Researchers have created a new tool to evaluate infant brain health by assessing chemical markers in the brain. The tool uses standard values for several metabolites to provide a more reliable way to evaluate metabolite concentrations, allowing for early detection and intervention for potential brain development issues.
A new study found that counties with more green spaces have lower racial disparities in coronavirus infection rates, possibly due to equal access to health benefits. Green spaces are associated with improved cognitive performance, reduced stress and increased social cohesion.
A new study models people's exposure to air pollution by race-ethnicity and income level, finding that exposure disparities among people of color and white people are driven by nearly all emission source types. The researchers found that air pollution disparities arise from a more systemic set of causes than previously understood.
A new Illinois-based study finds evidence of a steady decline in the availability of springtime flowers in wooded landscapes, which likely endangers queen bees' ability to start their nesting season. The scarcity of early-season flowers, particularly in forests, is attributed to declining forest plant cover since 1997.
A study maps COVID-19 health disparities in Greater Santiago, finding three times higher mortality rates in low-income areas due to limited access to testing and healthcare. The research also reveals striking disparities between high and low socioeconomic-status municipalities.
A new study found that people's mobility declined sharply in March and April but quickly recovered to pre-pandemic levels from April through June. However, during the second wave, there was very little change in mobility despite the pandemic becoming more severe.
A new study finds that river systems exhibit lateral migration of channels, reorganizing drainage patterns into a dendritic structure. This phenomenon is not captured by existing numerical models and has significant implications for understanding river evolution and land use planning.
A team of scientists simulated the task of piercing an egg to understand how host birds defend against brood parasites. They found that nests and tool shape significantly affect the mechanics and energy requirements of avian eggshell puncture.
A study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found evidence linking pregnant women's exposure to phthalates to slower information processing in their 7.5-month-old infants. Males were more likely to be affected, especially when exposed to certain chemicals and unfamiliar faces.
A University of Illinois research team, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, is developing an online archive of historical live musical performances. The project, InterMusE, aims to preserve access to concert ephemera and oral history interviews with concertgoers.
Researchers integrated gait data and machine learning to monitor and predict MS-related gait issues, detecting differences in gait patterns between participants. The study identified a butterfly diagram feature associated with critical neurological functions.
Researchers at University of Illinois developed a new mechanophore molecule that changes color when applied with stress, enabling rapid detection of material failure. This breakthrough could enable better monitoring and response to overstressed materials in various fields.
A 10-week study found no significant difference in strength gains between middle-aged adults consuming moderate- and high-protein diets during resistance training. However, high-protein groups showed changes in gut microbes that were reversed by the intervention.
A camera-trap study found that black bears are adept at finding and stealing the remains of adult deer killed by pumas. This 'kleptoparasitism' reduces the calories pumas consume, causing them to hunt more often and eat smaller prey when bears are not active.
Higher temperatures can reduce photosynthesis efficiency and hinder plants' ability to regulate CO2 uptake and water loss. Plants with structural features that make them more or less susceptible to heat stress also influence how temperature affects crop yields.
A study of low-income single Black mothers in Chicago's South Side found that chronic stress from violent neighborhoods alters gene activity in immune cells. The 'hunker down' response to long-term threat can lead to accelerated aging and worsened health outcomes.
A six-week training program improved emotional resilience in veterans by increasing confidence in regulating emotions and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Brain function changes also occurred, with reduced crosstalk between brain regions involved in emotional processing.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new imaging technology that can identify good and bad emitters among populations of carbon nanodots. The study found that approximately 20% of carbon nanodots are perfect emitters, while about 80% have a very short light emission state before expelling heat.
A smartphone app called Harbor teaches young adults how to support their peers who engage in risky substance use behaviors. The app provides prompts and feedback to help users have a supportive conversation without being confrontational or enabling.
A subset of liver cells takes on a greater workload to maintain metabolic function during regeneration, while others multiply in a coordinated manner. The liver's ability to regenerate and maintain its metabolic activity is crucial for the body's overall health.
A new study predicts that the Southeastern United States is at high risk of extreme drought, which could expose its water-supply infrastructure to stress beyond its design limit. The researchers used short-term climate modeling forecasts to highlight the urgency of drought risk and inform policymakers' actions.
A new virtual reality program has been shown to reduce the physical side effects of hemodialysis in patients, such as fatigue and nausea. The program, which involves a mindfulness/meditation exercise, was found to greatly improve symptoms in patients who used it during their treatment sessions.
A newly translated journal from a 17th-century German barber-surgeon reveals the complexities of the Atlantic slave trade. Through his accounts, historians gain insight into the quotidian brutality and banality of evil in the trade.
A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that the incidence of prolonged hiring difficulties for STEM workers in the IT help desk sector is modest, with only 11%-15% of vacancies showing signs of persistent hiring frictions. The researchers identified organizational characteristics, management strategy, and...
A new study found that preschoolers with higher cardiorespiratory fitness perform better on cognitive tests and other measures of brain function, including academic ability tasks and attention skills. The research suggests that the relationship between physical activity and brain health is evident even in early childhood.
Researchers used a novel 3D microscopy technique to study crownlike structures in adipose tissue, finding they are actually concentric spheres surrounding an empty core. This discovery may lead to new treatments for obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.
Researchers found a significant link between prolonged sedentary time and decreased ability to focus on tasks despite distractions. Adults with obesity or overweight who spent more time sitting for extended periods showed poorer performance on executive function tests.
A 12-month patient education program that integrated mental health information significantly reduced cardiovascular disease risks, improving measures such as fasting blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, and BMI. Patients who received the program maintained most of these improvements six months later.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered modified compounds called epo-NA5HT and epo-NADA that target multiple cannabinoid receptors, interrupting pain and inflammation pathways. These lipid epoxides are much more potent than their precursor molecules and offer a promising alternative to opioid-based painkillers.
Researchers found that a previously overlooked phenomenon in chemical reactions can boost efficiency and reduce waste. The discovery, led by University of Illinois researcher David Flaherty, involves the formation of an organic residue that acts as a surface redox mediator, increasing reaction rates and hydrogen peroxide production.
A new study found that childhood trauma can increase susceptibility to multiple sclerosis and reduce responsiveness to treatment. The researchers discovered a key immune system receptor that triggers the disease progression when activated by stress hormones.
Researchers have discovered that TALEN is up to five times more efficient than CRISPR-Cas9 in targeting densely packed DNA regions, including those causing fragile X syndrome and sickle cell anemia. This breakthrough adds to the need for a broader selection of genome-editing tools to target all parts of the genome.
A new study finds that people's willingness to share personal location information to reduce COVID-19 transmission is influenced by cultural context. Researchers found that South Koreans are more accepting of COVID-19 mitigation efforts involving data sharing due to their collectivist culture and lower privacy concerns.
A recent study found that Medicaid expansion led to a significant increase in the identification of undiagnosed HIV infections and the use of HIV prevention services. The research reveals a 13.9% rise in new HIV diagnoses, mostly concentrated among injection drug users in low-income and rural counties.
Research found negative mental health effects from lockdowns spike, then fade as people adjust to new normal. Searches for isolation and worry decreased after peaking, while those for exercise, Netflix, and cooking increased.
A new study found that COVID-19 infections and deaths in the US increased with higher income inequality, particularly in counties with higher proportions of Black or Hispanic residents. The study also showed that economic inequality harms population health regardless of racial/ethnic composition.
A newly discovered 50-million-year-old fossil of an assassin bug has remarkably preserved internal male genitalia, providing valuable insights into the species' family tree. The find suggests that banded assassin bugs are about 25 million years older than previously thought.
Researchers studied the forces behind click beetles' signature clicking maneuver, discovering that they utilize snap-buckling and elastic recoil to release energy. The study provides insights into extreme motion, energy storage, and release in small animals like trap-jaw ants and mantis shrimps.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new electrochemical reaction using polymers to improve CO2-to-ethylene conversion efficiency. The study found that the new polymer-entrained electrodes produced more stable chemical intermediates, resulting in up to 87% ethylene production, surpassing previous reports.
A new study found that religious individuals employ cognitive reappraisal and coping self-efficacy, two psychological strategies linked to reduced anxiety and depression symptoms. The research suggests a convergence between science and religion in promoting well-being and resilience.
A new study by Hayden Noel found that emotionally arousing advertisements can have a negative effect on immediate memory but a positive effect on delayed memory if the level of emotional arousal is congruent with the ad's claims. The research has practical implications for advertisers seeking to develop effective message strategies.
A study found that a retracted clinical trial report continues to be cited 11 years after its retraction, and citations actually increased after it was retracted. The number of articles retracted is tiny compared to publications, but retractions are often hard to find, and notices may not mention the reason for retraction.
A new data-driven global climate model projects significant urban heat stress and reduced relative humidity in cities by the end of this century. The study's findings emphasize the need for local urban climate projections to support city planners' adaptation strategies, such as green infrastructure interventions.
Researchers found that disposable surgical masks provide the best acoustic performance among tested masks, reducing high-frequency sound muffle and allowing speech to be heard clearly. Loosely woven cotton masks also perform well but may not block respiratory droplets as effectively.
Researchers analyzed gene expression in the brains of thousands of individual honey bees to find consistent differences between foragers and egg-layers. The study identified 15 transcription factors that explained behavioral differences, suggesting changes in these genes can lead to strikingly different behavior.
A clinical study by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that an antifungal drug improved key biomarkers in lung tissue cultures and nasal cells of patients with cystic fibrosis. The study suggests that the drug could benefit all patients, regardless of their mutation, offering a new approach to treatment.
Researchers use DNA analysis to determine that all 44 tusks came from forest elephants residing in West Africa, revealing the geographic origins and habitats of these endangered species. The study provides a framework for examining vast collections of historic ivory, offering insights into modern wildlife conservation.
New research finds that people tend to moralize COVID-19-control efforts, overlooking associated costs. The level of support differs between liberals and conservatives.
A study found that warmer springs in southern Illinois allow prothonotary warblers to start laying eggs earlier, increasing the chances of raising two broods of offspring. This adaptability may provide a reproductive advantage for the birds, but could be threatened by continued climate change.
A study is exploring whether interventions effective for HIV testing and treatment can be adapted to promote compliance with COVID-19 mitigation strategies. The goal is to develop a program increasing COVID-19 testing and treatment rates among marginalized, hard-to-reach populations.