Researchers developed a novel computational method to control large complex networks using local information, addressing the challenge of controlling complex systems. The method considers computational time and information communication costs to produce optimal choices.
A Northwestern University-led team developed a biocompatible implant that uses targeted cooling to relieve pain on demand. The device, which can be controlled remotely, has the potential to provide an alternative to highly addictive medications.
A Northwestern University-led team developed a 3D simulation of jet evolution, explaining GRB blinking and rarity. The new model shows that GRBs are punctuated by quiet moments due to wobbling jets, which also indicate they are rarer than previously thought.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that many Joint Commission rules for hospitals and nursing homes are not supported by evidence, despite being backed by accreditation and funding. The study suggests that these unproven rules can waste money and resources, diverting attention from more important patient care initiatives.
A study of 552 older adults found that those exposed to light during sleep were significantly more likely to develop obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. The study suggests that minimizing light exposure at night can help prevent these conditions.
A systematic review of 84 studies found insufficient evidence that multivitamins or supplements can prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer in healthy adults. In contrast, diet and exercise are key to maintaining health. Whole fruits and vegetables contain a mixture of vitamins, phytochemicals, fiber, and other nutrients that act syn...
An interdisciplinary team of Northwestern University researchers has developed a new method to determine the fingerprint of neighboring disorder in 2D materials. This method enables a universal curve that characterizes disorder potentials, leading to improved performance in transistors and gas sensors.
A Northwestern University-led team of astrophysicists observed a star-forming cloud and discovered a twisted magnetic field that suggests the formation of a binary star system. The researchers believe a previously hidden sibling star may be responsible for the twisted field, which shifted the dynamics of the cloud to form a new star.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a photosynthesis-inspired process to convert acetylene into ethylene, a key ingredient in plastics. The new method uses visible light and water instead of high temperatures, flammable hydrogen, and expensive metals, achieving nearly 100% selectivity for ethylene.
A new Northwestern University study reveals ketamine's fast-acting antidepressant effects by increasing activity in existing newborn neurons, offering hope for a faster-working treatment with fewer side effects.
Researchers at Northwestern University unveiled a new smart pacemaker that harmlessly dissolves in the body after use. The device communicates with a coordinated network of wearable sensors to continuously monitor physiological functions and autonomously detect abnormal cardiac rhythms.
Northwestern University engineers created a tiny, remote-controlled walking robot resembling a peekytoe crab. The robot is smaller than a flea and can bend, twist, crawl, walk, turn, and jump due to its shape-memory alloy material and elastic resilience.
Researchers found that male pheromones slowed down the aging of female roundworm eggs, resulting in healthier offspring. This finding could lead to pharmacological interventions improving human egg cell quality and delaying reproductive aging. The study used C. elegans as a model organism.
Research on experimental drug NU-9 invents by Northwestern University scientists reveals it is more effective than existing FDA-approved drugs for ALS treatment. NU-9 also repairs the axons of diseased upper motor neurons in ALS mouse model, offering a potential new approach to treating the devastating disease.
A new drug called abemaciclib has been shown to halt the growth of recurring brain tumors in patients with aggressive meningiomas. The treatment targets a common molecular pathway that enables cells to divide rapidly and come back after surgery, allowing researchers to predict recurrence more accurately.
Scientists have discovered a single master gene that programs ear hair cells into either outer or inner ones, overcoming a major hurdle in restoring hearing. This discovery is a major step towards developing specific cells to produce sound.
Scientists have discovered a master gene that programs ear hair cells into either outer or inner ones, enabling the development of these cells to restore hearing. This breakthrough could provide a previously unavailable tool to create specific hair cells and improve treatments for age-related hearing loss.
A study by Northwestern University reveals that police misconduct is a group phenomenon contributing to racial disparities in arrests and civilian complaints. The analysis identified 160 potential 'crews' of officers with an outsized share of misconduct complaints, accounting for 25% of all use-of-force complaints.
A Northwestern University astrophysics team proposes that fast blue optical transients (FBOTs) originate from the cocoons of jets launched by dying stars. The new model, fully consistent with all FBOT observations, suggests that as the jet pushes the cocoon outward, it cools and releases heat, emitting an observed FBOT emission.
A study of 118 PPA autopsies found five diseases causing language impairments, each impacting a distinct part of the language network. The findings can inform targeted interventions and treatment approaches for patients with PPA.
Researchers developed a protein-based antiviral nasal spray that thwarts infection by interfering with the virus' ability to enter cells. The treatment neutralizes all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants, including omicron subvariants, and is more cost-effective and self-administerable than current antibody therapies.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a stable and selective catalyst for breaking down polyester-based plastics into their component parts. The method uses metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and requires only three components: plastic, hydrogen, and the catalyst.
Researchers have developed a new potential COVID-19 treatment using decoy nanoparticles that mimic cells. These nanoparticles effectively inhibit viruses and bind them, rendering them inactive. The treatment has shown promise against drug-resistant variants, outperforming traditional treatments in some cases.
Patients with serious illnesses seek cosmetic procedures to maintain their physical and mental well-being, as well as to become comfortable in social settings. The study found that these procedures are often chosen for noninvasive treatments and endorsed by doctors, friends, and family.
A new approach for measuring physician adherence to best practices has been developed, taking into consideration patient characteristics and physician training background. The study found that pulmonary and critical care medicine training was associated with higher recognition of ARDS, a form of lung failure.
A new Northwestern Medicine study has found that the COVID-19 vaccine is not associated with birth defects that are detectable on ultrasound. The study analyzed electronic medical records from a cohort of 3,156 pregnant people who received at least one vaccine dose and found no increased risk of major fetal structural anomalies.
A new study from Northwestern University found that once-weekly prednisone treatment improved exercise endurance, increased lean body mass, and reduced weight in obese mice. The treatment also promoted nutrient uptake into muscles and increased adiponectin levels, a hormone that helps protect against diabetes and insulin resistance.
Researchers at Northwestern University used CRISPR to identify human genes important for HIV infection in blood cells, finding 86 genes that may play a role in replication and disease. The study proposes a new map for understanding how HIV integrates into the DNA and establishes chronic infections.
A new study discovered a previously unknown mechanism in roundworms that protects their egg cells from division errors, which could lead to new strategies for combatting infertility in humans. The study found that removing certain proteins allowed another motor protein to kick in as a backup, restoring the spindle structure and allowin...
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered a new mechanism called strand displacement, where RNA strands invade and displace each other to enable genetic expression. This finding has potential implications for designing successful drugs to target RNA-based diagnostics and treating illness and disease.
A new vaccine platform, using spherical nucleic acid (SNA) nanoparticles, has been shown to produce an immune response in animals and offer protection against lethal doses of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The results suggest that this approach could be used to target other infectious diseases.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed an AI-assisted Nanofountain Probe Electroporation system to engineer stem cells. The new method reduces cell loss and increases throughput, enabling selective manipulation of individual cells in micro-arrays.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new technique to break down polyester plastic waste into its fundamental components. This process, called upcycling, has the potential to remove microplastics from rivers and oceans.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered key structures controlling methane conversion in methane-eating bacteria, enabling potential human-made biological catalysts. The findings may lead to biotechnological applications such as harnessing methane from fracking sites or cleaning up oil spills.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed an electron-based catalyst for noncovalent bonding, promoting self-assembly and complex structure formation. This breakthrough enables the control of molecular recognition processes at a fundamental level.
A blood test may identify risk of stillbirth and placentitis in pregnant individuals who have had COVID-19. The finding could improve care for high-risk pregnancies and lead to the development of a new screening tool.
A new highly sensitive and easy-to-use COVID-19 test has received FDA EUA status, developed at Northwestern University's Center for Innovation in Global Health Technologies. The DASH test uses a single swab and 15 minutes to detect virus samples with PCR-level accuracy.
Scientists who interact with others during assigned sessions at conferences are more likely to form productive collaborations than those who do not. Virtual conferences are found to be just as effective as in-person conferences in encouraging interactions and sparking collaborations.
A new study from Northwestern University finds that even moderate light exposure during sleep harms cardiovascular function and increases insulin resistance. Closing blinds and using dim lighting before bed can help mitigate these effects.
A new Northwestern University study found that pregnant women often continue to experience depression and anxiety symptoms even with antidepressant treatment. The study suggests that these women require closer monitoring during pregnancy and postpartum to tailor their treatment and alleviate symptoms.
Using a novel method to arrange molecules, Northwestern University researchers have created a material that performs even better than the glue they were trying to mimic. The protein-like polymer can be used as an adhesive in biomedical contexts, such as wound healing or repair.
For the first time, astronomers believe they've spotted an afterglow from a kilonova, a phenomenon resulting from the merger of two neutron stars. The discovery was made using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and has sparked debate over whether it's a kilonova or black hole-related X-rays.
Northwestern University researchers used live imaging and computational tools to study the development of a fruit fly's compound eye. They found that cells move into position using mechanical forces, not just chemical signals. The discovery provides new insights into pattern formation in tissues.
Researchers at Northwestern University and LanzaTech developed a new gas fermentation process that converts CO2 into acetone and isopropanol. The process reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 160% compared to conventional methods, making it a promising alternative for industrial scale production.
A 25-year longitudinal study of juvenile justice-involved youth found significant health needs and disparities. The Northwestern Juvenile Project has informed policies and driven reform in the US criminal justice system.
A new DNA-based device can detect contamination levels in water, providing a more accurate picture of water quality. The device uses genetic networks to mimic electronic circuits and can detect zinc, lead, and other contaminants at varying concentrations.
A new method using Monte Carlo simulations enables researchers to study radiation-sensitive soft nanomaterials in organic solvents for the first time. The technique allows for the creation of a method to test the suitability of any solvent, providing valuable insights into these dynamic systems.
A new study has discovered that as brains mature, the precise ways in which two key memory regions communicate make us better at forming lasting memories. The findings also suggest how brains learn to multitask with age, with slower oscillations in older participants and faster oscillations in younger ones.
A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals that more than half of young women in the US have at least one risk factor for poor heart health before pregnancy. Optimizing heart health before and during pregnancy can prevent complications, deliver a healthy baby, and even reduce the risk of heart disease years later.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found a probable variant of concern, eta, circulating in Nigeria in early 2021, but was grossly underreported globally. The study discovered that eta had characteristics of a variant of concern and outcompeted the alpha variant in West Africa.