blog posts A dynamic duo of cells identified in lung blood vessels Jun 15, 2022 10:30 am Findings from a UIC study identifying two subtypes of blood vessel cells could lead to better treatments for lung infections, which can be dangerously exacerbated by unchecked inflammation. App developed to detect perinatal depression in mothers of color Feb 23, 2022 9:30 am An innovative app from UIC combines cutting edge technology, enhanced mental health outreach efforts and new opportunities to identify blood biomarkers for depression in an effort to help mothers of color from low-income communities identify, manage and treat perinatal depression at no cost. Assisting military-dependent communities Aug 19, 2019 2:30 pm UIC has received a $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment to support economic research and resiliency in Illinois’ military-connected communities. More... Awards recognize UIUC excellence in public engagement Jul 10, 2020 8:45 am The Campus Awards for Excellence in Public Engagement spotlight faculty members and staff at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who have consistently applied their knowledge and expertise to issues for the public good. Better outcomes for Black and Latinx asthma patients Mar 23, 2022 9:30 am UIC was part of a study which found that when Black or Latinx asthma patients were instructed to use inhaled corticosteroids, their risk of severe exacerbation was reduced by 15%. Bringing more healthcare services to Southwest Side Sep 28, 2021 3:45 pm With approval from the Board of Trustees to purchase a recently closed clinical building at 5525 S. Pulaski Road, the UIC and UI Health will move forward with plans to increase access to comprehensive health care in Chicago’s Gage Park and West Elsdon communities. Carle Illinois professor awarded prize to advance vaccine research Feb 9, 2022 8:00 am UIUC biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu has been recognized with a Michelson Prize: Next Generation Grant. He will be awarded $150,000 to enable his high-impact ideas to advance human immunology, vaccine discovery, and immunotherapy. Center dedicated to improving worker health awarded $7 million Jan 10, 2022 3:30 pm Public health experts at UIC will continue efforts to improve the health of low-wage workers, thanks to a five-year, $7 million grant from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Child Development Laboratory cares for children of essential, critical personnel May 5, 2020 10:00 am Since mid-March, the staff at the CDL has stepped up to provide emergency childcare for a limited number of essential and critical personnel during the pandemic, under the state’s emergency childcare license. Child Protection Training Academy Aug 19, 2019 2:00 pm The Child Protection Training Academy at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) trains case workers and investigators to better spot and report kids who might be in danger. More... Collaboration brings innovative healthcare to the South Side Feb 14, 2022 3:15 pm Faculty and students at the UIC College of Nursing have partnered with the Southside Health Advocacy Resource Partnership to improve the health of South Side Chicago communities. Collaboration to better serve pediatric patients Nov 3, 2021 8:30 am Cook County Health and UI Health — the leading public health care providers in Cook County and Illinois — will collaborate on specialty pediatric services under the Partnership for Pediatric Care, a new clinical affiliation for shared services. Community colleges in Illinois now have option to provide free covidSHIELD tests to state residents Apr 19, 2021 1:00 pm Community colleges across the state now have the ability to provide the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s (UIUC) innovative, saliva-based COVID-19 test at no cost to any state resident who wants one. Community map locates food assistance sites Sep 29, 2020 3:00 pm To help Illinois residents meet their basic food needs, University of Illinois Extension launched a new Illinois community food map that allows individuals to search by Illinois zip code for all food resources in that area. CRISPR-Cas13 targets proteins causing ALS, Huntington's disease in mice Jan 21, 2022 2:00 pm A new study by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers used a targeted CRISPR technique in the central nervous systems of mice to turn off production of mutant proteins that can cause ALS and Huntington’s disease. Dance may be a step toward better working memory for older Latinos Jun 15, 2022 10:30 am New research from UIUC suggests that older Latinos who regularly participate in Latin dance can help their brains stay healthy. ‘Decoy’ protein works against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants Jan 21, 2022 3:00 pm Researchers from UIC and UIUC have collaborated to develop a new drug treatment to prevent death and lung damage in COVID-19 patients. Early model studies show it may be very effective. Donation to help DPI develop more inclusive tech talent Dec 15, 2020 1:15 pm A $10 million gift will establish the Pritzker Tech Talent Labs at DPI, which will help Illinois workers better adapt to a challenging and quickly changing economy, and help thousands of women and people of color secure high-paying tech jobs. DPI launches new education and workforce research center May 31, 2020 8:30 am The Discovery Partners Institute has launched a new education and workforce research center, IWERC, with $3.9 million from some of the city’s most influential philanthropists and foundations. Evaluating plastic litter prevention strategies on Lake Springfield Jul 27, 2021 9:30 am Researchers at University of Illinois Springfield are examining pollution in and around Lake Springfield and devising strategies to reduce the litter and its impact on the environment. Extension efforts add 64,000 pounds of fresh produce to central Illinois tables Jan 10, 2022 3:15 pm With the enthusiastic support of the growers and buyers at the Arthur Produce Auction, University of Illinois Extension has provided more than 116,000 pounds of fresh produce to central Illinois food pantries in three years. Fund to aid family advocacy initiative at law school clinic Jul 20, 2020 2:45 pm A new fund will help support those in need of representation in family law matters through UIC John Marshall Law School's Pro Bono Litigation Clinic. Gov. Pritzker commits $500 million to IIN and DPI Feb 12, 2020 2:45 pm The State of Illinois is moving forward with $500 million in capital funding for the University of Illinois System’s Illinois Innovation Network and Discovery Partners Institute – a network of research and innovation hubs that will serve as a magnet for technology and talent. More... Grant to foster health equity among Chicago youth Aug 25, 2021 9:45 am A new grant will help reduce disparities in healthcare through a unique new training program led by Carle Illinois College of Medicine’s Ruby Mendenhall. Healthcare leaders protect homeless during pandemic Sep 9, 2020 3:15 pm Chicago nonprofits, shelters, city and healthcare leaders, including UI Health, have come together to address the problems those experiencing homelessness are facing while protecting public health. Health equity initiatives receive funding from the American Cancer Society Mar 23, 2022 9:30 am UIC has received a $4 million, four-year grant from the American Cancer Society to establish a solutions-oriented consortium of health care researchers and clinicians charged with improving outcomes in communities disproportionately affected by cancer. Helping prevent postpartum depression in Black women Jun 2, 2021 12:45 pm The Sunnyside for Moms app created by researchers at University of Illinois Chicago aims to help pregnant women of color who are shoing signs of depression but haven't reached the point of clinical depression. IDPH & DPI announce statewide system to monitor COVID-19 in wastewater May 25, 2021 8:30 am The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) today announced a statewide system to monitor the virus that causes COVID-19 and its variants in wastewater, providing public health officials with early warnings of a potential outbreak on a county-by-county basis. Illinois Extension contributes to vaccination awareness effort in state Jul 19, 2021 10:15 am A new partnership is empowering land-grant universities across the country to strengthen immunization education with a special focus on adult vaccine hesitancy around both COVID-19 and other adult vaccines. Impact on the state economy Aug 14, 2019 1:00 pm The U of I System contributes $17.5 billion annually to the state’s economy through its research, hospital, and entrepreneurial activities, along with the universities' students and visitors, according to a recent study. More... Improving health and wellness in urban communities Jul 28, 2021 2:45 pm Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare is partnering with the University of Illinois Chicago to establish the Community Health Advocacy (CHA) applied research program to address health and wellness challenges in urban communities. In person or over Zoom, UIC students help the community Feb 3, 2021 9:00 am Nearly 200 UIC students spent their day off volunteering in the Chicago community for the MLK Day of Service. Instructors benefit from UIS course on teaching online Jul 29, 2020 2:00 pm The University of Illinois Springfield ION Professional eLearning Program’s Overview of Online Instruction course is helping Illinois higher education professors and K-12 teachers to better teach online during the pandemic. K-12 Shield Playbook offers guidance for reopening schools Apr 15, 2021 12:15 pm A new resource is available to help guide teachers and school administrators as they reopen schools amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, assembled by researchers and experts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Lab results show promise for future pancreatic cancer treatment Feb 18, 2022 1:00 pm University of Illinois Chicago researchers have developed a compound that may one day offer hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Machine-learning model can distinguish antibody targets Apr 27, 2022 8:30 am A new University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study shows that it is possible to use the genetic sequences of a person’s antibodies to predict what pathogens those antibodies will target. New approach enhances muscle recovery in aged mice Apr 18, 2022 3:30 pm Scientists have developed a promising new method to combat the age-related losses in muscle mass that often accompany immobility after injury or illness. New insight into links between Alzheimer's Disease and hearing loss Mar 2, 2022 10:45 am Researchers at Carle Illinois College of Medicine have uncovered new evidence about hearing loss in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The work could eventually lead to earlier intervention and new treatment strategies to delay cognitive decline. New molecule targets, images and treats lung cancer tumors in mice Nov 3, 2021 8:30 am University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers have developed a finely tuned molecular agent that can target lung and other cancer cells for imaging and treatment. New Peoria Innovation Hub to be part of statewide network Nov 4, 2019 2:45 pm The Peoria Innovation Hub will be dedicated to finding solutions to improve the wellness of underserved populations and advance systems related to food, farming, and transportation. More... New position helps sharpen UI Health's focus on community health equity Jan 28, 2022 9:45 am Rani Morrison, chief diversity and community health equity officer at UI Health recently spoke to Healthcare Innovation about patient engagement and data gathering efforts under way. New treatment for pulmonary fibrosis using sugar-coated nanoparticles Apr 7, 2022 10:15 am UIC scientists have developed a treatment for pulmonary fibrosis by using nanoparticles coated in mannose — a type of sugar — to stop a population of lung cells called macrophages that contribute to lung tissue scarring. Oncology dietitians rarely ask cancer patients about food insecurity, study finds Feb 14, 2022 3:15 pm Although studies suggest that many cancer patients experience food insecurity, few oncology dietitians routinely ask them if they are having problems affording or obtaining food, new UIUC research has found. OSF & UIC award Community Health Advocacy grants Feb 2, 2022 9:30 am OSF HealthCare is partnering with UIC to award eight grants totaling more than $700,000 to support projects that remove barriers to care, particularly in low-income, under-resourced communities; enhance health and wellness education, and leverage technology to improve training and community outreach. Pop-up testing clinics for Rantoul ag workers Dec 2, 2020 1:30 pm An interdisciplinary team of scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is working with clinicians and community researchers to expand access to COVID-19 testing by providing pop-up testing clinics for agricultural workers and others at various locations in Rantoul, Illinois. Preparing students for medical careers through human nutrition program Nov 17, 2021 9:15 am Lauren Moy forged her path to the UIC College of Pharmacy by way of an undergraduate human nutrition concentration at the College of ACES at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Preparing youth with disabilities for adulthood Nov 30, 2021 12:15 pm The UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children sponsors an annual conference to help prepare Illinois families for the transition of their children with special health needs to adulthood. Preventing child fatalities and training the workforce Feb 10, 2021 1:45 pm The UIS Child Protection Training Academy has trained close to 1,000 DCFS child protection investigators over the last five years. The model has been expanded to Chicago and will soon be replicated at Southern Illinois University. Project helps East St. Louis residents overcome barriers to COVID-19 testing, vaccination Mar 23, 2022 9:30 am A project co-led by UIUC that is underway in East St. Louis, Illinois, is investigating strategies for overcoming barriers to COVID-19 testing and vaccination among more than 548 medically and socially vulnerable residents of St. Clair County. Researchers identify biomarker for depression Jan 5, 2022 1:30 pm Researchers led by Mark Rasenick, University of Illinois Chicago distinguished professor of physiology and biophysics and psychiatry, have identified a biomarker in human platelets that tracks the extent of depression.
