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Northwestern University


Resisting peer pressure

A new Northwestern University study found that adolescents in mixed friend groups were insulated from the influence of peers who were delinquent or low-academic achievers. Neighborhood violence and territorial boundaries constrained their friendship choices.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalSocial Psychology Quarterly·DateSep 28, 2011

Edible carbon dioxide sponge

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered edible compounds that efficiently detect, capture and store carbon dioxide. The porous crystals, made from sugar, salt and alcohol, are simple to prepare and turn red when full of CO2.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 23, 2011

Cancer drug may also work for scleroderma

Researchers found that bortezomib inhibits transforming growth factor beta, a protein essential for scar tissue growth, preventing its development in human cells and mouse models. The drug also prevented expression of proteins necessary for scarring in fibroblast cells from scleroderma patients

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThorax·DateSep 22, 2011

Nuclear detector

Researchers developed semiconductor materials that detect gamma rays, identifying plutonium and uranium. The method uses dimensional reduction to create heavy elements with immobilized electrons, making them suitable for detection.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 12, 2011

Fathers wired to provide offspring care

A new Northwestern University study confirms that human males are biologically wired to care for their offspring, showing that fatherhood significantly lowers testosterone levels. The study found that fathers who became more involved in child care experienced the largest decline in testosterone.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 12, 2011

Collaborative science and engineering

The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Northwestern University has received a six-year, $16.2 million grant to support its interdisciplinary research program and educational activities. The center aims to develop new nanoscale materials with applications in information processing, electronics, and sensing technologies.

New 'bouncer' molecule halts rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a new protein called P21, which acts as a protective barrier against hyperactive immune cells in people with rheumatoid arthritis. By inhibiting the immune cells' destructive rampage, the bouncer molecule halts the disease process, offering a promising new avenue for future therapies.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateSep 7, 2011

From mild-mannered to killer plague

Scientists identify genetic differences between mild and deadly Plague bacteria, revealing the role of small non-coding RNAs in disease severity. The study provides new insights into the evolution of pathogens and potential therapeutic targets for deadly diseases like the Plague.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2011

Protecting cells

Researchers found that a genetic switch in master neurons inhibits the proper functioning of protective cell stress responses, accumulating misfolded and damaged proteins. Restoring this natural ability could offer a new target for therapy, improving cellular health and quality of life.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2011

Major ALS breakthrough

Scientists have discovered a common cause of all forms of ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease, by identifying a broken down protein recycling system in neurons. This finding provides a common target for drug therapy and suggests that all types of ALS are tributaries pouring into a common river of cellular incompetence.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateAug 21, 2011

Get off the couch, please

A Northwestern University study reveals that people with arthritis are not engaging in physical activity critical to their health. The research found that more than half of women and 40 percent of men with arthritis were inactive.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateAug 10, 2011

Restoring blood flow

A novel nanostructure mimics vascular endothelial growth factor to promote blood vessel growth, potentially treating conditions like peripheral arterial disease. The nanostructure shows promise in restoring blood flow and has a longer half-life compared to the natural protein, enhancing its potency.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 1, 2011

Positive teens become healthier adults

A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that teenagers with high positive well-being had reduced risk of engaging in unhealthy behaviors and reported excellent health in young adulthood. Positive psychological characteristics during adolescence are linked to improved long-term health outcomes.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJul 19, 2011

Do women have what it takes?

A Northwestern University meta-analysis reveals that leadership continues to be viewed as culturally masculine, perpetuating barriers to women's advancement. The study finds that women are seen as less qualified or natural in leadership roles, and adopting masculine behaviors can lead to being viewed as inappropriate.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateJul 13, 2011

Clues to why 'they' all look alike

Scientists discovered that brain activity increases when viewing same-race and other-race faces, but only predicts whether an other-race face will be remembered. The study suggests that individuation process is fragile for other-race faces due to lack of practice and social categorization.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateJun 30, 2011

Nudging doctors in intensive care unit reduces deaths

A new Northwestern Medicine study finds that attending physicians in intensive care units can reduce mortality rates by 50% when using a checklist and prompted to address overlooked details. The prompting system cut ventilator-associated pneumonia cases and reduced ICU length of stay.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 22, 2011

Science explains ancient copper artifacts

Researchers at Northwestern University recreated ancient copper artifact-making techniques using large stones, fire, and elbow grease. They analyzed discarded copper pieces found on the ground of a 'copper workshop house' in Cahokia and determined that coppersmiths likely hammered and heated copper to create thin sheets.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateJun 13, 2011

Science explains ancient copper artifacts

Researchers at Northwestern University recreated ancient copper artifact-making techniques used by prehistoric Native Americans of Cahokia. They analyzed small pieces of discarded copper and determined that the coppersmiths likely hammered the copper with a heavy rock, then heated it in a wood fire to create thin sheets.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateJun 13, 2011

Pulling a fast one

Research by Northwestern University and Wake Forest University found that fast disclaimers undermine consumers' trust in unfamiliar brands, while trusted brands remain unaffected. Trusted brands can use fast disclaimers without impact on purchase intention.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 2, 2011

Why more African Americans turn to Twitter

According to a Northwestern University study, African Americans are more likely to start using Twitter, particularly those interested in celebrity news and having higher Internet skills. The research found 37% of black students used Twitter in 2010 compared to 21% of white students.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNew Media & Society·DateMay 17, 2011

Heads or tails?

Planarian flatworms can regenerate their entire body from a small piece of tissue due to the critical role of an ancient gene called notum. Notum determines whether a head or tail will regrow at amputation sites, enabling the worms to restore missing body parts.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateMay 16, 2011

Musical experience offsets some aging effects

A Northwestern University study finds that lifelong musical training can benefit adults by offsetting age-related decline in memory and ability to hear speech in noisy environments. Musicians aged 45-65 outperform non-musicians in auditory memory, hearing speech in noise, and other cognitive functions.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 11, 2011

Flipping hot Jupiters

Astronomers at Northwestern University have developed a computer simulation that explains how hot Jupiters form with flipped orbits around their stars. The study, published in Nature, suggests that gravitational perturbations from other planets in the system can cause the inner planet to lose energy and orbit closer to its star.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateMay 11, 2011

Race in America

A group of prominent social scientists weigh in on topics such as the future of African American studies and intra-minority group relations. The authors explore how racial minorities will react to demographic shifts, with some finding that a separate line of research suggests distinct racial minority groups may react differently.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalDaedalus·DateMay 4, 2011

Electronic medical records speed genetic health studies

Researchers at Northwestern University have found that using electronic medical records to identify patients with diseases can be faster and cheaper than recruiting thousands of participants. The study used data from five national sites to accurately identify patients with five types of diseases, achieving accuracy rates of 73-98%.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 20, 2011

Addressing the nuclear waste issue

Researchers use Closterium moniliferum algae to remove strontium, a major component of nuclear waste, by sequestering it in solid crystals. The algae's ability to differentiate between strontium and calcium can help isolate highly radioactive 'high-level' waste from 'low-level' waste.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalChemSusChem·DateApr 4, 2011

A small quantum leap

The new switching device enables high-speed routing of quantum bits along a shared network, maintaining entanglement information. This practical step toward creating a quantum Internet could achieve secure encrypted information and ultra-fast quantum computing.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 10, 2011

Tiny gems take big step toward battling cancer

A Northwestern University research team found that binding chemotherapy drugs to nanodiamonds significantly improves the effectiveness of cancer treatment, particularly in cases where tumors are resistant to conventional therapies. The discovery holds promise for treating aggressive cancers with fewer toxic side effects.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 9, 2011