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.
Researchers at Northwestern University have synthesized a new form of melanin enriched with selenium, called selenomelanin, which shows promise as a shield for human tissue against harmful radiation. The new biomaterial offers better protection than traditional forms of melanin and has potential applications in space travel
A new platform technology can assess water safety and quality with just a single drop and minutes. The platform tests for 17 different contaminants, including toxic metals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, providing fast and easy results.
Materials scientists at Northwestern University have discovered a small number of impurity atoms that contribute to the strength but also make human enamel more soluble. The study, using atomic-scale resolution, sheds light on the spatial distribution of these impurities in the enamel's core-shell structure.
A novel wearable device tracks key COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, shortness of breath, and coughing. The device, which sits at the base of the throat, measures vibrations and temperature to identify potential infections earlier.
A Northwestern University team uncovered a common mechanism regulating gene expression during development, linking stochasticity to physical constraints. The researchers found that bursts of natural randomness impact protein levels and developmental outcomes.
The Resource for Quantitative Elemental Mapping for the Life Sciences (QE-Map) will enable unprecedented insights into metal role in human health and disease. QE-Map will pioneer cutting-edge imaging and detection technologies to deepen understanding of interplay between metals and biological processes.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a family of soft materials that imitates living creatures, bending, rotating and even crawling on surfaces when hit with light. The materials move without complex hardware or electricity, and have potential applications in energy, environmental remediation and advanced medicine.
Researchers found that living among land's rich topography forced animals to plan rather than act based on habits, increasing survival rates. The optimal level of barriers in the environment played a crucial role in this planning ability.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new rapid-prototyping system to accelerate the design of biological systems, reducing production time from months to weeks. The iPROBE platform leverages cell-free synthetic biology and computational design algorithms to discover optimal biosynthetic pathways for sustainable chemicals.
A new review reveals COVID-19 poses a global threat to the nervous system, causing neurological manifestations in about half of hospitalized patients. These symptoms include headaches, seizures, and muscle pain, and may appear before fever or cough.
Researchers developed an artificial molecular pump to install rings onto polymer strings, enabling precise control over ring threading and opening up new possibilities for scratch-resistant coatings and actuators. Polyrotaxanes show promise in soft materials and can be fine-tuned by accurately defining the polymer's structure.
The most successful protégés studied under mentors who demonstrated unique skills in ideating and publishing celebrated research, breaking away from their mentors' lines of research. These mentors were future scientific prizewinners. The study reveals that face-to-face interaction is essential for transferring tacit knowledge.
A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Hepatology shows women and men have similar mortality rates from cirrhosis, contradicting previous research. The study analyzed data from 20,045 patients with cirrhosis, finding no difference in liver-related cause of death between genders.
A new Northwestern Medicine study shows that a pill taking proactively to prevent mild to life-threatening anaphylaxis could be a game-changer for those with food or drug allergies. The pill uses BTK inhibitors to block allergic reactions by inhibiting the Bruton's tyrosine kinase enzyme, which is found inside cells and mast cells.
As COVID-19 converges with the flu season, pulmonologist Dr. Benjamin Singer outlines four key factors that can influence the severity of the upcoming flu season: social distancing, vaccination, co-infection diagnosis, and addressing disparities in vulnerable populations.
A Northwestern University-led team has developed a smart sponge that selectively soaks up oil in water, leaving clean water and unaffected marine life behind. The sponge can absorb more than 30 times its weight in oil and can be reused many dozens of times without losing effectiveness.
Researchers developed a new spectroscopic nanoscopy technique that improves spatial imaging resolution and spectral precision. The approach enables full use of photons for both spatial and spectral analyses, leading to significant improvements in image quality.
Astronomers have identified a new class of cosmic explosions, dubbed fast blue optical transients (FBOTs), which produce the fastest and heaviest outflows ever recorded. The newly discovered object, CSS161010, has surpassed the famous AT2018COW in speed and mass ejected during its event.
A new method, called localized electroporation, enables repeated, non-destructive sampling of cells to study dynamic processes over time. This allows researchers to investigate how enzymatic activity varies between healthy cells and cancerous tumor biopsies.
A new study found that COVID-19-positive pregnant women's placentas showed signs of injury, including abnormal blood flow between mothers and babies. This could lead to increased monitoring during pregnancy, including non-stress tests and growth ultrasounds.
A study of fruit fly sensory neurons has identified a 'thermometer' circuit that relays cold temperature information to the brain, inhibiting morning wakefulness. This finding sheds light on why humans struggle to wake up in winter and may have implications for understanding human sleep regulation.
A study published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience reveals the molecular underpinnings of electrical signals from potassium and sodium ion channels within neurons. The research identifies potential targets for future treatment strategies using existing drugs approved by the FDA.
Researchers have identified a 'thermometer' circuit in the fruit fly that relays information about external cold temperature to the brain, inhibiting neurons that promote activity and wakefulness. This discovery helps explain why humans struggle to wake up in the morning during winter.
IntelliCare, a free mobile app, significantly reduces anxiety and depression in individuals struggling with the pandemic. The app offers targeted content, exercises, and strategies to help users manage stress and improve mental health.
A study of 588 millennial and Gen X residents and fellows found no significant difference in burnout rates and empathy skills between the two groups. Empathy decreases over physician training, with Hispanic/Latino physicians showing higher scores than Caucasian physicians.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed an AI-powered tool to speed up the search for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. The model predicts which studies are most likely to be replicable, allowing researchers to prioritize resources on promising research.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that strenuous exercise does not increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis and may even protect against it. Adults at high risk for knee OA were 30% less likely to develop OA through vigorous physical activity participation.
A subset of retinal neurons sends inhibitory signals to the brain, affecting subconscious behaviors such as synchronizing circadian rhythms with light/dark cycles. This discovery sheds light on how eyes influence our behavior and vision in response to light intensity.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new hair dye process using synthetic melanin that mimics natural human hair pigmentation. The dye, tested under mild conditions, produces natural-looking colors that persist for at least 18 washes, avoiding toxicity and allergies associated with traditional hair dyes.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method for upcycling polyurethane foams, turning them into higher-value rubbers and hard plastics. This process removes air from the foam to create durable plastics or soft films, paving the way for recycling of polyurethane foam waste in various applications.