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The freeze-dried food diet: What Scott Kelly’s year in space can tell us about our gut

By Danielle Prieur Growing up, you might remember trying “astronaut food” like freeze dried ice cream while on a field trip to your local science museum. Now imagine living a whole year on a diet of freeze dried food. That’s exactly what NASA commander and astronaut Scott Kelly did, living on the International Space Station as part of […]

Experts weigh implications of immigration in Chicago and U.S.

By Hannah Rank Leaders in immigration research argued Friday that immigration has significant economic and demographic benefits for the city of Chicago. “What I’m seeing from my clients is that they are contributing to society regardless of what their immigration status is,” said Olga Rojas, chair of the Chicago chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers. […]

Second City continues to strive for diversity with new film school

By Tim Rosenberger Chicago’s Second City has set a high bar for diverse casts for decades. So some may find it strange that the comedy powerhouse’s newest project is devoted mainly to inclusion. But in the wake of the recent debate about the lack of diversity in Hollywood, the opening of a Second City comedy film […]

FDA gives top priority to protecting the blood supply from Zika virus

By Neil Murthy The Food and Drug Administration is turning to technology to protect the nation’s blood supply from Zika, as the virus continues to sweep across the Americas and Chicago reported the first case here last week. Currently there have been no confirmed cases of Zika virus transmission through blood transfusions in the United […]

Fitbit-like wearable devices can help malnourished children

By Katie Murar At the fourth annual Global Health Symposium in downtown Chicago, public health advocates explained how innovative technologies such as wearable devices are improving access to health care in third world countries. The event, hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs at the Standard Club on Friday, brought together three women involved […]

Roscoe Village businesses brace as Western Avenue overpass demolition kicks off

By Siri Bulusu After years of delays and false starts, the crumbling Western Avenue overpass in Roscoe Village is under demolition, but some area businesses are worried their shops will come down with the bridge. The 17-month and $26 million reconstruction of the overpass kicked off Tuesday with its permanent closing. Upon completion in 2017, […]

A hard rain’s gonna fall again at Ravinia

By Josef Siebert Bob Dylan will return to Ravinia this summer, appearing for the first time since his debut at the 102-year-old festival one rainy night in June 1964. Ravinia announced details of its 2016 season, which features over 140 events between June 2 and Sept. 11, on Wednesday. Billed as Robert Dylan for his […]

Community performances raise awareness for the Illinois Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

By Jenny G. Zhang “Coming, Mr. King!” the caregiver calls to her bedridden employer. His bell chimes insistently, joining the cacophony of shrill rings from her cell phone and the landline. Ding! – her family in the Philippines – ding! – requests for more money – ding! – her sick father – ding! – Mr. […]

Iraq Veteran Challenges Established Congressman

By Patrick Martin “The district has a 15 percent unemployment rate, three times the national average, and I just didn’t think it was appropriate for the people of this district to have to accept the status quo for yet another two years,” said Thomas Day, an Iraq War veteran and candidate for Congress. Day is […]

Volkswagen targets new demographic as it looks past emissions scandal

By Xiumei Dong Volkswagen AG, still reeling from a scandal that tarnished its reputation last year, is taking aim at some new demographic groups: younger drivers worldwide and Chinese car buyers. “Volkswagen is changing,” Dr. Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars, told the audience at a high-profile auto show in Geneva this week. […]