URBANA, Ill. - Leann L. Birch, a former head of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at University of Illinois, and internationally renowned pioneer in the study of children’s eating behaviors, passed away on May 26, in Durham, North Carolina. She was 72 years old.

URBANA, Ill. – With less than half the corn crop and less than a fourth of the soybean crop planted by June 1 this year, Illinois farmers are facing some difficult decisions. Emerson Nafziger, of the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois, answers critical questions.

Q: How serious is the problem?

Hyperspectral data comprises the full light spectrum; this dataset of continuous spectral information has many applications from understanding the health of the Great Barrier Reef to picking out more productive crop cultivars.

URBANA, Ill. – Having a crummy day at work or feeling overwhelmed at home? Your gut microbes may be related to those negative emotions, a new University of Illinois study suggests.

In the study, published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience, nutirition researchers looked at associations between diet, bacteria in the gut microbiota, and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in otherwise healthy adults.

URBANA, Ill. - Anna Ball has been named the next associate dean of academic programs in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

URBANA, Ill. – Experts often recommend that developing countries focus on high-value export crops such as fruits and vegetables. However, the effect of such practices on conflict-affected countries is not clear, and there is a risk that higher export revenue may lead to increased insurgent violence, according to a University of Illinois study.

The research focused on banana production in the Philippines and showed a correlation between higher banana prices and insurgent activity in certain areas, says U of I agricultural economist Benjamin Crost, who is a co-author of the study.

URBANA, Ill. – Construction is set to begin Monday, June 3, on a new, state-of-the-art Feed Technology Center south of the University of Illinois campus, signaling a new era of animal nutrition innovation. The highly anticipated new facility will be built by ASI Industrial, based in Billings, Montana.

URBANA, Ill. – Nicki Engeseth has been named head of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at University of Illinois.

During her 23-year career at the University of Illinois, Engeseth has successfully held several administrative positions, including serving as interim head of FSHN on two occasions. She teaches courses in food chemistry, and is a highly regarded researcher with an excellent record of publications and grant acquisition.

URBANA, Ill. – Illinois wheat growers, take heart. A new University of Illinois study shows no evidence of a highly toxic Fusarium head blight (FHB) variant, known as NA2, in the wheat-growing region of the state. The study also reinforces the effectiveness of wheat resistance to the fungal disease.

URBANA, Ill. – This month, the Illinois State Board of Higher Education voted to officially approve the merger of the agricultural education and agricultural communications programs in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. The new program, Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC), went into effect immediately following the decision. 

The merged program will host agricultural education, agricultural communications, and organizational and community leadership.