Latest news with #ChampaignUrbana
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
U of I researcher honored for his work in making crops more resilient
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A longtime researcher at the University of Illinois is being recognized as a trailblazer, and for driving change in agriculture and global food security. Stephen Long, the Ikenberry Endowed Chair Emeritus of Plant Biology and Crop Sciences at the U of I, was named a 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneer (TAP) by the World Food Prize Foundation. 39 innovators around the world were chosen, representing 27 countries. Each of the nominees worked to transform food systems, and work in fields related to food or agriculture. U of I team creates global warming resilient potatoes Long's research showed that by engineering crops to improve photosynthesis, it leads to better productivity. His work offered solutions to make crops more resilient in the face of climate change. He also led Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project, from 2012 to earlier in 2025. 'The world is running out of food relative to the number of people, and every year more people are starving according to the United Nations' definition,' Long told the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences. 'Improving photosynthesis is one way to boost the food supply, and it has two main advantages. First, it will enable us to produce more per acre of land. Second, the process is fairly similar across crops. So if you can find a way of improving it in one, you can probably do it in all of them.' Long said over time, his work has shown that making crops more resilient is possible. Central Illinois family farms picking, selling corn until sold out 'I've been studying photosynthesis in crops for 50 years, and people used to believe that you can't improve it, or nature would have already done it,' he said. 'We've been able to show that is not the case; our crops probably only achieve about a third of the theoretical efficiency of photosynthesis. This suggests there's quite a lot of room for improvement, and now some of that improvement is being made.' Long also said that after looking back, one of the things he is most proud of is the time he spent mentoring young researchers who are now carrying on the work. The 2025 TAP trailblazers will be recognized at the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, in October. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS REO Speedwagon rocker Terry Luttrell sustains horror crash injuries after falling asleep at the wheel
Terry Luttrell of REO Speedwagon is on the mend after surviving a terrifying car crash over the weekend. The rocker, 78, rolled his vehicle after he fell asleep at the wheel on Interstate 57 in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois on Sunday morning, according to the News-Gazette. The airbag deployed during the crash, causing Luttrell to sustain a cracked sternum. Luttrell described the horror incident in a phone call with the outlet from his hospital bed, revealing he awoke from the crash surrounded by the airbags. The crash occurred following a long night which saw Luttrell perform at the State Farm Center with his band followed by autograph-signing at an afterparty. Luttrell left the party at 2AM and didn't get to bed until 4:30AM. But his rest was short-lived, as he was back on the road just a few hours later. While Luttrell admitted to feeling 'a little bit sleepy', he believed he would be fine to drive. 'It just happened,' the rocker said. 'I nodded off. I rolled the car over, and I woke up and I was in a cocoon (the airbags). Unfortunately, it totaled the car.' Luttrell was taken to the hospital and plans on remaining there for several more days to undergo rehab. 'I was able to get up and get out of the car,' he told the outlet. 'The airbag went off and cracked my sternum a little bit. 'I have a little back pain and neck pain. It's nothing that can't be overcome,' he added.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS REO Speedway rocker Terry Luttrell survives horror crash after falling asleep at the wheel
Terry Luttrell of REO Speedway is on the mend after surviving a terrifying car crash over the weekend. The rocker, 78, wrecked his vehicle after he fell asleep at the wheel on Interstate 57 in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois on Sunday morning, according to the News-Gazette. The airbag deployed during the crash, causing Luttrell to sustain a cracked sternum. Luttrell described the horror incident in a phone call with the outlet from his hospital bed, admitting he 'rolled the car over' and awoke surrounded by the airbags. 'I was able to get up and get out of the car,' he told the outlet on Tuesday morning. 'The airbag went off and cracked my sternum a little bit. 'I have a little back pain and neck pain. It's nothing that can't be overcome,' he added.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How to manage the spread of invasive species in Central Illinois:
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Invasive species can present a danger to native plants and animals, but the Illinois Extension at the University of Illinois said there are ways to prevent them from spreading further. According to the Illinois Extension, Illinois ranks 5th in the U.S. for invasive species introductions. Non-native plants, animals and insects can spread quickly, and once they are established, they can be difficult to get rid of. Invasive plant species to look out for in Central Illinois Here are some simple solution — that anyone can use — to help slow the spread of invasive species in Illinois: Clean boots, boats, and other gear between sites (tiny invasive species can hitchhike) Avoid sharing landscape plants with other gardeners, source plants from trusted nurseries Become familiar with the invasive species in your area and find out which ones to keep an eye out for Do not move firewood Do not harvest plants if you do not know what they are Do not release exotic pets into the wild. Some of Illinois' most 'unwanted' invasive pests include the Spotted Lanternfly, the Red Imported Fire Ant and the Giant Hogweed. You can read about these invasive species and more here. To find out more information about managing invasive pests and plants in Illinois, visit the Illinois Extension online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
C-U nonprofit puts their recovery money to good use
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — One Champaign Urbana nonprofit organization is putting their recovery money to good use. Salt & Light Ministries got nearly $700,000 from the IRS. It's basically another version of a COVID-19 relief funding for businesses. Budzinski recovers $659k for CU's Salt & Light The organization said they are planning to use their money to pay off some debts. The non-profit's director Nathan Montgomery said he's hoping to have some funds leftover. That way he'll be able to fix their leaking roof, old refrigerators and freezers and update their parking lot. Montgomery said the news came at the right time because they applied for the tax credit in 2023 and waited to hear back from the government. Vermilion Co. Clerk shares voter info for elderly, handicapped 'It's a little surreal. I don't know that it's quite sunk in yet. I think once we actually have the checks in hand, you know, it's one of those things where, you know, we applied well over a year and a half ago. And so you know, you get to a point where you just don't expect that it's going to happen. Right. And so then when suddenly you get news that, 'Wow, this is actually being processed and approved and is going to come through.' Yeah, it kind of takes a minute I think to set in,' Montgomery said. He said the government created the program to reward businesses for keeping employees on the payroll. And, it could be about six weeks until they actually see the money. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
