A Northwestern University study discovered that stellar flares could play an important role in a planet's atmospheric evolution and habitability. Flares may drive a new chemical equilibrium in a planet's atmosphere, potentially making it easier to detect signs of life.
A large study of 6,510 healthcare workers found that community exposure was the main driver of COVID-19 infections. Nurses were at higher risk once community exposure was accounted for, while high-flow oxygen therapy and hemodialysis increased antibody production to SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a soft robotic material that can walk at human speed, pick up cargo, and transport it to a new location. The material is activated by light and responds to external magnetic fields, making it ideal for use in aquatic environments.
Researchers at Northwestern and UChicago develop a new method to create tailor-made qubits by chemically synthesizing molecules that encode quantum information into their magnetic states. This bottom-up approach could lead to extraordinary flexibility and control, paving the way for next-generation quantum technology.
A new detector using cesium lead bromide perovskite crystals has been developed to aid in the detection and identification of radioactive isotopes. The device achieves high resolution in energy detection, allowing for differentiation between legal and illegal gamma rays.
The new global surveillance system can dynamically track the virus's direction, speed and acceleration, enabling leaders to identify outbreaks earlier. It analyzes metrics such as speed, acceleration and jerk to predict potential explosive growth and inform policy responses.
A Northwestern University study shows how advanced imaging technology can pinpoint the cause of nerve damage in COVID-19 patients. The imaging techniques include ultra-high-resolution ultrasound and MR neurography, which help localize where the problem is and assess the severity of nerve damage.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that bacteria in low-iron environments reroute their metabolic pathways to favor producing iron-scavenging compounds. This study provides insights into the impact of iron on carbon cycling in bacterial cells, with implications for ecosystem health and environmental biotechnology.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers found that historical bias affects COVID-19 research, with only 611 out of 2,064 relevant genes being studied. The study highlights the need to explore understudied genes and broaden scientific study beyond current trends.
A new AI algorithm, DeepCOVID-XR, has been developed to detect COVID-19 on chest X-ray images. It outperformed thoracic radiologists in accuracy and speed, analyzing images 10 times faster and with a 1-6% higher accuracy rate.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a highly effective method for converting ammonia into hydrogen using renewable electricity. The new technique generates pure hydrogen that can be directly pressurized for storage, making it an ideal solution for the transportation sector.
A Northwestern University research team has uncovered new findings on the role of ionic interaction within graphene and water. The insights could inform the design of energy-efficient electrodes for batteries and provide backbone ionic materials for neuromorphic computing applications.
Researchers spot potential magnetar birth from neutron star merger, which resulted in a brilliant kilonova, the brightest ever seen. The team's findings challenge conventional thinking and offer insights into the physics behind extreme energy explosions.
Researchers developed a new method to optimize materials exhibiting metal-insulator transitions (MIT) using Bayesian optimization and latent-variable Gaussian processes. The approach identified 12 previously unidentified MIT materials with optimal functionality and synthesizability.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that patients treated by highly skilled surgeons have better long-term survival after surgery for colon cancer. The study showed a 70% lower risk of dying over five years compared to patients with less skilled surgeons.
Northwestern University researchers create a spectrum of natural-looking hair colors by catalyzing synthetic melanin with enzymes. The new process avoids toxins and allergens found in traditional dyes, providing a sustainable alternative for hairstylists and consumers alike.
A new Northwestern University-led study reveals that disdain for the opposing political party now outweighs affection for one's own party, describing a phenomenon called 'political sectarianism'. The researchers identify three key ingredients of this trend: seeing the other side as different, dislikeable, and immoral.
A new election forecasting approach uses a mathematical modeling technique to describe how voters in different states may influence each other during an election year. The model forecasts a victory for Biden 89.03% of the time, with a margin of victory lower than the percentage of undecided voters.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new face mask concept that aims to deactivate viruses in respiratory droplets, making the wearer less infectious. The masks feature anti-viral chemicals like phosphoric acid and copper salt that alter escaped droplets, reducing viral spread.
A new three-dimensional imaging technique has been developed to improve the visibility of brain tumors in MRI scans, doubling contrast between tumors and normal brain tissue. This could enable earlier detection and more effective treatment of malignant tumors.
A team of scientists has created the most detailed family portrait of black holes to date, analyzing gravitational-wave data from LIGO and Virgo detectors. The study reveals new clues about black hole formation and tests Einstein's theory of general relativity, passing all tests with flying colors.
A Northwestern University research team discovered a highly ordered relationship between inhibitory neurons and motor neuron activity in zebrafish, revealing a compartmental scheme to regulate different speeds of movement. This finding provides insight into human movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
Researchers discover a new method for making nanoparticles that can efficiently capture over 95% of proteins, DNA, or small molecule drugs. The process uses a self-assembling polymer to create a nanonet that collapses into nanogels, trapping therapeutics with high efficiency.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a quantitative model to understand how politicized environments affect US political opinion formation and evolution. The model incorporates three psychological effects: attraction/repulsion, tribalism, and perceptual filtering, to simulate how populations change their opinions.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new cell perturbation system that can deliver DNA, RNA, and proteins into cells with high efficiency and low toxicity. The Nanofountain Probe Electroporation system has the potential to revolutionize medical treatments by enabling quicker and more customized treatment plans.
A new study from Northwestern University found that individuals with higher conscientiousness tend to have greater cognitive resilience in older age. In contrast, those with higher neuroticism are more likely to experience worse cognitive function despite similar levels of neuropathology.
A Northwestern University research team developed a new theory that can predict the movement of an animal's sensory organs while searching for vital information. The theory, called energy-constrained proportional betting, provides insight into how animals gamble on energy expenditure to get useful information.
Northwestern University researchers developed new design principles for spin-based quantum materials that can enhance the efficiency of ultrafast, low-power electronics. The study identified key criteria for creating non-volatile, energy-efficient materials with long-lived persistent spin textures.
A Northwestern University study has identified the specific regions of brain tissue where a key gene named aromatase regulates male sexual behavior in mice. Aromatase converts testosterone to estrogen, driving male sexual activity. The discovery could lead to new treatments for disorders of low and compulsive sexual desire.
A new study from Northwestern University finds that COVID-19 patients on ventilators are at risk of permanent nerve damage due to prone positioning. The study reveals that 12% to 15% of the most severely ill patients have experienced such injuries.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine reveals that biological sex has a small but significant impact on gene expression in every type of human tissue. The researchers found over 37% of genes were expressed differently in males and females, with diverse molecular functions involved, including disease-related traits.
Researchers at Northwestern University and TU Delft have developed a battery-free, energy-harvesting Game Boy that can play games from original cartridges, reducing the need for batteries. The device harnesses energy from solar panels and user button presses to enable indefinite gameplay.
Researchers have discovered the first intermediate-mass black hole, which has a mass of 142 solar masses. The cosmic event was detected as a brief gravitational wave signal, lasting less than one-tenth of a second, and is believed to have occurred roughly 7 billion years ago.
New research shows that US political parties have become increasingly polarized due to their quest for voters. The study challenges a 1950s model by economist Anthony Downs, finding that voters remain moderate but parties move towards extremes to minimize constituency overlap.
A new combination therapy targeting breast cancer tumors in the brain has been shown to reduce tumor size and increase survival in a study with mice. The treatment, which combines vinorelbine and I-BET-762, was found to be effective in curing up to 75% of mice with brain metastases.
A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals a significant increase in mortality rates due to heart failure and hypertensive heart disease among Black women and men. Despite advancements in heart disease management, the death rate for these conditions rose by 3.5% and 4.8%, respectively, between 2011-2018.
Infants as young as 12 months old encode and remember objects differently depending on whether an object is named as a member of a category or as a unique individual. Research found that applying distinct names to each object enhances infants' encoding of distinctions among the individual objects, leading to better recognition memory.
A Northwestern University study found that widespread electric vehicle adoption could save approximately $17 billion annually by avoiding damages from climate change and air pollution. Replacing 75% of cars with EVs could increase savings to as much as $70 billion annually.
Researchers at Northwestern University have uncovered a new vulnerability in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein's binding site, which enables the virus to infect host cells. A negatively charged molecule can block this site, inhibiting viral transmission.
A novel AI-enhanced precision medicine approach identifies a novel autism subtype characterized by abnormal lipid levels, providing a potential breakthrough for early diagnosis and intervention. The research also found a strong association between parental dyslipidemia and autism spectrum disorder in children.
A Northwestern University-led team has uncovered the true nature of rare, mysterious events called calcium-rich supernovae. The researchers used X-ray imaging to study a calcium-rich supernova and found that it is a compact star shedding an outer layer of gas before exploding, producing bright X-rays and massive amounts of calcium.
Researchers created origami-built metamaterials that retain shape recoverability, directional mechanical properties, and reversible auxeticity. This breakthrough enables multifunctional applications in soft robotics and medical devices.
Astronomers have spotted a spectacular UV flash accompanying a type Ia supernova, providing clues to understanding how white dwarfs explode and creating iron. The event may also shed light on dark energy and the universe's formation.
A new Northwestern University study in mice found ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers do not increase COVID-19 severity or fatality risk. The research dispels concerns about these widely used drugs in patients with hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
A new survey by Northwestern University finds that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on scientists with young children, leading to reduced work hours and potential career consequences. The study reveals broad discrepancies in the pandemic's impact on scientists, particularly women and those in laboratory sciences.
A Northwestern University-led team discovered the most distant short gamma ray burst (SGRB) with its afterglow measured, located 10 billion light-years away and 3.8 billion years after the Big Bang. The study reveals that neutron stars in a 'teenage' universe may have merged relatively quickly.
A new Northwestern Medicine remote weight-loss program, Opt-IN, helped participants lose 11-13 pounds, matching the success rate of the gold-standard National Diabetes Prevention Program. The program is cheaper and less burdensome than traditional treatments, making it more accessible and affordable.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new immunotherapy that extends the survival time of mice with triple-negative breast cancer by 150% and prevents tumor reoccurrence. The therapy, which uses spherical nucleic acids, stimulates an immune response to combat cancer cells.
A Northwestern University study found that COVID-19 patients are 12 times more likely to die in a medical facility than patients who died from any cause in 2018. The high rate of deaths in hospitals and nursing homes highlights the need for improved end-of-life care, including access to virtual communication with families.
A Northwestern University-led team has developed an AI-powered platform to make federal court records publicly available, enabling researchers to analyze and evaluate the justice system. The tool aims to provide quantitative feedback to fix variations in judges' decisions on fee waivers, ultimately promoting fair access to justice.