People

Outbreaks of Escherichia coli in several states have been linked to onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, following on the heels of a recall of Boar’s Head deli meat products linked to Listeria monocytogenes earlier this year.

Many of the youth participatory action research projects that aim to empower young people to lead change in their schools or communities often fail to fully integrate them into the process, diminishing participants’ learning opportunities and the projects’ potential impact, a recent study found.

The foundation for healthy eating behavior starts in infancy. Young children learn to regulate their appetite through a combination of biological, psychological, and sociological factors. In a new paper, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign propose a model that explores these factors and their interactions, providing guidelines for better understanding childhood appetite self-regulation.

Agricultural producers and farm workers experience stressful working conditions that result in anxiety and depression at higher rates than the general population. At the same time, access to mental health care is often lacking in rural areas. In response, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded four regional farm and ranch stress assistance networks in 2019.

Agriculture is a stressful occupation, and farmers struggle with anxiety and depression at higher levels than the general population. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines differences in mental health challenges for men and women farmers, focusing on the role of social support in mitigating stress.

Diana Rodríguez vividly remembers what it’s like to navigate the complex and daunting U.S. college admissions process as a racially minoritized, first-generation college student. Raised by Mexican immigrant parents in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, Rodríguez’s family valued education but had little access to guidance for first-generation college students and their families. 

For Elizabeth Olson, ACES associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI is much more than a trend or a catchphrase; it means sustained, intentional, data-driven work that appreciably benefits all ACES students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners. 

“ACES is a great college to be a part of,” she said. “We just need to ensure that is true for everyone, regardless of identity, background, and experiences.”

Since its establishment in 1941, the Child Development Lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has relied on the strong vision and leadership of its directors. Now, Hannah Kye will lead the CDL into the future. 

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is entering the new academic year with significant growth, welcoming both its largest freshman class in 50 years and a talented cohort of faculty members. This fall, the college has promoted 11 faculty members and added 14 new faculty, further enhancing its academic, research, and outreach capabilities.

Illinois residents who took part in a new couples’ relationship strengthening program reported many improvements in their connections with their spouses or partners and in their individual well-being too, research suggests.