A convenient aggregation of breakthrough discoveries and research headlines from the Big Ten Academic Alliance member universities.
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January 18, 2019
Northwestern University
Northwestern University researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind technique for creating entirely new classes of optical materials and devices that could lead to light bending and cloaking devices -- news to make the ears of Star Trek’s Spock perk up. Using DNA as a key tool, the scientists took gold nanoparticles of different sizes and shapes and arranged them in two and three dimensions to form optically active superlattices. The structures could be programmed to exhibit almost any color across the visible spectrum.
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more about: New method uses DNA, gold nanoparticles and top-down lithography to fabricate optically active structures
Contact:
Megan Fellman,
847-491-3115,
fellman@northwestern.edu
April 26, 2018
Northwestern University
Consumers should be wary of cosmetic surgeons’ online reviews, which have grown 40 percent a year. The ratings are highly polarized, and some are written by non-patients, reports a new study. The reviews lack balance; people are either very happy or very unhappy with the surgeon. Surprisingly, patients report treatment by the doctor’s staff is almost as important as surgical outcome. The study examined online reviews in six major U.S. cities.
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more about: Be wary of cosmetic surgeons’ online reviews
Contact:
Marla Paul,
312-503-8928,
marla-paul@northwestern.edu
April 23, 2018
Purdue University
Less than half the patients diagnosed with cancer respond favorably to chemotherapy, but a new method for testing how patients will respond to various drugs could pave the way for more personalized treatment. Using Doppler light scattering, like a weather radar, researchers can determine how a patient will respond to chemotherapy even before they begin treatment.
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more about: New test could tell doctors whether patients will respond to chemotherapy
Contact:
Kayla Zacharias,
765-494-9318,
kzachar@purdue.edu
April 6, 2018
Northwestern University
Infant and childhood food allergy, whose cause has long been a mystery, has now been linked to a mix of environmental and genetic factors that must coexist to trigger the allergy, reports a new study. Those factors include genetics that alter skin absorbency, use of infant cleansing wipes that leave soap on the skin, skin exposure to allergens in dust and skin exposure to food from those providing infant care. The good news is factors leading to food allergy can be modified in the home environment.
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more about: Food allergy is linked to skin exposure and genetics
Contact:
Marla Paul,
312-503-8928,
marla-paul@northwestern.edu
April 5, 2018
Northwestern University
One third of children who have autism spectrum disorder also have epilepsy. It’s related to an autism risk gene. But scientists didn’t now why the mutation, catnap2, caused seizures. Now scientists have discovered the mutation shrinks the neurons’ dendrite arbors and synapses that enable brain cells to relay vital messages. The ‘Calm down!’ message gets lost in the brain, causing neurons to spin out of control. Drugs could soon be tested to reverse seizures, language delay and intellectual disability.
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more about: When kids’ autistic brains can’t calm down
Contact:
Marla Paul,
312-503-8928,
marla-paul@northwestern.edu
April 4, 2018
Northwestern University
Parents of LGBTQ children feel especially uncomfortable and unequipped when they try to educate them about sex and dating, reports a new study. Parents don’t know what constitutes safe sexual behaviors for LGBTQ teens and need resources to help them. Parents play an important role in helping their children learn how to have healthy sexual relationships.
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more about: Parents struggle to discuss sex with LGBTQ teens
Contact:
Marla Paul,
312-503-8928,
marla-paul@northwestern.edu
March 21, 2018
Northwestern University
Northwestern University researchers have discovered a new approach for creating important new catalysts to aid in clean energy conversion and storage. The method also has the potential to impact the discovery of new optical and data storage materials and catalysts for higher efficiency processing of petroleum products at lower cost. The researchers created a catalyst that is seven times more active than state-of-the-art commercial platinum by combining theory, a new tool for synthesizing nanoparticles and more than one metallic element.
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more about: Design approach developed for important new catalysts for energy conversion and storage
Contact:
Megan Fellman,
847-491-3115,
fellman@northwestern.edu
March 9, 2018
Northwestern University
Scientists are bringing precision medicine to rheumatoid arthritis for the first time by using genetic profiling of joint tissue to see which drugs will work for which patients, reports a new multi-site study. In the near future, scientists said, patients won’t have to waste time and be disappointed with months of ineffective therapy. Currently $2.5 billion a year wasted on therapy that doesn’t work.
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more about: Rheumatoid arthritis meets precision medicine
Contact:
Marla Paul,
312-503-8928,
marla-paul@northwestern.edu
March 5, 2018
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of Nebraska-Lincoln sociologists Emily Kazyak and Kelsy Burke analyzed responses to why Nebraskans support or oppose a business owner's right to refuse service to gays and lesbians to gain insight into why these laws continue to gain traction in state Legislatures even though most Americans do not actually agree with them.
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more about: Religious freedom laws an all-American dispute, researchers find
Contact:
Emily Kazyak,
402-472-3664,
ekazyak2@unl.edu
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