Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Northwestern University


Taking up music so you can hear

A Northwestern University study finds that musicians can better understand speech in noise due to improved auditory processing skills. The research suggests musical training could be beneficial for individuals with hearing or reading difficulties, particularly older adults and poor readers.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalEar and Hearing·DateAug 17, 2009

Too many ways to say 'it hurts'

A new project called PROMIS aims to establish a common scientific vocabulary for measuring pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and physical/social functioning. This will help researchers compare results and evaluate treatment benefits more effectively, enabling better care for patients with chronic diseases.

New technique could save cancer patients' fertility

Researchers from Northwestern University have successfully grown a woman's immature egg cells, contained in a tiny sac called a follicle, to a healthy and nearly mature egg in the laboratory. This breakthrough could provide a new fertility option for women whose cancer treatments destroy their ability to reproduce.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateJul 13, 2009

Map of your brain may reveal early mental illness

Researchers aim to create a brain map that can help diagnose early-stage schizophrenia and guide more effective treatment. The study, led by Northwestern University, uses topographical brain maps to compare the structures of individuals with schizophrenia to those without, hoping to identify key differences in brain function.

Why saints sin and sinners get saintly

A new study by Northwestern University suggests that individuals with abundant moral self-worth may engage in immoral behavior to balance out their perceived level of goodness, while those who experience a moral-cleansing effect tend to engage in good work to restore their ideal level of moral self-worth.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 26, 2009

Exposure to 2 languages carries far-reaching benefits

A Northwestern University study found that bilingual participants mastered nearly twice the number of words as monolinguals when learning an invented language. The research suggests that early exposure to two languages carries far-reaching benefits, making bilingual individuals better language learners in general.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateMay 19, 2009

New look at Facebook and grades

Researchers from Northwestern University found no evidence that Facebook use correlates with lower academic achievement. Instead, they suggest that the impact of social networking sites on students depends on how they are used, with cultivating relationships potentially leading to positive outcomes.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFirst Monday·DateMay 7, 2009

Babies brainier than many imagine

Researchers at Northwestern University found that infants as young as five months old can distinguish between liquids and solids based on movement cues. This suggests that babies are not blank slates but rather active learners who perceive the world in a similar way from infancy throughout life.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 6, 2009

Why you may lose that loving feeling after tying the knot

A new Northwestern University study finds that relationship satisfaction after marriage depends on a partner's ability to fulfill responsibilities and commitments. The research reveals that dating couples prioritize partner support for personal growth, while married couples value it for maintaining their partnership. This insight could...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 22, 2009

Grouping muscles to make controlling limbs easier

A team of researchers at Northwestern University discovered a new approach to control movement in limbs by grouping muscles, which could simplify the restoration of muscle movements in people with paralysis. By reducing the number of variables, this method can achieve similar results as controlling individual muscles.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2009

Goodbye needle, hello smoothie

A researcher at Northwestern University has developed a new oral vaccine using probiotics that induces a powerful immune response, protecting against diseases such as anthrax and breast cancer. The vaccine harnesses the body's primary immune force in the small intestine, bypassing traditional injection methods.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 17, 2009

Researchers identify ALS gene mutation

A new gene mutation has been identified as a common cause of inherited ALS, affecting motor neurons in the central nervous system. This discovery is part of a national study led by Northwestern University, aiming to understand the triggers of motor neuron death and develop new treatments.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateFeb 26, 2009