Prestigious NSF CAREER award goes to Illinois researcher to study long-term sustainability in the US Corn Belt
URBANA, Ill. – The U.S. Corn Belt produces about a third of the world’s corn and soybean supply, but with further intensification and a changing climate, it’s not clear whether the Corn Belt can remain environmentally sustainable over the long term. With a new five-year project, funded by the National Science Foundation’s flagship CAREER award, Illinois scientist Kaiyu Guan aims to find out.
Study in mice examines impact of reused cooking oil on breast cancer progression
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A new study in mice suggests that consuming the chemical compounds found in thermally abused cooking oil may trigger genetic changes that promote the progression of late-stage breast cancer.
Thermally abused frying oil – cooking oil that has been repeatedly reheated to high temperatures – may act as a toxicological trigger that promotes tumor cell proliferation, metastases and changes in lipid metabolism, scientists at the University of Illinois found. They reported their findings in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.
Illinois tar spot researcher requests samples, offers resources
URBANA, Ill. – Corn growers experienced an epidemic of tar spot in 2018, with the fungal disease occurring in 172 counties across the Midwest. With the potential for another significant outbreak in 2019, a University of Illinois plant pathologist is asking for help from growers.
Natural plant defense genes provide clues to safener protection in grain sorghum
URBANA, Ill. – Weeds often emerge at the same time as vulnerable crop seedlings and sneak between plants as crops grow. How do farmers kill them without harming the crops themselves?
Maghirang named head of Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
URBANA, Ill. – Ronaldo Maghirang has been named head of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois. Maghirang will assume the position on May 1, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.
Study: Free fatty acids appear to rewire cells to promote obesity-related breast cancer
URBANA, Ill. — Scientists at the University of Illinois have found that free fatty acids in the blood appear to boost proliferation and growth of breast cancer cells. The finding could help explain obese women’s elevated risk of developing breast cancer after menopause.
ACES hosts South African scholar for perspective on food and nutrition security
The Office of International Programs in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) hosted Dr. Sheryl Hendriks, a distinguished guest from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, to speak about opportunities and challenges for research on food and nutrition security and agriculture in Africa.
Experiences of nature boost children’s learning: Critical review finds cause-and-effect relationship
URBANA, Ill. – Spending time in nature boosts children’s academic achievement and healthy development, concludes a new analysis examining hundreds of studies.
ACES short-term study abroad programs offer immersive opportunities
Article submitted by Gregory French, ACES Advisor and Graduate Student Intern
Opportunities to step outsides of one’s comfort zone are among the many reasons students choose to study abroad. For many students, winter break is a convenient time to experience a new culture while earning academic credit by participating in a faculty led study-abroad program.
ACES PhD student Yushu Xia builds connections with French soil scientists towards managing nitrogen
The following are reflections from Yushu Xia, a PhD student in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, on her research project partially funded by an ACES International Graduate Grant: “Improving Agricultural Nitrogen Models for Nitrogen Management Assessment at a Field Spatial Scale.” Yushu’s advisor is Dr. Michelle Wander.