Adolescents who feel a stronger sense of purpose tend to be happier and more satisfied with their lives, according to a recent study. The research also found that daily fluctuations in feelings of purposefulness have a significant impact on teens' emotional well-being.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that people's use of popular websites and social media platforms differs significantly based on their location and language. The study analyzed data from 124 countries and found that YouTube and Twitter are used in distinct ways across regions.
A mutant SRSF1 gene may cause severe nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH), researchers have found. Mice lacking the gene develop all three hallmarks of NASH: excess fat, inflammation, and scarring in the liver. The study suggests that DNA damage in liver cells triggers this pathology, highlighting the need to protect the genome.
The University of Illinois' online social work degree programs aim to increase diversity and accessibility by catering to non-traditional students with family and work obligations. The iBSW program enables students to complete a BSW degree solely through online classes, increasing the possibility of earning a baccalaureate degree.
A new study has found that adolescent girls who engage in moderate and vigorous physical activity have better attentional control. The study, led by University of Illinois professor Dominika Pindus, suggests that high-intensity exercise may be particularly beneficial for improving cognitive function.
Researchers developed a magnetic microrobot that can quantify both cell stiffness and traction, revealing new insights into cellular processes. The study found that malignant tumors do not alter their tractions regardless of surrounding tissue stiffness, challenging common perceptions about cancer progression.
A recent camera-trap study by Alex Avrin and Max Allen found that the absence of pumas has a significant impact on ecosystems. Without pumas, coyotes fill the apex predator role but with less effect, leading to changes in prey populations and stream flows.
A recent study found that consuming soy flour rich in B-conglycinin can reduce LDL cholesterol levels and lower the risk of metabolic diseases. The protein inhibits HMGCR, a liver enzyme involved in triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein metabolism.
Researchers have developed insect-sized jumping robots capable of navigating tight spaces, with a new study demonstrating two configurations that can successfully jump without manual intervention. The robots use a dynamic buckling cascade process to store and release elastic energy, allowing them to propel themselves upward.
A new paper by a University of Illinois legal scholar suggests that California's CalRx Biosimilar Insulin Initiative could lower insulin prices, saving uninsured patients up to $4,000 per year. The proposal faces regulatory and logistical challenges, including FDA approval and state budgeting issues.
Scientists successfully used lab-produced tissue samples to remotely control muscle-driven miniature robots with this innovative technology. The device allows researchers a new level of interaction and exploration in the field of biological robots.
A recent study found that strong ethnic identity can buffer feelings of depression and low self-worth when Black men experience sexual objectification by white men online. Conversely, a strong commitment to ethnicity intensified feelings of low self-worth when rejected by those of their own race.
A new DNA-collection approach allows scientists to capture genetic information from wildlife without disturbing the animals. The protocol tested on elephant dung yielded enough DNA to sequence whole genomes not only of the elephants but also of associated microbes, plants, parasites and other organisms.
A phase I clinical trial of PAC-1 found the drug to be well-tolerated, stalling tumor growth and reducing size in patients with end-stage cancers. The therapeutic activity was also observed against sarcomas, with minor side effects reported.
A new analysis offers the clearest picture yet of how various brain regions and neural networks contribute to a person's problem-solving ability. The network neuroscience theory, which posits that intelligence emerges from the global architecture of the brain, outperformed other theories in predicting general intelligence.
A recent study found that implicit bias in healthcare leads to prolonged struggles for women to obtain emotional support, diagnosis, and treatment for chronic health conditions. The study highlights the negative impact of 'communicative disenfranchisement' on women's mental and physical well-being.
Researchers propose new structures to capture and condense water vapor from above oceans, providing fresh water for large population centers in subtropical regions. The study assesses the feasibility of this method under climate change conditions.
Researchers found that stimulating estrogen receptor beta alters dozens of cancer-related genes, slowing the growth and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancers. Higher levels of ER beta expression are associated with longer survival rates in TNBC patients.
A 10-year study found diagnoses of suicidal ideation surged by over 700% among Black pregnant women, while depression diagnoses increased by 66% during the same period. This disparity suggests that many women may be going undiagnosed and untreated until their mental health becomes a crisis.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have created a new strategy to build materials with unique properties by organizing nanoparticles into pinwheel shapes. The pinwheel lattice exhibits chirality, a property that can be seen in nature's examples such as DNA and human hands.
A new study reveals that middle-aged adults faced higher mortality rates during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the first year. The researchers attribute this shift to various factors, including the delta variant's impact on younger age groups and decreased preventive care.
A new study found that unclear COVID-19 policies during the pandemic exacerbated existing health care disparities for Black, Indigenous, and other women of color. The research included 41 participants who reported feeling isolated, confused, and fearful due to lack of clarity from medical providers and federal public health officials.
A study by University of Illinois researcher Allen W. Barton found that perceived gratitude from one's partner increases relationship satisfaction, protection against common stressors, and confidence in the future. In contrast, expressed gratitude showed no protective effects. The research highlights the importance of feeling appreciat...
Engineers and chemists at the University of Illinois have combined electron microscopy and data mining to visualize chemical and physical alteration within ion batteries. The study reveals patterns of nucleation, growth, and coalescence that can inform the development of better rechargeable battery performance.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed an AI-powered system that uses a molecule-making machine to find optimal reaction conditions for synthesizing chemicals. The system doubled the average yield of a challenging class of reactions, paving the way for faster innovation and automation in biomedical and materials research.
Researchers created a model to calculate the energetics involved in piercing with biological tools. The model can be applied to various organisms and will help scientists study and compare different puncturing systems.
Individuals who viewed sex as a leisure activity thrived during the pandemic, enjoying more satisfying and active sex lives compared to those who did not. This outlook helped them cope with stress and isolation, leading to increased sexual desire, variety, and intimacy.
A team of researchers used digital cameras and machine learning algorithms to develop a system that can predict gait dysfunctions in people with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. The study revealed that several algorithms were over 75% accurate at detecting differences between those with the conditions and those without.
A new study of thrushes reveals that differences in plumage coloration between males and females help birds identify potential mates more quickly. The researchers found that species with the most pronounced color differences were more likely to be migratory, have short breeding seasons, and share territory with closely related species.
A new study found that toddlers who spent less than 60 minutes on screens per day and engaged in daily physical activity had better executive function skills. This includes abilities such as inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.
A recent survey found that 99% of Black men in online dating reported encountering racialized sexual discrimination. Men who primarily used Grindr reported more frequent instances of white men rejecting them due to their skin color, while those who used Jack'd experienced greater prevalence of same-race physical objectification. These ...
Researchers developed DNA nets to detect and impede COVID-19, offering a fast, sensitive, and low-cost testing platform. The technique also showed potential as an antiviral treatment, inhibiting the virus's spread in live cell cultures.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to capture and predict the fatigue strength of metallic materials using automated high-resolution electron imaging. This approach allows for rapid prediction of metal failure and breakage, leading to design of safer and more resilient materials for various applications.
A three-year study in northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana found that emergent wetlands support many wetland bird species, regardless of urbanization levels. The research also found that smaller wetlands can be essential habitats for some species, while others prefer larger sites.
A new study reveals that Brown-headed cowbird chicks thrive when paired with two Prothonotary Warbler nestlings, while performing poorly with four or no nestmates. This strategic advantage is attributed to the cowbirds' ability to outcompete and manipulate their host environment.
A recent study found three distinct themes in slogans protesting federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates: Support for individual freedom/rights, opposition to government control, and anti-science misinformation/disinformation. The majority of slogans opposing vaccines were about individual rights or resistance to government control.
Visitors to the Illinois Holocaust Museum reported feeling empowered and motivated to address injustice after experiencing exhibits on human rights and anti-racism. The study found that negative emotions triggered by the exhibits can lead to collective positive emotions, inspiring visitors to engage in social activism.
Areas managed by Indigenous peoples have significantly more primate biodiversity than nearby regions. Lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes are less likely to be classified as vulnerable or endangered when their territories overlap with Indigenous lands.
Researchers at the University of Illinois used single calcite crystals with varying surface roughness to simplify the physics of fault movement. The study found that friction can increase or decrease with sliding velocity depending on mineral types and environment, providing a fundamental understanding of rate-and-state equations.
Researchers extracted DNA from archival leafhopper specimens and used molecular approaches to detect and identify phytoplasmas. The study identified new phytoplasma strains and found associations between leafhoppers and bacteria that cause crop diseases, shedding light on the role of insects in spreading plant pathogens.
A 20-year study found that Black adolescents living in poverty showed accelerated immune cell aging and higher insulin resistance at ages 25-29. The researchers also found associations between childhood poverty, perceived life chances, and premature immune cell aging.
A new study suggests that the north plaza in Cahokia, a major pre-Columbian city, was almost always underwater, blurring the lines between dry plazas and wetlands. The research, published in World Archaeology, reveals that water played a central role in the city's culture, trade, and cosmological beliefs.
A study analyzing over 35,000 COVID-19 vaccine recipients found that 42.1% experienced heavier menstrual flow after vaccination. The analysis also revealed correlations between pre-vaccination reproductive history and hormonal status on the likelihood of experiencing these changes.
A study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that an individualized diet program can help people lose extra pounds and keep them off. The program uses easy-to-use tools to empower dieters to make informed choices about their food intake.
A new study found that volunteer healthcare workers who served in field hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced high levels of secondary traumatic stress, but those with higher compassion satisfaction showed milder symptoms. The researchers also found that avoidant emotional coping tactics significantly increased burnout and...
A study by University of Illinois researchers reveals that a vaccine and virus can infect the same cells in living animals, sharing molecular tools to spread. The findings should inform vaccine design to eliminate potential attributes that help viruses spread.
Researchers created an atomic-level computational model of the COVID-19 spike protein, finding that human cell modifications increase its flexibility and mobility. The study suggests that these modifications can enhance virus infectivity and immune avoidance.
Researchers explored the coevolution of mammals and their lice, revealing that a major group of mammalian lice originated on Afrotheria, an African lineage of mammals. The study suggests that lice first parasitized birds before jumping to mammals, with host-switching occurring rarely.
Researchers found that COVID-19 policies significantly affected the mental health and well-being of people with disabilities. The study identified four groups: heavily impacted, resilient, adapted, and radically changed.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers found that people who stare at themselves during online conversations experience a decline in mood. Alcohol use exacerbated this effect. The study used eye-tracking technology to examine the relationship between mood, alcohol, and attentional focus during virtual social interaction.