A longitudinal study of 156 Ukrainian amputees found that most experience steady improvements in pain, anxiety, and depression over time. The study revealed distinct patterns of post-amputation pain, with phantom limb pain linked to psychological distress and residual limb pain linked to depression.
A new three-step synthesis strategy enables simultaneous control over composition and surface facets of high-entropy alloy nanoparticles. Researchers have scaled the process to produce millions of particles across unique compositions, opening a path to discovering next-generation HEA catalysts with high-index facets.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a single-step process to turn methane into methanol without high heat and pressures. The method harnesses tiny bursts of plasma to break the chemical bonds in methane, producing a cleaner-burning fuel for ships and industrial boilers.
A survey found 84% of primary care patients are unfamiliar with Alzheimer's blood tests, but 85% would take one if recommended. Patients value education and ease of use, and express concerns about test reliability and cost.
Engineers at Northwestern University developed artificial neurons that generate realistic electrical signals to activate living brain cells. This breakthrough paves the way for brain-machine interfaces and neuroprosthetics, as well as more efficient brain-like computing systems.
A new study suggests that many animal communication signals, including those from insects, birds, mammals, and fish, repeat at nearly the same tempo of 2 hertz. This common tempo may reflect a shared biological constraint, enabling brains to detect signals more easily and process communication more efficiently.
A phase 2 clinical trial shows that a new drug, elraglusib, when combined with chemotherapy, doubles one-year survival rates in pancreatic cancer patients, reducing the risk of death by 38%. The study is a rare success in showing a survival benefit applicable to a broad population.
Several open-source AI models consistently produced summaries that were more comprehensive than physician-written versions, particularly in capturing molecular and genetic findings. The study found that Llama 3.1 and DeepSeek performed best among the six evaluated models.
A new Northwestern University study confirms that US drug overdose deaths have continued to decline following a peak in August 2023, contrary to speculation of manipulated CDC data. The study highlights the importance of accurate data for public health response and calls for greater transparency in federal data systems.
A Northwestern University study found that apolipoprotein B (apoB) testing is more effective and cost-efficient than standard cholesterol tests in guiding treatment and preventing heart attacks and strokes. The study suggests that apoB-guided care can improve population health and save lives at a lower cost.
A new study from Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden found that some cultivated plants, such as black-eyed Susan and foxglove beardtongue, can attract pollinators at similar rates to their wild counterparts. This research provides a middle ground for gardeners who want to support pollinators without going fully wild.
A Northwestern University study finds that disinfectants like chlorhexidine linger on surfaces for longer than previously known, allowing microbes to build tolerance. Chlorhexidine-tolerant bacteria were also detected spreading through touch and airborne dust across hospital rooms.
A Northwestern University study found that imagination is not just a copy of sensation, but emerges at later stages of processing when the brain represents information holistically. The researchers mapped brain activity during imagination and perception, finding overlap in higher-level association areas.
A new system generates oxygen, sustaining drug-producing cells for weeks. The device, called HOBIT, integrates engineered cells with oxygen-producing bioelectronics, producing three different biologics in a small animal model.
Carole LaBonne and Matthew Goldrick are being honored for their groundbreaking research in developmental biology and language science. LaBonne's work on pluripotent embryonic stem cells has significant implications for understanding birth defects, cancer, and regenerative medicine.
A new study reveals snow flies produce bursts of heat and antifreeze proteins to survive freezing temperatures. The insects generate body heat like mammals and produce antifreeze proteins like Arctic fish, allowing them to remain active at -6°C.
A new Northwestern University study has discovered a novel biomarker of schizophrenia that could also serve as a new drug candidate to treat the cognitive symptoms of the disorder. The study found that levels of the protein Cacna2d1 signal are reduced in patients with schizophrenia, resulting in overactive brain circuits.
Subway systems are consistently reporting thermal discomfort due to the rising heat, with complaints increasing by 10-27% for every 1 degree Celsius above 10 degrees Celsius in Boston, New York, and London respectively. The study aims to help transit agencies anticipate extreme heat and implement targeted mitigation strategies.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed AI-designed robots called 'legged metamachines' that can combine and recombine in the wild, recover from injury and transform into new shapes. The robots can adapt to the environment, survive catastrophic damage and even recover from being chopped in half or cut into pieces.
Scientists developed a new platform using protein-like polymers to target and degrade cancer-driving proteins like MYC and KRAS. The approach triggers cancer cell death, offering hope for treating aggressive and drug-resistant cancers.
Researchers have developed a new device that can record and stimulate activity across the entire surface of miniature, lab-grown human brain-like tissues, enabling whole-network mapping and manipulation. This breakthrough could improve our understanding of brain development, function, and disease.
A new low-energy method produces ethylene from waste gas, using electricity to create a chemical building block from syngas. The device is more than 60% efficient and can work with renewable energy sources, setting the stage for a greener ethylene supply chain.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that heat strengthens pure metals under extreme conditions, challenging long-held assumptions. The study revealed a stark divide between pure and alloyed metals, with pure metals becoming stronger and harder as temperatures increased.
A new study found that aligning overnight fasting with the body's natural sleep-wake rhythm improved cardiovascular and metabolic health. Participants who extended their fast by two hours and dimmed lights three hours before bedtime showed significant improvements in blood pressure, heart rate, and blood-sugar control.
A new HPV cancer vaccine developed by Northwestern University scientists has shown promising results in a preclinical model. The vaccine's carefully organized structure dramatically enhances the immune system's ability to attack tumors, shrinking them and extending animal survival.
Researchers discovered that levetiracetam prevents the production of toxic amyloid-beta 42 peptides and plaques in neurons. Administering the drug to high-risk individuals may slow cognitive decline and prevent Alzheimer's symptoms if started early, possibly up to 20 years before symptoms appear.
Researchers developed an advanced organoid model for human spinal cord injury and tested a promising regenerative therapy. The treatment triggered neurite growth and reduced scarring in injured organoids, offering validation for its potential to work in humans.
A new study finds that US South Asians have higher rates of prediabetes, diabetes, and hypertension than other population groups, despite healthier diets and exercise habits. The study identifies a critical window in the 40s when risk is already high, but disease is still preventable with early intervention.
A Northwestern University study found that 75% of participants had dreams including puzzle fragments, with solved puzzles occurring more often in lucid and non-lucid dreams. Engineering dreams may help increase creative problem-solving ability.
A new study found that men's coronary heart disease risk begins to diverge from women's in the mid-30s, with differences emerging as early as age 50.5 versus 57.5 years. This suggests that heart disease prevention and screening should start earlier in adulthood for men.
A large international study found that patients with long COVID-19 in the US report higher rates of brain fog, depression, and cognitive symptoms compared to those in India and Nigeria. The study suggests that lower stigma and greater access to neurological and mental health care may contribute to these differences.
Groups of tiny particles suspended in liquid oscillate together, keeping time as though they sense each other's motion. The surrounding fluid enables the particles to 'feel' one another at a distance, influencing their motions without direct contact.
Researchers have developed a flexible, hair-like device that tracks vital signs of a fetus in real-time during surgery. This innovation provides continuous monitoring without invasive access, enabling faster interventions to prevent complications.
Residential wood burning accounts for over one-fifth of wintertime exposure to outdoor fine particulate matter, linked to increased risks of heart disease and premature death. By reducing indoor wood burning, Americans could decrease outdoor air pollution and save thousands of lives.
Scientists at Northwestern University have determined the three-dimensional structures of rye pollen's cancer-fighting molecules, secalosides A and B. This breakthrough opens the door to exploring how these molecules interact with the immune system and could inspire new approaches to cancer therapy.
A study of 800+ US hospitals and 700,000 patients reveals disparities in care among Asian American subgroups. Filipino and Vietnamese patients are least likely to receive guideline-recommended heart failure care.
Researchers uncover a key ion channel, TRPM4, that regulates intestinal fluid balance and identify a new druggable site. This discovery provides a blueprint for designing targeted treatments for gastrointestinal disorders.
A Northwestern University study found an injectable regenerative nanomaterial helps protect the brain during a vulnerable window after most common type of stroke. The therapy successfully crossed the blood-brain barrier and reduced brain damage, showing no signs of side effects.
A new study from Northwestern University found that economic insecurity substantially declines support for democratic principles, even among those who claim strong support. The study's findings suggest that messaging focused on abstract democratic ideals may not resonate with voters unless tied to economic concerns.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered a hidden molecular control switch inside the protein TRPM5, which regulates taste, blood sugar control and gut health. The switch can be activated or inhibited by small molecules, unlocking new opportunities for therapeutic development.
A Northwestern University study reveals that 2.3% of women experience unusual physical and emotional responses during orgasm, including laughter, crying, headaches, and more. These peri-orgasmic phenomena are normal but rare, with most women experiencing them only sometimes with orgasm.
A cross-temporal, multinational study found that people's beliefs about women and men reflect the social roles they occupy in homes and workplaces. Stereotypes of men as assertive and ambitious and women as kinder and more caring persist despite growing female workforce participation.
A groundbreaking study from Northwestern University found that changes to the gut microbiome can change the way the brain works across different primate species. The researchers discovered patterns of gene expression associated with conditions like ADHD and schizophrenia in mice with microbes from smaller-brained primates.
A study of over 12 million US births found a persistent rise in gestational diabetes rates every year since 2016, increasing health risks for mothers and babies. The condition affects all racial and ethnic groups, with American Indian and Pacific Islander populations showing significantly higher rates.
Researchers created detailed maps of the human genome's three-dimensional organization across time and space, revealing how genes interact and fold as cells function. The study provides a powerful framework for predicting which genes are likely to be affected by pathogenic variants.
Researchers at Northwestern University and Stanford University develop a new artificial metabolism that converts waste carbon dioxide into acetyl-CoA, a universal metabolite used by all living cells. The system, called Reductive Formate Pathway (ReForm), uses engineered enzymes to perform metabolic reactions never seen in nature.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured a cosmic fender bender, revealing two luminous clouds of debris from violent collisions between space rocks. The discovery offers insights into planet formation and asteroid composition, shedding light on the structure of asteroids crucial for planetary defense programs.
In a new study, Northwestern scientists identified a previously unknown toxic sub-species of amyloid beta oligomers that drive brain changes in Alzheimer's disease. NU-9 decreased this toxin and reduced damage in a mouse model, suggesting it could prevent or delay the cascade of toxic events that destroy neurons.
Researchers have discovered that iron oxide minerals like ferrihydrite employ different chemical strategies to grab and hold onto various types of organic molecules, making them powerful carbon traps. This study provides new insight into how these minerals in soils trap carbon for decades or centuries.
A new study led by Northwestern University finds that tanning bed use increases melanoma risk by almost threefold, with DNA changes detected in areas protected from sun exposure. The study's findings support a broader field of DNA injury caused by tanning beds.