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.
A new study found that nearly two-thirds of males and more than one-third of females with psychiatric disorders at the time of detention still had a disorder 15 years later. The findings highlight the need for expanded mental health services during detention and upon release.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a mechanical simulation of the whisker inside the follicle, discovering that bending creates an 'S'-shaped bend within the follicle. This deformation triggers sensor cells, sending touch signals to the brain, and can predict how whiskers activate different sensory cells.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that heterogeneity in power grid frequencies leads to faster stabilization when generators are damped by breakers at different rates. This discovery could improve stability and design of future grid systems.
A novel skin-mounted sticker has been developed to diagnose cystic fibrosis within minutes by changing color in response to chloride levels in sweat. The device is softer and more comfortable than traditional diagnostic tools, allowing for easier collection of sweat samples and faster diagnosis.
A new study from Northwestern University found that individuals' ideological beliefs about equality significantly impact their perception of social inequality. Egalitarians are more likely to notice disparities affecting disadvantaged groups, while anti-egalitarians are more tolerant of inequality between groups.
A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals significant disparities in heart failure mortality rates between rural and urban areas, with rural areas experiencing higher death rates. The research also highlights race disparities among Black adults under 65 years old.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method for producing propylene, a key component of plastics, that uses less energy. The technique, which involves the use of two catalysts, produces yields up to 30% higher than traditional methods, making it a promising solution for more energy-efficient plastics production.
Scientists have developed a novel technology combining 3-D bioelectronic systems with human neural cultures to study brain development and repair. The device can record electrical activity, manipulate neural activity using light pulses, and perform optogenetic experiments.
A Northwestern Medicine pilot study found that high levels of progesterone during the menstrual cycle can reduce stress after a concussion and speed recovery. Increased blood flow to the brain is also linked to lower stress symptom levels, providing new insights into how female athletes may recover from concussions.
Researchers have successfully created borophane, a stable form of atomically thin boron, which exhibits strength, flexibility and electronics properties. This breakthrough enables the exploration of its real-world applications in fields like batteries, electronics and quantum computing.
Researchers at Northwestern University have visualized the 3D structure of the Mediator-bound pre-initiation complex (Med-PIC) in human cells, revealing its role in regulating gene expression. The complex, consisting of 26 subunits, helps position RNA polymerase II and general transcription factors to transcribe specific genes.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to mine physiological data from patients with chronic pain, detecting changes in pain levels and atypical fluctuations. The study aims to provide a more precise treatment method by supplementing subjective pain assessments with objective data-driven approaches.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers found that infants as young as three- and four-months old can link language to objects, boosting their object categorization skills. However, listening to birdsong failed to support this process in infants, unlike non-human primate vocalizations.
A Northwestern University team developed an experimental drug that crosses the blood-brain barrier and triggers death of tumor cells. The spherical nucleic acid (SNA) drug has shown promise for treating other neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers analyzed fossilized shells to reconstruct Earth's climate during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a period of abrupt global warming and ocean acidification. The study found that foraminifera consumed less alkalinity from seawater to buffer increasing ocean acidity.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered a neural basis for how odors elicit powerful memories, with the olfactory areas connecting directly to the hippocampus. The study suggests that the sense of smell retains direct access to the hippocampus, unlike other senses like vision and hearing.
Researchers at Northwestern University created a new form of synthetic melanin that mimics the properties of fungal melanin, which can protect against environmental stressors. The material, called 'fungal ghosts,' is selectively porous, allowing it to store and capture molecules while letting good stuff through.
Researchers have discovered that catnip's active ingredient, Nepetalactone, activates the mosquito irritant receptor TRPA1, making it an effective repellent. This finding has significant implications for developing new, plant-based insect repellents.
A new Northwestern University study finds that trained paraprofessionals delivering cognitive-behavioral therapy can reduce depressive symptoms in pregnant women as effectively as mental health professionals. This approach may help address the growing need for treatment and alleviate the burden on overwhelmed healthcare providers.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a theoretical model to design soft materials that demonstrate autonomous oscillating properties, mimicking biological functions. The work could advance the design of responsive materials for therapeutics and robot-like soft materials.
A recent study by Northwestern University used AI to analyze 92 million COVID-19-related tweets and found that people's biases are magnified when reading tweets about the virus, with retweets increasing their belief in false information.
Scientists at Northwestern University have identified a compound that eliminates degeneration of upper motor neurons in ALS, a neurodegenerative disease. After 60 days of treatment, diseased brain cells regain health and function like healthy control neurons.
Northwestern University researchers create novel biomaterial that enhances neuron growth, a crucial finding for regenerative medicine. The material's bioactive properties allow cells to penetrate and interact with bioactive signals, potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed a design-driven process using computational modeling to identify useful genetic designs for cellular engineering. The approach accelerates the development of new treatments for diseases by enabling the efficient identification and testing of genetic programs.
Researchers found that cognitive SuperAgers have fewer tau protein tangles in the brain region related to memory, which may contribute to their preserved memory capacity. The study suggests a potential new direction for Alzheimer's disease research and highlights the importance of understanding the cellular mechanisms behind SuperAging.
Radiological images confirm that COVID-19 can trigger autoimmune reactions leading to rheumatoid arthritis flares and other musculoskeletal disorders. Imaging helps explain prolonged symptoms and directs patients to the right physician for treatment.
In a new study, Northwestern University researchers found that air quality and public health benefits of electric vehicles in China depend on the type of transport electrified and the composition of the electric grid. Electrifying 40% of heavy-duty vehicles improved air quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that children born to mothers with suboptimal cardiovascular health during pregnancy are at higher risk for early declines in their own cardiovascular health, including heart attacks, strokes, and premature deaths.
A new study discovered that Black men's tumors have a higher proportion of plasma cells, which correlates with improved cancer survival after surgery. This finding suggests that plasma cells may be key drivers of prostate cancer immune-responsiveness and could lead to personalized treatment options for men of all races.
A new Northwestern University study found 2.9% of US adults have a current peanut allergy, with approximately one in five experiencing severe reactions each year. The study also revealed that patients who developed their peanut allergy after age 18 are less likely to report having an epinephrine auto-injector prescription.