The University of Illinois Chicago has received an $8 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to develop effective tobacco tax systems in low- and middle-income countries. The grant will support global research, policy development, and public awareness campaigns to reduce worldwide demand for tobacco.
The study found that social and personality psychologists are less likely to use questionable research practices and more likely to follow best practices, leading to an overall improvement in the field. Despite this progress, most respondents believe further improvements are needed, particularly in replicability.
A new report from social psychologists at the University of Illinois Chicago reveals that people on both sides of the political aisle are motivated to dismiss opposing ideas and information. Approximately two-thirds of respondents declined a chance to win extra money to avoid reading statements that didn't support their position.
Naked mole-rats can survive for at least five hours without oxygen by metabolizing fructose, reducing their movement and slowing their pulse rate. This unique adaptation may lead to new treatments for patients suffering from low oxygen conditions, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers found that poor sleep in people with depression and anxiety can make it harder for the brain to modify negative emotional responses. The study used functional MRI to measure brain activity in a specific region, the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, which was found to work harder in individuals with lower sleep efficiency.
Scientists have identified a molecular switch that converts skin cells into cells making up blood vessels, which could be used to repair damaged vessels in patients with heart disease. The technique boosts levels of an enzyme that keeps cells young and may circumvent the usual aging that cells undergo during culturing.
A Chicagoan has become the first adult patient to be cured of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia with a novel stem cell transplant protocol. The patient, David Levy, underwent the procedure in 2014 and is now free from pain and independent.
Researchers have created a pocket-sized retina camera that can take quality pictures without pupil dilation, enabling convenient and efficient retinal examinations. The camera is made from simple parts available online and costs around $185.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago have developed a method using bubble-recoil to mix liquid coolant around high-power microelectronics. This technique is effective both on Earth and in space, where traditional pool-boiling methods fail due to the lack of gravity.
A study published in AIMS Public Health estimates that the 1962 human cell strain breakthrough saved nearly 10 million lives and prevented over 4.5 billion cases of disease globally through vaccination. The development enabled vaccines to be produced safely, leading to widespread vaccination against multiple infections.
Research at the University of Illinois Chicago found that blocking a protein on ovarian cancer cells can prevent its spread to other organs. The study's lead researcher believes this discovery could be a key to developing new treatments for the disease.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago report that increasing expression of cytokine LIGHT in mice with colon cancer activates the immune system's natural cancer-killing T-cells. This leads to a significant decrease in tumor burden, including primary tumors and metastatic tumors in the liver.
A study published in Epidemiology found that people on a gluten-free diet had higher concentrations of arsenic and mercury in their urine and blood compared to those who did not eat gluten-free. The study's findings suggest that a gluten-free diet may pose health risks due to increased exposure to toxic metals.
A new study by University of Illinois sociologist Amelia Branigan finds that obese white female students receive worse grades than their normal-weight peers, with teachers rating them as less academically able. The relationship between obesity and academic performance is linked to educators' interactions with girls of various sizes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Medicine found that butyrate corrected a gut microbiome imbalance and reduced gut leakiness in mice with ALS. The treated mice lived longer than control mice and showed improved neuromuscular function.
Researchers found that brain activity patterns, particularly within two networks involved in error detection and interference processing, can predict treatment response. Patients who showed stronger communication between these networks were less likely to benefit from antidepressants.
A new report in JAMA Surgery found that only one in six gunshot patients with serious injuries are treated at designated trauma centers. The study found that these 'undertriaged' patients were more likely to live on the south and west sides of the county, where trauma centers are scarce.
Cholesterol is found predominantly in the outer layer of cell membranes, where it transmits signals across the membrane. In cancer cells, high levels of cholesterol are associated with suppressed growth activity, suggesting a new way to treat cancer through pharmacological modulation.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago are studying bacterial chemical signals to manipulate sickness-causing microorganisms into a nonhostile state. By understanding the molecular mechanisms of these signals, scientists aim to develop new alternatives to antibiotics that fight bacterial infections.
Research reveals that African Americans are more likely to experience eosinophilic airway inflammation, making them less responsive to standard asthma treatments. This study highlights the need for personalized therapies tailored to individual airway inflammation patterns.
A new study suggests that natural progesterone supplementation can increase pregnancy success in women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss. The research found that over two-thirds of pregnancies were successful in women who received progesterone, compared to barely half in those who did not.
A new study reveals that liberals and conservatives share similar moral roots, particularly concerning sanctity, making constructive discussion challenging. The findings suggest a stalemate in the culture war due to each side considering certain issues as sacrosanct or fair for revision.
The University of Illinois Chicago will continue its research on risk and protective factors for drinking among lesbian or bisexual women, led by Tonda Hughes. The five-year study aims to examine the impact of stressful experiences on psychological suffering and hazardous drinking in adult sexual-minority women.
Patients taking antidepressants for depression are more likely to report gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects if they also have panic disorder, according to a new study. Co-occurring panic disorder is associated with an increased risk of worsening depressive symptoms.
Researchers found that a high-fat, low-sugar diet for 72 hours prior to diagnostic imaging improved the accuracy of diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis. This technique minimizes indeterminate findings and allows clinicians to better monitor patient progress under treatment.
The study estimates that about 3,000 tons of PHCZs lie in the sediment under lakes Michigan, Superior, and Huron, with Category 2 PHCZs likely from man-made sources. Most PHCZs, however, are believed to result from natural processes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a graphene system that can differentiate between cancerous and normal brain cells, detecting hyperactivity in single interfaced cells. This technique uses Raman spectroscopy to pinpoint changes in atomic vibration energy, allowing for early cancer diagnosis.
A new study examines the impact of structured rounding tools on multidisciplinary morning rounds, finding that these tools can improve time allocation and reduce communication breakdowns. The use of such tools can mitigate disproportionate time allocation and nearly eliminate communication errors.
Researchers have developed a new technique to switch key biomolecules on and off, allowing them to study the effects of kinases as they work in living cells. This breakthrough could lead to the discovery of novel drug targets for cancer treatment.
Scientists have discovered that certain large ions can hold tunnels open in electrode materials, allowing charge-carrying ions to move in and out easily and quickly. This breakthrough could lead to improved energy density and power density of lithium ion batteries for larger devices such as electric cars.
A new study from the University of Illinois at Chicago finds that people on both the left and right are motivated by promoting their preferred future, rather than fear of non-preferred policies. This moral investment leads to increased activism behaviors such as voting, donating, and volunteering.
A new, ultrathin film made of fused silver nanowires offers high conductivity and transparency, with potential applications in flexible displays and wearable electronics. The film can be bent repeatedly and stretched without losing its functionality.
A new report from psychologists suggests that people can come to see a reliance on reason and evidence as a moral issue, leading to harsher judgments of those perceived as less rational. Individuals who moralize rationality view others as less moral and prefer to distance themselves.
Researchers found that increased sensitivity to uncertain threat is a common trait among anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. This finding could lead to more impactful and efficient treatment approaches by targeting shared neurobiological characteristics.
The Freshwater Lab, a University of Illinois Chicago-based environmental research and policy center, has been awarded grants to host a Great Lakes mayoral summit. The summit will bring together diverse Great Lakes mayors to collaborate on urban water priorities and build an alliance with the Midwest academic research community.
A new synthetic binding protein called NS1 monobody has been developed to block the activity of genetic mutations found in nearly 90% of pancreatic cancers. This breakthrough discovery provides insight into how RAS proteins function in cells, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches for treating cancer.
Studies examine racial bias in pollution, devaluation of black communities. Researchers found that physical spaces associated with black Americans are subject to negative stereotypes, leading to lower quality characteristics, monetarily devaluing them, and increased exposure to environmental pollutants.
Researchers found that chloramphenicol and linezolid attack the catalytic center of the ribosome, but stop protein synthesis only at specific checkpoints. This new understanding could lead to better drugs and more efficient treatment of human and animal diseases.
A new study translates wearable sensor data into empirically-verified measures of health risks and longevity, offering significant financial value to third parties. The researchers developed the Better Life and Income Scoring System (BLISS score), which combines physical activity data with personal financial information.
The University of Illinois Chicago will send 15-20 UIC undergraduates on a 17-day journey across the Canadian Arctic's Northwest Passage as part of a $3 million NSF-funded project. Students will participate in climate and marine research, learn navigation and sailing skills, and contribute to live broadcasts streaming from the ship.
Researchers investigate how queuine, produced by gut bacteria, affects breast cancer risk and growth. High levels of queuine-modified tRNAs may speed up protein production in rapidly dividing cancer cells.
A team of researchers found that widely accepted atrial fibrillation risk prediction algorithms do not accurately predict incidence when applied to electronic medical records. The study suggests that existing models may be incompatible with EMR data, leading to inconsistent predictions and potential misdiagnosis.
Selenium's incorporation into selenoproteins requires a unique elongation factor called eEFSec that helps recognize the stop codon as coding for selenocysteine. The discovery sheds light on how selenium is handled differently during protein synthesis due to its high reactivity.
Neutrophils, the body's immune superheroes, switch from migrating to murdering invaders when exposed to reactive oxygen species. A receptor called TRPM2 senses ROS levels and triggers a shutdown of migration, allowing neutrophils to focus on killing bacteria and other pathogens.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a solar cell that captures CO2 and sunlight to produce hydrocarbon fuel. The 'artificial leaf' technology solves two crucial problems simultaneously by converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into fuel, making it a game-changer for energy production.
Researchers identified a mechanism of action for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that explains their delayed effectiveness in treating depression. The study found that SSRIs accumulate in lipid rafts and reduce levels of signal molecules, contributing to the delay in symptom reduction.
Researchers are testing a new treatment using cells derived from umbilical cord tissue to target age-related macular degeneration. The therapy aims to prevent further loss of rod and cone cells and potentially restore vision in patients with advanced dry macular degeneration.
A study found that individuals with anorexia nervosa who struggle with insight have abnormal brain connectivity in regions involved in error detection and conflict monitoring. This can lead to poor decision-making and a reduced ability to recognize the danger of their behavior, making recovery more challenging.
Researchers have found an association between adjuvant chemotherapy and improved survival in stage 2 colon cancer patients, contradicting current clinical guidelines. The study analyzed 153,110 patients with stage 2 colon cancer and found that those who received adjuvant chemotherapy survived longer than those who did not.
University of Illinois researchers introduce nanoscale ripples in graphene using rod-shaped bacteria, creating a new material with unique electronic properties. The resulting material exhibits altered conductivity at right angles to the original direction.