Many people struggle to maintain a healthy weight, and choosing the optimal meals for weight loss can be challenging. A research team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has developed a weight management program that helps individuals plan meals with the assistance of a web application and support from a registered dietitian. In a new study, they discuss the app’s features, development, and implementation.

Zeynep Madak-Erdogan is associate director for education at the Cancer Center at Illinois and a professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Madak-Erdogan’s research explores the impact of hormones and metabolism on breast cancer and individuals’ responses to treatment.

This September, a cooking channel came to life at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as ADM teamed up with the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences to host the Food Innovation Challenge. 

If corn was ever jealous of soybean’s relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, advancements in gene editing could one day even the playing field. A recent study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shows that gene-edited bacteria can supply the equivalent of 35 pounds of nitrogen from the air during early corn growth, which may reduce the crop’s reliance on nitrogen fertilizer. 

The night sky teems with migrating songbirds, aloft in their millions following routes etched in evolutionary time. But those flight paths may not be entirely innate, according to new research led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Evidence from over 18,300 hours of recorded flight calls suggests songbirds may “talk” to other species as they migrate, forming social connections and — just maybe — exchanging information about the journey.

Four faculty from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) have received funding to further their international work through the longstanding ACES International Seed Grant program, facilitated by the Office of International Programs. 

Chaya Sandler’s return from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, brought with it an abundance of experiences, stories, and knowledge to share back on campus. Her trip, which was sponsored by a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign program meant to enhance global competencies among staff and foster global engagement, was nothing short of enriching.

The U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has announced $5 million in funding to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and partner institutions to develop a new variety of corn called NSave that will reduce nitrogen fertilizer use and greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining crop yield.

Since 1978, the Jonathan Baldwin Turner (JBT) Scholar program has recognized a group of talented students each year from the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. In the fall of 2021, the college re-envisioned its prestigious JBT program. Today, JBT scholars receive a renewable, merit-based scholarship, but more than financial support, the program provides unique professional development opportunities to prepare future leaders in diverse fields.

Agricultural field trials can provide crucial information that helps scientists and farmers optimize production and reduce environmental impacts. The Data-Intensive Farm Management Project, housed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, works with farmers to conduct large-scale scientific experiments using precision agriculture. The goal is to generate real-world data that can help farmers make efficient management decisions and increase profits.