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.
A new Northwestern University study links childhood trauma and family dysfunction to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in adulthood. Adults who experienced high levels of adversity in childhood are more than 50% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
A Northwestern University evaluation found that a procedural justice training program reduced complaints by 10% and use of force by 6%. The training, which typically takes one day, emphasizes transparency and responding to community concerns.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new material with ultrahigh porosity and surface area for storing hydrogen and methane. This breakthrough could enable the creation of more efficient fuel cell-powered vehicles by allowing for lower-pressure gas storage and reduced costs.
A promising COVID-19 drug, valinomycin, has been produced in a cell-free system, achieving higher concentrations than previously achieved in cells. This approach enables faster optimization and increased yields, which could be crucial in the fight against the pandemic.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that a damaged fertilized egg sends a molecular signal to the mother that protects her from cellular stress and environmental damage. This allows the mother to live longer and produce healthier eggs.
Researchers analyzed a century of data to find that female representation in the film industry hit an all-time low during the Golden Age. The study found that women's roles were consistently below 50% across job types and genres, with a sharp drop in the 1920s.
A Northwestern University researcher received an NSF RAPID grant to develop a self-sanitizing face mask that deactivates viruses on contact. The project aims to reduce the number and activity of viruses in respiratory droplets, providing an additional layer of protection for healthcare workers and others.
A new wireless, battery-charged monitoring system is being tested to provide clinical-grade care for premature babies and pregnant women in low-resource settings. The soft, flexible sensors offer advanced features such as crying and movement detection, allowing for early intervention and improved health outcomes.
The Collaborative Water-Energy Research Center (CoWERC) aims to reduce energy needed for desalination, improve water recovery and support safe water reuse through research, development and commercialization of new technologies. CoWERC will enable the creation of energy-water systems that could be implemented worldwide.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered a new way to reduce frost formation on any surface using a leaf-inspired design. The study found that the optimized surface structure reduces frost by up to 60% and can be defrosted with considerably less energy.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a promising molecular tool that targets and inhibits telomerase, an enzyme that enables cancer cells to live forever. The small molecule, called NU-1, irreversibly binds to telomerase, shutting down its activity and sensitizing cells to chemotherapies.
A new technology developed at Northwestern University offers precise measurements of proteins down to their atoms, enabling better understanding of disease and the design of vaccines. This approach, called individual ion mass spectrometry, can determine the exact mass of a huge range of intact proteins.
Synthetic biology researchers at Northwestern University have created a system that can rapidly create cell-free ribosomes in a test tube, then select the ribosome that can perform a certain function. This platform could help enable new manufacturing approaches to sustainable materials and targeted therapies.
A comprehensive analysis by Northwestern University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that data center energy use has remained roughly flat over the past decade, despite increasing demand for data. The researchers made strategic policy recommendations to manage future growth in energy use.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a decentralized algorithm that enables swarms of robots to form shapes and avoid collisions. The algorithm views the ground as a grid, allowing each robot to sense its closest neighbors and make local decisions without global information.
A new study by Northwestern University found that a simulation-based training program can help medical students develop the skills to break bad news to patients in a clear and compassionate way. The training, which uses a mastery learning approach, has been shown to improve patient outcomes and increase student satisfaction.
Scientists have determined the 3D atomic structure of a key enzyme complex in paramyxoviruses, a family of RNA viruses that includes measles, mumps, human parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This discovery could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs for these viruses as well as coronavirus.
Northwestern University researchers Julius Lucks and Sera Young present innovative solutions for monitoring water quality and addressing household water insecurity. The Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scale (HWISE.org) measures experiences of household-level water access and use globally.
Researchers are seeking to understand the long-term impact of substance use on delinquent youth. Linda Teplin's presentation explores differences by sex and racial group, shedding light on these complex issues.
Researchers discovered that immune cells count their neighbors before activating to avoid overreactions. This new understanding could lead to improved cancer immunotherapies and treatments for autoimmune diseases.