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Northwestern University


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

Tracking the digital traces of social networks

Studies of virtual world Second Life reveal that teenagers form online friendships with people in their immediate geographic area, and tend to be friends with the friends of their friends rather than strangers. This challenges common assumptions about social networks and highlights how technology can reinforce existing relationships.

Financial risk taking: Blame it on the genes

Researchers found that individuals with short serotonin transporter gene and 7-repeat allele of the DRD4 gene invest more in risky investments. The study suggests that genetics play a role in predicting financial risk-taking, but experience and upbringing also contribute to investor behavior.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 10, 2009

That gut feeling may actually reflect a reliable memory

A new Northwestern University study uses brain-reading technology to show that people can be more accurate in recognizing familiar images when distracted or guessing than when paying full attention. The research suggests that implicit recognition may play a significant role in everyday decision-making and problem-solving.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 8, 2009

Water lilies inspire scientists to create large-scale graphene films

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a novel method to assemble graphite oxide sheets into continuous membranes, overcoming conventional thin-film processing limitations. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-quality graphene devices with high successful yields and potential applications in energy-related fields.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 29, 2009

Predicting politics: Professors model prediction markets

A Northwestern University team created a model of how prices fluctuate in political prediction markets, revealing that partisan feeling can significantly impact trading. The researchers found that traders' emotions played a crucial role in the market's behavior, especially during the 2000 presidential election. By understanding these d...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2009

Synthetic HDL: A new weapon to fight cholesterol problems

Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully designed synthetic HDL, a nanoparticle version capable of irreversibly binding cholesterol. The study shows that the synthetic HDL mimics natural HDL's surface composition and could one day help fill the gap in useful therapeutics for raising good cholesterol.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 9, 2009