A new study found that medical journals need more support and resources to successfully promote research on social media. The study's authors urge medical journals to define clear roles and responsibilities for social media editors and provide more resources to help them effectively disseminate information to the public. Social media h...
Researchers discovered that coated nanoparticles can form sticky structures when interacting with living organisms, leading to new properties and potential impact on cells. The study's findings may help scientists engineer nanoparticles that are 'benign by design', reducing environmental and health risks associated with nanomaterials.
Researchers found that the brain's premotor cortex uses a 'neural scratch pad' to calculate fine adjustments, eliminating the need for physical change in the brain. This discovery may simplify the development of brain-computer interfaces controlling prosthetic limbs.
Researchers at Northwestern University have confirmed that an electron's charge is perfectly spherical, strengthening the Standard Model of particle physics. The study excluded alternative models that predicted the electron's shape would be asymmetrically squished, potentially revealing unknown heavy particles.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that age-related increases in estrogen levels can weaken abdominal walls and cause inguinal hernias. The researchers discovered that a hormone inhibitor could strengthen muscles and prevent hernias, offering potential treatment for at-risk patients.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers found that male mountain gorillas who spend more time with their group's children are more reproductively successful. The study suggests an alternative pathway to the evolution of fathering behavior in humans, where males may not necessarily know their offspring.
Scientists at Northwestern University have created a bioelectronic medicine that uses electrical stimulation to accelerate nerve regeneration and improve muscle strength in rats. The device, made of biodegradable materials, is powered wirelessly and operates for up to two weeks before naturally absorbing into the body.
Researchers analyzed oxide films at atomic level to understand their impact on metal corrosion. The team found that the growth rate of oxide films determines their structure and composition, enabling new ways to protect metals.
Researchers will combine yeast, C. elegans models with mouse models to identify molecular changes in human aging and predict age-associated diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson
A new study emphasizes the need for distinct research methods when studying e-cigarettes due to their varying nicotine levels, vaping method, and ability to be started and stopped. This distinction is crucial in understanding the unique risks associated with e-cigarette use, particularly among teens.
Researchers discovered how the brain encodes speech production, finding that it controls both goals (speech sounds) and individual movements (lip, tongue, and larynx movements). This breakthrough aims to develop better brain machine interfaces to decode speech for paralyzed individuals.
A new study found that an online insomnia program using digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improved not only insomnia symptoms but also daytime functioning and overall health. The program, called Sleepio, was used by 1,711 participants and showed significant improvements in global health and mental wellbeing.
A Northwestern University study shows that obese and overweight pregnant women can safely restrict weight gain through healthy diet and lifestyle habits guided by a smartphone app. This approach resulted in normal birth weights and reduced the risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preeclampsia.
New research reveals infants can acquire object categories using just a few labeled examples, sparking the process of categorization. This 'semi-supervised learning' strategy efficiently integrates all subsequent objects into their evolving category representation.
A Northwestern University study found that historical bias leads researchers to focus on the same 10% of human genes, despite many having strong links to disease. The study suggests that policy interventions promote exploratory research but mainly reinforce established topics.
A Northwestern Medicine study found that medical schools have a median shortfall of nearly $27,500 per year, adding up to $110,000 for veterans, despite receiving the GI bill. This means that only 45% of medical school tuition is covered by aid compared to 85% for law and 100% for MBA programs.
Researchers at Northwestern University have identified four clusters of personality types using comprehensive data from over 1.5 million questionnaire respondents. The findings challenge existing paradigms in psychology and provide new insights into human behavior.
Researchers found that brain anatomy and psychological traits can predict which patients will respond to sugar pills, resulting in reduced pain and cost savings. The study suggests that clinicians should consider prescribing sugar pills for chronic pain patients, potentially opening up a new field.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a simple blood test called TimeSignature that can identify the body's precise internal time clock. The test measures gene expression markers and can be taken any time of day, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.
The study analyzed the ways children's gender narratives reinforce or disrupt gender inequality, revealing two master narratives that emphasize differences between boys and girls. Alternative narratives, including incongruent and counternarrative types, challenged these dominant stories, with some children explicitly questioning and re...
A new study found that pregnant overweight and obese women can limit their weight gain with diet and exercise interventions, reducing complications but not impacting birth weight. The trials included diverse socioeconomic groups and showed that reduced weight gain did not result in fewer obstetrical complications.
The Keep It Up! program, a novel online HIV prevention initiative, has been shown to reduce sexually transmitted infections by 40 percent among gay young men. The program will now be implemented nationally as part of the next phase, testing two implementation strategies: community-based and direct-to-consumer methods.
A Northwestern University study found that noninvasive brain stimulation improved the brain's ability to form new memories, with increased excitability lasting at least 24 hours. The research has implications for treating memory problems due to aging or brain damage.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that mixing yield stress materials creates distinct regions of mix and non-mix, providing a fundamental understanding of designing mixing protocols. The study's findings have implications for industries such as pharmaceuticals and concrete manufacturing.
A large national study finds that inducing labor at 39 weeks reduces cesarean deliveries, maternal and fetal complications. Women who underwent elective induction reported less pain and lower rates of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning youth are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, be obese, and engage in less physical activity. Minority stress may contribute to the risk of poor physical health among LGBQ youth.
Researchers found that leaf-eating primates share few gut microbial characteristics, while closely related species have similar microbes regardless of diet. This suggests that host evolutionary relationships play a more significant role in shaping the gut microbiome than diet.
A Northwestern University study suggests that multiple pregnancies can lead to accelerated biological aging in women, as measured by telomere length and epigenetic age. Women with more pregnancies showed signs of faster cellular aging, even when currently pregnant, which challenges the idea that pregnancy itself makes women look younger.
A new Northwestern Medicine study identified a trigger for some fibrotic diseases and an experimental compound to treat it. The compound, T53, reversed abnormality in three different mouse models of fibrosis, suggesting a novel approach to treat the disease.
A novel online HIV prevention program has reduced sexually transmitted infections in gay young men by 40 percent, reports a Northwestern Medicine study. The program, Keep It Up!, weaves HIV prevention information into the typical experiences of young gay men, targeting settings such as dating and starting new relationships.
FoodSwitch, a new mobile app, uses crowdsourced data to rate the nutritional value of packaged foods and suggest better alternatives. Users can scan barcodes, compare products, and contribute to the database, helping track the global food supply's healthiness.
A Northwestern University study found that climate change can push mason bees to their physiological limits, leading to high mortality rates and potentially driving local extinction. Bees in warmer environments emerged later, had smaller bodies, and lower body fat, making it harder for them to reproduce.
A new study finds that enzalutamide significantly lowers the risk of metastasis or death in men with non-metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, delaying cancer re-appearance by almost two years. The drug also shows a 71% lower risk of metastasis or death compared to placebo.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that writing exercises focused on self-compassion and gratitude for the body can significantly increase women's body satisfaction. The study, which involved over 1,000 college women, showed that these types of letters can be a positive step towards improving body image.
Researchers have developed a two-step process to produce high-quality covalent organic frameworks with crystalline structures, enabling precise control over material properties. These materials have promising potential for water purification, solar energy storage and body armor applications.
A Northwestern University team developed a novel nanolaser that changes colors by controlling the spacing among metal nanoparticles, inspired by chameleons' skin structure. The laser is robust, tunable, reversible and highly sensitive to strain.
A Northwestern University study found that a lifestyle intervention using a smartphone app, activity tracker, and small financial incentive can fully normalize unhealthy behaviors such as low fruit and vegetable intake and high screen time. Participants made significant improvements in their eating and exercise habits over a nine-month...
Researchers have identified a critical non-coding DNA element regulating the Sox9 gene, crucial for male sex development. Deleting this enhancer results in sex reversal in mice, shedding light on the genetic mechanisms underlying sex determination and potentially improving diagnosis for patients with differences in sex development.
A Northwestern University team developed a regenerative bandage that heals diabetic wounds 33% faster than current market products, leveraging the body's natural wound-healing process. The bandage uses an antioxidant hydrogel with a thermally responsive segment of laminin to facilitate tissue regeneration and counter inflammation.
A Northwestern University study found that carbon dioxide gas injections eliminate fat around the stomach, but modest changes were not sustained over six months. The technique is considered safe and non-invasive, offering an alternative to existing methods for fat reduction.
Researchers found ancient lake mud and fly species that record two interglacial periods in northwest Greenland, revealing warmer temperatures than previously thought. This discovery could improve climate models and predictions of how the ice sheet might respond to man-made global warming.
A Northwestern University research team has discovered a new battery material with a record-high charge capacity, enabling smartphones and electric vehicles to last more than twice as long between charges. By adding oxygen to the traditional cathode compound, the battery achieves higher capacity and stability.
Researchers found that sleep spindles, brief bursts of brain activity, are linked to memory reactivation and improve retention. The rhythmic pattern of spindles may help segregate memories, preventing interference between them.
A recent study by Northwestern University researchers used network science to map the gun market in Chicago, finding that individuals are on average 2.5 handshakes away from a gun. Gang membership was found to reduce this distance by 27 percent, highlighting the role of gangs in facilitating access to guns.
A Northwestern University study found that over 50% of sexually active gay and bisexual teen boys aged 14-17 used adult hookup apps like Grindr and Scruff. These teens also used the apps to connect with friends and find new partners, highlighting the importance of sex education and HIV prevention tailored to their needs.
Scientists have discovered a new compound, metarrestin, that significantly reduces metastasis in human prostate, breast and pancreatic cancer in mice. The compound was found to blow up the complex marker PNC, which indicates cancer cells' ability to spread.
Using cresol, researchers can disperse carbon nanotubes at unprecedentedly high concentrations without additives or harsh chemical reactions. As the concentration increases, the material transitions into a kneadable dough that can be molded and shaped like playdough.
A new study predicts that LISA will detect dozens of binaries in the Milky Way's globular clusters, containing various compact object combinations. This will expand the breadth of the gravitational wave spectrum, allowing for exploration of different types of objects not observable with LIGO.
A Northwestern-led synthetic biology research team has developed a new biotech technique called GlycoSCORES that promises to accelerate research into protein therapies. The technique uses cell-free protein synthesis, protein glycosylation, and mass spectrometry to rapidly screen sequences for making glycoproteins.
A new study found that daily aspirin use is associated with a nearly double risk of melanoma in men compared to those who do not take aspirin. In contrast, women taking daily aspirin did not have an increased risk of melanoma. Researchers suggest increasing patient education about sun exposure and skin checks for high-risk individuals.