throw away any.
University of Illinois researchers have developed a specialized microscope to study the movement of unfolded proteins in cells. They found that these proteins slow down and interact with chaperones, which can lead to cell dysfunction and disease. The discovery provides insight into protein-misfolding diseases.
A new study found that low-crime, walkable neighborhoods reduce severe depressive symptoms in older Latino adults. The 12-month and 24-month follow-up results showed a significant reduction in depression among participants living in safer neighborhoods.
Researchers have discovered a common 'genetic toolkit' for behavioral traits across different species, including house mice, stickleback fish, and honey bees. Shared gene expression patterns were found in response to intruder threats, suggesting molecular similarities run deeper than brain structural differences.
A study of network news coverage found that Barry Bonds received more negative stories about his alleged steroid use than Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro. The research also showed that Bonds' stories were more likely to focus on his using steroids for a competitive edge, rather than rehabilitation from injury.
A new study found that mothers working full-time are more likely to have preschoolers who get less sleep and are overweight. The researchers followed 247 mother-child pairs and found that children whose mothers worked full-time had higher BMIs at the end of the study period.
New research suggests that racial discrimination, family issues, and economic constraints contribute to acculturative stress among Latina immigrants. Family support, however, acts as a protective factor against psychological distress. The study found that acculturative stress levels varied depending on individual circumstances.
A new study by University of Illinois psychologist Karen D. Rudolph found that early puberty triggers psychological, social-behavioral and interpersonal difficulties that predict elevated levels of depression in both boys and girls. Early maturation was particularly detrimental to girls, who experience immediate psychological and envir...
A new social sensing game created at Illinois detects bullying behavior and identifies classroom bullies more effectively than traditional research methods. The game analyzes students' interactions in real-time, revealing behaviors like private messages and negative nominations.
Scientists found that plant genome duplication enables herbaceous plants to regenerate and become more fertile after being damaged. The study showed that increased genome duplication leads to an increase in cell growth and production of key proteins.
Researchers created a microtube platform to study neuron growth and repair, providing insights into treatments for degenerative neurological conditions. The microtubes accelerate nerve cell growth up to 20 times faster than across gaps.
A team of researchers has made a breakthrough in understanding how a powerful antibiotic agent is produced in nature. They found that a special enzyme called dehydratase plays a crucial role in giving the antibiotic its final shape and function.
Zoos and aquariums are vulnerable to disasters, but experts say preparedness training and planning can minimize risks. The University of Illinois veterinarian Yvette Johnson-Walker brings emergency training to accredited institutions, focusing on scenarios like avian influenza and hurricane floodwaters.
A recent study found that most US adults fail to meet daily nutrient recommendations, with those with disabilities having poorer nutrition. The research highlights the need for policymakers and activists to address nutritional challenges faced by people with disabilities.
New research finds that less-numerate investors are more susceptible to style and presentation effects of social responsibility reports, potentially leading to unintended judgments. Companies can design CSR reports with a uniform approach to project strategy, aligning text and graphics to convey information effectively.
Researchers found that male bluefin killifish use their fins to signal different information, including social standing and health. The colorful fins display messages to other fish about the fish's aggression level, body condition, and parasite infection status.
Researchers found dramatic differences in flow velocity patterns and forces on river beds between gravel and sandy models, disproving a popular theory. The study's new parameters improve predictive models for nutrient and pollutant transport and provide insight into organism behavior in the narrow zone where rivers meet their beds.
University of Illinois researchers use charged graphene to control the movement of DNA through a nanopore, allowing for faster and more accurate DNA sequencing. The study reveals that changing the graphene's charge can stop or speed up DNA movement, and even force it into specific conformations.
Researchers found that big-headed ant colonies produce larger soldiers when they encounter aggressive competitor ants, leading to a three-fold increase in size. Genetic analysis ruled out long-term evolutionary change, suggesting the ants adapt quickly to new environments.
A nine-month study found that children who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity after school showed substantial improvements in attention, distraction avoidance, and cognitive flexibility. Brain imaging revealed widespread changes in brain function related to attention allocation and processing speed.
Researchers found that estrogen pre-activates the unfolded-protein response (UPR), a pathway that prepares cells to divide and grow. UPR activation is linked to cell proliferation and poor survival in estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, making it a potential prognostic marker.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that human gut microbes can digest fiber and ferment it into nutrients for human cells. The microbes appear to have enzymes that break down complex plant fiber components more efficiently than cow rumen microbes, which could aid in biofuels production.
Researchers discovered that antifreeze proteins found in Antarctic fish also prevent internal ice crystals from melting, leading to potential health issues. The study found that these protein-bound ice crystals resist melting even when temperatures warm, causing superheating.
A new study by University of Illinois professor Ravi S. Gajendran found that telecommuting yields positive effects on task- and context-based performance for employees with good relationships with their bosses. However, for workers without a strong employer relationship, telecommuting actually improves performance.
Regular physical activity and avoiding sedentary lifestyle crucial for brain health in older age. Older adults who engage in moderate-to-vigorous exercise tend to have less white-matter lesions, a key indicator of cognitive decline.
Researchers found that banked blood membranes become stiffer over time, decreasing the cells' functionality and ability to carry oxygen into tiny microcapillaries. This decrease in functionality can lead to major clinical problems, such as impaired oxygen transport in the brain.
A new study found that primary seatbelt laws increase seatbelt usage, mitigating the drop in seatbelt use associated with increasing obesity rates. Seatbelt laws can help prevent automobile fatalities by reducing the risk of injury or death in car accidents.
A new analysis recalculates the theoretical limit of terrestrial plant productivity, finding it is much higher than current estimates allow. This could lead to increased food production and biomass conversion, but also raises concerns about invasive species and environmental consequences.
Researchers developed a new continuous glucose monitoring material that changes color as glucose levels fluctuate, offering higher sensitivity and precision than current point measurements. The color-changing material is simple, low-cost to manufacture, and can be used for short-term monitoring of patients in intensive care units.
A recent study by University of Illinois professor Rebecca Sandefur found that 46% of respondents dealt with civil justice situations alone, while 16% took no action. The most common negative consequences reported were health impacts and financial problems.
A new study found that physically fit children have more fibrous and compact white-matter tracts in the brain, linked to faster nerve activity. The researchers used diffusion tensor imaging to analyze water diffusion into tissues, revealing significant fitness-related differences in brain integrity.
A study suggests that practicing hatha yoga for eight weeks can improve cognitive tasks in older adults, including information recall, mental flexibility, and task-switching. The findings indicate that yoga may boost brain function by reducing stress and anxiety.