Category: Uncategorized

March 28, 2006 Contact: Megan Fellman at (847) 491-3115 or atfellman@northwestern.edu New ‘Litmus Test’ Could Aid Discovery of Anti-Cancer Drugs EVANSTON, Ill.—Using the unusual color properties of gold at the nanoscale, scientists at Northwestern University have developed a “litmus test” for DNA and small molecule binding that eventually could be used by pharmaceutical companies to[…]

Accepted Students Take a Second Look Accepted students and their hosts are treated to Chicago-style deep-dish pizza on Friday. Nearly 250 guests arrived at the Feinberg School of Medicine for Second Look Weekend April 6–8. This number included nearly 150 newly accepted students plus friends, spouses, and other family members. Sponsored by the Office of[…]

April 18, 2006 Markers Inherited, Raise Heart Disease, Diabetes Risk CHICAGO—Menstrual irregularity and unhealthy metabolic traits associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are inherited and persist with age, putting women with PCOS at a high risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. That finding is reported in a new study published April 17 in[…]

March 28, 2006 Magnesium-Rich Diet May Reduce Metabolic Syndrome Risk CHICAGO—A magnesium rich-diet may help reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and, perhaps, a heart attack or diabetes, Northwestern University researchers report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors, including excess waist[…]

April 4, 2006 Early Diagnosis Important in Muscle Disorder CHICAGO—Dermatomyositis, a rare, debilitating inflammatory disease, should be diagnosed and treated promptly in children, Northwestern University researchers recommend. Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks muscle and skin, often causing an extensive rash, as well as progressive, severe muscle weakness, pain,[…]

Michael Ravitch Lecture Series Takes Off When long-time Northwestern medical educator Michael M. Ravitch, PhD, suffered a stroke in 1997, he was catapulted into the world of the disabled. Upon his death in 2004, his family and friends established a lecture series in his memory to recognize three things: His many contributions to medical education—he[…]

March 21, 2006 Many African American Seniors Have Misconceptions About Flu Vaccine CHICAGO—Public service messages about the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu may not be addressing some of the key concerns of African American seniors and may contribute to lower vaccination rates, according to Northwestern University researchers. The results of their preliminary study,[…]

Excitement Rules at Match Day Flying confetti accompanied the opening of “official” envelopes at this year’s Match Day. Gathering at a hotel near campus on March16, fourth-year students at the Feinberg School of Medicine accompanied by friends and family members awaited residency training matches with excitement mixed with a bit of trepidation. They joined 15,000[…]

March 7, 2006 Researchers Use Embryonic Model to Reprogram Malignant Melanoma CHICAGO—Scientists at Northwestern University and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have reprogrammed malignant melanoma cells to become normal melanocytes, or pigment cells, a development that may hold promise in treating of one of the deadliest forms of cancer. A report describing the group’s[…]