A study found that older Latinos who participated in a culturally relevant Latin dance program for eight months significantly improved their working memory compared to those in a control group. The program used four types of Latin dance styles and incorporated elements of social engagement, increasing physical activity levels.
The SHIELD program employed rapid saliva testing, real-time data analysis, and fast reporting to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The program's success led to a significant reduction in cases and deaths on campus, with Champaign County experiencing a third less COVID-19 cases than expected.
A team of geologists successfully forecasted a Sierra Negra volcano eruption in June 2018 using a supercomputer-powered model. The model predicted an imminent eruption five months before it occurred, highlighting the power of high-performance computing in volcanic forecasting.
A recent study found that two-year colleges receiving promise scholarship funds decreased their spending on instruction by 3.3% and student services by up to 15%. However, four-year colleges received no significant change in spending on student-related expenditures, while experiencing a 14.5% increase in non-student-related public serv...
A team of University of Illinois researchers, led by Charles Gammie, has captured the first direct visual evidence of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The image reveals a dark central region surrounded by a bright ringlike structure, providing valuable clues about the workings of such giants.
A new volcanic modeling study found that ice-capped volcanoes like Westdahl Peak are delayed in eruption by approximately seven years due to the added pressure from glacial ice. This increase in time may seem insignificant on a geologic scale, but it's significant on the human time scale.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have successfully engineered artificial photosynthetic life-forms through endosymbiosis between cyanobacteria and yeast. The engineered chimera can survive and reproduce under optimal conditions, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of eukaryotic cells.
A new study reveals that corn varieties respond differently to herbivory in the presence or absence of a soil bacterium. The researchers found that only one type of maize increased its production of volatile compounds when exposed to the bacterium.
Researchers tracked COVID-19 infection dynamics in adults over time, using repeated sampling and different testing methodologies. The study revealed factors influencing infection course and transmission risk, including viral genome loads and shedding times.
Researchers found that older Latinos view supportive relationships with friends, neighbors, and community members as equally important to traditional family connections. This 'convivir' concept emphasizes harmonious connections and cooperative coexistence, which can enhance quality of life and promote successful aging.
A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a machine-learning model that can predict which pathogens antibodies will target, with an accuracy rate of over 85%. The model uses genetic sequences of antibodies to differentiate between influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
A new portable COVID-19 test can detect and differentiate the alpha variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from earlier strains in saliva samples. The test uses a genetic phenomenon called S-gene target failure to identify the alpha variant, and can be used at home or other settings.
Researchers have developed a new method to recover muscle mass in aged mice by injecting pericyte-derived extracellular vesicles into the muscles after disuse. This approach has shown promise in recovering skeletal muscle fiber size and remodeling the extracellular matrix, which supports muscle structure and growth.
A new study found that DNA evidence significantly improves prosecution outcomes, with 75% of cases with a match resulting in a guilty plea or trial. The study highlights the importance of quality forensic medical exams, DNA analysis, and prosecutor training to effectively use DNA evidence.
A team of researchers has discovered a compound called TC-2153 that reduces seizure severity in mice with temporal lobe epilepsy by decreasing the activity of hippocampal neurons. The study found that female sex hormones play a role in the efficacy of TC-2153, which may be relevant to sex differences seen in temporal lobe epilepsy.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that the first-pass metabolism of alcohol occurs in the stomach, not the liver. This finding explains why some patients experience increased sensitivity to alcohol after bariatric surgery, leading to higher risks of alcohol-related disorders.
A genomic study has found that eight present-day members of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe share ancestry with 12 individuals who lived in the region several hundred to 2,000 years ago. The study challenges previous notions of the tribe's migration history and highlights the importance of community engagement and traditional knowledge.
A project in East St. Louis, Illinois is using a public health model to deploy effective interventions for medically and socially vulnerable residents to obtain COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination services. Critical dialogues are being used to engage participants in discussions about their beliefs on preventive behaviors.
A new study found that about one in five people strongly endorse the vigilante identity, reporting an eagerness to closely monitor others and punish offenders. These individuals often consider themselves kind and moral actors, with few qualms about punishing innocent people.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that private investments in California's solar energy industry increase climate vulnerabilities. Large-scale infrastructure needed to attract private investment makes the system more vulnerable to climate extremes, including heat waves and droughts.
A new study employs computer algorithms to design multimaterial structures mimicking natural designs for efficient actuators and energy absorbers. The approach enables the creation of sustainable devices with reusable and fully recoverable energy dissipators.
A multidisciplinary team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has devised a new approach to 3D imaging that captures DNA methylation, a key epigenetic change associated with learning in the brain. The technique uses standard MRI technology and biological markers already in use in human medicine.
New studies found that California's push for computer science education did not improve students' math or English language arts skills, but increased enrollments in humanities courses. Researchers also found racial and gender disparities among computer science students and teachers.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new type of water filtration membrane that mimics the natural process of morphogenesis. The membranes, made from soft polymers, exhibit complex 3D structures that allow them to efficiently separate pollutants from water.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified BEND3 as a critical regulator of cell differentiation, discovering that it represses genes associated with cell fate. This finding has implications for understanding normal development and potentially improving cancer treatment.
A study of Massachusetts' data found discrepancies in the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) due to design flaws, delays in arrests, and human factors. In 84% of cases, NIBRS data matched that of law enforcement agencies, but errors occurred in 16% of cases.
Researchers at the University of Illinois used sonification to analyze data and teach protein folding, leading to a new discovery about protein folding mechanisms. Musicians collaborated with chemists to create audio-mapped visualizations that complemented traditional views, increasing intuition for experts.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found that oncology dietitians rarely ask cancer patients about food insecurity, despite awareness that many experience it. The dietitians' estimates of prevalence varied widely, and most did not use validated tools to screen for food insecurity.
A University of Illinois study discovered that cadherin proteins can sense mechanical stress and alter cell communication, promoting tissue growth and tumorigenesis. The findings suggest a potential mechanism for preventing certain types of tissue growth by mutating cadherin molecules.
A new study suggests that economic hardships exacerbated by COVID-19 and reliance on people outside their households for assistance increased older Latinos' exposure to the virus. Nearly 25% of Latinos reported a household member diagnosed with COVID-19, compared to 7% of non-Latino whites.
Researchers have developed a new class of chemical building blocks called TIDA boronates that can form 3D molecules with complex twists and turns. These blocks can be assembled using an automated machine to create complex molecules with specific structures, enabling the easy creation of pharmaceuticals, materials, and diagnostic probes.
Researchers found that rural areas have similar levels of oxidative potential as urban areas, challenging the misconception that air pollution is more toxic in urban settings. The study also showed that summertime agricultural activity can produce PM2.5 particles that are just as toxic as those from urban settings.
A 24-week study found that dogs fed a reduced calorie, high-protein, high-fiber diet achieved healthier weight without losing muscle mass. Their serum triglycerides, insulin, and inflammatory markers decreased with weight loss.
Scientists have built a three-dimensional model of a living minimal cell, which mirrors its behavior and allows for the prediction of how it functions. The model reveals key insights into how cells balance their metabolism, genetic processes, and growth.
A new study by Sean Kennedy found that corporate sustainability efforts to adapt to climate change actually increase the vulnerability of small cocoa farmers in Indonesia. The researchers' strategy transfers climate-related risks from chocolate manufacturers to the farmers.
Researchers found that the same brain systems involved in learning from trial and error are also engaged when people conform to social norms. The study used electroencephalograms to track brain activity and showed that participants' behavior was influenced by their peers' actions, leading to changes in generosity and selfishness.
Researchers found that a genetic mutation associated with severe congenital epilepsy also leads to neural degeneration, inflammation and behavioral symptoms in mice. The study suggests the mutation as a potential target for treatment.
A new study reveals that modern top-down climate-related factors combined with traditional bottom-up tectonic models can help uncover the history of the Andes Mountains. The research suggests that a submerged volcanic hotspot chain, known as the Juan Fernandez Ridge, plays a crucial role in shaping the Andes' unique tectonic setting.
A new analysis of 70 years of data reveals that tundra fires significantly contribute to the decline of permafrost integrity in Arctic Alaska. The study found that fire was responsible for more than 10% of thermokarst formation, despite only burning 3% of the Arctic landscape.
Researchers have mapped the atomic structure of amphotericin B, a powerful but toxic antifungal agent. The detailed structure reveals how the drug kills fungal cells by robbing them of sterol molecules, providing a roadmap for synthesizing less-toxic derivatives.
A new study found that people who see artists as collaborators in their local communities are more likely to support public funding for artists. The researchers also discovered that individuals with liberal views, blacks, Hispanics, and those with a college education are more supportive of public funding.
Researchers used animated avatars to study nonverbal cues influencing people's behavior. Participants were more willing to cooperate with friendly avatars than reject unfair offers from unfriendly ones.
A University of Illinois study examines the transport of aerosolized organic materials from bursting bubbles into the air. The research found that the viscosity and thickness of oil layers control the shape, size, and velocity of resulting bursting jets, with implications for contaminant dispersal and climate modeling.
Researchers tracked vampire bats' gut microbes over four months, finding that those with closer social interactions shared more similar microbiomes. The study controlled for diet and environment, providing insight into the impact of social behavior on microbiome development.
Researchers at University of Illinois have developed an electrochemical process to recover valuable metals from spent lithium-ion battery electrodes. The method produces high-purity coatings of cobalt and nickel with approximate purities of 96.4% and 94.1%, respectively.
A new study in mice found that PFAS exposure reprograms the metabolism of benign and malignant human prostate cells to a more energy efficient state. Consuming a high-fat diet significantly accelerated development of tumors in PFAS-exposed mice, suggesting a synergistic interaction between the two.
Researchers developed a method to determine how antibiotics interact with Gram-negative bacterial membranes, revealing that positively charged groups can facilitate passage through pores. The technique, called molecular dynamics simulation, will help design new drugs to target resistant microbes.
Researchers developed a molecular agent that can target lung and other cancer cells for imaging and treatment, distinguishing between healthy and cancerous cells. The new approach uses a unique chemistry method to tune the reactivity of the molecule, avoiding off-target effects.
Researchers suggest that cognition is a group activity, not an individual one. Studies show brain regions activated in people communicating or cooperating on tasks, highlighting the need to look beyond individual brains.
A new study published in Journal of Occupational Health Psychology suggests that bystander employees who intervene when co-workers are victims of customer sexual harassment can protect their colleagues. The study found that bystander empathy plays a significant role in moderating customer sexual harassment.