A recent study found that young adults' misconceptions about older adults' sexuality are often rooted in ageist views, despite many having permissive attitudes towards sex. The study suggests that promoting a view of sex as a recreational activity can help develop sexual health education programs.
A new study links increased acetaminophen use during pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester, to noticeable increases in attention and behavior problems in 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds. The study found modest but notable increases in attention-related issues and ADHD-type behaviors with increasing acetaminophen use.
A study by University of Illinois professor Emily Van Duyn found that news media consumption can trigger conflicts in couples with differing political views. Couples often struggle to decide which media to follow, leading to disagreements over news sources and content. This conflict can also affect the relationship, causing individuals...
A new study found that increasing acetaminophen use during pregnancy is associated with language delays in early childhood, including smaller vocabulary scores and shorter mean length of utterance. The study suggests that fetal brain development is critical during the second and third trimesters.
Researchers found local rivers and streams to be the source of Salmonella enterica contamination after Hurricane Florence, contradicting assumptions about pig farms. The study has critical implications for disease control and prevention in coastal regions affected by tropical storms.
A new composite material, engineered using computer algorithms and 3D printing, can change its behavior in response to temperature changes. The material is designed to perform specific tasks depending on the environment, enabling future generations of autonomous robotics.
A team of researchers has found a way to get antibacterial drugs through the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, making it more vulnerable to treatment. By using machine learning and testing various compounds, they discovered how to create new compounds that can penetrate the bacterium's defenses.
Researchers at University of Illinois developed new semiconductor materials that can harness the power of chirality, a non-superimposable mirror image. The study found that subtle molecular changes can modulate chiral helical assemblies, leading to new optical, electronic, and mechanical properties.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new antifungal molecule that targets fungal cells without harming human kidney cells or other tissues. The molecule, dubbed AM-2-19, has shown significant efficacy against various fungal infections in vitro and in vivo studies.
Researchers developed a single model that predicts population fluctuations in urban employment, human gut microbiomes, and tropical forests. The model, SLRM, generates a narrow distribution of the most likely trajectories, allowing for prediction and response to variability across multiple domains.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers found that management zone maps, which aim to optimize crop yields based on soil and landscape conditions, are unreliable. The most significant factor affecting crop responses is weather, with yields varying significantly from year to year.
The ancient Maya built and maintained reservoirs that filtered and cleaned the water using aquatic plants, providing potable water for thousands of people. The Maya's approach to managing water quality could serve as a model for addressing today's water crises.
Researchers developed a scalable framework to quantify field-level agricultural carbon outcomes, integrating sensing techniques and advanced ecosystem models. The study provides a reliable method for measuring individual farm field-level greenhouse gas emissions and offers insights into the impact of farming practices on climate change.
A new study found that US K-12 students' science learning standards vary widely in their coverage of environmental issues, reflecting the states' dominant political ideology and major industries. The quality and depth of information on planetary health issues are greatly impacted by these factors.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers highlights the struggles women face in establishing credibility for their medical problems and receiving proper treatment. These women engage in 'credibility work,' where they meticulously gather evidence, marshal witnesses, and carefully manage their appearance to convey validity. H...
Research by a University of Illinois expert found that high-ability tech workers join startups due to expected non-monetary benefits, not just lower pay. Startups can recruit top talent despite offering less compensation, suggesting a preference for the startup culture and environment.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that YouTube's recommendation system did not promote anti-vaccine content during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed over 27,000 video recommendations and found that users were directed to longer, more popular health-related content.
Researchers found that African American women with ER-positive breast cancer have decreased levels of amino acids and increased levels of fatty acids compared to non-Hispanic white women. This study may help explain the higher mortality rates in African American women with the disease, suggesting potential new screening strategies.
A new study by University of Illinois economist David Molitor and colleagues found that air pollution via wildfire smoke increases suicide risk among rural populations in the US. Exposure to poor air quality leads to higher rates of suicide, particularly among rural white males and adults with no college education.
Researchers found specific epigenetic differences among Alaska Native participants who experienced intense symptoms of distress when reflecting on historic losses. Individuals with strong cultural identity reported better well-being. The study is the result of a close collaboration between scientists and members of two Alaska Native co...
The Illinois Kids Development Study (IKIDS) will receive $13.7 million in funding to continue its work on child health research for another seven years. The study focuses on the pre-, peri- and postnatal period, neurodevelopment, obesity, respiratory health, and well-being.
Research reveals that T-cell infiltration into the brain is the primary cause of pulmonary dysfunction in Cryptococcus-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (C-IRIS). The study provides new insights into the condition and potential treatment pathways.
A new study found that families with a cohesive, family-oriented mindset were more likely to improve their well-being during the pandemic. Individuals in these families reported higher levels of personal fulfillment and lower stress and loneliness compared to those with weaker family dynamics.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that individuals' own behavior influences their expectations and treatment of others. Generous people tend to reward generous behavior, while selfish individuals punish generosity. This research has practical relevance to social interactions and decision-making.
Researchers successfully deployed CAR-T therapy in a mouse model of ovarian cancer, demonstrating strong anti-tumor effects even at late stages. The treatment was highly effective, shrinking or eliminating tumors after just one dose and continuing to work for months without major side effects.
Researchers propose GABA-modulating treatments as potential therapeutic targets for depression's cognitive and affective symptoms. The study highlights the importance of GABA-A receptors in regulating balance and signals between neurons, and suggests compounds that promote or inhibit these receptors may alleviate depressive symptoms.
Researchers discovered a protein called TRPM4 that strongly signals the immune system to target and clean up dying cancer cells. This finding may enhance immunotherapies against solid tumors by promoting necrosis, a type of cell death that activates immune cells.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed an all-species coronavirus test that can detect exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus in any animal species. The new test focuses on antibodies against a protein called N-protein, which is more abundant and conserved across species, making it a good target for cross-species antibody tests.
Researchers developed a fast and affordable test to predict cement durability using computer vision, which can analyze water droplet absorption on surfaces. The new test is less tedious than current methods and could help the cement industry improve quality control.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new type of flexible display that uses capillary-controlled robotic flapping fins and liquid droplets to create switchable optical and infrared light multipixel displays. The displays are 1,000 times more energy efficient than traditional LED screens.
A 50-million-year-old katydid fossil found in Colorado reveals exceptionally preserved internal organs, including a testicle and digestive tract. The fossil belongs to the genus Arethaea and provides new insights into the evolution of this group of insects.
A new study found that women's lean body mass and age significantly impact their ability to eliminate alcohol from the bloodstream. Women with obesity and those who are older have a faster rate of alcohol elimination compared to healthy-weight women and younger individuals.
Researchers in Tam Pa Ling cave in northeastern Laos found evidence of early human occupation dating back at least 70,000 years. The team used various techniques to date sediments and bones, revealing two distinct migration groups with unclear relationships.
Research reveals people who maintained healthy sex lives during the pandemic used various coping mechanisms, such as goal-setting, expanding their sexual repertoire, and fostering intimacy. These strategies were rated more useful by those who tried them, with relational and educational approaches yielding greater satisfaction.
Researchers found that stable cratons have repeatedly deformed beneath their crust since formation, contradicting decades of plate tectonics theory. This deformation is caused by dense mantle keels peeling away from the lithosphere during supercontinent breakup.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers found that plant species with comparable life histories are more likely to coexist. The method uses data on species' death rates, reproductive success, and growth patterns to predict which pairs will thrive together.
Researchers at the University of Illinois created a new system for desalination using microchannels in Prussian blue electrodes. The study found that adding these channels increased seawater desalination efficiency by five times, reaching salinity levels below freshwater thresholds.
Researchers have detected complex organic molecules in a galaxy more than 12 billion light-years away from Earth. The study used the James Webb Space Telescope and gravitational lensing to observe the galaxy's atomic and molecular composition, revealing insights into the formation of galaxies, their lifecycle, and how they evolve.
A new study reveals Asian colobines living in colder regions underwent genetic changes and alterations to their social structure, forming larger, more complex societies. These adaptations allowed them to cooperate and survive in environments with low oxygen levels and extreme temperatures.
Researchers developed 'smart' coatings that monitor strain on implants to prevent infection and provide early failure warning. The coatings, inspired by dragonfly and cicada wings, integrate flexible sensors with antibacterial surfaces.
A new metric called a correlation ratio has been developed to correlate microscopic-level processes with macroscopic-level behavior in soft materials. This breakthrough allows for the design of new soft materials by tweaking microscale parameters to achieve desired macroscale properties.
A 50-year global meta-analysis of bird reproductive output found that a warming climate negatively affects larger and migratory bird species. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that smaller, sedentary species are less affected by climate change.
Researchers discovered parallels between the brain architecture of sea slugs and more complex segmented creatures with jointed skeletons and appendages. The study suggests that simpler organisms like sea slugs adapted a network of neurons to govern locomotion and posture, which was later inherited by more complex animals.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers found associations between dozens of features that promote brain and cognitive health in older adults. The analysis combined data on nutrient intake, brain structure, and cognitive function, revealing clusters of traits that work together to support healthy aging.
A new study from NASA's Chandra program reveals that exploded stars can pose a significant risk to nearby planets due to intense X-ray radiation, potentially altering atmospheric chemistry and causing mass extinctions.
A new study reveals a steady decline in native leaf-litter ants and simultaneous increase in nonnative ants in Florida, even in protected natural areas. Nonnative ants are most likely arriving with goods transported to the state from around the world.
A new AI tool, CLEAN, can predict enzyme functions based on amino acid sequences, outperforming leading state-of-the-art tools in accuracy and reliability. The tool was developed using contrastive learning and verified experimentally with both computational and in vitro experiments.
A team of researchers has observed nanoparticles self-assembling and crystalizing into solid materials in real time, revealing the growth process at nanometer resolution. The findings have implications for designing new materials, including thin films for electronic applications.
Scientists designed a synthetic molecule that mimics the hydrogen gas-producing chemical reaction performed by nickel-iron hydrogenase enzyme. The new compound efficiently produces hydrogen using earth-abundant metals, potentially replacing platinum metal in industrial electrolysis.
University of Illinois researchers create an electrode that attracts and captures short-chain PFAS, a type of 'forever chemical,' using electrosorption. The design allows for selective fluorophilic interactions, enabling the capture of these persistent contaminants from environment.