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Read the latest news from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine. The links below take you to articles where you can learn more about our faculty’s latest achievements, awards and honors.
Everyone suffers decision fatigue, even physicians.
It’s 3 p.m., I’ve been seeing patients for a few hours and I feel my focus fading. I need to stay sharp for those still to come, so I grab a snack and some coffee.
This has become my afternoon ritual during my 20 years as a primary care doctor. Now, a new study confirms that my feared “3 o’clock fade” is real — and that it could affect patients’ health.
According to the study, published in JAMA Network Open, doctors ordered fewer breast and colon cancer screenings for patients later in the day, compared to first thing in the morning. All the patients were due for screening, but ordering rates were highest for patients with appointments around 8 a.m. By the end of the afternoon, the rates were 10 percent to 15 percent lower. The probable reasons? Running late and decision fatigue
Students, residents, faculty and staff recently traveled to Philadelphia to attend the Student National Medical Association annual conference for current and future underrepresented minority medical students.
Vincent Chen, a fourth-year medical student, was the first author of a study that estimated the lifetime risk for hypertension under new blood pressure thresholds.
Death rates due to heart failure are now increasing, and this increase is most prominent among younger adults under 65, according to a new study.
In the Department of Radiology, collaboration is essential for translating discoveries from bench to bedside.
Northwestern scientists have identified a new function for a transcription factor called BCL6, finding that it switches off genes involved in lipid metabolism.
The structure of spherical nucleic acids has the potential to improve the effectiveness of vaccines as well as cancer immunotherapies, according to a new study.
A gene involved in male hormone production plays a major role in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome, according to a recent study.
A relatively newer and more complex therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma did not show improvement over the current standard of care, but provides important new context for how the cancer affects treatment options.
Northwestern contributes to several programs that engage young learners in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education activities and helps them explore the many career opportunities in medicine and biomedical research.
A drug called niraparib showed clinically relevant activity in women with relapsed ovarian cancer who had exhausted all previous treatment options, according to a recent study.
High doses of vitamin D, in combination with chemotherapy, may improve progression-free survival in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, according to a clinical trial published in JAMA.
A team of scientists has identified new genetic regions associated with asthma in people of African ancestry, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
A delegation from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, including Northwestern oncology leaders, recently met with health leaders in Bolivia to begin generating cancer treatment recommendations to fit the country’s unique needs.
A recent study has shed light on how different strains of bacteria compete to cause pneumonia, findings that could inform how to best prevent infection.
Robert Riestenberg, a third-year medical student, was the first author of a recent study that evaluated statin use among people with HIV, a population at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Feinberg began moving into the new Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center on April 15, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of the medical school’s research enterprise.
Northwestern scientists recently identified a new protein complex that is upregulated in acute myeloid leukemia, potentially explaining why current therapies are often ineffective.
Higher levels of urinary oxalate excretion were associated with a higher risk of chronic kidney disease progression, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
More than 450 scientists, trainees, students and faculty presented posters and abstracts at Feinberg’s 15th Annual Lewis Landsberg Research day — the largest celebration of scientific investigation at Feinberg to date.
On March 21, Rod S. Passman, MD MSCE, was formally invested as the Jules J. Reingold Professor of Electrophysiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Feinberg investigators are conducting basic science research, epidemiological studies and drug trials of new therapies for food allergies to uncover the breadth of the problem, understand the basic cellular pathways and develop new avenues of treatment.
William McGaghie, PhD, professor of Medical Education and Preventive Medicine, received the 2019 John P. Hubbard Award from the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Measures of structural changes derived from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) have significant potential as a noninvasive way to measure the risk of heart transplant rejection, according to a new study.
A new study has uncovered a key mechanism underlying the control of a co-factor that is essential for all cells to grow and divide, and which may also play a key role in cancer cell growth.
Northwestern Medicine scientists discovered how circadian rhythm regulates hunger, a long-suspected connection that was identified in a study published in Cell Metabolism
The recipients of the 2019 Mentor of the Year Award, Tamara Isakova, MD, MMSc, and John Varga, MD, discussed their experiences as mentors and shared strategies during a recent workshop.
In a study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, Northwestern Medicine scientists identified a new therapeutic target that may help protect kidney function in patients with diabetes.
Increased consumption of eggs and dietary cholesterol is linked to a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death, according to a new study.
Forty new members were inducted into Northwestern’s chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society during a ceremony on March 12.
Hossein Ardehali, MD, PhD, was elected president of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, an honor society of physician-scientists founded in 1908.
According to a recent study, a novel nanoparticle-based drug repaired neurons and improved microvasculature in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia 1, a degenerative disease that affects the cerebellum.
Ankit Bharat, MBBS, the Harold L. & Margaret N. Method Research Professor of Surgery, has been named chief of Thoracic Surgery in the Department of Surgery.
Northwestern Medicine investigators discovered a method to modulate levels of a protein that is known to drive inflammation, by manipulating levels of an amino acid known as serine.
A quality improvement program significantly increased the proportion of patients who were appropriately prescribed blood thinners for atrial fibrillation at hospital discharge.
Jacob Pierce, a third-year student in Northwestern’s MD/MPH Combined Degree Program, is the first author of a study that found adverse childhood experiences significantly increase the risk for heart attack and stroke later in life.
According to a recent study, Northwestern scientists have pinpointed how an ectoenzyme called CD73 undermines the effectiveness of an emerging cancer therapy.
Northwestern faculty translate cardiovascular discoveries into clinical guidelines for the nation.
Most patients who report a penicillin allergy are in fact not allergic, and verifying allergies before resorting to less-effective antibiotics can improve outcomes and avoid the spread of antimicrobial resistance, according to a review in JAMA.
Northwestern scientists came together to discuss the importance of women’s health research and mark the third anniversary of a landmark sex-inclusion policy by the NIH.
Subcutaneous fat cells in mice expanded after a gene transcription factor was deleted, according to a new study published in Cell Reports.
Americans with primary care received significantly more high-value care and reported better patient experience and healthcare access, compared to those without primary care, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
During the week after the eponymous holiday, Northwestern hosted a series of panel discussions, documentary screenings, service activities and a student oratorical contest.
A Northwestern Medicine study provides new insights into a signaling pathway in metastatic prostate cancer and suggests that a novel drug combination may improve treatment response and slow cancer growth.
A one-time stem cell transplantation therapy for multiple sclerosis showed improvements over the current treatment, according to a preliminary trial.
A new study published in The BMJ illustrates the scale of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in the U.S. outpatient setting, with the most comprehensive estimates to date.
Northwestern Medicine scientists demonstrated how innate immune cells in inflamed tissue induce DNA damage that promotes the development of cancer.
Northwestern Medicine scientists have demonstrated that a specific mitochondrial protein complex is essential to the immunosuppressive activity of regulatory T-cells.
A new full-body scan could help clinicians better assess patients during cancer treatment, according to a recent study.
Northwestern Medicine scientists have identified a gene, called isocitrate dehydrogenase 3-alpha, that promotes tumors in grade IV glioblastoma, according to a study published in Science Advances.
Elizabeth McNally, MD, PhD, has been elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, joining more than 900 other inventors, who were selected for prolific innovations that improve quality of life or economic development.
In Feinberg's unique Education-Centered Medical Home program, medical students learn to provide primary care to vulnerable populations living in Chicago.
Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered a novel signaling pathway that promotes healing and tissue repair after heart attack, in a study published in Cell Metabolism.
A treatment of inhaled inorganic nitrite did not improve exercise capacity among patients with a common form of heart failure, according to a clinical trial published in JAMA.
Two drugs commonly prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes carry a high risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure or amputation, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study.
Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered two successful therapies that slowed the progression of pediatric leukemia in mice, the first step towards a pediatric leukemia “super drug.”
A drug called brentuximab vedotin combined with chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival for patients with a type of T-cell lymphoma, according to a clinical trial in The Lancet.
Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered that an enzyme called EZH2 can activate expression of the androgen receptor gene, which drives prostate cancer growth.
A human protein called RBBP6 helps fight the Ebola virus by interfering with the virus replication cycle, according to a study recently published in Cell.
Men with inflammatory bowel disease have four to five times higher risk of prostate cancer, according to a new 20-year study.
Farzaneh Sorond, MD, PhD, has been named the new associate dean for Faculty Development for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Inhibiting CHAF1B, a protein that normally helps replenish blood cells, may be a promising treatment for leukemia, according to a recent study.
From fundamental new understandings of the cell published in Nature to landmark clinical trials in the New England Journal of Medicine and cross-disciplinary collaborations in Science Translational Medicine, investigators throughout our institution have advanced new knowledge that is already transforming their diverse fields.
Feinberg faculty, staff, students and community partners gathered at the inaugural IPHAM Population Health Forum to share their experience improving the health of communities in Chicago and around the world.
Northwestern scientists specializing in HIV and AIDS gathered to share their experiences during a panel held December 3, to commemorate World AIDS Day.
Michael Ison, MD, a professor of infectious diseases at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a physician at Northwestern Medicine, weighs in on how rare flu shot side effects really are.
A Northwestern Medicine study has revealed new insights into a pathway in prostate cancer and identified a potential new therapeutic target for aggressive disease.
The 8th Annual Les Turner Symposium brought together investigators, clinicians, patients and families to share the latest discoveries in ALS research, promote scientific collaboration and provide patient education.
The Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics is connecting the Northwestern academic and medical community to integrate the study of epigenetics into science and clinical care.
Scientists have identified a novel regulator of liver metabolism, which could serve as a potential therapeutic target for obesity, type 2 diabetes and related conditions.
The inaugural Women in Medicine Symposium brought together faculty, scientists, trainees and students to highlight achievements of women faculty and identify ongoing challenges in career development.
Inflammation has unexpected effects on body clock function and can lead to sleep and shiftwork-type disorders, according to a new study.
A kill code is embedded in every cell in the body whose function may be to cause the self-destruction of cells that become cancerous, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.
A drug called bevacizumab added to adjuvant chemotherapy did not improve outcomes for patients with a form of high-risk breast cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered how circulating tumor cells cluster together during metastasis — findings that reveal a novel mechanism for how cancer spreads and a potential new target for treatment.
James Carr, MD, ’00 ’01 GME, the Knight Family Professor of Cardiac Imaging, has been named chair of the Department of Radiology.
A drug called palbociclib, used in combination with standard treatment, improved survival for women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.
Metformin, an inexpensive diabetes drug, has been found to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes triggered by air pollution by reducing inflammation in the lungs that triggers clotting.
"We looked at all outpatient antibiotic prescribing and results suggest misuse of these drugs is a huge problem, no matter the symptom," said Jeffrey A. Linder, MD, MPH, lead author of the study and chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago. "We found that nearly half the time, clinicians have either a bad reason for prescribing antibiotics, or don't provide a reason at all. When you consider about 80 percent of antibiotics are prescribed on an outpatient basis, that's a concern."
Clinicians prescribed antibiotics without an infection-related diagnosis nearly half of the time and one in five prescriptions were provided without an in-person visit, according to research being presented at IDWeek 2018. The study, which is the first to look at overall outpatient antibiotic prescribing, analyzed more than half a million prescriptions from 514 outpatient clinics.
Scientists have developed soft materials that assemble and disassemble on demand, opening the door for applications including robotics, drug delivery and tissue regeneration.
Faculty, family and friends gathered at a symposium to honor Robert Goldman, PhD, chair of Cell and Molecular Biology, and his distinguished scientific career.
A novel chemotherapy regimen led to improved outcomes for older patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, similar to those of younger patients, according to a Northwestern Medicine clinical trial.
Northwestern University's Division of Infectious Diseases would like to congratulate Mamoudou Maiga, MD, PhD on receiving a Minority HIV Investigator Mentoring Program Award from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) for 2018-2019.
At the eighth annual Medical Education Day, Feinberg faculty, students and staff gathered to celebrate and advance medical education through workshops, lectures and an awards reception.
Students, faculty and alumni gathered for the seventh annual Driskill Day, celebrating the Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences by welcoming 28 new students and showcasing the program’s strengths in scholarship and scientific investigation.
Led by Melissa Simon, MD, MPH, the Center for Health Equity Transformation will build research infrastructure, conduct workforce development and support community partners in the effort to advance population health equity.
A new study finds that excessive carbon dioxide in a patient’s bloodstream can lead to a restricted airway, calling into question current clinical practices for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Scientists have shown they can predict which chronic pain patients will respond to a placebo pill based on brain anatomy and psychological characteristics.
A pregnant woman’s higher blood sugar level is linked to a significantly greater long-term risk of obesity in her child – even more than a decade later.
The first simple blood test to identify your body’s precise internal time clock as compared to the external time has been developed by Northwestern Medicine scientists.
A recent Northwestern Medicine study found that proteins linked to age-related macular degeneration crossed the blood-ocular barrier of aberrantly formed new blood vessels, a process that may contribute to disease.
Feinberg has been awarded a prestigious O’Brien Kidney Center from The National Institutes of Health to expand research into the prevention and treatment of kidney diseases.
A drug called mogamulizumab significantly improved progression-free survival for patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, according to a study published in The Lancet Oncology.
Northwestern Medicine scientists demonstrated the efficacy of novel treatments for heart failure and provided new insights into mechanisms of the disease, in three recent studies.
Molecular autopsies can reveal genetic risk factors in young people who unexpectedly die, but proper interpretation of the results can be challenging, according to a recent study.
The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University has been renewed for a fourth five-year grant, totaling $31.5 million and representing a 36 percent increase over its previous funding.
First-year students donned their white coats for the first time at Founders’ Day, an annual event that celebrates the incoming medical students and the history of the medical school.
EHR-based tools designed to help patients manage complex drug regimens failed to improve medication adherence or lower blood pressure among patients with hypertension, according to a Northwestern Medicine study.
Northwestern Medicine scientists have shown for the first time how an RNA-binding protein in the liver plays an important role in regulating insulin sensitivity throughout the body.
Feinberg faculty members, scientists and students learned how to move their health information technologies toward commercialization at INVOForward, a mentorship program in biomedical entrepreneurship.
Jason Wertheim, MD, PhD, vice chair for research in the Department of Surgery, has been named associate director for admissions of Feinberg’s Medical Scientist Training Program.
A protein called tristetraprolin is activated during iron deficiency, lowering iron usage and preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, according to a recent Northwestern Medicine study.
Ali Shilatifard, PhD, has been appointed editor of Science Advances, an open-access journal published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which also publishes the journal Science.
A team of scientists has identified thousands of lincRNAs — long non-coding RNA molecules produced by so-called “junk DNA” — that are unique to human fat cells and may play an important role in fat metabolism.
A new Northwestern Medicine study has identified a trigger of some fibrotic diseases and an experimental compound to treat it.
Lee Lindquist, '00 MD, chief of Geriatrics, helps families start difficult conversations about aging with the website Plan Your Lifespan.
Two drugs that target mutations in leukemia showed encouraging results, according to recent clinical trials.
Sean Jenvay, a fourth-year medical student, plays an active role in the medical school community through his involvement in wellness and curriculum development.
Feinberg scientists are confronting significant, global challenges -- from antimicrobial resistance to HIV -- through collaborative, cutting-edge basic science and clinical research within the Division of Infectious Diseases.