Topic: Science

Research has shown that people who are exposed to gun violence are at greater risk of physical and mental health issues. University of Illinois researchers are looking at the role wearable technology can play in better understanding the link.

New research from the University of Illinois and University of Iowa suggests that a drug already approved to fight fungal infections could help treat cystic fibrosis.

A common chemical used to kill bacteria is making them more capable of surviving antibiotics.

Termites will be the focus of celebration this weekend at the 36th Annual Insect Fear Film Festival in Urbana. The event kicks off at 6 pm on Saturday at Foellinger Auditorium in Urbana. It’s hosted by entomology researchers at the University of Illinois, including department head May Berenbaum.

Researchers at the University of Illinois published findings of a model they designed that predicts through 2050 the impact of different environmental policies on both human health and climate change.

On the 21st: Illinois is set to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025 throughout the entire state. Plus, as Gov. Pritzker gets ready to deliver his first budget address, we'll talk with the Civic Federation's Laurence Msall about what Illinois needs to get its finances in order. And, the CDC says there have been more than 120 cases of measles in the U.S. since the start of 2019—and in recent days, four have been confirmed in Champaign-Urbana. Finally, we'll hear about a new battery recycling program out of Argonne National Laboratory.

Today on the 21st: Yesterday, your representatives convened in Springfield to take their oaths of office. And on Monday, Governor Pritzker will take a similar oath. But what will they do as your elected officials? And what are different stakeholders in the process thinking? We speak with Illinois Public Radio statehouse reporter Brian Mackey and WTTW Politics reporter Amanda Vinicky. Plus, a new study finds that fake news is shared most by older Americans. We speak with someone very interested in this topic, journalism professor Nikki Usher. Also, an Illinois researcher shares how her work with natural disasters, like Hurricane Maria, is now being used to help children overcome other trauma.

Today on the 21st: we discuss recent changes to school lunch guidelines. We'll also explore how committing a crime can affect someones chance at a college education and learn about new research about whether it's more kind to tell white lies or the full truth. 

The program “Girls Who Code” aims to close the gender gap in technology by getting more girls interested in coding and tech careers. There are more than a thousand Girls Who Code clubs across the U.S.—and a new program is coming to the Champaign Public Library this month.

A new study from the University of Illinois found no link between green space on school campuses and academic outcomes. The study examined greenery and third grade test scores on reading and math exams at 400 Chicago Public Schools.