Science News at Illinois http://illinois.edu/lb/imageList/608 Science Research at the University of Illinois See the force: Mechanical stress leads to self-sensing in solid polymers http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0506polymers.html James E. Kloeppel, Physical Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/25318 Wed, 06 May 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois Parachute cords, climbing ropes, and smart coatings for bridges that change color when overstressed are several possible uses for force-sensitive polymers being developed by researchers at the University of Illinois. For your health, pick a mate who is conscientious and, perhaps, also neurotic http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0428neurotic.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/25043 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:15:00 CDT Science News at Illinois New research indicates that having a conscientious partner is good for one?s health. The study, of adults over age 50, also found that women, but not men, get an added health benefit when paired with someone who is conscientious and neurotic. Nanoneedle is small in size, but huge in applications http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0428nanoneedles.html James E. Kloeppel, Physical Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/25040 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois Researchers have developed a membrane-penetrating nanoneedle for the targeted delivery of one or more molecules into the cytoplasm or the nucleus of living cells. In addition to ferrying tiny amounts of cargo, the nanoneedle can also be used as an electrochemical probe and as an optical biosensor. New study overturns orthodoxy on how macrophages kill bacteria http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0427cells.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/24971 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois For decades, microbiologists assumed that macrophages, immune cells that can engulf and poison bacteria and other pathogens, killed microbes by damaging their DNA. A new study from the University of Illinois disproves that. What makes a cow a cow? Genome sequence sheds light on ruminant evolution http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0423cow.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/24804 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois Researchers report today in the journal Science that they have sequenced the bovine genome, for the first time revealing the genetic features that distinguish cattle from humans and other mammals. Chromosome breakpoints contribute to genetic variation http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0423chromosomes.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/24807 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois A new study reveals that ? contrary to decades of evolutionary thought ? chromosome regions that are prone to breakage when new species are formed are a rich source of genetic variation. Self-assembled nanowires could make chips smaller and faster http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0420nanowires.html James E. Kloeppel, Physical Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/24604 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois Researchers at the University of Illinois have found a new way to make transistors smaller and faster. The technique uses self-assembled, self-aligned, and defect-free nanowire channels made of gallium arsenide. Researchers study signaling networks that set up genetic code http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0414pathways.html James E. Kloeppel, Physical Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/24201 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois In a new study, researchers at the University of Illinois have identified and visualized the signaling pathways in protein-RNA complexes that help set the genetic code in all organisms. The genetic code allows information stored in DNA to be translated into proteins. Team identifies a molecular switch linking infectious disease and depression http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0331switch.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/23627 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois Researchers report that IDO, an enzyme found throughout the body and long suspected of playing a role in depression, is in fact essential to the onset of depressive symptoms sparked by chronic inflammation. Physical activity may strengthen children's ability to pay attention http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0331activity.html Melissa Mitchell, News Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/23604 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois Researchers have found that physical activity may increase students? cognitive control ? or ability to pay attention ? and also result in better performance on academic achievement tests. A little java makes it easier to jive, researcher says http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0330caffeine.html Melissa Mitchell, News Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/23572 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois A former competitive cyclist who is now a professor of kinesiology and community health has found that caffeine reduces pain during exercise. New molecular force probe stretches molecules, atom by atom http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0330probe.html James E. Kloeppel, Physical Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/23571 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois Chemists at the University of Illinois have created a simple and inexpensive molecular technique that replaces an expensive atomic force microscope for studying what happens to small molecules when they are stretched or compressed. New drug agent knocks out multiple enzymes in cancer pathway http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0325drug.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/23477 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois A team of 24 researchers from the U.S., Europe, Taiwan and Japan and led by University of Illinois scientists has engineered a new anti-cancer agent that is about 200 times more active in killing tumor cells than similar drugs used in recent clinical trials. The study appears this week in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Rotation is key to understanding volcanic plumes, scientists say http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0325volcanoes.html James E. Kloeppel, Physical Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/23478 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois A 200-year-old report by a sea captain and a stunning photograph of the 2008 eruption of Mount Chaiten are helping scientists at the University of Illinois better understand strong volcanic plumes. High-speed signal mixer demonstrates capabilities of transistor laser http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0319laser.html James E. Kloeppel, Physical Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/23230 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois Scientists have successfully demonstrated a microwave signal mixer made from a tunnel-junction transistor laser. Development of the device brings researchers a big step closer to higher speed electronics and higher performance electrical and optical integrated circuits. Researchers take first look at the genetic dynamics of inbreeding depression http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0312inbreeding.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/22857 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois Researchers have taken a first look at the broad genetic changes that accompany reproductive declines in inbred populations. Researchers discover a new pathway that regulates inflammation http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0311protein.html Kaushik Ragunathan, News Bureau intern Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/22790 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a novel pathway that controls the activity of a key protein involved in inflammation. Study of protein structures reveals key events in evolutionary history http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0310protein.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/22791 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois A new study of proteins, the molecular machines that drive all life, also sheds light on the history of living organisms. Older air traffic controllers perform as well as young on job-related tasks http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0309airtraffic.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/22689 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT Science News at Illinois In a study that challenges the mandatory retirement of air traffic controllers at the age of 56 in the U.S., researchers have found that air traffic controllers up to age 64 perform as well as their young colleagues on complex, job-related tasks. Health campaigns that promote exercise may cause people to eat more http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0227health.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/22484 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:00:00 CST Science News at Illinois New research from the University of Illinois suggests that weight-loss campaigns that promote exercise may actually cause people to eat more. Physical fitness improves spatial memory, increases size of brain structure http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0225memory.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/22483 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:00:00 CST Science News at Illinois When it comes to the hippocampus, a brain structure vital to certain types of memory, size matters. Studies have shown that bigger is usually better. Now researchers have found that elderly adults who are more physically fit tend to have bigger hippocampi and better spatial memory than those who are less fit. Concussions linked to suppressed brain functioning years later http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0223concussions.html Melissa Mitchell, News Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/22086 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:00:00 CST Science News at Illinois Word is spreading, on the sidelines, in the locker rooms and in the media, that an athlete whose bell has been rung ? that is, suffered a concussion ? may have experienced an injury that could take a more serious toll later in life. Team learns how cellular protein detects viruses, sparks immune response http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0219protein.html Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/21947 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:00:00 CST Science News at Illinois A study led by researchers at the University of Illinois reveals how a cellular protein recognizes an invading virus and alerts the body to the infection. New imaging technique reveals the atomic structure of nanocrystals http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0218imaging.html James E. Kloeppel, Physical Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/21913 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:00:00 CST Science News at Illinois A new imaging technique developed by researchers at the University of Illinois overcomes the limit of diffraction and can reveal the atomic structure of a single nanocrystal with a resolution of less than one angstrom (less than one hundred-millionth of a centimeter). Scientists prove graphene's edge structure affects electronic properties http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/0216graphene.html James E. Kloeppel, Physical Sciences Editor Science http://illinois.edu/lb/article/608/21774 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:00:00 CST Science News at Illinois Graphene, a single-atom-thick sheet of carbon, holds remarkable promise for future nanoelectronics applications. Whether graphene actually cuts it in industry, however, depends upon how graphene is cut, say researchers at the University of Illinois.