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Northwestern University


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

Saving cancer patients' skin

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.

Your brain on Krispy Kremes

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateMar 6, 2008

Protein in embryonic stem cells controls malignant tumor cells

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2008

New material can find a needle in a nuclear waste haystack

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2008

Children with autism may learn from 'virtual peers'

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...

Special coating greatly improves solar cell performance

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2008

Rethinking what men and women want in a partner

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateFeb 13, 2008

Is your dating partner happy?

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCommunication Reports·DateFeb 11, 2008

Studying rivers for clues to global carbon cycle

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 8, 2008

Chronic pain harms the brain

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 create mathematical model of fruit fly eyes

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2008