A Northwestern University study found that unionizing resident doctors does not reduce burnout, but provides additional benefits such as more vacation time and housing stipends. The study suggests that improving resident wellness requires a program-by-program approach, with implementing wellness toolkits being a promising solution.
A recent Northwestern University study reveals that receiving a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine significantly boosts immunity against COVID-19. The research found that even prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2 does not guarantee high antibody levels or robust response to the first vaccine dose, contradicting common assumptions.
A Northwestern University study found that people become less sensitive to food odors after eating a meal, making it harder to choose healthier options. The research suggests an evolutionary benefit to this feedback loop, potentially improving nutrient intake and reducing disordered eating.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed optimized yeast extracts for cell-free biosynthesis, enabling faster and more efficient chemical production. This breakthrough integrates cellular engineering with cell-free systems, paving the way for sustainable alternatives to current petrochemical processes.
Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully created a double layer of atomically flat borophene, a feat that defies the natural tendency of boron to form non-planar clusters. The material maintains its electronic properties while offering new advantages, including potential applications in energy and chemical storage.
A new study suggests that a treatment for canine glioblastoma may also be effective in humans, with some dogs experiencing significant tumor shrinkage. The treatment uses an immunotherapy drug called STING agonist, which induced a robust immune response against cancer cells.
A Northwestern University research team proposes a practical way to make ships CO2-neutral using solid oxide fuel cells. The technology can store and utilize captured CO2, enabling CO2-negative emissions from cargo ships. This method is more viable than battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell options for long-range vehicles.
A Northwestern University study found that COVID-19 death rates had a significant impact on the 2020 presidential election. Counties with high mortality rates saw smaller increases in Democratic voters, while those with lower mortality rates saw larger increases in support for Joe Biden.
A new simulation developed at Northwestern University reveals the role of galaxy spiral arms in feeding supermassive black holes with gas. The study uses high-powered computing to model gas flow across vast distances and provides insight into quasars, which are incredibly luminous fast-growing black holes.
A new study developed a successful approach for identifying proteins in different types of neurons in the brain of a living animal. The technique uses a virus to tag neighboring proteins, allowing researchers to analyze the entire proteome inside living neurons.
A new study from Northwestern University found that primary touch-sensitive neurons respond to multiple types of touch and varying degrees. Researchers developed a comprehensive technique to stimulate rats' whiskers in three dimensions while recording brain activity, revealing that these neurons communicate touch in a more complex manner.
Researchers have developed a high-performing thermoelectric material that converts heat to electricity with record-high efficiency, making it suitable for widespread industrial applications. The purified tin selenide in polycrystalline form overcomes earlier oxidation problems, enabling the production of low-cost and efficient devices.
Scientists developed new AI-based tools to identify and study materials exhibiting a metal-insulator transition (MIT), which could lead to faster and more energy-efficient microelectronic devices. The tools provide a freely available database, online classifier, and new features for characterizing these materials.
Researchers found a strong association between higher net worth and lower mortality risk among adults in the US. Even within sibling pairs, those with greater wealth tended to live longer, suggesting that wealth accumulation may have a causal impact on longevity.
Researchers developed a new framework using machine learning that improves the accuracy of interatomic potentials for designing new nanomaterials. The findings suggest a positive correlation between the complexity and number of parameters and the accuracy of interatomic potential.
A new study from Northwestern University found that each additional pre-pregnancy cardiovascular risk factor increases the likelihood of pregnancy complications. Women with multiple risk factors are more likely to experience adverse outcomes such as maternal ICU admission, preterm birth, low birthweight, and fetal death.
Northwestern University engineers created the first full 3D simulation of a rat's complete whisker system, providing rare insight into how rats actively sense their natural environments. The model incorporates 60 individual whiskers and simulates rats in various environments, revealing unique patterns of data.
Researchers have detected two events of black holes merging with neutron stars, providing insights into their origins and merger rates. The findings will enable the drawing of conclusions about the host of astrophysical models of compact object formation and binary evolution.
Researchers at Northwestern and George Washington universities developed a wireless, battery-free pacemaker that disappears after use. The device wirelessly harvests energy from an external antenna, eliminating the need for bulky batteries and rigid hardware.
Researchers at Northwestern University and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have discovered that muscles lose sarcomeres -- their smallest building blocks -- after a stroke. This loss results in shorter muscle fibers and tighter muscles, making it harder for patients to regain function.
A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals persistent racial disparities in cirrhosis outcomes, with Black patients facing higher mortality rates and lower transplant approval rates. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve healthcare access for Black patients, who face structural and institutional barriers...
Researchers developed a new magnetic memory device using antiferromagnetic materials, offering improved scalability, write speed, and security. The device's unique structure allows for simultaneous writing and reading of data, addressing key challenges in high-performance AI applications.
Northwestern University researchers have developed a smarter, more durable and highly functional cement by introducing nanoparticles into ordinary cement. The new material shows improved water transport properties, including pore structure and water penetration resistance, with reported relative decreases of 76% and 78%, respectively.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that the hippocampus is not just essential for long-term memory but also supports short-term memory and guides decision-making. The findings suggest that the hippocampus uses short-term memory to inform where we look, priming our visual system to learn and reevaluate our environment on the fly.
Researchers at Northwestern University have identified a novel target for a drug to treat SARS-CoV-2 and potential future coronaviruses. The new therapy could be taken early in the disease to prevent severe symptoms.
Researchers developed a new transparent material that captures and removes droplets and aerosols from indoor air, effectively eliminating potential sources of transmission. The coating can be applied to various surfaces and is compatible with antiviral materials.
A new study at Northwestern University suggests that environmental inequities may lead to health disparities through the gut microbiome. Minoritized populations are more likely to have lower microbial diversity and associated health risks due to limited access to green space.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a method to make commercially available PCR tests shelf-stable for up to 30 days by freeze-drying the reagents with a standard preservative. This breakthrough could enable widespread COVID-19 testing in low-resource settings and reduce logistical challenges.
A new study found that people with diabetes who experience frequent sleep disturbances are 87% more likely to die within 9 years compared to those without diabetes or sleep disturbances. Answering a simple question about sleep can help address sleep disturbances earlier in life and mitigate this increased risk.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that routine check-ups have several health benefits, including better detection and treatment of chronic illnesses, increased vaccinations and screenings, and improved patient-reported outcomes. These benefits are particularly important for at-risk populations.
Researchers develop porous membrane that sequesters up to 99% of phosphate ions from water, making it reusable and efficient. The technology has promise in scaling up to tackle massive environmental problems like eutrophication.
A Northwestern University study found that specific types of gut bacteria can protect other good bacteria from cancer treatments. By metabolizing chemotherapy drugs, these protective bacteria can temper short- and long-term side effects of treatment, potentially leading to new dietary supplements or probiotics.
Researchers discovered a rare iron mineral in the teeth of a large mollusk called chiton. The finding helps understand how the tooth is designed to endure chewing on rocks, and inspired the development of a bio-inspired ink for 3D printing.
A new study from Northwestern University found that self-affirmation can help Black medical students overcome fatigue, improve their sense of belonging, and reduce competitiveness for high-need residency spots. The intervention also showed promise in reducing stereotype threat and improving residency goal stability.
The STARFORGE simulation reveals that protostellar jets play a vital role in determining a star's mass, with jets disrupting the inflow of gas toward the star. This breakthrough helps researchers better understand star formation and its impact on galaxy evolution.
A Northwestern University-led team is developing a wireless implant that regulates circadian clocks, aiming to halve recovery time from disrupted sleep. The 'living pharmacy' device could also treat pain and disease with precise timing and dosing.
A study by Northwestern University found that social media networking offers more professional benefits to male physicians than female physicians. Women are more likely to face online harassment and have fewer speaking opportunities, suggesting the same biases present in person also occur online.
A new Northwestern Medicine study of placentas from vaccinated patients found no evidence of injury, supporting the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy. The study adds to growing evidence that vaccination can protect fetuses without increasing harm.
Northwestern University researchers have successfully implanted a wireless device in mice, allowing them to form instant social bonds through optogenetics. The device uses light to activate neurons and enables the mice to interact normally without restraints.
Researchers have developed soft sensors that comprehensively monitor pregnant women without wires, providing more precise data on vital signs, physical movements, and laboring positions. The devices offer improved comfort and freedom of movement, while also increasing the reliability of data collected during labor.
Researchers used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to examine the massive star two-and-a-half years before its explosion. The team found that the star lacked its typical hydrogen layer, making it unusually cool before exploding into a supernova.
A new wearable sensor can quantify itch by measuring scratching motions, providing a crucial tool for diagnosing and treating atopic dermatitis. The device's accuracy has been validated in pediatric patients, making it an exciting development for managing the condition.
Researchers developed a brain-like device with organic, electrochemical synaptic transistors that mimic human brain's short-term and long-term plasticity. The device can learn by association and overcome traditional computing limitations, such as energy consumption and limited multitasking capabilities.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a new biomanufacturing platform that can increase protein-based vaccine yields by five-fold and reduce production costs to $1 per dose. The technology utilizes enriched cell-free extracts with cellular membranes, significantly broadening access to potentially lifesaving medicines.
Researchers from Northwestern University develop technology allowing microbes to produce drugs with self-regulating feedback control systems, improving reaction conditions and product yield. The innovation has vast implications for producing other drugs and products, potentially making therapeutics more accessible.
Researchers found that competition for resources led to the development of vastly different sizes between egg cells and sperm cells. The study used mathematical modeling to demonstrate how natural selection favored larger gametes due to increased nutritional value, while smaller gametes required fewer resources.
Researchers at Northwestern University used cryo-electron microscopy to visualize DNA breakage sensing and repair, gaining new insight into the process. The study's findings could potentially form the basis for understanding how cells respond to chemotherapy and radiation, leading to improved cancer treatments.
A Northwestern University study finds that emotional reviews, not star ratings, predict business success in various industries such as movies, books, and restaurants. The research uses computational linguistics to analyze the emotionality of reviews and shows that higher emotionality is associated with greater success.
Researchers found that fruit flies use decision-making, learning and memory to escape heat, a process that challenges traditional thinking on self-driving cars. The study's findings suggest that simple navigation can contain complex behavior, paving the way for future work in this area.
A new study found that high-intensity exercise with induced ischemic leg pain improves walking performance and distance in people with peripheral artery disease. Participants who walked at a pace causing discomfort showed significant improvements in six-minute walk distance and treadmill time.