Technograph Fall 2020

VOLUME 136: FALL 2020

Student Engineering Magazine at the University of Illinois

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

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Check into Zoom University

Table of Contents 7 Illinois integral in the future of artificial intelligence

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What is decentralized finance?

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Get involved in research

Psychedelic Therapy manages mental disorders

UI conducts COVID-19 testing

Gene therapy slows ALS in mice

UI studies vegetable consumption

Morrow Plots pave way for industry

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A professor films a video for his online agriculture class at the Student Sustainable Farm on Aug. 25. Both students and professors had to adapt to the changes brought about by COVID-19.

Check into Zoom University, adapt to changes

BY CHRISTINE SHERIFF STAFF WRITER

As we leave the dog days of summer behind to head back to school, everything is looking a bit different this year. Many students across America have traded in physical schools for online alternatives. Thanks to technology, a laptop screen can easily transform into a classroom. The substantial shift to remote learning has been frustrating and discouraging for many teachers across America. This was even more so for those that have had prior issues with weak internet access, less than perfect online student engagement and outlandish technical problems. However, having to shift everything online has had many teachers reporting that their skills with technology in the classroom are improving. Though frustrated with online learning, many teachers have had considerable growth in improving their teaching through technology. Many educators have created video lectures or websites for their courses that provide necessary class materials without requiring in-person interactions. These newfound skills and comfort with other online resources in the classroom may even remain in use when buildings do reopen.

When it comes to the students, many have mixed opinions about fully online instruction. These feelings ring true, especially for students that require in-person labs to learn

their craft. Alyse Ruda, a senior in speech and hearing sciences, relies on in-person courses to receive experience within her field. When asked about changes made to her discipline, Ruda mentioned that her experience in clinicals and gaining observation hours have changed the most. Usually, she would be working with the patient in a hands-on environment to learn and understand the systems and machines used in her field. However, this is now all online, with students in virtual attendance for an hour a week. While this alternative has been great to properly social distance and keeps students safe, there are also some downsides.

Ruda explained that in an online setting, it is harder for professors to see students’ reactions to the material and gauge their level of understanding. Along with that, many of her professors have had difficulties utilizing the technology for these observations, which has affected class time. However, it is more convenient to host these experiences online, so perhaps virtual clinics are here to stay.

Connor Tenny, junior in industrial engineering, noted that his professor’s ability to adapt and curate online courses was impressive. Industrial engineering is tough enough in person, so Tenny was originally skeptical about the transition to online learning. When asked about his experience thus far, Tenny mentioned while he was impressed with his professors’ abilities, it has been a little hard.

“Some of my professors have no prior background with resources like Zoom,” Tenny said. “So some lectures have been hard to follow.”

However, as a result of COVID-19, Tenny says he has noticed an increase in collaboration between students. In the classroom, it can be easier to avoid interacting with other students, but on Zoom, the silence between you and another person is just plain awkward. Breakout rooms and other mediums have become a way for students to connect despite their location. Tenny mentioned he would love to see the continued use of these mediums. When asked about how he thinks COVID-19 will change technology in the classroom forever, Tenny said we may see an increase in colleges introducing the possibility for more hybrid options in the future.

Along with this, Tenny discusses how solutions created as a result of COVID-19 prove that people can get an equivalent education regardless of where the classroom resides.

This could make one wonder if there will be an increase in those pursuing online degrees and if the stigma surrounding online education will subside.

One of the downsides to moving online is its accessibility. While some students have access to their own laptops and devices at home, others do not. With libraries closed or implementing restricted hours as a result of the pandemic, those who need access to

computers are struggling. Along with this, some students learning from home may not have the best workspaces. This creates a divide in how accessible it is to fully move courses online, especially when looking towards the future. The coronavirus pandemic has already impacted the way we use technology in the classroom. It will be interesting to see how we, as a society, come to change in a post-COVID-19 world. sheriff3@readtechno.com

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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

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Get involved in research, follow these tips

BY BELLA KEYS STAFF WRITER

Getting involved in research during the semester is tough. Most of the time the positions are limited and can be very competitive. In fact, there are also many positions that require previous research experience for an applicant to even be considered. So, now’s the time to do your research and look for research programs that are accepting first-time students. In many cases, getting a research position involves using the resources available to you to pull on your connections and get a little help from others.

A way for a beginner to look for research is to check out the virtual job board. After a quick Google search, a board will pop up, and you can set what positions and jobs you would be interested in. There is an option for you to select research, and once you do this, all of the available positions will pop up. You can look through these positions to see if any of them would apply to you. Each position lists the duration, pay and skills needed to apply. If you do not find anything the first time you search, it’s a good idea to check back a week or so later because employers post listings all the time.

Another way to find a research position could be in your class. As a psychology major, I have had multiple professors offer research positions

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in class. This is a great opportunity to get to know your professor more and to be at the top of their list for research. Although this means that you do not get to choose the type of research you will be doing, beggars can’t be choosers, and undergraduate research positions are few and far between. I know multiple people who have gotten research positions from their professors and it has led to incredible opportunities. In fact, one of them got to witness a surgery performed by a veterinarian. So if the research position offered in class isn’t your style, it’s a good idea to check

ners and often help you get your feet wet in the research field. If all else fails, you can always email a leader in research to see if they would take you on.

Finally, a very successful way to get prompt responses is by having one of your professors reach out to someone who is performing research. Of course, this requires that you be on good terms with your professor, meaning you should participate in class, attend office hours and ask relevant questions. If the professor begins to notice you and especially if they know your name, it would be the perfect time to ask them to reach out to someone for you.

Remember that it’s necessary that you do your homework before asking them to email someone for you because you only get one chance at this!

Overall, I hope you can find a research position using these suggestions! The suggestions listed here are not the only ways to find research opportunities, but they are a good start. Especially having a professor email for you will guarantee a response whether it’s good or bad. Success is not a straight line, so remember to not get frustrated if it doesn’t work out right away. I wish you the best of luck on your hunt for research positions!

it out anyway.

There is also a website for the Office of Undergraduate Research. If you put that into Google, it will bring up a website filled with research and related positions. There are many opportunities to get involved on this website, although you have to be careful because if this is your first research position, it may be difficult to get a position as an ambassador or a lab manager. These positions usually require previous experience so you should be on the lookout for research assistants. Bella is a junior in LAS. Research assistant positions are great for begin- ikey2@readtechno.com

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Psychedelic therapy manages mental disorders

BY MEGHAN LYONS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

Medical marijuana is a revolution in the medical world. Now, there might be a new force on the horizon, and it may even be more revolutionary: psychedelics. Recently in Canada, four medical patients battling incurable cancer are the first of many to obtain approval to use psilocybin (magic mushrooms) legally for therapeutic purposes. This is a major gamechanger in the world of psychedelic therapy.

People all over the world are shocked to see illicit drugs once considered harmful by experts, now being touted as a possible solution to mental health issues. Looking back to the counterculture movement of the ’60s, it all makes sense. Why were the hippies such happy, peaceful and easy-going people? It is all thanks to their frequent use of psychedelics, including lysergic acid (LSD), which was ultimately banned in the United States in 1968 during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement.

Although there is still a lot more research to be done on medical psychedelics, the benefits are already prevalent. Psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin and MDMA have already been proven to help with mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression and even disorders like alco-

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holism. In a 2018 study published in frontiers in Pharmacology, 29 cancer patients experiencing co-morbid depression and anxiety were randomly assigned to take a moderate dose of psilocybin in order to ease the effects of any mental disorders. Results of the trial show-

study conducted back in 2018 published by Lancet Psychiatry, veterans experiencing symptoms of PTSD were all administered different doses of MDMA. Different groups were administered either 30mg, 75mg or 125mg of MDMA. The results of the experiment found that “active doses (75 mg and 125 mg) of MDMA with adjunctive psychotherapy in a controlled setting were effective and welltolerated in reducing PTSD symptoms in veterans and first responders.” PTSD is a major fear of many looking to go into the military.

With the option of psychedelic therapy, there could be a possible reduction in the number of homeless veterans, as well as an increase in military enlistment.

For too long, there has not been enough research into finding effective solutions to treating mental health disorders. Mental health disorders are like every other disease: they are detrimental to the livelihood of those living KAITLIN MIKRUT THE DAILY ILLINI with them. The problems that psychedelics could possibly solve are monumental. But the cased that the moderate dose of psilocybin first step to a future with psychedelic therapy produced “rapid, robust and enduring anxio- is to end the stigma surrounding psychedellytic and anti-depressant effects.” ics. Canada has already jumped on board, and The use of medical psychedelics has also America needs to take that same leap. been shown to substantially improve PTSD in veterans. In a randomized and double-blind mslyons2@readtechno.com

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UI is integral in future of artificial intelligence

BY SHIVALI SHUKLA ASSISTANT SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

The University of Illinois will host two new artificial intelligence institutes funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The NSF and USDA-NIFA are planning on investing more than $140 million in seven new artificial intelligence institutes across the country, two of which will be led here on campus. Investment in these new institutes will occur over a fiveyear period. An initiative made by Congress and the White House, led by the National Artificial Intelligence Institute, is the driving force behind this nationwide endeavor.

The AI Institute for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management and Sustainability at the University will be funded by the USDANIFA and led by computer science professor Vikram Adve. AIFARMS will be tasked with developing AI-based techniques to impact the future of agriculture in two fundamental ways: magnifying the effectiveness of human labor and providing new methods of dealing with highly heterogeneous and diverse data across varying scales in both space and time.

These two major goals have been divided into four broad research thrusts at the intersection of AI and agriculture: autonomous farming, livestock management, environmental resilience and soil health.

“AI has a number of important impacts on agriculture,” Adve said. “I should say that in these national AI institutes, there is a strong focus on both AI research and agriculture research. It’s not enough to look at applications of AI to solve agricultural problems.

We also very strongly aim to improve the state of the art in AI itself.”

Adve further mentioned how agriculture today faces an enormous challenge in feeding a population that is growing worldwide, likely to increase by about 2 - 2.5 billion more people over the next 30 years. Technological advancements made during the Green Revolution in the 1950s-60s created severe impacts on the environment and on human health. Adve explained that we can not afford to incur those same kinds of impacts on the environment and human health in the next thirty years. “Conventional approaches to agriculture, including technological advances that have benefited agriculture in the past, are not enough to achieve our goals under very difficult constraints,” Adve said.

According to Adve, researchers at AIFARMS are extremely conscious of the adverse environmental impacts any new technology can have. “It’s a very high priority for us to be developing technology that has a beneficial effect (on the environment) rather than a harmful effect,” he said. Adve explained how a lot of negative impacts that

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present-day farming has on the environment are direct results of a limited number of farmers having to make large-scale decisions for huge plots of land. AI technology will be able to make guided decisions in localized areas to optimize farming and minimize the adverse environmental impacts we see today, such as water and soil contamination by the widespread use of herbicides.

The second AI Institute, funded by NSF, will be called the Molecule Maker Lab Institute and will be led by chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Hiumin Zhao.

The MMLI has been established as a result of highly collaborative efforts made by a number of principal investigators in the institute

as well as members of the University of Illinois campus. The focus of this institute shifts to molecular synthesis, the applications of which will be incredibly ubiquitous.

Functional molecules are used in all aspects of society. Most drugs, for example, are small molecule drugs that need to be synthesized. But not everyone can design certain molecules or chemicals, or if they can, the whole process can sometimes be very slow and time-consuming. “What we try to do at the MMLI is to develop AI tools to accelerate the discovery and manufacturing of those important molecules,” Zhao said. “Ultimately, I imagine all molecules can be made by automated instruments using

AI tools. The goal is to produce billions of cell molecules.”

Zhao explained for a given molecule, there are many possible synthetic routes to produce it. However, it is unclear which one is the most economical or efficient. The AI tools at the MMLI will look at all synthesis strategies from the public domain and try to compare those different synthetic routes to propose the most efficient one. The chosen route will be implemented in the lab. “As you can imagine, it may not be successful the first time, so we learn from the trials and feed that information back into the developSEE ARTIFICIAL | PAGE 9

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

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RYAN ASH THE DAILY ILLINI

Students wait in line to take COVID-19 tests at the Illini Union on Aug. 23. The University’s tesing programs allows thousands of students to test each day and receive their results within 24 to 48 hours.

Take a look into UI’s rigorous COVID-19 testing

BY BELLA KEYS STAFF WRITER

zou, a student must have a doctor’s note.

This results in tests being unavailable to the general public and more infected individuals.

At the University, in order to access certain buildings on campus, you must have a recent negative test on the Safer Illinois app. This app shows students’ recent test history and determines if they are allowed into buildings.

It is a widely accepted app and is now being used at bars and other local places.

Recently though, there has been a spike in cases at the University. This means that a two-week lockdown has been initiated for undergraduates. Only essential activities are permitted such as grocery shopping, COVID-19 testing and attending in-person classes.

This lockdown does not mean failure for the testing system as the University’s spike in cases is minuscule compared to some other colleges.

There are other possible reasons for the spike, but the most prevalent one is the irresponsible behavior of the students. Although partying is supposed to have stopped, many fraternities and sororities still continue to host parties at their senior houses and private residences. All social distancing guidelines are thrown out the window.

Hopefully, this two-week break will curb the students’ urge to throw caution to the wind and help teach everyone that staying safe is of the utmost priority.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been taking precautions, quarantining to try to avoid the spread of the deadly virus. Despite the virus, students have returned to campus at the University of Illinois.

The University has implemented a rigorous testing program. This program allows thousands of students to test each day and receive their results within 24 to 48 hours.

The procedure for this test involves depositing saliva in a test tube.

All around campus, students line up to take the quick test. Students are required to swipe their I-cards and identify their race and date of birth. After that, they receive a personalized test tube for them to spit in. Once they have received their test tube, they head to a specially marked spot that is a square marked with tape. In this square, they dribble into the test tube until they have filled the bottom portion with spit. Then, they return the test tube to an official, and it is sent off to be tested.

This method of testing is allowing for somewhere between 10,000-15,000 salivabased tests per day. The University’s testing accounts for more than 2% of all the daily testing done in the United States.

Other universities, such as Illinois State University, the University of Missouri and many southern universities have seen huge spikes in cases. In order to get tested at Miz- ikeys2@readtechno.com

KEVIN GAO THE DAILY ILLINI

A student checks in at the front of a coronavirus testing site on Aug. 21.

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FROM PAGE 7

ARTIFICIAL

ment of the AI tools to increase accuracy,” Zhao said.

The MMLI will be targeting molecules with important applications. Some of these molecules might include antimalarial drugs or new phototactic materials that can harness solar energy more efficiently. Investigators at the MMLI are interested in producing chemicals or molecules that can be applicable in a variety of industries.

As new projects evolve and old ones remain ongoing, Zhao said that the institute will constantly evaluate all research endeavors to ensure that the developing AI tools are not used for harmful applications or that the chemical compounds cannot be optimized for use as chemical weaponry. However, the biggest challenge is that this field is so unexplored; there are no blueprints for navigating through this area of scientific discovery.

“That’s why we want to engage the broader community to help develop new roadmaps for AI research with chemistry applications,” Zhao said.

Both AIFARMS and the MMLI have intentions of prioritizing community outreach. As successful molecular synthesis by AI tools will require the integration of many disciplines, the MMLI is already characterized by a diverse group of researchers. However, Zhao said that while the current team

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

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PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Professor in Engineering Vikram Adve will lead the AI Institute for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management and Sustainability. The University will host two new artificial intellience institutes.

hails from a variety of universities boasting a variety of expertise, they would like to continue to engage external collaborators and expand their network. They would also like to engage undergraduate and younger students through research opportunities and outreach programs, make developing tools more accessible to all via tool kits and even host summer camps and competitions.

AIFARMS will be working with farmers and other professionals to ensure that developing

research will actually be adopted and valued in the real world. The institute is also focusing on expanding education by developing new undergraduate and graduate degrees that intertwine computer science and agriculture. The goal is to develop a more skilled workforce and broaden participation in agriculture and STEM disciplines. They will be making efforts to bring in underrepresented groups, share teaching materials for use at other institutions such as Tuskegee University and work with Peoria school districts to facilitate advanced education in agriculture and STEM. “One of our goals is not just to do the research ourselves, but also to set up a clearinghouse to coordinate external communities of people that are working on important problems for AI in agriculture,” Adve said.

“We see our role there as laying the foundation for creating that kind of community.”

AIFARMS has plans to create an online platform filled with resources to help facilitate community engagement in solving problems for AI in agriculture. The hope is to eventually involve people on a global scale.

“I think that’s a really important goal for us because it’s one way in which we think we can really magnify the impact of what we do,” Adve said.

Adve is the co-founder and co-director of the Center for Digital Agriculture and an affiliate of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering as well as the

YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE SO MANY GREAT MEMORIES FROM YOUR TIME AT COLLEGE. HOLD ON TO THEM FOREVER WITH THE OFFICIAL U OF I YEARBOOK.

Information Trust Institute. Zhao is affiliated with the Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Bioengineering as well as the Institute for Genomic Biology and the Center for Advanced Bioenergy & Bioproducts Innovation.

Shivali is a senior in AHS sshuk15@readtechno.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Professor in Engineering Huimin Zhao, will lead the new Molecule Maker Lab Institute at Illinois.

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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Targeted gene therapy slows ALS in mice

BY SHIVALI SHUKLA ASSISTANT SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

A recent study has determined that new gene therapies delivered via base-editing technology can slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in mice and potentially lead to therapeutic treatments in the future.

The study was co-led by Thomas Gaj, assistant professor in Engineering affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, and Pablo Perez-Pinera, assistant professor in Engineering affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Cancer Center at Illinois.

Neurodegenerative diseases have a longstanding reputation of being difficult to treat.

The protein encoded by SOD1, one of many genes responsible for causing ALS, is normally a very important antioxidant enzyme. When the gene is mutated in the case of ALS, the protein acquires a toxic gain of function that, according to the researchers, is not well understood in the field.

Well-studied and referred to as “classic ALS,” SOD1 ALS accounts for less than 20% of all ALS cases. About 100 different point mutations have been uncovered within the gene of SOD1 ALS patients alone.

To limit the production of mutated SOD1 proteins, a lab directed by Gaj used base editing technology to introduce a premature stop codon in the gene’s sequence.

“These (gene editing) tools can do what no other strategy can do, which is permanently alter your genome and treat the disease in that way,” Gaj said. They identified 5-6 target sites early in the sequence so as not to generate a truncated version of the protein. They tested these sites out and measured which was most effective at decreasing the production of the mutant protein.”

After identifying a site that was most effective at inactivating the mutant ALS-causing gene, they then repeated the procedure with a split base editor protein designed in a lab directed by Perez-Pinera.

While a traditional base editor protein is too large to be inserted into cells, Perez-Pinera and his lab found a way to split the base editor in half and deliver it via two separate vehicles such that it reassembles itself once inside the cell. After discovering that this delivery method worked even better, the gene therapy was injected directly into the spinal cords of mouse models that were engineered to develop symptoms of ALS. These mice developed a very aggressive form of the disease, showing symptoms by day 90 after birth and dying within 120 days.

After injecting the gene therapy into the mice, Gaj and his lab blindly monitored their progress through a number of different tests that determined how strong their muscles were, how fast they ran, how long they survived and

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their weight.

“So we found out that it worked and it worked quite well,” Gaj said. “What was pretty cool was that using the viral vector, we actually targeted a very specific subpopulation of cells within the spinal cord that exert toxicity onto motor neurons. It’s been found before that if you disrupt this mutant gene within those cells, you actually slow the progression of the late phase of the disease. We found that gene therapy actually recreated those findings to an extent.”

Gaj also said the discovery that the therapeutic benefit of the animals was actually in the late stage of the disease is clinically more relevant because people are diagnosed with ALS when they first develop disease symptoms. Symptoms usually arise after many neurons are already lost, and the average lifespan after diagnosis is between 3-5 years.

After observing the mice, Gaj’s lab analyzed their tissues to determine how well the therapy worked at the molecular level. They found that the tools they engineered were doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing within the cells. They then examined the environment of the spinal cord and found that the targeted mutagenic cells were killing fewer neurons.

What was happening within the spinal cord at the molecular scale matched what was observed during the behavior tests they had

conducted.

While these findings are groundbreaking, they are just the first step towards providing effective therapies to patients. The researchers’ next steps include refining the tools to work even better using molecular engineering to be more precise and more efficient. They would then need to evaluate how well these tools work in new models that can more closely resemble ALS patients until they can get to the clinical trial phase. However, Gaj said the research and delivery process can take up to about 15-20 years, so this goal will likely not be reached until much further into the future. Down the road, clinical trials will require partnerships with enterprises that have the capacity to deliver the therapy to patients.

Gaj said that there are several opportunities for improvement in these gene therapies. They are thinking about how to develop comprehensive strategies to study how specific and safe these gene-editing and delivery tools are so that they can effectively target all cells affected by the disorder. In terms of ensuring that normal copies of SOD1 genes are not turned off, they have hypothesized that co-delivery by the viral vector of a functional copy of the SOD1 gene along with the gene therapy will deliver a healthy replacement copy to counteract any effects of accidentally inactivating normal, necessary copies of the gene.

When asked about the ethical implications of using gene-editing tools to permanently alter someone’s genome, Gaj said, “I think there’s an important distinction to be made between germ-line genome editing and somatic cell gene therapy. The sort of ethical debate that’s emerging with gene-editing tools and CRISPR, in particular, is around the use of it to introduce a correct mutation at the embryonic stage. This is a gene therapy that’s meant to treat people who already have the disease and it’s a therapy equivalent in a lot of respects to conventional treatments for cancer ... what we’re doing doesn’t have the sort of stigma that you may be hearing about in the popular news cycle with germ-line editing.”

Gaj also said that their first concern is safety when it comes to treatment efficacy.

“I think it’s really ambitious to set your sights on a cure,” Gaj said. “Our goal is to develop something that works and can help patients down the road ... It’s tough to think ‘cure’ when the most meaningful therapy currently can only slow the disease by two or three months.”

Gaj and his colleagues are also working on applying these therapies to other neurological disorders down the road, such as Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease.

Shivali is a senior in AHS. sshukl5@readtechno.com

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

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12

Why is decentralized finance so important to us?

BY NOAH DAVIS STAFF WRITER

With the current disruption in the job market and in the careers of undergraduates who are soon to enter the workforce, financial independence is going to be more important than ever before. That uncertainty regarding having gainful employment to earn an income is not the only personal finance issue young people are going to face. The concept of being incentivized to save money and being rewarded for doing so is also evolving. It has become more challenging to earn interest on the money that a person saves with the near-zero rates most banking institutions provide. Interest rates on typical savings accounts are unlikely to change in the foreseeable future due to the U.S. being unable to issue debt at higher rates. This is especially a cause for concern among millennials and Generation Z considering the questionable long-term solvency of social security and the likelihood of benefits being cut within the next two decades.

Luckily, there are now platforms in a booming new ecosystem, Decentralized Finance, or DeFi for short. Well — what exactly is decentralized finance? DeFi is a system aiming to recreate the globe’s financial infra-

structure, utilizing cryptography to create applications that are decentralized (able to function without a single controlling entity or institution). These applications are unable to be impeded by larger institutions. Without barriers to entry, these applications can be built by anyone in the world with a computer and internet access. This technology’s relevance is not going anywhere as the total value locked in DeFi in August jumped over 80% from $4.2 billion to $7.88 billion. While there are many other uses and applications for DeFi with tremendous utility, there are many ways on how college-aged students can conveniently reap its benefits at the present moment.

In traditional financial institutions, banks can freeze one’s account at any time, while assets stored in an account on a blockchain (decentralized, cryptographic encrypted ledger) are secure, reliable, and preclude the possibility of a person’s assets being taken away. Some of these platforms, such as the Celsius Network or Compound, offer up to 10% APY with interest payments deposited weekly on a multitude of commonly used digital assets including USDC (United States Dollar Coin), a stablecoin issued by Coinbase. USDC has a 1:1 exchange rate and is

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backed by fiat money in an accredited bank account. So, essentially this is a cryptocurrency without the risk of loss due to the volatility posed by more known ones, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. While interest rates for each currency change based on demand, they will remain multiples above the one in your Wells Fargo or Chase savings account and do not charge fees. In addition, this can easily yield returns above what would be

gained by investing in the stock market, but without the risk, uncertainty and stress involved. This presents an amazing opportunity for those who want to start having a passive revenue stream and/or yield the incredible benefits of compound interest on their savings long-term.

Noah is a senior in business. ncdavis3@readtechno.com

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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

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“Lettuce” eat: UI studies vegetable consumption

BY SHALINI ATLURI STAFF WRITER

According to a 2017 study by the Center for Disease Control, the recommended amount of daily vegetable intake is two to three cups of vegetables per day. Research revealed, however, that only one in ten adults meet recommendations for daily vegetable and fruit intake. Luckily, altering how food is prepared can create a positive impact on the purchasing and consumption of vegetables. This can lead to a higher quantity of vegetables eaten, providing many health benefits to students.

Researchers at the University have been conducting research to find ways to promote more vegetable intake. One study assessed how seasoning affected the purchasing of vegetables. Nickols-Richardson, professor in ACES, was a collaborator in a study that investigated how seasoning vegetables could impact purchasing decisions and consequently vegetable intake. The study assessed whether individuals more frequently purchased steamed vegetables or seasoned vegetables, along with the degree of liking of the purchased vegetables.

To conduct the study, Nicklos-Richardson and colleagues used green beans, broccoli, carrots and cauliflower to assess how people purchased these vegetables based on how

they were prepared. The experiment was completed in a university-based cafeteria.

All the vegetables were steamed in soybean oil, though additional seasonings were added to make the seasoned vegetables. Some of these seasonings included garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper and dried dill weed.

The cafeteria offered either steamed or seasoned vegetables at the same price point.

Participants could choose whichever vegetables they wanted. Researchers used a system of colored plates to determine whether people had taken the steamed or seasoned vegetables. In addition, a survey was used to gain more information about the reasoning for vegetable choice and the liking of the vegetables they bought.

Results indicated that participants chose seasoned green beans, broccoli and cauliflower more than they chose the steamed options; no such comparison existed for seasoned carrots. Participants liked both the seasoned and steamed vegetables, giving them an average liking score of 7.32.

Gender also played a unique role in how vegetables were bought, as males bought the seasoned vegetables more than the females.

However, men did buy fewer vegetables than women. This finding emphasizes the need for

further research into how consumer behavior can impact vegetable consumption.

The results of this study prompt food preparation workers to be aware of the interest that consumers show in vegetables based on the way they are prepared. Different vegetables may need to be prepared in different ways to yield consumption. A collaboration between researchers and food preparation workers can facilitate communities to promote vegetable intake in enticing ways, leading to a higher adherence to vegetables.

Adequate vegetable intake is important because research shows sufficient consumption leads to healthier outcomes. For example, a study found a relationship between increased vegetable intake and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. With this disease being the most common cause of death in the United States, it is important to understand how people’s food intake can enhance their health. Smart choices lead to healthier lives with reduced risk of chronic diseases.

Additionally, a study of individuals in the United Kingdom examined how sleep duration impacted fruit and vegetable choice. The results found that those who slept the recommended amount, eight hours or more per night, choose to consume more fruits and vegetables than those who slept the shorter

THE DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO

A student puts greens on their plate at a salad bar located in the SDRP on April 27, 2018.

Researchers at the University have recently investigated claims surrounding vegetables.

duration, seven hours or less per night.

Sleep seems to facilitate healthier behaviors. While it is evident that college students consistently do not get enough sleep, sleep may be an important factor in deciding to eat one extra vegetable that day.

Regardless of whether individuals are buying vegetables from a cafeteria or making a vegetable platter at home, seasoning can increase their palatability, making vegetables more enjoyable to eat. satlur3@readtechno.com

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RYAN ASH THE DAILY ILLINI

Corn grows in the Morrow Plots on Sunday. The Crop Science department will host their annual Agronomy Day as a virtual event this year.

UI’s Morrow Plots may impact future of industry

BY HALEY BICKELHAUPT STAFF WRITER

Surrounded by a hedged wall and tucked away between the Main and South Quad stands a mysterious piece of land that is of utmost importance to the College of ACES at the University. Throughout students’ time here on campus, many will walk by and wonder about the unusual sight of crop production in the heart of their campus. The Morrow Plots, a visual representation of the College of ACES, is a special piece of history that has allowed the Illini Nation to impact the world of agriculture and crop production.

Agriculture runs deep in the roots and history of the University of Illinois. Established as a result of the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana was created as a way to promote higher education. This occurred to continue the teaching and researching of agricultural practices. Being the second oldest experimental crop field in the

world, the use of the Morrow Plots for research began in 1876. Now considered a National Historic Landmark, this important area of production has led to many advances within the field of crop production.

As a student at the University, it is easy to see this landmark and to glance over the exciting research that is happening within the crop science department at the College of ACES. A way to showcase, connect with and teach others about current research conducted at the University, The Crop Science department will host their annual Agronomy Day as a virtual event. With expert spokespeople including Dean Kidwell, Adam Davis, Richard Mulvaney and many more — these individuals explore leading research regarding topics such as herbicide-resistant water hemp and the effectiveness of fall-applied anhydrous ammonia. This event hosts an educational forum for connecting with others as well as exploring new discoveries within the industry.

Allen Parish, chairperson for Agronomy Day and director of Crop Sciences Research and Education Centers, shared more about this online event, stating, “As much as I will miss seeing friends and networking with people, the digital Agronomy Day allows for a wider audience to hear about all the research that is going on here. This time of the year is filled with events so people will be able to view the videos when it is convenient for them.”

Parrish also explained the importance of the current research being done within his department, as well as its connection to the legendary Morrow Plots. “The basic concept of the Morrow Plots is not new. It was designed as a crop rotation study and crop rotation continues to play a big part in commercial agriculture,” he said.

“The Morrow Plots embody the idea of doing better and our faculty and staff work hard to find better methods, genetics and technology.”

Along with his involvement in promoting new research through Agronomy Day, Parrish also

shared his work and its connection to the Morrow Plots. He explained, “Since my responsibility is about ensuring the quality of our farms, I work with my farm managers to steward and improve our field laboratories. The Morrow Plots are the oldest research plots in the United States and so it is an honor to continue on the legacy and lessons they teach us about crop rotation and fertility.”

The Morrow Plots fully encompass the impact and passion students within the College of ACES wish to have upon the University, an institution filled with the excitement of innovation as well as the rich history of the past. When discussing the impact this National Historic Landmark has had on the history of crop production, Parrish was quick to state the equally important impact this mysterious, hedged-in plot of land could have on the future of this industry. “It really is an exciting time to be in the agriculture industry.” haleyb2@readtechno.com

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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

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