Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to use glucose meters for detecting multiple targets in various samples. Functional DNA sensors enable the detection of vital metabolites, contaminants, and disease markers in a simple, low-cost, and portable manner.
A new study finds that subsidizing caregivers' wages can reduce worker turnover rates by one-third, improving the quality of experience for clients. The research uses data from group homes for persons with developmental disabilities to perform a cost-benefit analysis of wage subsidy policies.
Research by Craig Gundersen, a University of Illinois economist, finds that strengthening the social safety net can lead to a decrease in childhood obesity. The study suggests that programs like SNAP play a vital role in reducing psychosocial stressors for low-income families.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers highlights the challenges facing the commercialization of emerging liquid biofuels, which could enhance energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biobutanol, an emerging biofuel with a higher energy content than ethanol, is seen as a promising alternative to petroleum-based f...
Researchers have identified three cytochrome P450s in honey bee midguts that detoxify tau-fluvalinate and coumaphos, potentially allowing bees to coexist with these pesticides. This discovery may lead to the development of less toxic mite control methods.
A new study suggests that growing perennial grasses on underproductive farmland used for corn ethanol production could lead to higher overall corn yields, more ethanol output per acre, and better groundwater quality. The switch would also slash emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
Researchers discovered that microRNA levels increase or decrease in the zebra finch brain after hearing a new song. This finding suggests that microRNAs play a regulatory role in fine-tuning the brain's response to social information.
A new study confirms that fulfilling a diversity of needs is essential to individual happiness. Higher-order needs like social support and self-actualization contribute more strongly to life satisfaction than lower-order needs.
Researchers have created a silver pen capable of writing electrical circuits and interconnects on various surfaces, enabling low-cost and disposable electronics. The pen's ink maintains conductivity through multiple bends and folds, allowing for flexible devices.
A team of researchers has identified a new breast cancer tumor suppressor called Runx3, which regulates gene expression and targets the estrogen receptor alpha. The study found that Runx3 suppressed breast cancer cell growth and inhibited tumor formation in mice, offering potential benefits for early detection and treatment.
Researchers developed BeeSpace Navigator, a free online software that uses semantic indexing to extract gene information from academic papers. The tool allows biologists to create custom searches and filters to find specific data, making it easier to interpret gene function.
A new study reveals Lyme disease ticks are more adaptable to new habitats than previously thought. Researchers found that deer ticks and the Lyme disease bacteria they host thrive in forests, farms, and prairies of Central Illinois, with a high prevalence of infected ticks on prairie voles.
University of Illinois researchers have confirmed that amorphous silicon has two-state dynamics, a characteristic of glass. However, adding hydrogen robs the material of this property and introduces micro-crystalline structure, which significantly affects its behavior.
Rogers' groundbreaking research combines soft, stretchable materials with micro-and nanoscale electronic components to create devices with diverse practical applications, including solar power and biocompatible sensor arrays. He is recognized for his ability to bridge incongruent fields of work and translate science into products.
Researchers tested a Boston police officer's claim of running past a brutal beating without seeing it. The study found that even under less demanding conditions than the officer faced, it's possible to miss something as obvious as a fight. The results suggest that inattentional blindness may have played a role in the officer's conviction.
University of Illinois researchers used a high-resolution single-molecule study technique to see subtle differences between two branches of neurotransmitter-gated ion channels. They found that changing the position of an amino acid changes its properties, allowing cation-selective channels to regulate excitation.
Scientists have described a chemical interaction vital to blood clotting in atomic detail, resolving a decades-long mystery. The interaction between a clotting factor and cell membrane was first observed using nanodiscs and advanced modeling techniques.
A two-year study reveals the daily habits of feral and free-roaming house cats, with some having surprisingly large territories. The owned cats had significantly smaller territories and were less active than the un-owned cats, which had to search harder for food to survive.
A University of Illinois law and labor expert states that ordinary workers can't effectively bargain for better wages and working conditions by decertifying. Collective bargaining is 'so stacked against them,' according to the expert.
A recent study of decades of data from the US and eight other countries found significant funding disparities between over-represented and under-represented states. Over-represented provinces can expect to receive more than twice the federal funding per capita as under-represented ones.
A University of Illinois law expert argues that professional athletes should negotiate employment terms at the collective bargaining table, rather than in federal court. This approach could strengthen labor peace and prevent players from exploiting the system.
Researchers discovered infected cats and wildlife with Toxoplasma gondii in a natural area, suggesting feral cats are the source of infection. The parasite is shed in cat feces and transmitted to animals through soil, water, or contact with infected animals.
A new study found that American children's sense of responsibility to their parents declines in the seventh and eighth grades, while Chinese students maintain their feelings of obligation. This decline coincides with decreases in academic performance.
A recent study by University of Illinois researcher Sheldon H. Jacobson found a strong correlation between the rise in automobile usage and obesity rates in the US. By analyzing data from 1985 to 2007, Jacobson discovered that vehicle use is directly linked to sedentary behavior, which ultimately contributes to obesity.
Researchers have developed a low-cost sensor that can identify infectious bacteria by smell, offering a faster diagnosis than traditional methods. The sensor uses a printed pigment array to detect unique chemical signatures from each bacterium, identifying specific species and strains in just a few hours.
Researchers developed a method to use passive microwave satellite imagery to monitor hurricane structure and intensity changes, revealing patterns in storm dynamics. This allows for a 30-hour window before a storm hits its maximum strength, enabling forecasters to issue earlier warnings and evacuate areas at risk.
A new study in fruit flies explores the potent effects of methamphetamine on the body, identifying molecular pathways and energy metabolism changes associated with the drug. The research found that sugar metabolism plays a role in reducing toxicity, while disruptions to calcium and iron balance may contribute to dysfunction.
A repeat corporate tax holiday is unlikely to boost the stagnant US economy, according to a University of Illinois expert. The previous 2005 tax holiday resulted in repurchases of shares rather than increased domestic investment and employment.
Two studies provide the first detailed view of the chemical and mechanical interactions between the ribosome and membrane proteins. The researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to image the insertion process, revealing a
Researchers analyzed genes from nine bee species, revealing unique genetic changes associated with eusociality in highly and primitively eusocial bees. These findings suggest that the evolution of eusociality is an independent process, shaped by distinct genetic signatures.
Researchers found evidence that lice began to diversify before the mass extinction of dinosaurs, supporting the idea that major groups of birds and mammals were around before their extinction. The discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding the evolutionary history of these animals.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have observed a nanoscale cooling effect in graphene transistors, which could enable devices to cool themselves and operate more efficiently. This self-cooling effect is stronger than resistive heating and has the potential to greatly improve energy efficiency.
A team of researchers has built a computer model of a bacterial cell's crowded interior, accurately simulating the behavior of living cells in response to environmental stimuli. By analyzing the distribution of molecules within the cell, they found that molecular crowding affects individual molecule movement and chemical reactions.
A new study predicts significant changes in arable land globally and regionally due to climate change. Regions like China, Russia, and the US are expected to see an increase in farmland area, while Africa, Europe, India, and South America may lose land.
A study by University of Illinois education professors reveals a growing gender gap in math and reading scores, especially in lower grades. Teachers tend to overestimate girls' math achievement and underestimate boys' reading abilities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
May Berenbaum, an expert on bees and pollinators, receives the 2011 Tyler Prize for her groundbreaking research on declining bee populations. She has also made significant contributions to public understanding of science through her writing and advocacy.
Researchers have developed a new battery structure that allows for faster charging and discharging without sacrificing energy storage capacity. This innovation could enable phones to charge in seconds and laptops to charge in minutes, while also improving performance in electric vehicles and medical devices.
Researchers found older adults take significantly longer to cross streets while talking on mobile phones, with heightened cautiousness offering no safety benefits. The study also revealed a significant impairment in street-crossing tasks for older adults engaged in dual activities.
Researchers reconstructed a 226-year fire history in southern Illinois by analyzing fire scars on post oak trees. The study found that repeated fires dating back to early European settlement permanently altered the region's ecology.
University of Illinois engineers develop ultra-low-power digital memory that uses 100 times less energy than similar available memory, potentially extending battery life for mobile devices. The new technology could enable future portable devices to run longer on lighter batteries.
A new model developed by Sheldon Jacobson predicts the most likely Final Four combinations based on seedings, rather than team performance. The model suggests that choosing a combination of two top-seeded teams, a No. 2 seed, and a No. 3 seed is the best bet for winning the office pool.
A team of researchers has successfully integrated stretchable electronics technology with standard endocardial balloon catheters, enabling both mapping and ablation functions in a single device. The device features an array of sensors to measure cardiac activity, temperature, blood flow, and pressure.
Scientists have developed an instrument that tracks protein conformation and translocation with nanoscale precision. This breakthrough enables researchers to study proteins that regulate DNA replication and transcription, revealing new insights into their mechanisms.
The University of Illinois team produces animated educational videos on topics like insect control and water treatment to reach a larger audience at a fraction of the cost. The initiative uses cell phones as a platform to distribute the content, targeting viewers in both developing and developed countries.
Researchers developed a simple way to create short, spiral-shaped polypeptide chains that dissolve in water, which could be used as building blocks for self-assembling nanostructures and agents for drug delivery. The method involves elongating side chains to increase solubility while maintaining helical structure.
The study concludes that replacing 30% of petroleum consumption with biofuels by 2030 is technically possible, but the cost will be high, with biomass prices ranging from $140 to over $200 per metric ton. The research team identified miscanthus and switchgrass as promising high-yielding crops for biomass production.
Researchers developed a method to isolate individual Andreev bound states in graphene-superconductor junctions, allowing for the measurement and manipulation of these unique states. This breakthrough may enable new applications in quantum computing and other fields.
A study by University of Illinois professor Alejandro Lleras found that brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one's ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods. The study tested participants' ability to focus on a repetitive computerized task under various conditions, and showed that taking brief mental breaks h...
Anthropologist Jane Desmond explores how Body Worlds exhibits tolerate the public display of human corpses, idealizing them as objects of scientific curiosity. The exhibitors promote the display as an advancement in anatomy studies, using de-emotional screens and depersonalization to create a universal experience.
Researchers have discovered a 100-million-year-old ancestor of large, carnivorous insects still alive today. The genus has undergone little change since the Early Cretaceous Period.