The University of Illinois Oat Breeding Program has achieved significant gains in yield and test weight over 18 years, despite environmental challenges. The program's success highlights the importance of public breeding programs in sustaining crop improvements.
A new analysis from the University of Illinois and the Illinois Soybean Association finds that Illinois corn and soybean farmers could lose up to $609 million per year if the state bans the weedkiller glyphosate. This would represent a 3.6% revenue loss, mainly due to the need for more expensive herbicide products.
A new study suggests that chronic stress, obesity, and diet are major factors contributing to the growing rural-urban mortality gap. Researchers analyzed data from over 66,000 people across a 20-year span and found that rural health disadvantages exist across various adult populations. The study highlights the need for policies and pro...
Research from Minot State University and the University of Illinois identified factors for making trees suitable roosts for Indiana bats. Early-successional trees can provide viable habitats in about 70 years, while late-successional trees typically take 130 years.
A survey of nearly 1,000 Americans found that information-based policies on ultra-processed foods are widely supported. Restriction-based policies, such as limiting UPFs in schools, also gained majority support. However, taxation of UPFs was the only policy that did not achieve majority support.
A team at the University of Illinois has developed a method to produce jet-grade fuel from food waste, contributing to a circular bioeconomy. The researchers' approach uses hydrothermal liquefaction and distillation, producing a biodiesel blend that can be used with regular jet fuel.
A new Illinois study found that desiccation cracks in dry soil accelerate moisture loss through evapotranspiration, making the soil even drier. The research team simulated heat wave conditions and tracked the evolution of cracks to understand their impact on hydrological variables.
A new study examines farmer risk preferences when dealing with climate impacts, finding that attitudes toward uncertainty vary widely among farmers. The researchers suggest that different types of programs or policies could be targeted to each group, depending on their level of risk aversion and management decisions.
A new study explores how location sharing apps impact interpersonal communication, revealing safety and practical reasons for sharing locations. The findings suggest that technology is increasingly dictating communication methods, potentially altering relationships and human interaction.
A new review article synthesizes research on the mental and psychological health impacts of greenspace on advantaged and disadvantaged children. Nearly 60% of studies found that people living with disadvantage benefitted more from natural environments, with reduced anxiety, behavioral difficulties, and improved cognitive functioning.
A new study examined the capacity of specially designed biochar pellets to absorb and release phosphorus under real-world conditions. The researchers found that while the pellets absorbed phosphorus as expected in laboratory settings, they performed poorly when exposed to agricultural wastewater, which contained competing ions and micr...
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a machine learning model that can predict chick embryo mortality using hyperspectral imagery, reaching accuracy of up to 97%. They also successfully identified male embryos with high accuracy, potentially reducing the culling of male chicks in hatcheries.
Field inundation causes widespread problems across the food system, including economic issues, biological changes, and human health impacts. Illinois scientists are working with farmers to develop a customizable toolbox of solutions suited to specific contexts.
A new framework uses satellite imagery and machine learning to detect tillage practices over large areas and long time periods. The approach has been used to estimate tillage percentage across the U.S. Midwest from 2000 to 2022, revealing clear differences in no-till adoption by crop and region.
Researchers found that frequent fires increased light in the forest understory and reduced fire intensity. Almost twice as many young oak trees survived and resprouted in plots with more frequent fires.
A new study by researchers from the University of Illinois has shown that bonneted bats can be lured to and inhabit safer bat boxes, which mimic their natural roosts and maintain a stable thermal environment. The study found that the external water jacket in the boxes provides a safer temperature for the bats, and that long-term follow...
Researchers propose a hybrid approach of combining conventional and microwave frying to achieve lower oil content without compromising flavor and texture. The study found that microwave frying resulted in faster moisture loss, shorter cooking time, and lower oil intake, suggesting an economically feasible option for industrial production.
A multi-institution research team has developed a comprehensive genetic library for the soybean cyst nematode, which could help renew resistance and profitability for soybean growers. The pangenome allows for population genetic analysis to understand how nematodes are overcoming resistance.
A new study found a significant decline in nitrogen pollution in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin over the past two decades. The decline is attributed to cleaner air and more efficient nitrogen uptake by modern corn hybrids, as well as reduced fertilizer application.
Researchers found that nanoplastics can increase the virulence of Salmonella, causing it to form thicker biofilms. Prolonged exposure slows down stress response, allowing bacteria to persist in the environment. Further research is needed to determine the impact on antibiotic resistance.
A study by Tezpur University and University of Illinois has identified distinct metabolic patterns in blood that can distinguish gallbladder cancer cases from noncancerous conditions. The researchers detected hundreds of altered metabolites and identified markers with high diagnostic accuracy for each condition.
The Morrow Plots, established in 1876, have been a hub for long-term agricultural research and outreach. The plots have directly impacted farming practices by proving methods like crop rotation and judicious fertilizer use boost crop yield and soil health.
A new study found that improvements in relationship confidence have the biggest impact on individual outcomes, including improved mental health, better sleep, and reduced substance use. Relationship confidence involves trusting that a partner can handle challenges and feeling assured of building a lasting future together.
A new study found that specific management practices, such as no-till and cover crops, can strengthen plant defenses against pests by enhancing soil microbiome functions. The researchers linked these practices with improved pest-suppressing abilities in pea plants.
A recent Illinois study found that nearly 8,500 online classified ads for exotic amphibians were posted between 2004 and 2024, representing 301 species from around the world. The researchers verified a dataset of these listings, revealing 44 species traded without official paperwork, sold at a 40% premium. This illicit trade poses sign...
New research from the University of Illinois has found that corn's wild ancestor genes can inhibit nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, reducing nitrogen loss and greenhouse gas emissions. The study shows reductions in nitrification of up to 50% in field and greenhouse trials, with potential huge impacts on sustainable agriculture.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that a poverty intervention program in Bangladesh may reinforce gender gaps. The program, BRAC-TUP, provides families with livestock assets, technical training, and life-skills coaching, but its impact on education for girls is limited.
A new study from the University of Illinois examines how apple growers might respond to a potential ban on antibiotics, finding that proactive growers will benefit if the ban is enforced, but may struggle if it doesn't materialize. The study also shows that crop value can mitigate the negative impact of regulatory uncertainty.
A new study from the University of Illinois explores a program providing financial and peer support to women in Uttar Pradesh, India. The study found that women who brought a female peer to a family planning clinic were more likely to use modern contraception and experience stronger reproductive agency.
Scientists differentiate between human-derived and hydrological contributions to riverine nitrogen pollution, finding that about half of the increase in nitrogen loss is due to human activity. The study suggests tailored solutions for different regions, focusing on reducing fertilizer inputs and managing precipitation.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that men in rural Tanzania want an average of 4 more children, while women prefer 2.4, but after participating in a couples consultation program, both spouses' fertility preferences increased. This suggests that factors beyond access to contraception influence fertility decisions.
Researchers in Illinois used public genebanks and shared data to accelerate corn quality research, identifying genetic regions influencing kernel composition traits. By combining near-infrared spectroscopy and genomic data, the team found well-known and previously unreported genomic regions associated with key kernel composition traits.
A new study reveals that global food insecurity analyses systematically underestimate hunger, with significant implications for humanitarian aid allocation. The researchers found that 66.2 million people, or one in five, who suffer from hunger may go uncounted due to underestimation.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers finds that extreme weather events can have wide-ranging effects on food production and manufacturing in the US. Climate shocks, such as droughts and floods, can reduce agricultural output and increase prices, affecting states that rely heavily on imports.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that a 10% increase in imported plastic waste is associated with a 0.6% increase in littered plastic bottles collected from coastal areas. The researchers used citizen science data to investigate how the global plastic waste trade contributes to litter along coastlines and waterways.
A new study finds that an integrated harvesting method can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9% and energy use by 5% in smaller fields. Another study reveals that tiller mass is sensitive to nitrogen management, with a decline in biomass yield over time.
A new Illinois study reveals that investing in farm demonstration networks can significantly increase the adoption of cover crops, which improve soil health and water quality. The study found a 50% increase in cover crop adoption within four years after implementation, with greater increases observed near demonstration farms.
A new study reveals that for every 10% increase in forest cover, an additional species is present, and sites with complete forest cover support three times the terrestrial vertebrate species compared to those lacking tree cover.
The Soybean Innovation Lab is expanding its efforts to build a thriving soybean market in Africa, with a new $1.5 million grant from the Gates Foundation. The lab aims to register at least 10 new soybean varieties in regional catalogs by 2027, including those with resistance to soybean rust.
Agricultural producers can now use RGB images from smartphones to analyze crop attributes such as nutrient content and chemical composition. The researchers developed a dataset of reconstructed multispectral images for sweet potatoes, which can be used by anyone for modeling purposes.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that about half of Oregon's elk population carry a gene variant that makes them less susceptible to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This could help slow down the spread of the disease in the state. The research also highlights the importance of monitoring and managing cervid populations.
A new climate dataset warns of a sharp drop in crop yields globally, with the poorest nations facing the greatest risks. The dataset projects that every additional degree Celsius of warming will drag down global food production by 4.4%, impacting millions at risk of hunger.
Researchers used hydrogen isotope analysis to track the origins of six American warbler species. The study found that vagrants originated from western parts of their breeding ranges, contradicting long-held assumptions. The findings provide new insights into bird migration mechanisms and range expansion.
New research reveals American giraffe collections have been hybridized across species, reducing their conservation value. The study recommends phasing out hybridized animals from captive breeding programs and screening existing animals for better genetic matches.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a process to convert food waste into sustainable aviation fuel that meets industry standards. The process involves hydrothermal liquefaction and refining biocrude oil with hydrogen and catalysts to produce clean jet fuel.
A new study finds that wetlands along the Mississippi River Basin effectively clean up nitrogen runoff from agricultural fields. The researchers show that restoring these wetlands can lead to significant savings for local drinking water treatment facilities, with potential annual benefits of $200 million.
The US has traditionally been an agricultural powerhouse but global dynamics are changing due to political and economic factors. Row crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton are experiencing stagnant or declining exports, with the trade deficit projected to worsen in coming years.
A new study from the University of Illinois shows that severe flu infection in pregnant mice leads to a breakdown in placental and brain barriers, allowing potentially harmful molecules to accumulate in the fetal brain. Fibrinogen accumulation has also been linked to neuroinflammatory conditions, and researchers found it accumulated in...
The NSF-funded project aims to understand and reduce grassland fire risk by studying fuel variability and response to prescribed fire. The team will develop mapping tools to estimate wildfire risk, enabling land managers to plan and reduce the risk of devastating grassland fires.
A recent study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign sheds new light on the origin and evolution of the genetic code, providing valuable insights for genetic engineering and bioinformatics. The research team found that the genetic code's origins are mysteriously linked to the dipeptide composition of a proteome, with dipepti...