Recent News

Research Studies Drug to Treat Brain Metastases CHICAGO—A Northwestern University cancer researcher is conducting a study that will compare the effects of whole brain radiation therapy with supplemental oxygen without or with EfaproxynTM (efaproxiral), an experimental radiation sensitizer, in participants with brain cancer originating from metastatic breast cancer. It is believed that efaproxiral may improve[…]

Research Seeks to Advance Diabetes Treatment CHICAGO—Northwestern University has received a major grant from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to advance technologies in the field of islet cell replacement for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes. Principal investigator on the $1.5 million JDRF program project is Dixon B. Kaufman, MD, PhD, professor and vice[…]

December 21, 2004 Immigrants Just as Obese as U.S. Adults CHICAGO—Immigrants who have lived in the United States for at least 15 years are nearly as obese as U.S.-born adults, according to an article in the December 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Immigrants generally originate from countries where the prevalence[…]

Middle-Age Obesity May Raise Medicare Costs Overweight and obesity in young adulthood and middle age may have devastating effects on future Medicare expenditures, particularly given the continued and alarming increase in prevalence of obesity in the United States during recent decades, according to a study published in the December 8 issue of the Journal of[…]

December 8, 2004 Strength Training May Improve Leg Functioning CHICAGO—A Northwestern University researcher is conducting a clinical study to determine whether regular exercise can improve leg and ankle functioning in participants with peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition similar to coronary artery disease, where fatty deposits on the walls of arteries block blood flow to[…]

December 21, 2004 Study Shows Toxic Proteins Affect Memory EVANSTON, Ill.—Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a molecular mechanism—a tiny protein attacking nerve cells—that could explain why the brain damage in early Alzheimer’s disease results in memory loss and not other symptoms such as loss of balance or tremors. The research team, led by William[…]

New Compounds Effective Against Alzheimer’s Disease Onset and Progression Drug discovery researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new class of compounds that have the potential to reduce the inflammation of brain cells and the neuron loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The new class of compounds are aminopyridazines. The original compound, called MW01-070C, is used[…]

November 23, 2004 Chronic Back Pain Shrinks ‘Thinking Parts’ of Brain CHICAGO—Chronic back pain, a condition afflicting many Americans, shrinks the brain by as much as 11 percent—equivalent to the amount of gray matter lost in 10 to 20 years of normal aging, a Northwestern University research study found. Loss in brain density is related[…]

November 3, 2004 Robert Bazell to Give Feinberg Lecture CHICAGO—Robert Bazell, NBC News’ chief health and science correspondent, will be the lecturer at the 9th Annual Frances Feinberg Memorial Lecture on November 15 at the Feinberg Pavilion Conference Center, third floor, 251 East Huron Street. There will be a reception at 4:30 p.m., followed by[…]

November 9, 2004 Cruise Ships: Alternative for Elderly Living? CHICAGO—Living on a cruise ship is a feasible and cost-effective option to assisted living facilities, and the services offered on a cruise ship parallel—even surpass—what is provided in senior care facilities, according to a study in the November issue of the Journal of the American Geriatric[…]

Feinberg Lecture Features NBC’s Robert Bazell This year’s shortage of the flu vaccine has once again highlighted a potential public health threat that shouldn’t be taken lightly, according to Robert Bazell, chief health and science correspondent for NBC News and a regular contributor to NBC Nightly News, Today, and Dateline NBC. Bazell spoke at the[…]

November 2, 2004 Scientists Find ‘Holy Grail’ of Hearing Research CHICAGO—Northwestern University neuroscientists and colleagues have identified a protein long considered to be the missing link in hearing research, a finding that may eventually lead to gene therapies for deafness. In the online version of the journal Nature, Jaime Garcia-Añoveros, PhD, Anne Duggan, PhD, and[…]

November 9, 2004 Over-the-Counter Drugs Could Save $4.75 Billion Annually Using nonprescription, or over-the-counter (OTC), medications to treat common upper respiratory infections could save $4.75 billion a year, according to a new study conducted by researchers from Northwestern University. The study, which was sponsored by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and was presented on October[…]

November 16, 2004 Stable Weight Reduces Heart Risk CHICAGO—Gaining 15 pounds or more over several years is the major contributor to progression of risk factors for heart disease and development of metabolic syndrome, while maintaining a stable weight—even in individuals considered obese—significantly reduces those risks, according to a study led by a Northwestern University researcher.[…]

Study Assesses Effect of Tomato Oil on Precancerous Prostate Changes Lycopene, an antioxidant commonly found in tomatoes and tomato-based products, is perceived to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. A new study at Northwestern University seeks to determine whether natural tomato oil with a high concentration of lycopene may reverse or delay progression of[…]

Stem Cell Biologist John Kessler Argues for Change in Government Policies The controversy over stem cell research continues to grab headlines, especially in this presidential election year. For scientists, the field shows great promise for developing treatments and cures for a wide variety of diseases and conditions. For the general public, the field is often[…]

Young Women with Low Risk Have Lower Death Rate By Elizabeth Crown Young women at low risk for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have lower long-term death rates from these diseases and all other causes compared with those with higher risk levels, according to an article in the Oct. 6 issue of the[…]

October 12, 2004 Nobel Winner is Northwestern Researcher CHICAGO—Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine has a connection to the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Nobel laureate Aaron Ciechanover, PhD, who with two other scientists discovered how a protein called ubiquitin within cells targets other proteins to be discarded, is in the second year of a[…]