A new study from the University of Illinois explores methods to reduce sodium in bread, including salt reduction, physical modification, sodium replacements, and flavor enhancers. The researchers recommend a combination of these methods for optimal results.
Researchers found that rusty crayfish exhibit increased diet specialization and boldness in mid-abundance lakes, where individual behaviors become more diverse. This specialization can lead to impacts on spawning fish populations and ecosystem dynamics.
A University of Illinois study found that parental income has a lasting impact on children's health, with lower socioeconomic status linked to increased risk of obesity and related conditions. Permanent income is associated with parents' general socioeconomic conditions, while transitory peaks during adolescence can promote better health.
A new study reviews sustainability standards for crop and livestock production, finding moderate positive effects on the environment through reduced agrichemical use. However, economic benefits vary by region and standard, and assessments are complicated. The study also raises concerns about labor practices and inequalities in the rura...
A new University of Illinois study integrates field data and advanced mathematical modeling to understand how cover crops affect soil water, nitrogen, and oxygen dynamics. The research finds that proper management of cover crops can balance their benefits with cash crop yields, while ignoring the impacts without optimization.
The Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) aims to create systems that enable plants to communicate their hidden biology to sensors, optimizing growth and the local environment. This will lead to breakthrough discoveries, new educational opportunities, and transformative management of crops.
Researchers found that late-season weeds had a significant impact on corn yields, with minimal control resulting in an average loss of 50% and exacerbating crop losses under hot or dry conditions. The study suggests that climate change is not the only factor affecting corn yield, but rather its interaction with weeds.
A recent study examined the dynamics of distressed couples who sought online help for their relationship but had to wait six months before starting an intervention program. The researchers found that while some couples did experience improvements in satisfaction and support, overall levels of distress remained elevated. In contrast, ot...
Researchers propose new statistical approaches to estimate climate change impacts on US agriculture, focusing on county-level analysis. They suggest that current grouping methods can lead to inaccurate results and recommend using C-Lasso, causal forest algorithm, and geographically weighted regressions.
Researchers identify gene regions responsible for non-target-site herbicide resistance in waterhemp, a key step towards early detection and management tools. By analyzing the genome of waterhemp, scientists have narrowed down the genetic regions controlling resistance to two areas, paving the way for further studies.
The study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to nutrition support for children in family child care settings, with a focus on rural-urban disparities. Researchers aim to understand the drivers of these inequities and inform policymaking in a post-pandemic world.
A new study from the University of Illinois and The Ohio State University reveals that farmers care more about soil health than scientists and conservation professionals think. Farmers prioritize soil health at a higher level (8.5 out of 10) than academics and NRCS professionals expected (4.9 and 5.7, respectively).
Research from the University of Illinois found that children eat more fruits and vegetables with longer seated lunch times. The study suggests that policies requiring at least 20 minutes of seated lunch time can help achieve this goal, particularly for children from low-income families who may not have resources to bring their own lunch.
New research from the University of Illinois explores how community characteristics impact the relocation of toxic-releasing facilities. The study found that facilities are more likely to move from communities with high population density, income, and education levels, while moving into those with lower socioeconomic status.
A University of Illinois study finds that US corn and soybean varieties have become more resilient to extreme heat and drought but less adapted to normal weather patterns, leading to reduced productivity. The researchers call for crop breeders to focus on developing crop varieties for diverse weather patterns.
Researchers categorized available biostimulant products into eight classes based on their modes of action. Half are live microorganisms, while the other half are chemistries or chemical byproducts from
A new study proposes restructuring SNAP into a Universal Basic Income (UBI) program to eliminate food insecurity. The plan would significantly reduce food insecurity rates, especially among vulnerable groups, and could be funded through targeted tax increases.
A team of scientists has successfully developed an eyeblink test for pigs, a model species for studying nutritional neuroscience in human infants. The test assesses cognitive processing in the cerebellum and demonstrates associative learning in pigs.
Researchers developed chemical-free pretreatment methods and high-throughput phenotyping techniques for producing fuel from energycane. The studies found that energycane can produce up to 7.5 barrels of diesel per acre, surpassing soybean production, with lower costs and environmental impact.
Researchers mapped protein domain evolution over 3.8 billion years, revealing a 'big bang' of domain combinations 1.5 billion years ago. This discovery could help understand and engineer proteins for disease management, vaccine design, and preventing pandemics.
A new study developed methods to help breeders create fast-maturing soybean lines specifically for African environments. The researchers analyzed cultivar time-to-maturity against environmental variables and found daily minimum temperature and change in day length were more important than genotypic differences.
Researchers developed county-level nitrogen application datasets for corn, improving the accuracy of greenhouse gas calculations. The new approach found excess nitrogen application in most US corn-producing counties, particularly in the Midwest and Northern Plains.
A study from the University of Illinois found that male piglets are more susceptible to neurodevelopmental and neurological anomalies when their mothers are infected with PRRSV during pregnancy. The researchers also discovered changes in gene expression associated with autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, and neur...
Scientists have identified a set of microbial genes that play a crucial role in converting bile acids into beneficial forms. This discovery could lead to the development of therapeutic strategies to enhance gut health and prevent diseases associated with unbalanced bile acid levels.
A University of Illinois study reveals that soy kits can improve the economic conditions of Malawian women by creating value-added products from soy. The kits have potential to increase income generation and alleviate poverty, with gross margins averaging 56% and implicit wages estimated at $2 per hour.
A new study found that five major kefir brands fell short of their claims, delivering between 10 million to 1 billion bacteria per gram. The researchers also identified discrepancies between the labeled species and those present in the products.
New research from the University of Illinois and USDA-ARS found that certain hybrid sweet corn varieties can tolerate higher plant densities without increasing the risk of root lodging. The study used a combination of experimental and on-farm data to conclude that density tolerance is a key factor in reducing lodging incidence.
Researchers developed a way to fuse high-resolution satellite data into one integrated product to track soil and plant conditions. The technology aims to redefine drought based on plant-centric metrics and provide precision irrigation with high accuracy, addressing farmer adoption challenges.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that US interstate trade can reduce the economic impact of climate change on crop profit, with potential benefits worth up to $14.5 billion by 2050. This approach shifts the paradigm compared to current forecasts, which only consider local drought impacts.
Researchers found that piglets raised in a laboratory environment developed brain structures and function comparable to those raised on a traditional farm. The study used MRI scans to assess brain development over time and found no significant differences between the two groups.
Researchers suggest reducing food waste in various settings, including schools, homes, and restaurants, while promoting healthy nutrition. Strategies include implementing behavioral cues, reusing leftovers, and developing cooking education curricula for low-income households.
Researchers have updated a pig brain atlas, increasing its resolution and adding a new atlas for adolescent pigs. The updated atlases will enable more precise studies of brain development and the impact of nutritional interventions on human infants. With improved detail, researchers can now study brain development in pigs up to adulthood.
A new study by the University of Illinois reveals that climate change will impact Colombia's coffee production significantly, with low-altitude regions facing negative effects and high-altitude areas experiencing improved yields. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and coffee growers, highlighting the need for regi...
Researchers from the University of Illinois highlight the importance of proper bat box design and placement to prevent overheating. They recommend using large, well-ventilated designs with materials that provide better temperature buffers.
The first complete genome for the bacteria that causes bacterial spot disease in pumpkins has been assembled, providing valuable resources to understand its spread, host specificity, and potential resistance to chemical controls. The study identified key genes involved in infection and compared them with other Xanthomonas species.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that Illinois high school students who use opioids are also more likely to engage in other forms of substance misuse, have mental health concerns, and experience bullying. The researchers analyzed data from over 230,000 students and identified three main profiles of individuals reportin...
A new study found that decades of corn breeding led to a degradation of sustainable nitrogen-fixing microbes in the soil, contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers recreated the history of corn breeding from 1949 to 1986 and found modern corn varieties recruit fewer beneficial microbes than earlier varieties.
A University of Illinois study suggests that India's rice farmers can increase production while reducing water usage by adopting conservation practices like direct-seeding and soil conservation technology. The researchers also recommend reducing post-harvest losses to further increase crop availability.
A University of Illinois study reveals that milk oligosaccharides in canine and feline milk can boost beneficial microbes and establish a healthy gut microbial community. The research found that adding these prebiotics to pet diets improves palatability and has no adverse effects on health.
A University of Illinois study reveals racial discrimination in the home-renting process actively sorts minority renters into neighborhoods with higher levels of pollution. This leads to disparities in residential pollution exposures and contributes to health issues like respiratory illnesses and stress.
A University of Illinois study found that shifting from round to oval plates with smaller surface areas can significantly reduce food waste in dining halls. The researchers observed significant reductions in food selection, consumption, and waste when diners used the oval plates, resulting in nearly 20 grams less food waste per plate.
The study's model analyzes country-sector linkages in the European Union, identifying EU trade partners as the most important linkages for sector growth. Domestic ties are also crucial, but less important than trade agreements.
A study found that variable weather conditions make pre-emergence herbicides less effective, leading to increased use of post-emergence herbicides. Herbicide combinations can help minimize rainfall requirements and improve weed control.
A new study from the University of Illinois highlights the complexities of healthy family mealtimes, identifying three distinct family profiles with varying levels of food security and mealtime organization. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing multiple aspects of family risk patterns to promote healthy eating habits.
A new University of Illinois study aims to develop better testing methods for produce, focusing on toxin-producing E. coli and improving preharvest testing protocols. The project involves swabbing plants in the field with a sterile cloth attached to a stick to capture potential pathogens.
A new University of Illinois study shows human-grade dog food is more digestible and produces less waste. Dogs fed human-grade diets had significantly less poop than those on traditional kibble, with some producing as little as 1.5 times less poop.
New research from the University of Illinois shows that consistent energy levels and rumen-boosting supplement monensin are ideal during the dry period for dairy cows. The study found no significant difference in cow performance or metabolic indicators between controlled-energy diets and variable energy diets.
COVID-19 cases and mortality rates are significantly correlated with temperature and latitude across 221 countries, according to a new study. The research suggests the disease may be seasonal, like the flu, and could help inform pandemic strategies.
A new University of Illinois study found that dairy calves fed with high-protein starter feed had less fat in their body weight gain and more protein devoted to the development of the gastrointestinal system. Producers can improve calf health and productivity by feeding higher-protein starters.
A study from University of Illinois agricultural economists found that Illinois residents value efforts to reduce watershed pollution and are willing to pay for environmental improvements. Respondents were surveyed on their willingness to pay for various water quality improvements, with a 50% reduction in algal blooms estimated to be w...