By Robert J. Kriss

Sumit Dhar, chair of Northwestern’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, is sounding the alarm about hearing loss and ways to prevent it through early detection. He and his colleagues have developed tests that can detect the beginning of hearing loss before a person will likely notice it. These tests can be administered to people in their twenties and can play a valuable part in treatment to prevent the gradual loss of hearing over time — intervening before the deterioration is noticeable and possibly irreversible. As Professor Dhar says: “These new treatments need to be started in a preventive way rather than waiting to fix the organ when it’s half dead.” Read more about Dhar and the tests that can make a difference in your life here.

As a part of our ongoing initiative to introduce students to STEM professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds, Horizon Pharma and The Chicago Council on Science and Technology visited Perspectives Math and Science Academy to talk to students about college and entering STEM fields. Watch the interview here and check for a new video each month.

Learn more about our partners
Horizon Therapeutics: https://www.horizonpharma.com
Perspectives Math and Science Academy: https://pcsedu.org/pcs-our-campuses/perspectives-iit-math-science-academy/

By Dave Bukey, Mary Fitzpatrick, Robert J. Kriss

What could ants and bees possibly have to do with computers and space exploration?  You have to think outside the box to make the connections. The scientists at Argonne National Laboratory are doing just that as they work to design computer chips and Artificial Intelligence programs based upon neural networks found in insects.  These chips and programs are expected to increase the flexibility of Artificial Intelligence programs to learn new things in different environments using smaller amounts of energy – just what is needed to explore the ever-changing conditions of outer space over the decades required for space probes to travel their flight plans. 

Continue reading “Connecting Ants and Bees to Space Exploration — Thinking outside the box”

By Matt Golosinski

Originally published at: https://www.research.northwestern.edu/manufacturing-a-future-beyond-the-assembly-line/

Comment by Robert Kriss, C2ST

Engineering professor Jian Cao had a favorite toy growing up — a construction set — and she spent many hours joyfully building with it. Today, the eminent scientist is an associate vice president for research and director of the Northwestern Initiative for Manufacturing Science and Innovation (NIMSI).  Cao and her Chicago-based team are developing transformative technologies to shape manufacturing’s future. By harnessing the principles of engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, and environmental science,  Cao and NIMSI are creating the potential for better paying, more intellectually rewarding, and safer jobs in manufacturing — while also producing less expensive and better quality products. NIMSI is making technology work for workers and consumers while helping protect the environment.  Read more about how this Northwestern research could change the “Rustbelt” to the “High Tech Heartland” here.