Researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois created a square polymer stamp with pyramid-shaped tips to mimic geckos' micro- and nano-filaments. This allows for varying adhesion strength, enabling the transfer and printing of electronics on complex surfaces.
Regular aerobic exercise improves sleep quality, reduces depressive symptoms and increases vitality in middle-aged and older adults with insomnia. The study found that exercise elevates participants' self-reported sleep quality, dropping their scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index by an average of 4.8 points.
A new Northwestern University study found that rapid weight gain in the first six months of life predicts earlier puberty for boys and has long-term effects on their physical characteristics and reproductive strategy. The researchers suggest that testosterone plays a key role in shaping these differences.
Physicist Adilson E. Motter and colleague Katrin Gelfert show that chaos is absolute in the universe's early expansion, disagreeing with previous studies' relative views. The study implies that the early universe experienced erratic changes between red- and blue-shift directions, confirming chaotic behavior.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered edible nanostructures that can be used for gas storage and food technologies. The compounds, made from natural ingredients like sugar and starch, offer a green approach to storing hydrogen and have potential applications in cleaner air and healthcare.
Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer can benefit from prophylactic surgeries to remove ovaries, fallopian tubes, or breasts, increasing survival rates and eliminating risk. Genetic testing is crucial for identifying the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which significantly increase cancer risk.
A Northwestern University team has developed a low-cost, high-throughput method for creating and mass-producing large-area nanoscale patterns using Shrinky Dinks. This solvent-assisted nanoscale embossing (SANE) method offers unprecedented opportunities to manipulate electronic, photonic, and magnetic properties of nanomaterials.
Research from Northwestern University found that healthy eggs require high levels of zinc to mature and be fertilized. The study may lead to advances in fertility treatment by enabling doctors to assess the best eggs for successful embryo formation.
Researchers at Northwestern University found a universal law for material evolution, allowing them to predict the dynamics of phase break-up in various materials. The study used 4-D synchrotron-based X-ray tomographic microscopy to observe the evolution of rod-shaped phases during the break-up process.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method called beam-pen lithography, which uses tiny beams of light to draw patterns on surfaces. This technology offers a means to rapidly and inexpensively make and prototype circuits, optoelectronics, and medical diagnostics.
A new Northwestern University study has developed a technology that can detect imminent terrorist attacks by correlating P300 brain waves with guilty knowledge in mock terrorism scenarios. The test was accurate in identifying critical concealed information, even without prior knowledge of the planned crime.
Researchers have successfully used two catalysts to produce valuable compounds for biomedical research. The cooperative catalysis approach allows for rapid, efficient and controlled production of large amounts of a key building block for many pharmaceuticals.
A Northwestern University study found that many college students trust websites and search engines ranked high on Google, prioritizing brand recognition over factual accuracy. The study involved 102 students who showed a strong preference for Google and other top brands, even when given hypothetical information-seeking tasks.
Seven Northwestern graduate students will be 'resident scientists' at Chicago-area middle and high schools, integrating their research into the science curricula. The program aims to train graduate students in communicating complex research to people of all ages and bring computational thinking into the K-12 classroom.
A review of research linking musical training to learning highlights the neural connections made during musical training also prime the brain for other aspects of human communication. Music training enhances neuroplasticity and enables the nervous system to provide stable patterns for meaningful learning.
Researchers have developed a new technique combining flexible sigmoidoscopy with optical technologies to detect colon cancer more accurately in women. The test identified subtle changes in tissue that indicate the presence of cancer, providing hope for improving discrepancies in screening accuracy between men and women.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new arsenic nanoparticle that effectively targets and blocks aggressive triple negative breast cancer. The nanoparticles deliver the toxic cargo directly to tumor cells while shielding normal tissue from harm, making it a promising lead for improving chemotherapy drugs.
Researchers from Northwestern University discovered a common human sperm gene called Boule, which is 600 million years old and shared among animals such as trout, sea anemone and flies. The gene plays a vital role in sperm production and has the potential to be targeted for male contraception and controlling diseases caused by parasites.
A new study found that obesity is associated with poorer memory and brain function in older women, particularly those who carry excess weight around their hips. The research controlled for various health factors and suggests that different types of fat may have varying effects on cognition.
A team of researchers used advanced imaging technology to colorize a black-and-white photograph of Matisse's 'Bathers by a River', revealing the artist's innovative methods and palette changes. The resulting image shows how Matisse transformed his work from vibrant colors to somber grays, offering insights into his artistic evolution.
Multimedia talking touchscreens are helping researchers and clinicians improve communication, knowledge, and adherence to treatment for patients with diverse language skills. The technology provides a more private and accessible way for patients to complete questionnaires and access health information.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers suggests that online classes may have negative consequences for lower-performing and language minority students. The study found modest evidence that live-only instruction results in higher learning outcomes than internet instruction, particularly for relatively low-achieving students.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered a direct link between the pancreas' molecular clock and insulin production, highlighting its role in regulating glucose homeostasis. The findings suggest that faulty clocks may contribute to the development of diabetes.
Researchers developed a method to quantify player performance in team activities, ranking soccer players based on their contributions. This approach uses network analysis and statistical methods to evaluate player performance, producing results that closely match expert opinions.
Graphene oxide exhibits surfactant behavior like soap and shampoo chemicals, dispersing in water and filtering by size. This property has potential applications for carbon nanotube dispersion and graphene device fabrication.
A new study from Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science reveals that hunting at a drag-inducing position could be the basis for fish's unusual body shape. The researchers found that the increased cost of movement caused by body tilting was more than counterbalanced by increased sensory performance.
A Northwestern University study reveals that successful academics struggle to mentor students during the latter half of their careers. The research, analyzing 60 years of mathematicians and their advisees, found that mentors who advised fewer students had more successful protégés.
A new ultrasensitive PSA test using nanoparticle technology can detect low levels of PSA in the blood that indicate cancer recurrence. The test may provide early and more accurate answers, allowing doctors to act at the earliest and most sensitive time for patients' long-term survival.
Scientists at Northwestern University found that tiny blood vessels in the brain have a unique method of clearing debris by growing a membrane that envelopes the obstruction and then shoves it out. This process is slower in an aging brain, resulting in more capillary death and potentially contributing to age-related cognitive decline.
A Northwestern University study found that brain cancer patients with malignant gliomas tend to overestimate their quality of life compared to their caregivers. The research suggests that caregivers play a crucial role in providing a more accurate assessment of the patient's well-being.
Researchers found warning young women about the effects on their appearance caused a 35% drop in indoor tanning visits. The study suggested that focusing on appearance is more effective than just skin cancer warnings, and offering alternative options can help individuals change their behavior.
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that children adopt an anthropocentric perspective on human-animal relationships from birth. Instead, research suggests that human-centered reasoning emerges around age 3 in urban children, reflecting their community's perspectives.
Researchers at Northwestern University led by Theresa Pape are testing if familiar voices can facilitate brain repair and improve coma recovery. The study found that subjects responded more to family voices compared to non-familiar ones, with activated brain areas appearing on MRI scans.
A study by Northwestern University researchers reveals that children's experience and cultural beliefs significantly influence their reasoning about the natural world. The findings challenge the long-held assumption of a universal human-centered pattern in young children's development.
A study by Northwestern University suggests that New York City received less Homeland Security funding than optimal in 2009, translating to a potential net increase of $15 million to $92 million. The researchers analyzed budgets for five fiscal years and found Chicago underfunded while Los Angeles overfunded.
A genetic link has been discovered between sporadic and familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease. The study found that protein FUS forms characteristic inclusions in spinal motor neurons in most ALS cases, suggesting a common pathogenic pathway for motor neuron degeneration.
A new Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine study found that combining coronary artery calcium score (CACS) with traditional risk factors for heart disease is a better method than using traditional predictors alone to predict future heart attacks. The CACS was key in classifying people in the most extreme categories, iden...
A new Northwestern University study finds that African-Americans show greater empathy for other African-Americans facing adversity than Caucasians do for Caucasian-Americans. The study suggests that identifying with a racial group can dramatically change one's ability to feel and respond to the pain of another person.
Researchers found that words significantly impacted 3-month-old infants' cognitive performance in a categorization task. Infants who heard words showed evidence of forming the fish category, while those who heard tones did not.
Researchers have developed a flexible silicon electronics device that can map waves of electrical activity in the heart with high density and speed. The device uses 288 contact points and has the potential to localize and treat abnormal heart rhythms.
Researchers at Northwestern University characterized a special type of stem cell, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), to see if they can behave as endothelial cells in the body when cultured on a bioengineered surface. The study shows promise for improving surgery success rates for peripheral arterial disease.
A new study by Northwestern University recommends raising pregnancy blood sugar levels to nearly double the risk of complications for mothers and babies. The revised guidelines suggest that a fasting blood sugar level of 92 or higher poses serious risks to both mother and baby.
A Northwestern University professor explores making public policy with limited information, recommending the elimination of inferior options and application of decision criteria to avoid poor outcomes in issues like global warming and vaccination policies.
A Northwestern University neuroscientist argues that music training can improve children's ability to process speech in noisy classrooms and enhance everyday tasks. The research suggests that music education can be an effective strategy for helping typically developing children and those with developmental dyslexia or autism.
Researchers studied organic carbon-rich sediments from an ancient seabed to learn about a devastating event when oxygen levels in the oceans dropped so low that one-third of marine life died. The studies found that volcanic activity triggered a biogeochemical cascade, leading to a decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers at Northwestern University and Oxford University have developed a new method to understand surface layers of atoms, critical for material properties. The bond-valence-sum method has shown how to arrange atoms on surfaces, enabling predictions of material behavior.
A new study from Northwestern University has found that people with fragile X syndrome experience delayed development of the sensory cortex, leading to problems with brain wiring and tactile defensiveness. This delay may trigger a domino effect, causing further symptoms such as social withdrawal, hyperarousal, and anxiety.
About 5 million women in the US suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a metabolic disorder causing infertility and obesity. Women are often told they are too fat, leading to delayed diagnoses, expert Andrea Dunaif advocates for increased awareness and treatment.
A new study by Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and the American College of Surgeons found that community hospitals can offer safe surgical options for certain types of cancer surgeries. Younger patients with few pre-existing illnesses have similar survival rates at both community hospitals and specialized cancer c...
Researchers design a bioactive nanomaterial that activates bone marrow stem cells to produce natural cartilage. The treatment shows promise in repairing damaged joints with better results than conventional microfracture procedures.