The psychological impact of tattoos

At age 17, Lindsey Peterson got her first tattoo: a phoenix on her back. Two more followed. Now, the 27-year-old Omaha native wants to remove all three, including the one she got for her husband.

Sodium health awareness rises in fast food

The fast-food industry and processed food manufacturers still have not made a significant change in the sodium levels of their products, researchers from Center for Science in the Public Interest and Northwestern University are reporting.

Medill

Study: Lack of tree cover in minority communities increases heat risks

A national study examines the racial and ethnic distribution of heat risk-related land cover in relation to residential segregation. Study findings highlight that lower-income neighborhoods are substantially less likely to have heat-relieving features such as trees.

Health department billboards aim to raise awareness

The Chicago Department of Public Health's new campaign to reduce teen pregnancy features teen boys are the ones pictured pregnant. The billboards "make the case that teen parenthood is more than just a girl's responsibility," according to the health department.

Illinois' efforts to close language gap in preschools may not be enough for some

Back in the '80s Allen Rosales could be found at the back of his preschool classroom. Not because he was in trouble, but because that is where all the non-English speaking students sat.

Heavy imports hinder domestic steel industry

Despite recovery in key sectors like housing, automotive and energy, trade imbalances continue to plague the North American steel sector, industry leaders contended at a high-profile gathering recently.

What about vitamin D? Doctor says supplement is overlooked as an orthopedic treatment

Vitamin D has many benefits: denser bones, maintaining muscle mass, and a stronger immune system. Orthopedic surgeon Mike Angeline says vitamin D may be instrumental in recovering from surgery and should become a staple for deficient athletes.

From football to dance, Dr. Elise Gordon covers sports injuries

Meet Dr. Elise Gordon, a primary care sports medicine physician with the Andrews Institute who specializes in prevention, diagnosis, and management of musculoskeletal injuries.

Annual conference to discuss connection between brain and mood disorders

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Greater Chicago is hosting its 14th annual conference to help unite the friends and families or those with mood disorders. Four medical experts are expected to speak at the conference on April 20.

Right on point: Veterinary acupuncture gaining popularity

Just as humans often turn to alternative therapies to supplement or replace traditional medicine, many of the same opportunities are available for their pets.

Doctors warn against attention-boosting drugs for undiagnosed kids

The practice, called "neuroenhancement," is common among college students who use the drugs to help themselves study. The academy believes that the prescription of these drugs is misguided.

Kids kick the fast food habit

The program Fit Fast Food, now in its fifth year, achieves positive changes in weight, attitude and food choices kids make, according to program coordinators.

Grace under fire: Dancing through pain to leap for the dream

Depending on the severity of the injury, which can typically includes sprains, contusions and fractures, the doctors must determine the length of rest away from ballet.

Non-residential construction, housing starts temper steel industry

For the steel industry to thrive, there must be a strong construction sector, according to panel experts at a conference Tuesday.

Manufacturing jobs down but outlook positive

In the last decade, manufacturing employment in the Chicago region has fallen by more than one-third. The global market has changed the way products were made and sold, contributing to the view that regional manufacturing might never recover from its major decline of the last 10 years.

Here's the scoop: Researchers at UW-Madison study ice cream

It's a familiar story. You buy a scoop of ice cream, only to find it dripping down to a puddle after just a few licks.

Community leaders debate how to stop 'school-to-prison pipeline'

CHICAGO | Entering Harper High School in Englewood you must first pass through a metal detector, then by a security guard, then a Chicago police officer.

Group wants Chicago named top St. Patty's destination in U.S.

CHICAGO | If one place knows how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day it's Chicago.

GOP leaders call for more transparent state, local government

CHICAGO | Republican lawmakers are pushing for greater transparency in state and local government with proposed measures that would break down how tax dollars are spent.

Manufacturing hub conceivable in Chicago

President Barack Obama’s speech at Hyde Park Academy on Friday was expected to focus on proposals made in his State of the Union address on strengthening the economy for the middle class.

Study: Alzheimer's cases expected to triple by 2050

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, affects an estimated 5 million people. As baby boomers age, they will become the largest population at risk for the disease. With no current treatment or cure, researchers at Rush University have projected the number of adults with Alzhe…

Plan afoot to bring arts education to every CPS student

CHICAGO | Chicago Public Schools plans to name an arts liaison in every school by March, fulfilling one of the benchmarks of the CPS Arts Education Plan.

Some 65 acres of cropland lay hidden amidst Chicago's sprawl

Chicago's green thumbs are ingenious. They produce food in vacant parking lots and utility right-of-ways. Yet, their efforts go unnoticed as Chicago catches up with other major cities when it comes to urban food gardening.

Some 65 acres of cropland lay hidden amidst Chicago's sprawl

When Daniel Greenwald hatched a plan to build the largest rooftop vegetable garden in the Midwest right in the middle of downtown Chicago, a lot of people thought he was crazy.

Driving changes

Mercedes features futuristic touches at Chicago Auto Show.

Driving changes

Ford's "Atlas" concept truck, featuring the news generation Eco-Boost engine.

Driving changes

The Chicago Auto Show opens at Saturday McCormick Place.

Driving changes

This 2014 Corvette Stingray features five selectable modes of fuel consumption for better gas mileage.

Apps, technology drive industry changes at Chicago Auto Show

CHICAGO | Siri is set to move from the phone in your pocket to the dashboard of your car.

Richard III couldn't take his case to court

The identification of Richard III's remains reveal that DNA alone is not enough to ID a slayed monarch or anyone else. Archeologists rely heavily on context clues to make their case.

Plants spring ahead of calendar

While last Tuesday's warm temperatures were a welcome respite for Chicago area residents accustomed to the season's traditional chill, they could potentially prove dangerous to the city's plant life.

Policy, cost pose challenges to future of nuclear energy

Nuclear energy continues to play an important role in meeting U.S. energy needs, the source of 20 percent of the country's electricity.

Candidates promise their own form of fiscal stimulus for the 2nd Congressional District

OLYMPIA FIELDS | Candidates in the 2nd Congressional District last week offered initiatives to improve the district's economic situation. While most of the suggestions weren't new, each candidate promised a renewed vigor to push them forward.

Plants spring ahead of calendar

Plants are in bloom and spring seems to be just around the corner.

Policy, cost pose challenges to future of nuclear energy

Nuclear energy will continue to play a role in meeting U.S. energy needs. But before the industry can see a major resurgence, it will need to overcome challenges of policy related to safety and cost. Illinois is ranked first in the nation for the amount of nuclear energy generated, but a sta…

Don't worry displaced Niners fans in Chicago: You have a home this weekend

CHICAGO | Have you moved to the Windy City and are desperately trying to find someone who understands your undying love for Bay Area football? If you're a displaced San Francisco 49ers fan, you don't have to be lonely for the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Super Bowl Sunday may mean consuming as many calories as Thanksgiving

CHICAGO | The average American can expect to see big gains this weekend, even if your team loses.

Wage theft law helps protect vulnerable low-wage employees

CHICAGO | It's going to be a lot harder for employers to cheat their low-wage employees, thanks to a new Chicago law.

App lifts veil on government policy for Chicagoans

CHICAGO | The confusion surrounding government legislation may soon be a relic of the past for Chicago residents.

Civic hackers: 21st century community organizers?

CHICAGO | "Hacker" tends to conjure these images: a dark room, a hunched and ominous figure. Hear the eerie clack of a lone keyboard. Breathe in the stench of stale Doritos.

Experts say Chicago can be nation's next tech hub

CHICAGO | Chicago has been reinventing its economic base as large manufacturing companies have declined. Technology industry experts and government officials say Chicago has the perfect base to make it the next technology hub of the Midwest, and maybe even the country.

Putting Chicago playgrounds back into play

CHICAGO | Moments on the playground are often vivid childhood memories: the pungent smell of fresh mulch beneath feet, the squeak of bare legs on a slide, tennis shoes gripping a metal ladder, pauses for breath after a game of tag.

Run in your undies to raise money to fight children's tumors

CHICAGO | No shirts? No pants? No problem. Shoes are required, though. So is a valid I.D.

Race issues heat up special election to replace Jackson as some believe black vote will be split among African-American candidates

Maybe people hoped the color of a candidate's skin was a pre-Obama cultural and political concern.

Cook County toxic emissions increase by 25 percent

Toxic pollutants released in Cook County increased more than 25 percent between 2010 and 2011 compared to a national increase of about 8 percent, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Skilled workers here legally concerned with immigration reform

CHICAGO | Zhenzhong Xu, a software engineer, came to the United States from China in 2001 to study computer science. Eleven years later, he and his wife are among the many immigrants who are still waiting to get their residency permits.

Natural gas rates remain fixed despite warm winter

CHICAGO | Chicago’s 11th warmest winter on record has natural gas customers wondering why their heating bills do not reflect the relatively balmy temperatures.

Surprising new anti-violence initiative launches in Chicago

Rasheda Ali, daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, is throwing her support behind a new anti-violence initiative in Chicago — getting kids involved in boxing programs.