University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

What if police training could better prepare officers for real-world situations before they ever step into the field?

That’s the question guiding Jen Whiting, an education doctoral candidate at .

By collaborating with Illinois’ Police Training Institute and joining the training program, Whiting took an immersive look at how training is delivered – and researched how tools like AI might help strengthen communication and decision-making through realistic, scenario-based practice.

Her work recently received funding to further develop AI/O, a platform that lets officers repeatedly practice and refine their communication skills, improving decision-making, safety and outcomes.

Who would have thought Illinois looked this good pixelated? (we did) 😎

New research from is challenging long-held assumptions about how tumors behave.

The research found that higher levels of collagen and fibrin – two key structural proteins surrounding tumors – can actually soften tissue rather than stiffen it – the opposite of conventional thinking.

Why this matters: Lab-grown tumor models used for cancer research and drug testing may not fully reflect how real tumors grow, respond to treatment, or allow medicine to move through tissue.

The findings could help researchers build more accurate tumor models, improve personalized medicine, and explore new ways to deliver cancer drugs more effectively.

A new study found that rice production nearly doubled between the 1960s and the 2010s, despite the negative impacts of climate change, and that future food security will depend heavily on agricultural management and adaptation, not just climate change.

What will Illinois look like in 2100 — and what pieces of history might be lost along the way?

New State Archaeological Survey research projects that land-use change and urban growth could affect or destroy nearly 55,000 cultural sites across the state by the end of the century. Globally, millions of archaeological sites may also be at risk.

Researchers say the next 25 years will be critical for smarter planning, targeted surveys, and partnerships that help protect the past while building for the future.

“We don’t need to save everything and that would be impossible anyway,” said Andrew White, who co-authored the study with John Lambert. “What we can do is identify the problem and try to find ways to address it that move us forward, discovering previously unknown sites before it is too late, protecting those that we choose to protect, and learning what we can from those that we can’t protect.”

The ILLest riders on the road. 🚲

Hats off to for embarking on their annual cross-country journey to fundraise for cancer research!

Illini 4000 is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and patient support services, as well as spreading awareness for the fight against cancer through annual cross-country bike rides.

researchers have developed a new chip-based camera system that could help surgeons instantly determine whether to remove a patient’s lymph nodes during cancer surgery.

The system uses ultraviolent and near-infrared light to give surgeons a “smart vision” view that when fully developed for surgical use could inform clinical decisions, streamline surgical workflows, and improve patient care.

“If a lymph node is healthy, future versions of this approach could help surgeons leave it in place, which may reduce unnecessary node removal and lower the risk of complications,” said Viktor Gruev, a Carle Illinois College of Medicine professor and principal investigator. “If a lymph node is positive (for cancer), the surgeon could potentially adjust the operation immediately, which may help avoid secondary surgeries.”