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.
Researchers discovered instances of epistasis, a phenomenon where two changes produce a behavior different from individual changes. This finding could impact future drug delivery and therapeutic strategies by learning the rules of virus scaffold assembly.
Research finds that female twins exposed to prenatal testosterone from a male twin are less likely to graduate from high school or college, have lower fertility rates, and earn less by their early 30s. The study supports the 'twin testosterone-transfer hypothesis' and suggests long-term biological effects on behavior and outcomes.
A large study of nearly 30,000 adults found that consuming 300 mg of dietary cholesterol per day increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 17% and death by 18%. The study also linked eating three to four eggs per week to a 6% higher risk of cardiovascular disease and an 8% higher risk of any cause of death.
Researchers found that infants' precise tuning to their native language influences the range of human languages they link to cognition. Listening to human languages, including native and non-native ones, engages infants' speech processing system.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that schools with diverse mission statements show improved cardiovascular health in students of color. These environments tend to be more supportive and inclusive, leading to better academic success and reduced discipline rates.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine and the Kellogg School of Management found that women principal investigators received an average grant amount of $126,615 compared to $165,721 for men. Despite equal backgrounds, women face a significant funding disadvantage that can impact their career advancement.
Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered that an existing therapy used to treat Alzheimer's disease may also be effective for patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a type of dementia that destroys language. The study found that individuals with PPA exhibit the same loss of cholinergic neurons and axons in the fo...
Researchers found that collaboration creates a sense of indebtedness, leading people to prioritize the needs of their partner over others. This effect can have problematic implications for ethics, as it may lead to preferential treatment for those who contribute to a cause.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new blueprint to understand and predict the properties of complex nanoparticles. The study enables the synthesis of polyelemental nanoparticles with up to seven different elements, providing a vast playground for exploring novel catalysts and light-emitting nanostructures.
Researchers developed soft, flexible wireless sensors to monitor premature babies in the NICU. These sensors allow physical bonding between baby and parent while providing clinical-grade measurements, replacing traditional wire-based sensors that pose a barrier to skin-to-skin contact.
A Northwestern University team has developed a direct route to optimize spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) using a library approach and machine learning. This new method reveals the importance of structural variables in SNA efficacy, enabling researchers to design more effective cancer treatments.
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing a predictive model to help NASA assemble ideal teams for the Mission to Mars. The study, conducted in two analog environments, reveals that crews experience diminished abilities to think creatively and solve problems, with successful task completion rates between 20-60%.
A multidisciplinary team from Northwestern University has diagnosed metal soaps as the cause of destructive pimple-like protrusions in precious works of art. The tool enables researchers to monitor and understand what conditions make the protrusions grow, shrink or erupt.
Sera Young, a Northwestern University anthropologist, has developed the first scale to measure household water insecurity, a universal need bounded by disciplinary and geographic silos. The 12-question HWISE Scale will transform how we understand the prevalence, causes, and consequences of water insecurity on maternal and child health.
A new method developed by Northwestern Engineering's Manijeh Razeghi has greatly reduced image distortion caused by spectral cross-talk in dual-band photodetectors. This work enables high spectral-contrast infrared imaging devices for various applications, including medicine and security.
A Northwestern University team found that southern Greenland's climate was relatively warm when the Norse lived there between 985 and 1450 C.E., about 1.5-degrees Celsius warmer than surrounding cooling centuries.
A Northwestern University team has developed a novel material that can self-heal within seconds when scratched or cracked, preventing localized corrosion. The coating, inspired by fluids, flows and reconnects to rapidly heal, even after repeated damage.
Americans with primary care receive more recommended cancer screenings, flu shots, and reported better patient experience compared to those without. Primary care also leads to better overall healthcare access.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new tool to image blood flow through tiny capillaries, providing insights into the circulatory system. The 3D-imaging technique can detect subtle changes in capillary organization for early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have developed a soft and moldable graphene oxide material called GO dough that solves several challenges in the graphene manufacturing industry. This innovative material can be shaped and reshaped into free-standing structures without combustion risks or heavy packaging issues.