Closing Gaps in Health and Care

a scientist is using a microscope in a lab

With $13M grant, UIC scientists will study lung inflammation mechanisms

Apr 10, 2023 11:45 am

The researchers hope to find new, more effective treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, pulmonary fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress disorder, a common and serious complication of COVID-19.

UIC team creates new fatty acid that could reduce vision loss

Apr 3, 2023 10:15 am

Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago developed an omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid, which they say can cross into the retina of an eye to reduce visual declines among people with Alzheimer’s disease.

UIC researcher Kuei Yuan Tseng poses for a portrait at his laboratory

UIC researcher examines effects of cannabis on adolescent brains

Mar 27, 2023 10:30 am

Professor Kuei Tseng is one of the country’s foremost neuroscientists, and his lab rats are aiding our understanding of the long-term effects of cannabis on the teen brain.

Four young women practice CPR on female and Black and brown mannequins

Real Impact: Heart-focused agency advances neighbor helping neighbor

Mar 21, 2023 10:00 am

When the five-year grant that launched Illinois Heart Rescue in 2012 expired, the State of Illinois recognized the results-driven program’s impact and took over funding. The University of Illinois System again is advocating for the program’s funding as part of its annual state budget request.

Professor Brian Monson in a soundproof room

Study compares third-trimester sound exposures in fetuses, premature infants

Mar 13, 2023 2:30 pm

The study is the first to compare sound exposures of fetuses in the last 16 weeks of pregnancy with their age-matched premature peers. The analysis reveals profound differences in their exposures to noise, language, and the biological sounds of the mother, with implications for the infants’ development.

three researchers in a laboratory setting

UIUC team finds soybean protein that blocks 'bad' LDL cholesterol production

Mar 6, 2023 12:30 pm

Consuming soy flour rich in the protein B-conglycinin has the potential to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and lower the risk of metabolic diseases, such as atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease.

Alternate-day fasting a good option for patients with fatty liver disease

Feb 27, 2023 10:15 am

Nutrition researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago studied 80 people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and found that those who followed an alternate-day fasting diet and exercised were able to improve their health.

Benét DeBerry-Spence and Lez Trujillo Torres

Marketing study finds effects of racism on sickle cell patients, adopting new treatments

Feb 13, 2023 11:15 am

University of Illinois Chicago researchers in the College of Business Administration analyzed how racism and discrimination in health care affect the adoption of innovative medical technologies.

The front of a UICOMP building in Peoria

Rural Student Physician Program aims to attract doctors to underserved areas

Feb 6, 2023 11:30 am

The decline of professionals practicing medicine in rural America isn't a new one, and rural hospitals around Illinois and the nation are eliminating services or closing altogether amid staffing and financial difficulties. The Rural Student Physician Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria is working to solve this problem.

childrens' hands pointing at computer viewed from above

New AI institute focuses on children's speech language pathology needs

Feb 2, 2023 3:00 pm

The AI Institute for Exceptional Education will advance foundational AI technologies, human-centered AI design, and learning science that improves educational outcomes for young children. The institute will also focus on serving the millions of children nationwide who require speech and language services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Student cconduct a simulated exam involving a manikin and a standardized patient played by Bridget Brown in the UIC Nursing Schwartz Lab. Brown’s mom, Nancy (far right), acts as the patient’s health coach.

Actors help UIC students learn about serving patients with disabilities

Jan 6, 2023 10:45 am

As part of the new program, UIC pharmacy, dental and nursing students do a series of online modules about caring for people with disabilities. Then they get assigned to work together on simulation cases in-person or via telehealth.

New collaborative focuses on equity for those with chronic diseases

Jan 6, 2023 10:30 am

Chicago ARC partners "aligned on a vision to create a community of health innovation in Chicago and across Illinois and the Midwest, accelerating community-relevant innovation, technology, and partnerships, as well as positioning the region as a global destination for innovators and startups looking to transform healthcare and impact society."

Second-year medical students Nicholas Nguyen (Co-Director of Avicenna Lifestyle) and Claire Lee (Co-Director of Avicenna Lifestyle), senior Haihley Connors (Co-Director of Avicenna Outreach), second-year medical student Anisha Mittal (Co-Director of Avicenna Outreach) and sophomore Isela Villaseñor (Avicenna Interpretations volunteer) from the Lifestyle, Outreach, and Interpretations team volunteer at the Campana de Salud Health Fair, promoting Avicenna, educating about healthy nutrition, and offering blood pressure screenings.

Carle Illinois students earn grant to improve local healthcare access

Dec 12, 2022 8:15 am

Carle Illinois College of Medicine (CI MED) students received the Family Medicine Cares USA existing clinic award grant from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Dr. Lauren Forsythe holds Duchess the cat, and Dr. Alex Gochenauer holds Loki the corgi in the Illinois Veterinary Hospital Medication Dispensary

Pawsitively Collaborative: A new partnership in veterinary pharmacy

Dec 9, 2022 3:00 pm

A new veterinary pharmacy residency program serves as an example of the collaborations that unite University of Illinois System entities around advancing health and other missions.

Experts boost activity of potential therapeutic target in triple-negative breast cancer

Dec 2, 2022 2:45 pm

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers found that stimulating estrogen receptor beta in triple-negative breast cancers alters the activity of cancer-related genes and reduces the growth and metastasis of these breast cancers.

Are older women being over-screened for cervical cancer?

Dec 2, 2022 2:45 pm

A new UIC study suggests that women over the age of 65 may be undergoing unnecessary cervical cancer screenings and that more public health data is needed on the utilization of cervical cancer screening-associated services among older women to prevent potential harm and unnecessary costs.

A child shown from behind with a backpack walks down a city street with fall leaves all around

University of Illinois Chicago helps launch youth mental health program

Nov 4, 2022 10:45 am

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration is funding the Illinois Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Expansion as part of the American Rescue Plan and the Safer Communities Act.

A smiling young man with a smiling toddler on his shoulders

New Family First Act Summit gathers state agencies, helpful partners

Nov 4, 2022 10:45 am

“The Family First Act allows Illinois to invest more resources into addiction treatment, mental health services and parental skill building that will help strengthen families so children can remain safely at home,” said Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

A diverse group of enthusiastic students collaborate outside around a laptop with a University of Illinois Chicago sticker on the lid

UIC grant will increase public health ‘boots on the ground’ in underserved areas

Nov 4, 2022 9:45 am

Health disparities prompted the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to award the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health $1.5 million in scholarship funds from the American Rescue Plan.

HIV, AIDS training center at UIC goes national with help of $3M grant

Oct 26, 2022 2:15 pm

The Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center at the University of Illinois Chicago will expand its services nationwide with the help of a new $3 million grant.

Illustration of molecule enzyme inhibitor

New enzyme inhibitor shows promise for treating cancers, autoimmune diseases

Oct 26, 2022 2:00 pm

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have found a small molecule capable of manipulating an immune process that plays an important role in cancers and autoimmune diseases.

Carle Illinois-led research unlocks clues to healing damaged hearts

Oct 14, 2022 10:00 am

Research led by a Carle Illinois College of Medicine faculty member could give scientists new tools to prevent further damage and promote healing after a heart attack.

Portrait of Hana Hinkle, College of Medicine Rockford director, on rural background

Rural health education center in Illinois gains $6.5M

Oct 10, 2022 8:00 am

The National Center for Rural Health Professions at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine Rockford will receive nearly $6.5 million over the next five years to fund the Illinois Area Health Education Centers Network program.

Person walking in park area with cityscape far off in the background

UIC teams with Argonne, partners in urban climate change study

Oct 10, 2022 7:00 am

As the largest contributing collaborator, UIC’s work is backed by about $5 million of the overall award to lead a biogeochemical observation network across the city, collaborate with community groups, and grow educational and workforce development opportunities for educators and students.

exterior of the UI Health Specialty Care Building

Specialty Care Building at UI Health opening up access to care, jobs

Sep 20, 2022 1:00 pm

The newest clinical building on the University of Illinois Chicago’s health sciences campus will open to patients Sept. 26. Leadership from UIC and its health system, UI Health, marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting event outside the $194 million building Sept. 14.

New mobile health unit for underserved teens in Illinois

Sep 20, 2022 12:00 pm

The UIC College of Nursing has secured a $3.1 million grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration to run a mobile health unit for underserved teens in Illinois.

Federal center for farmworker health and safety to open in Chicago

Sep 13, 2022 10:30 am

UIC will receive $6 million from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to establish the newest Agricultural Safety and Health Center in the U.S. The new center, called the Great Lakes Center for Farmworker Health and Wellbeing, will be housed at the UIC School of Public Health.

Med student group launches health fair for underserved community

Sep 6, 2022 10:30 am

Physician innovators from Carle Illinois College of Medicine are bringing free health screenings and resources within reach for people facing barriers to care, including central Illinois’ LatinX community.

Male medical student with Peoria in backdrop

Program helps fill need for rural doctors

Sep 1, 2022 3:30 pm

Programs at University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford and University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria are part of the Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistance Program, to help fill the need for rural doctors in Illinois.

Researcher and father/daughter farming team take a break from harvesting sweet corn

Farm family delivers produce to food bank, with a little help

Aug 24, 2022 2:30 pm

A young Woodford County farm family is feeling grateful after an influx of volunteers helped them harvest a two-acre food plot, with the fresh produce destined for area food banks.

Gloved hand of researcher holds two dark brown mice

Newsweek: How scientists successfully reversed Alzheimer's in mice

Aug 24, 2022 2:30 pm

Lead author Professor Orly Lazarov of the University of Illinois Chicago says, "Taken together, our results suggest augmenting neurogenesis may be of therapeutic value."

University of Illinois Chicago’s Community Outreach Intervention Projects’ mobile narcotics treatment center parked on a vacant lot

Converted RV helps fight against opioid deaths in hardest-hit areas

Aug 24, 2022 9:30 am

Suboxone is an important tool to help those addicted to opioids, but only if they can get it. A new outreach effort is a part of the University of Illinois System mission of filling gaps in health and care.

three photo compliation of dogs, owners, and Dr. Fan

Immunotherapy trials show promise for treating canine melanoma

Aug 11, 2022 10:15 am

Two clinical trials at the U of I College of Veternariy Medicine are showing promise for treating canine malignant melanoma. Human trials using the same therapeutic platforms are expected to begin in 2023.

Developing antivirals for pandemic-level viruses

Aug 11, 2022 10:15 am

UIC researchers are working with the National Institutes of Health and researchers from across the country to establish a center for antiviral drug development for pandemic-level viruses, including Ebola and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Behavioral intervention reduces depression, anxiety in adults with obesity

Aug 4, 2022 1:00 pm

Results from a UIC pilot clinical trial show that among a racially and ethnically diverse cohort of adults who were obese and depressed, an integrated behavioral intervention was more effective than usual care at reducing depression and associated anxiety symptoms than it was at promoting weight loss.

Technique helps bring cell powerhouses back into balance

Aug 4, 2022 1:00 pm

Researchers at UIUC developed a technique using light to regulate mitochondria. The technique could be used as a treatment for cancer and other diseases.

UIC partnership spaces aims to curb opiod overdose deaths

Jul 28, 2022 1:45 pm

The safe space for opiod users was started by the UIC Community Outreach Intervention Projects program and the West Side Heroin and Opioid Task Force.

Allen Barton posing leaning on a railing

Study links insulin resistance, advanced cell aging with childhood poverty

Jul 28, 2022 1:45 pm

Black adolescents who lived in poverty as children and were pessimistic about their future had accelerated immune cell aging and greater levels of insulin resistance in their mid- to late twenties, according to a study by Allen W. Barton, a UIUC professor of human development and family studies.

Martin Burke and Stella Ekaputri in office

Small molecule transports iron in mice, human cells to treat some forms of anemia

Jul 22, 2022 9:45 am

UIUC researchers were part of a team that found a small molecule, hinokitiol, ferries iron out of liver cells lacking the protein that normally does the job and restores hemoglobin and red blood cell production.

Professor Keith Jaronsinski in front of block I banner

Study explores unusual interaction between viruses, live vaccines

Jul 15, 2022 10:45 am

A study of a herpes virus that infects chickens offers new insights into potentially problematic interactions between vaccines made from live viruses and the viruses they are meant to thwart.

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.

red, yellow and green flourescence microscopy image of lung

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.

UIC leaders cut a red ribbon in front of building

UIC celebrates new 55th & Pulaski Health Collaborative

Jun 9, 2022 8:45 am

Leaders from the University of Illinois Chicago and the 55th & Pulaski Health Collaborative celebrated the opening of its comprehensive clinical care center in Chicago’s Gage Park and West Elsdon communities with a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 20.

SHIELD Illinois opens two additional free COVID testing sites in Chicago

May 26, 2022 8:00 am

SHIELD Illinois opened two additional free community testing sites in Chicago this month, bringing its total number of locations statewide to 44. These newly opened community sites increase access to COVID testing in underserved communities.

colorful rendering of antibodies attacking a COVID particle

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.

Scientists in the lab in white coats processing samples

UIC to participate in NIH phase two clinical trial on additional boosters

Apr 18, 2022 3:45 pm

The University of Illinois Chicago will participate in a National Institutes of Health phase two clinical trial evaluating additional COVID-19 booster shots for adults.

Silica exposure is a driving force behind rising rates of black lung disease

Apr 18, 2022 3:30 pm

Silica exposure is a driving force behind rising rates of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, according to a new study published by occupational health experts at the University of Illinois Chicago and their collaborators.

A male and a female scientist pose in a laboratory

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.

UIUC scientist developing drug delivery method with bioengineered microbes

Apr 7, 2022 10:15 am

An Illinois research team is developing a method of producing and delivering monoclonal antibody treatments for breast cancer through commensal microbes in the gut. If successful, this approach could increase accessibility and dramatically decrease the cost of monoclonal antibodies.

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.

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