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Northwestern University


New glaucoma cause discovered

Researchers at Northwestern University identify a critical chemical signaling pathway for the healthy functioning of Schlemm's canal, a key factor in developing glaucoma. They are now developing an eye drop that activates regrowth of the clogged vessel to lower pressure and restore normal drainage.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 9, 2014

Females ignored in basic medical research

A new study from Northwestern Medicine reveals that surgical researchers rarely use female animals or cells in their published studies, despite evidence showing sex differences play a crucial role in medical research. The five major surgical journals will now require authors to state the sex of animals and cells used in their studies.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalSurgery·DateAug 28, 2014

Electric current to brain boosts memory

Researchers at Northwestern University used Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to improve memory in healthy adults, showing that specific brain regions can be stimulated to enhance learning abilities. The study's findings have potential applications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateAug 28, 2014

A long childhood feeds the hungry human brain

A new study led by Northwestern University anthropologists reveals that energy is funneled to the brain early in life, dominating metabolism and leading to slow body growth during childhood. The study finds that brain development peaks at age 5, when it consumes glucose at a rate comparable to 66% of the body's resting metabolic rate.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 25, 2014

Natural light in office boosts health

A new study by Northwestern University finds that office workers with natural light exposure have longer sleep duration, better sleep quality, more physical activity, and improved quality of life. The study suggests that architects should prioritize natural daylight exposure in office environments to boost employee health.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateAug 8, 2014

New approach to form non-equilibrium structures

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new technique to create non-equilibrium systems by injecting energy through oscillations, enabling the self-assembly of particles under non-equilibrium conditions. This breakthrough brings scientists closer to understanding the fundamentals of non-equilibrium thermodynamics.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2014

Antioxidant biomaterial promotes healing

Northwestern University professor Guillermo Ameer's team created a biodegradable, antioxidant biomaterial that reduces scarring and heals diabetic ulcers. The material is made from citric acid and vitamin C, and has potential applications in tissue engineering, medical device coating, and regenerative medicine.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalBiomaterials·DateJul 24, 2014

How children categorize living things

A study by Northwestern University found that children's understanding of the natural world is influenced by their cultural background and experience with nature. Children from different communities were asked to name all living things they could think of, revealing convergences and differences in their responses.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Cognition and Culture·DateJul 22, 2014

Understanding consciousness

Consciousness may be understood through scientific inquiry, despite current debates about its neural basis. Researchers argue that flawed assumptions about consciousness can be addressed through multiple scientific perspectives, potentially leading to breakthroughs in understanding human rights, disease treatment, and technology.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateJul 10, 2014

New technology illuminates colder objects in deep space

A Northwestern University team has developed a new technology using indium arsenide/indium arsenide antimonide (InAs/InAsSb) for stable infrared detection, enabling the observation of cooler objects in deep space. This advancement paves the way for enhanced exploration and unlocking the mysteries of these cooler objects.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 9, 2014

Adults can undo heart disease risk

A Northwestern Medicine study found that adults who adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors in their 30s and 40s can control and potentially reverse coronary artery disease. The study also showed that losing healthy habits as they age leads to a measurable negative impact on heart health.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCirculation·DateJun 30, 2014

What's the best way for toddlers to acquire verb meaning?

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that toddlers can successfully learn novel verbs after hearing them only twice, as long as the verb is 'packaged' in a complete sentence. The study showed that presenting verbs in sentences with familiar nouns supports toddlers' abilities to apply the new words in novel contexts.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalLanguage Learning and Development·DateJun 11, 2014

Designing ion 'highway systems' for batteries

A Northwestern University team has developed a new understanding of plastics for battery applications by combining two traditional theories in materials science. This opens the door for a new class of batteries with improved safety and power efficiency. The researchers used block copolymers, which are self-assembling into nanostructure...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 9, 2014

Vitamin E in canola and other oils hurts lungs

A new Northwestern University study reveals that high gamma-tocopherol levels, found in soybean, corn, and canola oils, are associated with decreased lung function and increased asthma risk. In contrast, alpha-tocopherol, found in olive and sunflower oils, is linked to better lung function.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalRespiratory Research·DateMay 20, 2014

Which has a more efficient 'engine': A tuna or a whale?

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new metric to measure energy consumption efficiency in animals of different sizes. Contrary to expectations, the study found that the gray whale and skipjack tuna are almost equally efficient, with the whale's higher fuel consumption being an unavoidable consequence of physics.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2014

College kids need to change unhealthy ways

A new study found that college students are engaging in unhealthy behaviors, including low fruit and vegetable consumption and physical inactivity, which could increase their risk of cancer later on. Racial minority students, particularly African Americans and Native Americans, were at a higher risk.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateMay 6, 2014

Experimental drug prolongs life span in mice

A new experimental drug has been developed that inhibits the aging protein PAI-1, quadrupling the lifespan of rapidly aging mice. The drug, TM5441, also protects organs from accelerated aging and may one day be used to treat human diseases like chronic kidney disease and diabetes.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 1, 2014

New clues on tissue scarring in scleroderma

A Northwestern University discovery identifies a specific protein, fibronectin (FnEDA), as a key player in promoting fibrosis in people with scleroderma. The study found that blocking this protein's activity can prevent skin fibrosis in mice, offering new avenues for treatment.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 17, 2014

Building 'smart' cell-based therapies

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new technology to modify human cells for programmable therapeutics that can target cancer and disease sites. The Modular Extracellular Sensor Architecture (MESA) enables cells to sense specific factors and respond with customized gene expression programs.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·DateApr 17, 2014

Plague alters cell death to kill host

Scientists have discovered how Yersinia pestis alters cell death pathways to kill host cells and cause pneumonic plague. The study reveals that the bacterium destroys Fas ligand, a molecule that stimulates apoptosis, allowing it to overwhelm the lungs and kill its host.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateApr 14, 2014

Young dads at high risk of depression, too

Depressive symptoms increased by 68% in young fathers over the first five years of fatherhood. Early intervention is crucial to help young men transition through this critical period and mitigate the detrimental effects on their children's language, reading, and behavior development.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateApr 14, 2014

Expanding particles to engineer defects

Adding an impurity to a two-dimensional lattice structure can create defects that settle into harmony, restoring order and creating a 'screen' to protect the rest of the material. This finding could lead to new ways of engineering materials with unique properties.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2014

Morning rays keep off pounds

A Northwestern University study found that people exposed to early morning sunlight have a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) than those who get afternoon light. The study suggests that bright morning light can be used as a strategy for managing weight, and recommends getting at least 500 lux of brightness between 8am and noon.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 2, 2014

Got acne? There's an app for that!

The app uses data from peer-reviewed research studies to show people if there is scientific evidence linking acne to foods like chocolate, fat, sugar and whey protein. Research displayed in the app shows that dairy, whey protein, omega-6 fatty acids and foods high in sugar are associated with acne.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateApr 1, 2014

Surprising new way to kill cancer cells

Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered that cancer cells rely on the FAS receptor and its binding component for survival, making them vulnerable to elimination. The team created a cancer cell completely devoid of CD95, which resulted in DNA damage and cell death, offering a promising new approach to kill cancer cells.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 20, 2014