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Northwestern University


Method sorts out double-walled carbon nanotube problem

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a technique to produce double-walled carbon nanotubes with improved electrical conductivity, spatial resolution, and scanning lifetimes. The method uses density gradient ultracentrifugation to separate the nanotubes, resulting in longer DWNTs that outperform single-walled nanotubes.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 14, 2008

Researcher tricks immune system in diabetic mice

Researchers at Northwestern University found a way to trick the immune system of mice into believing transplanted islets are their own cells. This technique eliminated the need for immunosuppressive drugs in mice with chemically-induced diabetes after islet transplantation, showing high success rates.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 20, 2008

Strong elasticity size effects in ZnO nanowires

Researchers at Northwestern University resolved discrepancies in ZnO nanowire elasticity by performing experiments and computational studies. The findings reveal that the elastic stiffness of ZnO nanowires monotonically increases as their diameter decreases, with atomic level changes attributed to surface reconstruction.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 13, 2008

Researchers write protein nanoarrays using a fountain pen and electric fields

A team of researchers at Northwestern University has successfully written nanoscale protein arrays using a tool called the nanofountain probe (NFP), which rapidly deploys proteins with unprecedented resolution. The technique utilizes electric fields to control protein transport, allowing for efficient and high-resolution patterning.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 13, 2008

Promising new material that could improve gas mileage

A Northwestern University-led research team has identified a new material that can transform thermoelectric technology into one that converts waste heat into electricity, potentially improving gas mileage by 5-10 percent. The discovery is promising and could lead to widespread use in the automotive industry and other applications.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateOct 9, 2008

The pepperoni pizza hypothesis

Researchers at Northwestern University believe spicy food, including pepperoni pizza, can worsen pelvic pain and urinary frequency in women with interstitial cystitis. A new treatment approach using anesthetic patches or suppositories may provide relief.

Common bronchodilator linked to increased deaths

A new study from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that ipratropium increases the risk of heart attack or arrhythmia by 34% compared to albuterol or no treatment. The study suggests that the medication may have a systemic cardiovascular effect, increasing mortality risk in COPD patients.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 15, 2008

US hospitals 'flunk' colon cancer

A Northwestern University study found that over 60% of US hospitals do not comply with the recommendation to examine 12 lymph nodes after colon cancer surgery, leading to improved survival rates when more nodes are checked.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateSep 9, 2008

New evidence on the robustness of metabolic networks

A Northwestern University research team found that cell metabolisms have evolved to be exceptionally robust, adopting organizational structures that minimize the impact of gene deletions and mutations. This could lead to improved understanding of how to design synthetic networks with similar robustness.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2008

True properties of carbon nanotubes measured

Carbon nanotubes' true mechanical properties have been measured by Northwestern University researchers using a novel nanoscale material testing system. The results match quantum mechanics predictions and reveal that irradiation can strengthen the structure by forming bonds between shells of the tube.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 15, 2008

Doctors' orders lost in translation

A Northwestern University study found that more than three-quarters of patients don't fully comprehend their emergency department discharge instructions. Patients who fail to follow instructions may have a higher risk of complications after leaving the hospital, according to lead author Kirsten Engel.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJul 17, 2008

By adding graphene, researchers create superior polymer

Researchers at Northwestern University and Princeton University created a new kind of polymer that incorporates functionalized, exfoliated graphene sheets, exhibiting extraordinary thermal and mechanical properties. The polymer's electroconductivity is also being studied to create optically transparent conducting polymers.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 19, 2008

New mid-infrared lasers show doubled efficiency

Researchers have doubled the efficiency of infrared lasers in the mid-infrared wavelength range, which could enable next-generation laser-based defense systems and commercial applications like trace chemical analysis and pollution monitoring. The advancements were achieved through improvements to material quality, design, and fabrication.

African-Americans have 5 times higher amputation rate

A new Northwestern University study found people in African American communities on Chicago's South and West Side have a five times higher rate of lower limb amputations than predominantly white suburbs. The high rate is linked to lack of access to primary care, diabetes management programs, and specialty care.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Vascular Surgery·DateApr 28, 2008

Fear of messing up may undermine interracial contact

Research shows that individuals who are anxious about appearing prejudiced may avoid interactions with people of different races due to fear of social disapproval. A study by Jennifer Richeson and Sophie Trawalter found that white participants focused on neutral black faces for longer periods than white faces, suggesting a cognitive bi...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 1, 2008

Boosting self-esteem can backfire in decision-making

A new study from Northwestern University finds that positive feedback can actually escalate perceived threats to the ego and increase the need to prove a questionable decision was right. Research participants who received praise for skills unrelated to the decision were less likely to recommit to it.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateMar 31, 2008

Sniffing out danger

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that a single negative experience linked to an odor rapidly teaches us to identify and discriminate it from similar ones. The study found specific changes in brain regions enhancing perceptual sensitivity for smells with high biological relevance.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateMar 27, 2008