Illinois
Rosalind Franklin University Researchers Selected as 2024 “Illinois Researchers to Know”
![Rosalind Franklin University Researchers Selected as 2024 “Illinois Researchers to Know”](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1076585/RFU_Logo.jpg?p=facebook)
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science research faculty have been named among “Illinois Researchers to Know” by the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition. The annual list recognizes the groundbreaking work of scientists and ten institutions driving innovation in the state.
The three Rosalind Franklin researchers are:
- Brian Feinstein, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Psychology and director of the Sexuality, Health and Gender Lab at RFU. Dr. Feinstein’s research areas include sexual and gender minority (SGM) health, stigma-related stress and coping, bisexuality and pansexuality and mental health, substance use, sexual health, and relationship functioning in SGM populations, and developing and testing interventions to improve SGM health.
- Robert Marr, PhD, associate professor, Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Therapeutics, and Chicago Medical School assistant dean for research. Dr. Marr studies neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including the use of gene transfer vectors as a tool to investigate specific gene function(s) in the brain as it relates to AD, the derivation of potentially new therapeutic approaches to AD, and the role of Alzheimer’s related genes in the process of traumatic brain injury.
- Neelam Sharma-Walia, PhD, associate professor, Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection. Dr. Sharma-Walia’s research has principally focused on oncolytic viruses and cancer. Her lab also works to understand the role of arachidonic acid metabolism and the complexity of the tumor microenvironment in the biology of inflammatory breast cancer, the most aggressive, highly metastatic form of breast cancer.
RFU Executive Vice President for Research Dr. Ronald Kaplan thanked the ISTC for spotlighting how investments in academic research and scientific discovery are driving innovation and improving human health.
“We are pleased by the inclusion of RFU scientists in this prestigious list,” Dr. Kaplan said. “Dr. Feinstein, Dr. Marr and Dr. Sharma-Walia have made significant contributions, particularly in the last 12 months, in key diseases or health conditions that impact both U.S. and international populations.
About Rosalind Franklin University
Recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, diabetes, obesity, and gait and balance, RFU encompasses the Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, and School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Learn more at rosalindfranklin.edu.
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications, [email protected]
SOURCE Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
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Illinois
This Illinois Caterpillar Will Ruin Your Day If You Touch It
![This Illinois Caterpillar Will Ruin Your Day If You Touch It](https://townsquare.media/site/671/files/2024/06/attachment-gettyimages-595751622-170667a.jpg?w=1200&q=75&format=natural)
Here’s a little warning from someone (me) who saw a family member (my son) find out the hard way about these little guys, and who’s kept an eye out for them ever since then.
It’s a Tussock Moth Caterpillar, and it’s venomous. Not the “well, it’s been nice knowing you” type of venomous, but as my son recently found out, it’s a pretty unpleasant experience.
He got an up-close-and-personal visit from one, and I think it’s safe to say he’s hoping that it never happens again, and we’d really hate to see it happen to you.
Tussock Moth Caterpillar crawling on arm.
Better here than on your leg. (Getty Images)
These Little Creatures May Look Fuzzy And Friendly, But Only The “Fuzzy” Part Is Accurate
Fuzzy, yes. Harmless, not so much. This whole experience began with my son Spencer and I sitting on the patio at home, about to go in and have lunch.
As he stood up, his hand went to the back right-side of his neck and he swept something away that had been crawling on him. When I looked down to see what he’d knocked to the ground, I saw an unusual looking caterpillar.
Here’s the culprit (right before being terminated with extreme prejudice by an angry mom protecting her grown son):
All It Takes Is Just A Single Touch To Make You Totally Regret Meeting One
It was a White-Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar. I knew that because I’d recently read a piece online about venomous caterpillars. I read that piece because we’d seen another one crawling on some backyard flowers about a week before.
The caterpillar has a built-in defense mechanism located in those tufts of hair. The venom contained in those hairs is released when the hairs become embedded in your skin upon contact. That venom can cause anything from a minor irritation to a very nasty (but not life-threatening) allergic reaction.
I assumed that because there were two touches involved (where the caterpillar was crawling on his neck, and on his hand when he swept it away) my son would have two areas that would need quick attention. I went straight to Google to see what we needed to do to mitigate the consequences of it being on his skin.
Strangely enough, the caterpillar only nailed him on one of those spots. His neck:
We also found it odd that initially, he showed no signs whatsoever of having been exposed to the venom. However, when it did announce itself, it brought some serious itching, burning, and overall discomfort.
What you see above didn’t show up for several hours, and by the time we photographed his neck it was looking a lot better than it did at first. We treated it with ice and calamine lotion, and he seems to be healing up quickly.
By the way, the Tussock Moth Caterpillar is not the only Illinois caterpillar that can cause you pain and discomfort if you touch one. Make sure you don’t touch these guys, either:
The Io Moth Caterpillar. (Getty Images)
The Io Moth Caterpillar has stinging hair and barbs that can cause pain and rashes if touched.
The Imperial Moth Caterpillar. (Getty Images)
The Imperial Moth Caterpillar is covered with irritating hairs that can cause severe itch and rashes.
saddleback caterpillar (Acharia Hyperoche), shot in Costa Rica.
A poisonous caterpillar being handled
The Saddleback Caterpillar features stinging spines and hairs that can cause extreme skin irritation.
LOOK: 20 of the biggest insects in the world
Gallery Credit: Andrea Vale
Illinois
Illinois Valley Democrats to meet June 27 in La Salle
![Illinois Valley Democrats to meet June 27 in La Salle](https://www.shawlocal.com/resizer/yVoT3aGxn4S8vGOhSVgGVZwcQvk=/1200x630/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/VDSLEEIKVZQ5YDMTBV6HIR7DWE.jpg)
The Illinois Valley Democrats (La Salle, Bureau, Putnam counties) will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27, at the La Salle VFW, 2325 Donahue St.
The DePue Boat Races in July will be discussed and raffle tickets will be distributed to members. All Democrats are invited and encouraged to attend. Food can be purchased through the VFW.
Illinois
Illinois gas tax to rise again, EV owners to be taxed too
![Illinois gas tax to rise again, EV owners to be taxed too](https://gray-week-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZQQYRQDVVVF6XATQUF3OAUO7NE.png?auth=329e68d436dbeacdbda75a1e6390b91f4da8c87883a15b6c9901e29fff39c7e3&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
PEORIA (25News Now) – The Illinois Motor Fuel tax, known as the gas tax, will rise again on July 1 meaning higher per-gallon gas prices.
The tax rate increases by 3%. Taxes for gasoline will be 47 cents-per-gallon and 54 cents-per-gallon for diesel.
The increase is part of the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. In 2019, lawmakers voted to double the gas tax from 19 cents-per-gallon to 38 cents-per-gallon.
The plan was to increase the rate each year based on inflation.
Before 2019, did not have a gas tax increase for nearly 30 years. The tax revenue collected helped fund roads and transportation projects.
Some residents we spoke with said they understand the tax increase. Others said that more roads need to be redone.
State Rep. Travis Weaver (R-Edwards) agreed roads need work, but he said the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) needs to use the more than $3 billion sitting in the road fund.
“Obviously, they take in revenue and spend money, but the balance has grown by six times as much,” Weaver said. “I would say to IDOT: ‘You have two choices. You either start spending that money, putting it to work to get roads fixed, or we’re going to cut the gas tax.’”
In a statement to 25 News, Democratic Sen. Dave Koehler said:
“Recently, it was announced that the Peoria and Bloomington-Normal communities will receive over $193 million in funding for state and local highways through the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Multi-Year Plan. These funds play a large role in supporting this program that ensures our roads and bridges are safe and well maintained.”
Another issue is for electric vehicle owners who do not pay gas taxes.
Starting July 1, EV owners will be charged a $100 yearly fee to make up for lost tax revenue, on top of the annual registration fee.
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