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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau


Molecular techniques are man's new best friend in pet obesity research

New molecular techniques offer insights into pet obesity, with a focus on understanding how nutrients affect gene expression. Researchers aim to prevent obesity by identifying key biological compounds and their impact on metabolism., Pet obesity affects over 50% of US dogs and cats, leading to chronic disease and reduced lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Animal Science·DateApr 11, 2013

Electrons are not enough: Cuprate superconductors defy convention

Researchers have found that cuprate superconductors, known for carrying electrical current without resistance, cannot be fully explained by the traditional concept of Luttinger's theorem, which states that electrons carry current. This discovery reveals that there must be alternative explanations beyond electron behavior.

Symbols, such as traffic lights, on menus effective in educating diners

Research suggests that combining numeric calorie labels with symbolic labels, such as traffic lights, is a more effective way to influence patrons to select healthier options. The study found that the combination label reduced total calories ordered by about 69 calories on average, while numeric labels alone had less impact.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateMar 13, 2013

Sewage lagoons remove most -- but not all -- pharmaceuticals

A recent study found that rural sewage lagoons can effectively remove most commonly used pharmaceuticals and hormones from wastewater, but some compounds persist in the environment. The study, led by Wei Zheng, suggests that increased concentrations of PPCPs were detected in November samples due to warmer temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateFeb 14, 2013

Researchers strain to improve electrical material and it's worth it

University of Illinois researchers have devised a method to make ferroelectric thin films with twice the strain, resulting in improved performance. The films have a built-in electric field, called an intrinsic potential, which opens the door for new applications such as smaller, faster and longer lasting computer components.

Study: Store layout an important variable for retailers

A University of Illinois study shows that retailers must balance the shopping process for consumers and pricing behavior of upstream suppliers through strategic manipulation of store layout. The findings suggest that making certain products convenient to consumers may not be the best retail strategy, as it can influence pricing behavio...

Study: Cellphone bans associated with fewer urban accidents

A study by University of Illinois researchers found that cellphone bans in urban areas are associated with a relative decrease in accident rates after seven years. However, in very rural areas, cellphone bans were linked to higher accident rates than expected. The findings suggest that blanket bans may not be beneficial for all areas.

Study: Job autonomy, trust in leadership keys to improvement initiatives

Researchers from the University of Illinois found that frontline employees are more likely to commit to continuous improvement initiatives if they perceive high job autonomy and trust their leaders. Employees need a sense of control over their work environment to be motivated to improve, and leadership must provide support for this mot...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalOperations Management Research·DateNov 14, 2012

Abstract thinking can make you more politically moderate

Studies by University of Illinois researchers Jesse Preston and Daniel Yang found that asking people to think broadly about a subject can lead to increased moderation in political beliefs. The research used techniques known to induce an abstract mindset, such as viewing images or reading ambiguous articles in different formats.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateNov 2, 2012

A sense of control, even if illusory, eliminates emotion-driven distortions of time

A sense of control over events reduces emotion-driven time distortions, regardless of individual's emotional state or illusion of control. Previous studies found that highly arousing images lead to time distortions, but this study shows that giving participants a feeling of control eliminates these effects.