A new breed of targeted cancer drugs is attacking specific proteins in cancer cells, but also causes devastating dermatologic side effects. The Cancer Skin Care Program at Northwestern University provides specially formulated lotions and drugs to help patients preserve their dignity and quality of life.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered a counterintuitive approach to gene therapy that targets the removal of genes to restore cellular function. This method has implications for medical research and optimizing metabolic processes used in biofuel production.
A new study from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine explores the neural mechanisms behind hunger and food cravings. The research found that when subjects were fasting, their brains responded strongly to visual cues of donuts, highlighting the brain's ability to prioritize needs in a complex environment.
A study led by Mary J. C. Hendrix found that the Lefty protein, secreted only in human embryonic stem cells, inhibits growth and spread of melanoma and breast cancer cells. This breakthrough suggests potential therapeutic modalities for cancer treatment and highlights the utility of isolating factors within the embryonic microenvironment.
Girls show greater activation in language areas of the brain than boys during language tasks, indicating a more abstract approach to language processing. Boys, on the other hand, rely on different parts of the brain for visual and auditory inputs.
A team of Northwestern University chemists has developed a new metal sulfide material, KMS-1, that can effectively remove strontium, a major component of nuclear waste, by exploiting its unique properties. The material works across the pH scale and outperforms existing methods in terms of selectivity and efficiency.
Researchers at Northwestern University have found that children with high-functioning autism produce more contingent sentences when interacting with virtual peers. This suggests that virtual peers can be a useful tool in helping children with autism develop communication and social skills. The study aims to generalize these skills to m...
A Northwestern University team developed a mathematical method to rank scientific journals according to quality. The rankings will help scientists identify high-impact research papers and facilitate evaluations of researchers' work. The study analyzed citation data from nearly 23 million papers across 200 academic fields.
A Northwestern University study found that cancer patients taking erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have a 10% increased risk of death compared to those who did not take the drugs. The study's findings suggest that ESAs may stimulate the growth of cancer cells, leading to shorter survival rates.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new anode coating strategy that significantly enhances the efficiency of solar energy power conversion. The breakthrough could lead to cheaper, more manufacturable, and easily implemented solar cells, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers Monica Olvera de la Cruz and Graziano Vernizzi from Northwestern University discovered a new mechanism for charged molecules to organize into complex shapes, potentially leading to the design of functional nanostructures.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that physical attractiveness is equally important for both men and women, while earning power also plays a significant role. The study suggests that people may not know what they initially value in a romantic partner, leading to discrepancies between stated preferences and actual choices.
Research suggests that high self-monitors are less committed and happy in their romantic relationships than low self-monitors. They may present a false image to avoid face-threatening interactions, leading to intimate partners being unaware of their true feelings.
A Northwestern University professor is studying rivers to understand how organic carbon is processed and consumed by microorganisms, revealing that it's a bigger component of global carbon cycling than thought. The study provides a framework for assessing these processes and sheds light on the internal cycling of carbon in rivers.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that high CO2 levels impair lung function and increase the risk of edema. The study suggests reducing CO2 levels to improve treatment outcomes for patients with respiratory distress.
A study by Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that chronic pain disrupts the equilibrium of the brain's regions, leading to permanent damage. This constant firing of neurons can alter connections and even cause death.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a technique using DNA to assemble crystalline structures out of gold nanoparticles, resulting in materials with unique properties. The method allows for the creation of 'designer' materials with specific applications in fields like therapeutics and electronics.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed back-illuminated APDs that detect single photons in the ultraviolet region with high sensitivity. The devices have excellent uniformity and can be used to create secure communication systems and biological agent detectors.
Researchers at Northwestern University successfully synthesized a new natural compound that exhibits promising anti-cancer properties, outperforming existing treatments. By identifying the correct molecular structure, the team is now poised to develop more effective and selective cancer therapies.
Researchers are conducting a US trial using purified adult stem cells to treat critical limb ischemia, a condition that affects 1.4 million people and can lead to amputation. The study aims to grow new blood vessels and restore circulation in legs with severely blocked arteries.
A new injectable drug, etanercept, has been shown to dramatically reduce psoriasis flare-ups in pediatric patients. The study found that 57% of patients achieved a 75% or greater improvement in symptoms, compared to 11% on placebo.
A team of chemists led by Chad Mirkin aims to mimic nature's finely controlled chemical processes to develop materials and devices with high sensitivity and selectivity. The researchers will focus on creating supramolecular structures for environmental remediation, power generation, and detection systems.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a functional equation that explains how cells pack together to form the eyes of Drosophila, or fruit flies. This pared-down model uses only two parameters and demonstrates how it can be applied to different kinds of tissues, leading to potential advances in regenerative medicine.
A Northwestern University study found that overexcited neurons can cause protein damage in muscle cells due to neurotransmitter imbalance. This imbalance can lead to various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer.
Research from Northwestern University suggests that humans can pick up infinitesimal scents that affect whether we like or dislike someone. Study participants who were unaware of barely perceptible odors showed biased judgments on face likability, while those who could detect the scent made conscious decisions.
Kalirin-7, a critical brain protein, is linked to learning and memory. It enhances synaptic spines in the brain, leading to better communication between neurons.
A Northwestern University study quantifies the volumes of movement and sensation in animals, defining three modes - collision, reactive, and deliberative. The findings apply to understanding behavioral control strategies in animals and can aid in designing autonomous robots and improving cockpit information systems.
A Northwestern University study found that college students' choice of social networking sites is influenced by their race, ethnicity, and parents' education level. The research challenges the common assumption that all college students use Facebook, revealing differences in usage among various groups.
A groundbreaking study finds that children's early math and reading skills are the strongest predictors of later academic success, regardless of social or emotional behaviors. The research analyzed data from six longitudinal studies and found no association between behavior and achievement.
A Northwestern University study found that a high-fat diet disrupts the body's internal clock, causing animals to eat during their natural rest periods. The study suggests that this disruption can lead to negative effects on metabolism and increase the risk of obesity and diabetes.
A new analysis from Northwestern University found that consistently high levels of physical activity in young adulthood can stabilize body mass index (BMI) over 20 years. Participants who reported at least 30 minutes of vigorous activity a day gained 14 pounds less over 20 years than those with low activity levels.
Scientists at Northwestern University are mapping parts of lethal bacteria in three dimensions, exposing a fresh opening into the bacteria's vulnerabilities. This view will enable scientists to create drugs to disable or vaccines to prevent deadly infectious diseases such as anthrax, plague, and Ebola.
A Northwestern University study found that tones of voices can alter visual processing, suggesting a direct input from early auditory processing to visual perception. Researchers used pure tones to test whether sounds can influence perception of face gender, with results showing bias towards male or female faces based on tone frequency.
A new coating method mimics mussel adhesive properties, allowing for the attachment of various materials to inorganic and organic surfaces. This method has potential applications in fields such as electronics, medical devices, and water treatment.
Researchers have developed nanodiamond clusters that efficiently carry and release chemotherapy drugs, sparing healthy cells from toxicity. The material's stability, safety, and high surface area make it a promising alternative to current drug delivery agents.
A Northwestern University study found nearly 50% of patients taking antihypertensive drugs can't accurately name a single medication, highlighting the need for improved medication reconciliation. Patients with low health literacy were more likely to be prescribed multiple medications and have higher blood pressure.
A Northwestern University researcher developed a health advocacy program that uses digital photography and storytelling to empower minority teens to address health problems in their communities. The program resulted in two main themes: food and stress, which the teens used to create posters promoting healthier behaviors.
A new fabrication technique using soft lithography has enabled the mass production of plasmonic metamaterials, which exhibit exceptional optical properties due to their unique structure. The technique allows for scalable manufacturing and can produce materials with high-quality transmission behavior, focusing light in microscale patches.
Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered that a toxic protein in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's removes insulin receptors from nerve cells, rendering those neurons insulin resistant. This finding sheds light on the emerging idea of Alzheimer's being a type 3 diabetes.
A Northwestern University study finds that music training improves the brain's multi-sensory processing, leading to enhanced verbal communication skills. The research suggests that musical training could help children develop literacy skills and combat literacy disorders.
New research from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine identifies how microscopic air pollution kills people at risk. The study found that lungs inflamed by the pollution secrete a substance that causes blood to clot, raising the risk of fatal heart attacks or strokes.
The Oncofertility Consortium seeks to alter the medical world's approach to female cancer patients, promoting a new consciousness to protect their reproductive health. Researchers will investigate fertility threats posed by cancer treatment and develop strategies to improve communication with newly diagnosed patients.
Researchers at Northwestern University investigated a new study method using Behavioral Economics Theory to rehabilitate participants with unhealthy habits. Participants were assigned to change two behavior changes that had the greatest impact on other unhealthy behaviors.
A Northwestern University study found that participants who forecasted a breakup's impact actually felt less distress than expected. Those most in love were the biggest offenders, exaggerating their emotional pain. The research suggests people tend to be more resilient than they think, and recover from breakups sooner than predicted.
Researchers have successfully used a nanofountain probe to directly deposit gold nanoparticles, 15 nanometers in diameter, onto silicon substrates. This novel technique enables better control over resultant patterns and simplifies the fabrication of functional structures.
A Northwestern University-developed optical technology has been found to be effective in the early detection of colon cancer, now appearing promising for detecting pancreatic cancer. The technique can detect abnormal changes in cells lining the duodenum without touching or imaging the pancreas.
A Northwestern University study found that electrical activity in the brain is altered within 200 milliseconds when viewing subliminal emotional expressions, leading to biased ratings of facial expressions. Those with anxiety tend to exhibit stronger brain responses to fear-primed expressions.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed graphene oxide paper with superior mechanical properties, potential applications in energy storage, and the ability to be chemically tunable. The material's unique combination of electrical insulation and controlled permeability makes it suitable for various industries.
Researchers found that brain structure Heschl's Gyrus predicts successful second language learning. Adults with smaller left HG gray matter need not despair of learning another language, as training strategies can improve outcomes.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new type of laser that can emit over 700 milli-Watts of continuous output power, a factor of two increase from competing technology. The Quantum Cascade Laser has a 10-18% wall-plug efficiency, making it suitable for widespread deployment and low-cost production.