A Northwestern University study found that 80% of Americans' calorie consumption comes from store-bought foods, highlighting the need for healthier options. The food supply plays a central role in obesity and cardiovascular disease development.
A new Northwestern University study found that distinct areas of the brain process short pulses of light to affect sleep, challenging the widely accepted belief that all light information is relayed through one central pathway. The research suggests that acute exposure to light does not interfere with overall circadian rhythms.
A new study from Northwestern University shows that a free online training tool can significantly boost scientists' knowledge of team science and increase their self-confidence. The COALESCE tool has been validated by research to help scientists collaborate smoothly, reducing disputes over data access and authorship.
A new Northwestern University study found that positive family relationships can buffer children from the negative effects of difficult neighborhood conditions on asthma management. Children living in high-danger neighborhoods with better family relationships had fewer symptoms and improved pulmonary function.
A Northwestern University study found that many deadliest cancers, such as colon, lung, and liver cancer, receive significantly less nonprofit research funding than breast cancer, leukemia, and other well-funded types. This underfunding could impact research, drug development, and FDA approvals for these life-altering diseases.
A stealthy new drug-delivery system has been developed that disguises chemotherapeutics as fat, allowing it to penetrate and destroy tumors while minimizing side effects. The system uses a long-chain fatty acid with two binding sites to attach to drugs, which are then carried by human serum albumin throughout the body.
A new Northwestern University analysis reveals that women's perceived competence has increased relative to men's, consistent with their growing participation in the labor force and education. However, women are still seen as less ambitious and decisive than men, a disadvantage in relation to leadership.
A tabletop sensor will detect cosmic events producing waves above 10 kHz, possibly related to dark matter. The Levitated Sensor Detector complements LIGO and Virgo observatories, observing smaller cosmic events that produce gravitational waves at higher frequencies.
A new Northwestern University study found that biracial individuals are stereotyped as attractive and not fitting in, regardless of their specific racial background. The researchers examined six different biracial groups and found no systematic patterns in how people stereotype them.
A new study found that over three-quarters of biology conferences lack codes of conduct, while those that do often fail to address key issues like sexual misconduct. The authors recommend improving codes by making them apparent, centering marginalized groups' experiences, and establishing clear reporting channels.
Researchers from Northwestern University have developed a new predictive model for growth that challenges traditional models of product adoption. The study found that substitutive products exhibit power law growths, which are slower than exponential after an initial flash of excitement.
A small pilot study found that sound stimulation played during specific times of deep sleep enhanced slow-wave sleep in people with mild cognitive impairment. Participants who showed the greatest improvement in deep sleep also recalled more words on a memory test the next morning.
Researchers have developed a new technique to study dynamic nanomaterials, allowing them to witness their formation and growth in real-time. This breakthrough enables better understanding of metal-organic nanotubes' properties and potential applications.
A study found that 94% of patients who underwent embryo genetic testing before IVF were glad to have the information, despite potentially disappointing results. The research suggests that even after a negative outcome, most women value the knowledge gained from embryo testing for reproductive planning.
Northwestern University researchers found nanoparticles engineered with DNA in colloidal crystals exhibit electron-like behavior, introducing a new term called metallicity. This discovery challenges the current understanding of matter and opens doors to designing new materials with unique properties.
A $24.8 million grant-funded longitudinal study will examine the long-term impact of vaping, environmental factors, and lifestyle on lung health in millennials. The study aims to identify risk factors, biomarkers, and early interventions for chronic lung diseases.
An international team of astronomers has captured the first-ever polarized radio waves from a distant cosmic explosion, known as gamma-ray burst GRB 190114C. The discovery provides new insights into how jets are formed in gamma-ray bursts and could shed light on the role of magnetic fields in powering these energetic events.
A new paper suggests that variation in brain energy expenditure during childhood may influence patterns of energy expenditure and weight gain. The study proposes a hypothesis linking the brain's energy demand to obesity risk, highlighting the need for further research into the role of brain development on body weight.
A new meta-analysis found pervasive hiring discrimination against all nonwhite groups in nine countries, with France and Sweden showing the highest levels. The US had relatively lower levels of bias, with certain laws and institutional practices explaining this difference.
A two-year study of day traders found that balanced professional networks lead to better performance and improved high-risk decisions. The researchers discovered that workers naturally gravitate towards a state of balance in their relationships, which ultimately frees up mental energy for making better trades.
A study led by Northwestern University found that radiation combined with chemotherapy did not increase recurrence-free survival in women with stage III/IVA endometrial cancer. Chemotherapy alone remains the standard of care for this type of cancer.
A systematic review suggests that lithium's effects on breastfeeding are poorly understood due to sparse and poorly designed studies. Expert recommendations vary, and more research is necessary to inform patient decisions.
A new Northwestern University study suggests that parents of depressed teenagers should also receive counseling to address their marital relationships and parent-child conflicts. The research found that while the teenager's depression was being treated, parental marriages and conflict remained stable, but worsened after treatment ended.
Researchers create most detailed simulation of black hole, proving theoretical predictions about accretion disks. The inner-most region of an accretion disk aligns with its black hole's equator, solving a longstanding mystery from 1975.
Researchers developed a fast and efficient way to engineer metabolic pathways using cell-free protein synthesis and SAMDI mass spectrometry. This enables the creation of thousands of potential mixtures to be tested in a single day, providing new insights for synthetic biologists.
A large national study tracked the health of over 3,000 US veterans using a standardized tool, finding they scored worse in several areas, including anxiety, depression, and pain. The study's results provide valuable insights into the health of veterans relative to the general population.
A new AI system has been developed that can detect lung cancer with high accuracy, potentially leading to earlier treatment. The system uses deep learning to analyze low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) scans and performs better than human radiologists in detecting malignant nodules.
Researchers at Northwestern University have identified the enzyme responsible for methane-methanol conversion, which catalyzes the reaction at a single copper ion site. This discovery could lead to the development of new, human-made catalysts that convert methane to methanol with high efficiency.
BioBits Health, a Northwestern University-led project, introduces CRISPR and antibiotic resistance to high school students. Students perform experiments using freeze-dried cell-free reactions, visualizing DNA editing and drug resistance, and exploring ethics.
Death rates due to heart failure are increasing among younger adults under 65, with black men under age 65 facing the largest increase in premature death. The study found that an estimated 6 million adults in the US have heart failure, which is the number one reason older adults are admitted to hospital.
Researchers at Northwestern University have designed spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) that stimulate powerful anti-cancer immune responses, completely eliminating tumors in 30% of animals and improving overall survival. The study's findings highlight the importance of chemical structure and three-dimensional presentation in vaccine design.
A genome-wide test suggests that bitter and sweet beverage preferences are related to the psychoactive properties of these beverages, not genetic variations in taste genes. People prefer certain drinks due to their emotional and psychological impact.
A new study at Northwestern University found that teaching happiness skills to dementia caregivers reduces their depression, anxiety, and improves physical health. The intervention, called LEAF, increased feelings of happiness and positivity among caregivers after six weeks.
Researchers have developed an energy renormalization algorithm to predict glass' mechanical behavior at varying temperatures. This approach enables the design of dynamic materials with optimal properties, scaling molecular simulations up by roughly a thousand times.
A Northwestern University study concludes that human-caused climate change played only a minor role in the city's record-breaking air pollution event. Researchers suggest that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can greatly improve air quality and mitigate health problems, making it a win-win for public health and the environment.
A Northwestern University and UC San Diego team has created a novel way to deliver a bioactivated, biodegradable substance through a noninvasive catheter without clogging. The approach uses self-assembling peptides that turn the body's inflammatory response into a signal to heal rather than a means of scarring.
Researchers tested spore-forming bacteria on antimicrobial paint surfaces and found that most died, but a few strains, like Bacillus timonensis, survived. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of these paints and potential risks to human health.
A new Northwestern University study found that electromagnetic pulses can improve memory in older adults with age-related memory loss, reversing it to the level of young adults. The technique targets the brain's memory center and rebuilds part of memory that helps recall everyday tasks.
A new study identifies four key factors influencing transgender youth's decision on fertility preservation, including family values, cost, and concerns about worsening gender dysphoria. The findings highlight the need for standardized protocols in primary care counseling and support for young adults navigating this complex issue.
Analyzing nearly 6 million citations, Northwestern University researchers found that highly cited papers cite relatively recent work and go on to become highly cited themselves. This suggests that top scientists are adept at identifying promising research.
The study found that electric vehicles have a net positive impact on air quality and climate change, reducing ozone and particulate matter pollution. Transitioning to EVs can improve public health, even with current energy mixes, as long as power generation shifts towards clean energy sources.
Research from the NASA Twins Study found that extended spaceflight alters the ratio of two major categories of bacteria in the gut microbiome, but not its diversity. The study's findings could help protect astronauts' and space tourists' microbiomes during long bouts of space travel.
Researchers have developed a new label-free imaging technique that reveals the dynamic movement of chromatin in eukaryotic cells just before cell death. The study found that cells experience a 'burst' of activity, known as cellular paroxysm, which is thought to play a role in the earliest stages of cell death.
Researchers detected vascular changes in the human eye using an infrared camera, providing a new potential biomarker for identifying individuals at high risk of progressing to Alzheimer's. The study aims to explore the correlation between retinal capillaries and other brain biomarkers.
A Northwestern University study found that poverty can become embedded in nearly 10% of the genome, associated with over 2,500 sites and 1,500 genes. This epigenetic mark may shape gene expression and contribute to disease development.
Researchers found that inducing jet lag in fruit fly models of Huntington disease protected the flies' neurons. The team identified a circadian clock-controlled gene that also protected the brain when knocked down. This study suggests that targeting this gene could potentially slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that an hour of weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can help older adults maintain their independence and reduce the risk of mobility disability by 85%. The study also showed that this amount of exercise can lower the risk of activities of daily living disability by almost 45%.
A Northwestern University research team has developed tiny, fully reconfigurable metalenses made from silver nanoparticles that can adapt to different imaging applications. The new lenses have a thickness 100 times smaller than human hair and can form multiple images at various positions.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown brain area that processes auditory words, but not visual ones, in patients with primary progressive aphasia. Despite struggling to verbalize words, these patients could still communicate through writing and reading.
A new device, paired with a customized video game, helps retrain stroke survivors' arm muscles into moving more normally. Most participants experienced increased arm mobility and reduced arm stiffness, retaining function after finishing the training.