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Northwestern University


Nature inspires first artificial molecular pump

Researchers at Northwestern University develop first artificial molecular pump, mirroring the pumping mechanism of life-sustaining proteins in living cells. The tiny machine can force molecules to move against their natural flow, storing energy for potential use in molecular machines and artificial muscles.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 19, 2015

Gender-science stereotypes persist across the world

A Northwestern University study reveals that gender-science stereotypes are prevalent worldwide, with Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands showing strong associations between science and men. However, nations with more female scientists exhibit weaker stereotypes, suggesting exposure to women in college may change beliefs.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·DateMay 18, 2015

Healing plants inspire new compounds for psychiatric drugs

Scientists at Northwestern University have synthesized four new chemical compounds with antipsychotic properties using natural products from plant species used in traditional healing practices in Nigeria. These compounds show promise in improving cognitive impairment in animal models, a partially effective treatment for schizophrenia.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 11, 2015

Patient portals could widen health disparities

A new study found that patient portals exacerbate existing health disparities, with less educated and minority patients being less likely to use electronic medical records. Patients with low health literacy skills were 3.5 times more likely to be registered than those without these skills.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateApr 27, 2015

Mental disorders don't predict future violence

A new Northwestern University study of delinquent youth reveals that mental disorders do not predict future violent behavior, except for substance use disorders. Providing comprehensive treatment to individuals with psychiatric illness may reduce violence, according to the research.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateApr 24, 2015

After prostate cancer, start walking

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that walking at an easy pace for three hours a week improves prostate cancer survivors' fatigue, depression, and body weight issues. Non-vigorous walking also showed benefits in these areas, with brisk walking potentially leading to similar improvements.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·DateApr 16, 2015

Muscles matter in baseball injuries

A new computer simulation approach found that muscles play a bigger role in injury risk and prevention than previously thought. The study shows that individual pitchers can be at high or low risk of elbow injury depending on their muscle strength, highlighting the importance of targeted training and accurate assessments.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 8, 2015

Common drug is re-engineered to improve surgery outcomes

A Northwestern University team has re-engineered a common drug to deliver nitric oxide, preventing cellular overgrowth and scarring in blood vessels during and after surgery. This modified protamine sulfate can slowly release nitric oxide, minimizing its negative effects while maintaining its function as an antidote for heparin.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine·DateApr 7, 2015

Cancer genes turned off in deadly brain cancer

Scientists have identified a small RNA molecule called miR-182 that can suppress cancer-causing genes in mice with glioblastoma, a deadly type of brain tumor. The new method uses nanotechnology to deliver the microRNA across the blood-brain barrier, targeting multiple oncogenes at once and increasing cancer cell death.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalGenes & Development·DateApr 2, 2015

Wobbly no more

A study by Northwestern University found that children who received analogical comparison training grasped the Brace principle, a key elementary engineering concept. Children showed significant improvement in building tasks after receiving comparison training, with those receiving high-similarity pairs performing over 80% correctly.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCognitive Science·DateMar 31, 2015

Solving molybdenum disulfide's 'thin' problem

Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully increased molybdenum disulfide's light emission by twelve times by combining nanotechnology, materials science, and plasmonics. This breakthrough enables the material to be used in light emitting diode technologies and has potential applications in solar cells and photodetectors.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 27, 2015

Predicting prostate cancer

Researchers developed a nanotechnology-based method to assess prostate cancer risk, enabling doctors to identify aggressive forms of the disease and tailor treatment recommendations. The study's findings suggest that this approach may improve patient outcomes by minimizing side effects.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 16, 2015

Thinking of your life as a novel

Middle-aged adults who show sustained concern for others are more likely to construe their lives as stories of personal redemption. Redemption narratives sustain hope that sacrifices today may produce future dividends, helping generative adults persevere in promoting the well-being of future generations.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 16, 2015

Spherical nucleic acids set stage for new paradigm in drug development

Researchers have developed spherical nucleic acids that can selectively trigger the immune response, potentially treating a range of diseases including psoriasis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, lymphoma, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer. SNAs are nontoxic, potent, and efficiently deliver nucleic acids into cells via the endosome.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 16, 2015

Relief for diabetics with painful condition

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that low-dose VM202 gene therapy significantly improves pain symptoms and perception of light touch in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. The treatment has virtually no side effects, offering hope for a potential new treatment for this debilitating condition.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateMar 5, 2015

Creative genius driven by distraction

New Northwestern University research suggests that real-world creativity may be associated with a reduced ability to filter 'irrelevant' sensory information. This 'leaky' sensory gating allows individuals to integrate ideas outside of focus, leading to creative achievements.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateMar 3, 2015

Democratizing synthetic biology

A new protein production method developed by Northwestern University researchers makes cell-free protein synthesis faster and cheaper, addressing a technological gap in the field. The approach uses standard lab equipment and produces crude extract catalysts in less time, enabling more researchers to enter the field.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 2, 2015

Navigators help patients overcome health-care inequities

A Northwestern University study found that community navigators can significantly improve healthcare outcomes for low-income, uninsured Spanish-speaking women. Despite facing numerous barriers, patients in the navigation program had shorter follow-up times and did not experience delayed diagnoses compared to English-speaking counterparts.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 25, 2015

A bodyguard for your ears

Researchers at Northwestern University have found a secret bodyguard for the ears - a newly discovered connection from the cochlea to the brain that warns of intense incoming noise. This novel pain system protects the ear from very loud or damaging noise, which may be why people jam their fingers in their ears when exposed to loud soun...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Reviews Neuroscience·DateFeb 18, 2015

Think again about gender gap in science

A new Northwestern University analysis reveals that the bachelor's-to-Ph.D. pipeline in science and engineering fields no longer leaks more women than men, with women outnumbering men as Ph.D. earners but not in doctoral persistence. Women have overcome potential gender biases to pursue graduate school, closing gaps in representation.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 17, 2015

Building a more versatile frequency comb

A new frequency comb has been developed that can operate at higher powers and cover the 3-12 micron spectral range. This breakthrough is achieved through a quantum cascade laser-based solution, offering improved performance and potential applications in metrology, spectroscopy, and frequency synthesis.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 16, 2015

Bringing texture to your flat touchscreen

A team of researchers from Northwestern University and Carnegie Mellon University has made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to the development of flat-screen displays featuring active touch-back technology. By understanding how the brain interprets data from fingers, the team can design haptic technologies that produce certai...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 2015

Can't sing? Do it more often

New research from Northwestern University suggests that singing accurately is a learned skill that can decline over time if not used. Regular practice can help improve singing skills and prevent the 'use it or lose it' effect, where adults may struggle to sing on key as they age.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalMusic Perception An Interdisciplinary Journal·DateFeb 9, 2015

Getting yeast to pump up the protein production

Scientists at Northwestern University have found a way to harvest industrially useful protein from yeast in greater quantities without increasing its production. By genetically knocking out proteins responsible for reabsorption, the team increased protein yields by two- to three-fold.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateFeb 2, 2015