Researchers have developed a synthetic adhesive, called 'geckel,' that exhibits strong yet reversible adhesion in both air and water. The material combines the adhesive properties of geckos with those of mussels, showing improved wet adhesion 15-fold over uncoated pillar arrays.
A recent study by Northwestern University researchers found that animals who are partially sleep deprived over consecutive days no longer attempt to catch up on sleep, despite an accumulating sleep deficit. This suggests that chronic partial sleep loss negatively affects the body's ability to compensate for lost sleep.
A Northwestern University researcher has explained the nature of the resistive force that determines the speed of DNA as it moves through a nanopore, using classical hydrodynamics. This understanding could help scientists slow down the DNA enough to make it readable and usable for medical and biotechnology applications.
A Northwestern University study found that juries give wrong verdicts in at least one out of eight cases, with agreement rates between judges and jurors varying between 77-80%. The study uses statistical analysis to estimate the accuracy of jury verdicts, suggesting that juries may be less accurate than judges in certain cases.
Researchers have successfully transplanted purified adult stem cells into the hearts of severe angina patients, showing a significant reduction in pain and improved daily functioning. The study, led by Northwestern University's Douglas Losordo, provides evidence for the safety and therapeutic potential of this cell therapy approach.
A study by Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that 78% of survey respondents wanted to be greeted by a doctor's name, while only half addressed the patient by name in first-time visits. The researchers recommend using patients' first and last names for a respectful and comfortable introduction.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a drug that slows and may halt the progression of Parkinson's disease by rejuvenating aging dopamine cells. Isradipine, a widely used hypertension medication, restores stressed-out dopamine neurons to their youthful state, potentially extending the time L-DOPA works effectively.
A Northwestern University researcher has found that old memory traces in the prefrontal cortex may trigger chronic pain. The discovery led to a new drug, D-Cycloserine, which controls persistent nerve pain by targeting the emotional suffering of pain.
A new study by Northwestern University's Charles Bennett found that RADAR identified serious drug reactions six years earlier than the FDA and drug companies. The team's proactive safety efforts provided doctors with important medical insights and guidance for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
A recent study has discovered a strong hereditary component to aggressive prostate cancer, with patients carrying the 8q24 genetic marker having a higher risk of developing the disease. The marker is twice as common in African-American men, who also experience the disease at a younger age and have a higher incidence rate.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a quantum dot infrared photodetector that operates at room temperature with improved performance. The device enables thermal imaging at higher temperatures than previous records, opening up new possibilities for applications in medical and biological imaging, environmental monitorin...
Research suggests that estrogen's effects on the hippocampus can lead to increased excitatory synapses and enhanced learning, but also suppress inhibitory synapses, resulting in seizure activity. The study proposes novel therapeutic targets for anti-epileptic drugs, exploiting estrogen's rapid impact on neurotransmitter vesicles.
A study by Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix found that inhibiting Nodal signaling in aggressive melanoma cells can reverse their invasiveness and tumor formation, reverting them to a more benign skin cell type. This discovery provides a promising new target for regulating tumor progression and metastasis.
Scientists at Northwestern University developed a simple method to detect mercury using gold nanoparticles and DNA. The technique can identify mercury levels in water samples by visual inspection, offering a faster and more convenient alternative to existing detection methods.
A study of 4,681 older adults found that chronic depression can cause Type 2 diabetes, even after adjusting for lifestyle factors. The study suggests that high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, may be the culprit behind this link.
Karl Scheidt and his team have synthesized 10 different flavanones, a type of flavonoid, using a new general method that takes advantage of one simple catalyst. The findings provide a method for making new molecules based on flavonoids, setting the stage for the development of new cancer therapeutics.
According to Northwestern University physician Kristi Kirschner, people with physical disabilities often encounter structural problems when trying to obtain basic care and life-saving diagnostic tests. This can lead to humiliating and terrifying experiences, as well as increased risk of injury or death.
Research finds that music training fine-tunes brainstem's sensitivity to speech sounds, benefiting learning activities, and potentially improving sound encoding skills. The study suggests a dynamic relationship between the brainstem and neocortex, allowing basic sensory circuitry to be malleable.
A national study will enroll 1,124 participants to investigate implanting a pacemaker in low-heart rate, heart-attack patients to improve survival rates and determine the frequency of low heart rates in these patients. The five-year study aims to explore the effectiveness of beta-blocker therapy for this specific patient group.
Researchers found that men with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) had a higher rate of vasectomy than those without the condition. PPA is a neurological disease causing language problems, while frontotemporal dementia (FTD) affects personality and behavior. The study suggests a possible link between vasectomy and increased risk of thes...
A research team at Northwestern University has identified Bi-2212 as a suitable material for the new wires needed to build a 30 Tesla magnet, a significant improvement over current materials. The findings set a speed limit for high-temperature superconductivity, which could enable powerful magnets without helium cooling requirements.
A Northwestern University study found that getting inadequate sleep increases the risk of being overweight in children. The five-year study, conducted on a nationally representative sample of 2,182 children aged 3-18, suggests that even an extra hour of sleep can reduce a child's chance of being overweight.
A new study found that those who desire all potential partners equally are less likely to be desired in return, while those who have a special connection with one person are more likely to receive romantic interest. Researchers used speed-dating methodology to observe initial attraction and discovered that being too selective can be a ...
Researchers discovered that APOE genotypes increase susceptibility to cerebral palsy in newborns. The study found a threefold-elevated risk for children with quadriplegia/triplegia and more severe motor impairment.
Primary Progressive Aphasia is a mysterious neurological disease that affects speech and language abilities, with researchers discovering a genetic cause in a progranulin gene mutation. The study found the mutation in two unrelated families, providing a molecular approach to understanding the causes of the disease.
Researchers discover how malaria parasites hijack red blood cells and develop a new strategy to block them using propranolol. The finding opens the possibility for important new drugs that won't become resistant, addressing the growing problem of drug-resistant malaria.
Computer simulations show that supermassive black hole (SMBH) triple interactions occur frequently, even in the present-day universe. These violent encounters can lead to SMBH binaries being kicked out of galaxies and wandering through space.
Research from Northwestern University found that primary care physicians rarely address sleep problems in elderly patients, with 70% experiencing at least one sleep complaint. Treating sleep disorders can improve quality of life and overall health, with options including meditation, exercise, and bright light therapy.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed transparent, high-performance transistors using organic and inorganic materials. These transistors can be assembled inexpensively on glass and plastics, enabling new applications for displays with invisible wires.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers shows that the brain learns to differentiate between similar smells simply through passive experience. Prolonged sensory exposure induces 'expertise' in specific smell categories, leading to improved odor discrimination and retention of this expertise for at least 24 hours.
A Northwestern University study uses EEG measures to show how attention alters brain activity, revealing that paying attention makes brain responses to stimuli more coherent. This synchronization enables a stimulus to stand out and guides behavior.
Scientists from Northwestern University find New Madrid rocks surprisingly similar to other areas of the eastern United States, contradicting the idea that hot rocks are weak. The study suggests the fault system may be shutting down, with no large earthquakes expected for thousands of years or longer.
A new study found that nearly half of patients misinterpreted at least one prescription label instruction, regardless of literacy level. Patients with low literacy made the most mistakes, but even those with higher education struggled to understand the labels.
Tolvaptan has been shown to improve patients' serum sodium levels within hours, with sustained normalization during long-term therapy. The treatment also improved mental performance in patients with low serum sodium levels.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered an enzyme called ACE2 that may hold the potential to treat diabetic kidney disease. Studies suggest that increasing ACE2 levels in the kidneys could reverse or prevent kidney disease from developing.
A study by Northwestern University found that older adults who go to bed feeling lonely, sad, or overwhelmed have elevated levels of cortisol the next morning. This morning cortisol boost can help regulate hormone levels and facilitate positive social experiences, potentially mitigating health problems associated with chronic stress.
A national center for the Materials World Modules (MWM) program has been created at Northwestern University to expand educational efforts introducing materials science topics to students in grades 7-12. The program aims to spark interest in STEM fields by providing hands-on learning tools and real-world applications.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a virtual newscast system that collects, edits, and organizes existing news stories based on user interests. The system utilizes Web resources to retrieve video, images, and blogs related to the story content, creating a personalized, automated news report.
A new diagnostic device, BioMAP, can identify a third of children aged 8-12 with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. Children identified through BioMAP receive auditory training that improves their academic learning skills.
Scientists at Northwestern University have created a novel carbon nanotube-based nanoelectromechanical switch that exhibits bistability based on current tunneling. The device has the potential to revolutionize memory chips and electronic sensing devices.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed arrays of robotic whiskers that sense information about object shape and fluid flow. These artificial whiskers can extract three-dimensional features from solid objects by analyzing bending moments and strain gauges.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method to sort single-walled carbon nanotubes by their diameter and electronic structure, overcoming the problem of structural heterogeneity that has limited their widespread use. This method, which exploits subtle differences in buoyant densities, promises to enable the produ...
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new patterning method called Dip-Pen Nanolithography (DPN), which allows for the simultaneous creation of 55,000 identical nanoscale patterns on substrates. This breakthrough enables mass production of nanoscale patterns, paving the way for miniaturized gene chips and electronics.
A Northwestern University study finds that the kouprey, Southeast Asia's 'forest ox,' is unlikely to be a wild species due to its genetic similarity to a domesticated breed. The researchers believe it may have originated from a domestic hybrid between banteng and zebu cattle.
A new study published in Science estimates that at least 200,000 people have died in Darfur, far exceeding previous estimates of tens of thousands. The study's authors used primary surveys and extrapolation to arrive at this revised estimate, which underscores the urgency of the situation.
A new type of diode laser, called quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), may revolutionize aircraft protection by emitting high-power light at specific wavelengths. The QCLs can operate at room temperature and have a power conversion efficiency of 10 percent, making them ideal for widespread use in infrared countermeasure systems.
Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully integrated quantum key distribution and quantum data encryption to create a complete quantum cryptographic data network. This new system offers extraordinary resilience to eavesdropping and is compatible with standard fiber optical networks.
A new study has identified a key protein, LMP4, that regulates Tbx transcription factors in embryonic limb and heart development. This discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms controlling these critical processes.
Northwestern University has received a four-year, $4.9 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop and produce affordable diagnostic devices for infectious diseases. The team will focus on two targeted products and work with commercial collaborators Abbott and Inverness Medical Innovations to improve test systems.
A Northwestern University team sheds light on mussel adhesive strategies, focusing on the amino acid DOPA, which forms strong noncovalent and covalent interactions with surfaces. This discovery could lead to development of medical implant coatings.