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Research that improves lives

The KU Life Span Institute discovers, develops and delivers approaches to improve the health and development of people in Kansas, throughout the region, and beyond. We are a network of more than 350 KU scientists, staff and students who work toward a world where everyone thrives.

Featured News

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Report reveals high levels of added sugar in US infant formula despite medical recommendations

A study published today from the University of Kansas in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis shows most infant formulas on the U.S. market contain primarily added sugars rather than the healthier, naturally occurring lactose found in cow-milk base that would be best for babies because it’s closest to human breast milk.
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Successful mobile phone intervention for eating disorders on college campuses will expand

The BEST-U program, an 11-week treatment underpinned by guided self-help cognitive behavioral therapy, has shown “most participants were fully recovered from their eating disorder” during a pilot program at the University of Kansas.
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KU researchers developing AI-boosted program to help teach writing skills to students with disabilities

A KU research team is developing and expanding Project AI-Score, a system that uses artificial intelligence technology to help instructors more efficiently teach writing to students with disabilities.
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Reauthorization of Autism CARES Act to provide almost $2 billion for autism programs and research

Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training researchers explain how funding provided by the bill is essential to funding the new discoveries and to addressing the needs of the autism community in Kansas and across the U.S.
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Ranked #1 Worldwide

Life Span Institute science and scholarship fuels the university's new #1 ranking worldwide in developmental disability research.

Scholar GPS Ranks KU No. 1

Research at a Glance

$46M
in funding in FY24
350
investigators, staff and students
70
years of improving human health and development
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Our Commitment

Explore how our researchers, staff and students come together to solve problems affecting the health of children, families and communities.

Helping People Thrive
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Our Work

Learn about the research of more than 130 investigators working on dozens of projects spanning education, self-determination, disability policy, neuroscience, behavior, language, child development and more.

Explore research projects
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Research Rising

Research Rising will address the complex genetic, biological, and environmental factors that cause intellectual and developmental disabilities, and how best to develop interventions to support individuals with IDD so that they can live their best lives.

Research Rising

Explore the Life Span Institute

People

More than 400 investigators, staff and students are part of the KU Life Span Institute. Find individual staff and connect with our research centers.
Directory

Research Impact

View stories about the impact of our research, grant news, and discoveries from the fields of education, addiction, autism spectrum disorder, community health and more.
News

Research Support

Connect with services that support researchers including study design, grant development, award support, and video and web production.
Services