Walleye return to the same spawning ‘hotspots,’ highlighting need for habitat protection

Spring peepers are singing, and walleye harvesters are ready to go out on Mille Lacs Lake, as they have for hundreds of years. The walleye spawn is on.

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How location sharing apps change the ways we communicate

Mobile apps that allow people to share their location with others have become increasingly popular. But how and why do we use these apps, and what are the implications for interpersonal communication? That’s the topic of a new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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Nature may benefit psychological well-being of disadvantaged children more than others

Growing up in disadvantaged communities can take a toll on children, with greater stress leading to mental health issues and delays in psychological development. But a decade’s worth of research suggests there’s an effective and nearly free remedy that may level the playing field with their advantaged counterparts: time in nature. 

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ACES Agronomy Days series returns to University of Illinois

With summer just around the corner, Agronomy Days will soon return to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The season-long series teaches Illinois growers the latest breakthroughs in productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

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A pipeline technology for a new livestock industry: The PigLife Dataset

The livestock industry is changing quickly. Pig populations are increasing, farmers are decreasing, and tools are needed to address the widening gap.

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ACES Family Academies expands experiences for pen pals

When Pamela Smith, an editor for DTN and Progressive Farmer magazine, spotted a social media post from a friend looking to nurture her daughter’s love of writing, Pam stepped in with an old-fashioned offer: to write letters. 

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Illinois study: Can designer biochar pellets help manage phosphorus in agricultural fields?

Tile drainage is common in U.S. Midwest agricultural fields, helping to remove excess water and aerate the soil. While the practice enhances crop productivity, it can cause phosphorus to leak into nearby waterways, where it contributes to harmful algal blooms. Directing tile-drain runoff through a structure filled with biochar – a form of charcoal produced from organic waste – provides a potential remedy for phosphorus pollution, but the method is novel and not fully explored.

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Three ACES staff members receive the Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award

Three members of the College of ACES community — Lisa Kelly, Carissa Nelson, and Mynda Tracy — are recipients of the 2026 Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award. This is one of the highest honors for staff at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and reflects the meaningful impact of their work across ACES and beyond.

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