Researchers identify duplicated gene as cause of social deficits and seizures in autism type, finding that reducing PRRT2 levels can restore normal brain activity and behavior. This discovery could lead to novel therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders with brain over-activation.
Researchers found that gene therapy approach and small molecule treatment can calm the destructive cells of ALS by preserving upper motor neurons. Improving mitochondrial health also reduces astrocyte attack on diseased neurons, offering new hope for treating ALS.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a first-of-its-kind small, flexible, stretchable bandage that accelerates healing by delivering electrotherapy directly to the wound site. The bandage healed diabetic ulcers 30% faster than in mice without the bandage.
The study found that the US uses mostly synthetic graphite, which is produced from fossil fuel industry by-products, while natural graphite is sourced from mines and imported. The researchers suggest increasing domestic production and recycling of graphite-containing products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Northwestern University researchers developed a wearable device to track vocal usage and alert users to overuse before vocal fatigue sets in. The device, accompanying algorithms, and app help prevent injury among professionals and patients with voice disorders.
A new Northwestern University study suggests that COVID-19 boosters may be less effective due to pre-existing antibodies from initial vaccinations. The study found that these antibodies can rapidly clear the booster from the body, limiting its efficacy. Increasing time between vaccinations is also beneficial for the immune response.
A smart necklace called SmokeMon tracks a user's every puff and provides valuable insights into their smoking behavior. By analyzing heat signatures, the device can detect when a cigarette is being lit, how much smoke is inhaled, and when the person holds it to their mouth, helping to prevent relapse and improve quit rates.
Research suggests that restricted access to abortions will cause severe stress for individuals carrying unwanted pregnancies, which may lead to psychiatric illnesses and developmental problems in children. This stress can exacerbate existing psychiatric vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of relapse or new episodes.
A physician-anthropologist proposes a national decarceration program with a new federal department of community safety and repair. The program would hire two million community health and justice workers to repair the long-term health and economic harm of mass incarceration.
Researchers from Northwestern University have developed a new biosensor device that accurately detects toxic levels of fluoride in water, allowing for easy use outside of a lab. The device has been field-tested in rural Kenya, showing excellent accuracy and usability results.
Researchers decipher metabolic mechanisms of Comamonas testosteroni to digest complex carbons, enabling potential for biotechnology platforms that recycle plastic waste. The study reveals a novel approach to upcycle plastic waste into industrially relevant polymers.
Researchers developed a new way to increase vaccine potency by changing the structural location of antigens and adjuvants. This approach, called 'rational vaccinology,' allows for precise dosing and tailored presentation of vaccine components, leading to improved immune response and cancer cell targeting.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a sustainable biorefinery that turns organic waste, including lignin, into valuable products. The process involves a microbial electrolysis cell that breaks down lignin into aromatic compounds with medicinal properties.
Researchers studied ancient sediment and microfossils to understand the Ocean Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2), a significant environmental disruption that choked oxygen from oceans. The team proposes a new hypothesis for the Plenus Cold Event, which briefly interrupted intense greenhouse temperatures due to ocean acidification.
A transdisciplinary team at Northwestern University developed a vertical electrochemical transistor that amplifies important signals, making it suitable for wearable devices in bioelectronics. The transistor's high performance and stability enable efficient on-site signal processing.
A new study finds delayed appendicitis diagnosis is more common in non-Hispanic Black adults, particularly in lower-quality hospitals with fewer minority patients. Hospital integration that serves diverse populations may improve clinical care and create a sustainable healthcare system.
Researchers have created highly mature human neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells using 'dancing molecules.' These mature neurons demonstrate enhanced signaling capabilities and branching ability, making them suitable for studying neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer's. The breakthrough technique opens new opportuni...
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new earthquake probability model that considers the specific order and timing of previous earthquakes. This allows for more accurate forecasting and explains why earthquakes sometimes come in clusters.
A multidisciplinary team led by Northwestern University has developed an electric motor that can convert electrical energy into unidirectional motion at the molecular level. The motor's design is based on a catenane molecule and has the potential to make a huge difference in medicine, particularly in biomolecular motors in the human body.
Researchers have discovered the tightest ultracool dwarf binary system, comprising two stars that orbit each other in less than a day. The newly discovered LP 413-53AB system is composed of ultracool dwarfs and has an orbital period at least three times shorter than previously detected systems.
A study led by Northwestern University has connected Caribbean breadfruit to its history, tracing five major lineages to Capt. Bligh's introduction in the Caribbean Sea. The research also found that original breadfruit tree cultivars have survived for centuries and are thriving.
A cross-disciplinary team at Northwestern University has developed a sensor platform that can detect environmental contaminants like fluoride in real-world samples. The team used an established riboswitch to build a biosensor for fluoride, encapsulating the sensor inside a fatty membrane to protect it from contaminants.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that all U.S. OB-GYN subspecialties lack racial and ethnic representation in clinical trials and research publications. This absence has negative consequences, including biased tools for diagnosing endometrial cancer and unacceptably low sensitivity in the Black female population.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a super-hydrophilic wire that can attract and propel water droplets, increasing their speed by up to 270% when they coalesce. This innovation has implications for optimizing fog harvesting, mist elimination, microplastics remediation, and biomedical filters.
A Northwestern University study found that as people age, their cerebrospinal fluid immune system becomes dysregulated, leading to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. The discovery provides a new clue to the process of neurodegeneration and may potentially be used to treat inflammation of the brain.
Research reveals stark racial and ethnic differences in swimming skills, with Black and Latine parents less confident in their abilities and fewer children taking swim lessons. Culturally tailored water-safety programs are crucial to eliminating these disparities and reducing child drownings.
Researchers found that longer genes are linked to longer lifespans and shorter genes to shorter lifespans, with aging causing a shift towards short genes. This imbalance leads to subtle changes in thousands of genes across various tissues, suggesting systems-level changes contribute to aging.
A team of astrophysicists has discovered that at least some long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) can result from neutron star mergers, contradicting the long-held belief that they solely originate from massive star collapses. This finding also sheds new light on the formation of the heaviest elements in the universe.
A new study from Northwestern University found that vitamin D supplements do not significantly reduce statin-associated muscle symptoms, contradicting previous non-randomized studies. The trial involved 2,083 participants and was the first placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to examine this effect.
Researchers create most extensive inventory to date of SGRB host galaxies, finding 85% come from young, actively star-forming galaxies. The study also reveals more SGRBs occurred earlier in the universe's history and were spotted far outside their host galaxies.
A study found that ER visits for suicidal thoughts among youth aged 5-19 increased by 59% from 2016-2017 to 2019-2021, with hospitalizations rising by 57%. The research highlights the need for improved mental wellness support and training for healthcare providers.
Scientists at Northwestern Medicine have discovered a causal link between environmental phthalates and increased uterine fibroid growth. Exposure to certain phthalates, such as DEHP, may activate a hormonal pathway that causes fibroid tumors to grow. This study explains the mechanisms behind this association.
A new study found that Chinese incursions into Aksai Chin region are not random, but part of a strategically planned effort to gain control. The researchers believe deterrents could be established in specific areas to defuse tensions along the entire border.
The study proposes a multidisciplinary developmental perspective to understand leadership in adolescence, highlighting the importance of studying youth leadership and its impact on society. Researchers aim to develop leadership interventions to maximize potential and facilitate better diversification of the leadership pipeline.
Researchers used simulations of zebrafish brain, environment, and spatially-varying swimming behavior to conclude that fish look down to understand their surroundings' motion. This adaptive behavior helps fish avoid being swept away by turbulent water.
A study published in Nature Human Behavior finds that depolarization interventions reduce out-party animosity but do not affect anti-democratic attitudes. The researchers suggest focusing on promoting democracy's value itself rather than just reducing polarization.
Researchers from Northwestern University have synthesized open-channel superlattices with pores ranging from 10 to 1,000 nanometers in size. The new findings will enable the use of these colloidal crystals in molecular absorption and storage, separations, chemical sensing, catalysis, and optical applications.
A new study suggests that ancient sleeping bacteria could be found beneath Mars' surface, complicating efforts to search for life. The research team found that certain strains of bacteria can survive in Martian conditions, potentially contaminating future missions and posing biodefense risks.
Researchers found that reactivating memories during sleep improves memory storage by triggering electrical activity in the brain. The study, led by Northwestern University, used implanted electrodes to record brain activity in five patients while they slept and presented sounds associated with learned objects.
A new Northwestern Medicine study identifies common and rare gene mutations that impact radiation resistance and sensitivity. This information will allow clinicians to better calibrate radiation doses based on genetic mutations, improving treatment efficacy while reducing toxicity.
Research at Northwestern University finds that eating during the daytime is ideal for dissipating energy as heat, while nighttime eating disrupts this process. This study's findings have broad implications for dieting, sleep loss, and patient nutrition, particularly in cases of Type II Diabetes.
A pilot study found that a firearm safety program may not reach all parents equitably, with disparities affecting girls and some racial and ethnic minorities. The program aims to reduce suicide deaths by securely storing firearms.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that colloidal crystals with DNA can change shape in response to external stimuli, exhibiting a 'shape memory' effect. The crystals can break down but then revert to their original state when water is added, making them useful for sensing and optics applications.
Research reveals that pregnant smokers decrease their daily cigarette count by an average of one cigarette per day before realizing they are pregnant. This trend continues in the month following pregnancy recognition, with a decline from nine to five cigarettes per day on average.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers found that precipitation intensity has increased across the US, particularly in the East, South, and Midwest. The study analyzed historical precipitation data from two time periods (1951-1980 and 1991-2020) and discovered a systematic shift towards more intense rainfall events.
A new Northwestern University study finds that scientists who interact with others during assigned sessions at conferences are more likely to form productive collaborations. Virtual conferences also show promise for encouraging interactions and sparking collaborations.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new CRISPR-based therapy platform that can deliver cargo to a broader range of tissue and cell types, increasing its potential for treating various diseases. The platform achieves this by transforming the Cas-9 protein into a spherical nucleic acid and loading it with critical components.
Scientists at Northwestern University have identified a new gene that activates an aggressive subtype of small-cell lung cancer with no current effective treatment. Deleting this gene kills cancer cells in deadly subtype.
A new epigenetics drug, tazemetostat, has been found to stop bladder cancer growth by activating the immune system, not just inhibiting tumors. The drug targets the EZH2 gene and is being tested in clinical trials for late-stage bladder cancer.
A Northwestern University study found that physicians may deny care to people with disabilities due to bias and lack of knowledge about accommodations. The study's results suggest a need for changes in medical education and approach to improve accessibility for patients with disabilities.