Researchers found that adding small amounts of milk and meat to the diet dramatically improves nutrient levels, including protein, calcium, zinc, iron, and vitamins A and D. Plant-based supplemented diets can also improve nutrition, but with limitations.
Research at the University of Illinois found that soybean meal from different growing regions in the US has no significant differences in phosphorus content. Adding microbial phytase improved phosphorus digestibility across all regions.
Researchers found that the Amazon rainforest experiences higher photosynthesis rates during the dry season due to changes in leaf quality and not quantity. This discovery can help scientists assess the forest's health and potential impact on climate change.
Researchers found that tembotrione and other HPPD-inhibiting herbicides provided comparable control to atrazine, with crop yields also comparable. In Oregon fields, several alternative treatments worked well, but limitations were noted in Midwest regions.
Research shows that pelleting and extrusion increase digestible and metabolizable energy in diets for pigs, regardless of fiber content. Pelleting alone or combining with extrusion provides greater increases in amino acid digestibility, improving energy utilization.
A study found that university students who practice health-promoting behaviors like tracking food intake and exercising frequently are more likely to use nutrition information on dining hall food. Only 20% of students used the labels, despite high label awareness rates.
Researchers identified two risk factors for childhood binge eating: parental non-involvement or emotional unresponsiveness, and weight-related teasing in the family. Childhood binge eating is not about feeling full, but losing control and experiencing emotional distress.
Researchers at University of Illinois have identified candidate genes controlling the accumulation of phenolic compounds in broccoli, which are associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and certain cancers. Breeding broccoli with mega-doses of these compounds may lead to improved health benefits.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that spending time in nature together as a family can restore attention, reduce irritation, and promote self-control, leading to better family relationships. Regular family-based nature activities can also foster a sense of identity and belonging within the family.
A recent study found that invasive Bighead and silver carp species avoid areas with CO2-infused water, reducing movement and behavior. The researchers tested the effectiveness of infusing water with recycled CO2 gas to deter carp movement.
A recent study by University of Illinois ecologists found that garlic mustard populations become less aggressive and produce less sinigrin over time. This is due to a fitness cost associated with producing the chemical, which allows native plants to recover and compete more effectively.
A study by University of Illinois researchers suggests that protein S supplementation can inhibit beta-cell death and improve blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, and kidney damage in mice with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The findings offer a potential new approach to treating the disease.
A new study using an economic model found that climate change will significantly impact farmland values in the US Southwest, with highland counties expected to be more affected than lowland counties. Irrigation and farm subsidies increased farmland value, while heat waves hurt productivity.
Research shows that spending time in nature promotes health and well-being among rural, low-income mothers and their families. Despite living in areas with abundant natural spaces, these mothers often lack access to safe and accessible outdoor recreation resources due to financial constraints and geographical barriers.
Researchers discovered a crucial connection between protein structures and molecular functions by analyzing ancient genetic sequences. They found that tiny gene segments determine the formation of active sites in proteins, enabling them to perform specific functions.
A new study by the University of Illinois reveals that Palmer amaranth populations are resistant to PPO-inhibiting herbicides due to a genetic mutation involving the deletion of three nucleotides. This mutation is expected to spread rapidly, making it essential for farmers to switch to alternative herbicides.
Research at the University of Illinois found that adding microbial xylanase to diets containing rice bran can increase its energy value for pigs. The study confirmed that xylanase increased the concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy in full fat rice bran and defatted rice bran.
A University of Illinois study found that supplementing Holstein cows' diets with methionine during prepartum and postpartum periods increased the number of lipid droplets in preimplantation embryos, allowing them to survive more stress. This may lead to lower embryonic death rates and improved pregnancy outcomes.
A new study from the University of Illinois reports a 10% reduction in nitrate load in the Illinois River from 2010 to 2014, compared to the 1980s and early 1990s. The reduction is linked to improved fertilizer management and higher corn yields, resulting in less nitrogen left in the soil and washed into the river.
A University of Illinois study reveals declining sulfur levels in agricultural areas, with negative balances in some watersheds and rivers. Farmers may need to apply sulfur fertilizer in the future, particularly on fields with less soil organic matter.
A recent study found that veterans and their romantic partners who participated in an intensive retreat model showed a significant reduction in trauma symptoms. The retreat, which included therapeutic group and couple counseling, as well as relaxation activities, was effective in reducing both veteran and partner distress levels.
Bioreactors are passive filtration systems that remove up to 45% of nitrate from water draining from farm fields. Researchers are urging large-scale deployment to address the 'dead zone' issue in the Gulf of Mexico.
A recent University of Illinois study found that waterhemp populations in the Midwest are resistant to multiple classes of herbicides, including HPPD-inhibitors and ALS-inhibitors. Researchers recommend using integrated pest management strategies, such as mechanical soil preparation and seed control, to reduce resistance.
A study found that urban gardens in Chicago's African American, Chinese-origin, and Mexican-origin communities provide important ecosystem services. The researchers identified non-native crops and synthetic fertilizers as potential issues, but also noted the cultural significance of gardening for food security and community connection.
Researchers are one step away from starvation due to increased global food demand and climate change. They are developing a method to engineer crops that can increase photosynthesis under high CO2 and temperature conditions.
Research at the University of Illinois found that finer corn particle sizes increase energy derived from corn, allowing producers to reduce added fat without affecting growth performance or carcass characteristics. This enables producers to decrease feed costs.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers demonstrates that biodiesel produced from sugarcane can be more economical than soybean-based biodiesel. With sugarcane producing up to 12% oil, it offers a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil.
Researchers at the University of Illinois identified clusters of genes that are associated with yield under crowding stress in sweet corn, finding that high-yielding hybrids utilize gene activities more directly related to carbohydrate accumulation. The study also found a common genetic basis for the yield response in six tested hybrids.
A University of Illinois study reveals that parents and child-care providers forming a partnership benefits the child's development during the transition from home to child care. Factors such as child temperament and maternal depressive symptoms influence the ease or difficulty of this transition.
A new study suggests that consuming broccoli may protect against liver cancer and aid in countering the development of fatty liver disease. The researchers found that adding broccoli to a Westernized diet reduced the formation of cancer nodules in the liver and improved liver health.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers found that conservation aid alone has not prevented deforestation in sub-Saharan Africa. The study suggests that in some cases, conservation aid may have exacerbated forest loss due to displacement of forest clearing activities outside protected areas.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that high-protein canola meal is a valuable ingredient in swine diets, offering similar digestible energy and amino acid profiles to soybean meal. The study found improved digestibility of crude protein and amino acids in high-protein canola meal compared to conventional canola meal.
Researchers used X-ray micro-computed tomography to study the microstructure of fried potato disks and observed how oil content and pathway networks change with frying time. The findings can be applied to other fried foods, revealing a correlation between pore size and oil uptake.
Researchers found that CRP biomass yield can reach up to 6.4 metric tons per hectare, but economic analyses show that costs of fertilizer application may outweigh benefits. Implementing a system where land owners harvest one-third of their acreage per year could reduce government costs by $31 million annually.
A new coordinated soybean variety evaluation program aims to provide African farmers with high-yielding and disease-resistant seed options. The program, in partnership with the Syngenta Foundation and the University of Illinois, tests 25 varieties at 12 locations across Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia.
A new study from the USDA-ARS found that transgenic sweet corn is not more susceptible to Goss's wilt disease, regardless of glyphosate treatment. In fact, glyphosate application increased yield in transgenic plants, potentially due to hormesis, a phenomenon where low doses of toxins stimulate plant growth.
Researchers found that a novel combination of prebiotics, milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and lactoferrin added to a DHA- and ARA-containing formula advanced overall brain development in piglets. The study suggests that myelination occurred at a faster rate in piglets fed the supplemented diet.
A University of Illinois study found that livestock donations to poor households in Zambia significantly increased people's incomes, boosting household budgets by up to 25% and enabling them to afford higher-nutrition foods like milk. The study also showed that recipients changed their diet to include more diverse food groups.
A University of Illinois researcher identified four distinct approaches that dating couples use to develop deeper commitment. Dramatic daters experience wild swings in commitment levels due to negative events, while partner-focused couples prioritize mutual involvement and conscientiousness. Conflict-ridden couples face tension between...
A team of researchers is urging increased spending on agricultural research in the Midwest to address climate change impacts. The proposed network would gather data on crop performance and management practices across the region to improve crops' adaptation to high temperatures, carbon dioxide, ozone, pests, and disease.
A new study found that graphical displays of fiber and protein per calorie values can encourage consumers to purchase healthier menu items. The researchers observed a significant reduction in calories purchased from entrees and an increase in protein per calorie when nutrition information was displayed graphically.
A University of Illinois study explores effective weed management in commercial edamame production, revealing that integrated tactics and specific herbicide combinations can increase marketable pod yield. Gardensoy 43 cultivar showed promise as a competitive option, reducing weed biomass by 29 percent.
A University of Illinois researcher found that a country's governance quality affects the livelihoods of families who rely on resources from national parks. In Benin, better governance led to better social and ecological outcomes, while Niger's poor governance resulted in negative consequences for poorer communities.
New research reveals Palmer amaranth can cause significant soybean yield loss in Illinois, up to 30% in short periods, highlighting the need for early detection and management strategies.
Weed blasting, a new control method for organic farmers, has been shown to be surprisingly effective in reducing final weed biomass by 69-97% compared to non-weeded control plots. The method involves blasting weed seedlings with tiny fragments of organic grit using an air compressor.
Research at the University of Illinois found that US-grown soybean meal contains at least 200 kcal more digestible, metabolizable, and net energy than current estimates. This increases its economic value and can reduce diet costs if used in pig feed formulations.
Researchers have discovered significant differences in the number of neurons in nematode ventral cords across various species, suggesting that neuron number and anatomy may have evolved multiple times. This variation could lead to the development of more targeted nematicides to control plant-parasitic nematodes.
Researchers found that organic products were generally rated higher than non-organic counterparts, but the interaction between the organic label and product type was complex. Organic virtue foods like strawberries were rated highly for taste, while organic vice foods like cookies were perceived as more nutritious.
The Headwaters Diversion system, built to protect agricultural lands from overflow and Ozark Plateau runoff, has increased peak flow of Mississippi River water and led to increased flooding. Climate scientists predict a continued pattern of extreme rainfall events, exacerbating the issue.
A University of Illinois study links instability in young adults' lives to increased risk-taking behavior, including casual sex and impulsive sexual activity. The researchers suggest that colleges should focus on teaching stress management and self-esteem skills to reduce these risks.