Methanotrophic bacteria have the unique ability to take in copper for use in methane metabolism, a process that also digests the potent greenhouse gas. A Northwestern University study has pinpointed two proteins, MbnB and MbnC, as key players in this process.
Northwestern University researchers have discovered a new design approach for creating catalysts that can accelerate chemical reactions and processes, including clean energy conversion and storage. The method has the potential to impact various industries such as pharmaceuticals, optical data storage, and petroleum products.
Over five decades, US children's artwork depicting female scientists increased from less than 1% to 28%, reflecting shifting gender roles and media representations. Researchers found that children's exposure to male scientists accumulates during development, shaping stereotypes.
Researchers used joint tissue biopsy to identify genes linked to disease progression and response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients. This new technique holds promise for personalized therapy and improved patient outcomes.
A Northwestern University study found that coffee consumption decreased endocannabinoid system metabolites, which regulate stress response, cognition, and appetite. The study also suggests coffee may facilitate the excretion of steroids, potentially affecting diseases such as cancers.
A Northwestern University team has developed a new hair dye using graphene that is non-toxic and non-damaging to hair. The dye works as well as commercial permanent dyes without chemically altering hairs, and it also offers anti-static properties.
Research from Northwestern University found that supportive relationships in midlife can partially compensate for mortality risks linked to childhood abuse. Adult self-reported social support was associated with a lower mortality risk, with the strongest effects seen among those who experienced childhood abuse.
Research debunks the 'obesity paradox' by revealing that maintaining a normal weight can postpone cardiovascular disease and reduce overall risk. Normal weight individuals live longer and have a greater proportion of life with cardiovascular disease compared to overweight or obese individuals.
Researchers developed a novel olfactory virtual reality system that enables the study of how smells engage the brain's navigation system. The study demonstrated that mice can form a map of their surroundings based solely on smells, suggesting a potential new frontier in multisensory VR experience development.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that infants as young as 3 months old can detect and generalize visual patterns, solving a puzzle about their cognitive abilities. The study demonstrates that infants are capable of learning abstract rules visually, indicating an early origin in infancy.
A novel 'memtransistor' device developed by Northwestern University's Mark C. Hersam can process information and store memory like the human brain, potentially revolutionizing computing. The memtransistor combines characteristics of a memristor and transistor, operating with multiple terminals similar to neural networks.
A groundbreaking new wearable device is being presented at the AAAS annual meeting, which uses stretchable electronics to monitor patients' swallowing ability, heart function, muscle activity, and quality of sleep. The sensor aids in aphasia diagnosis and treatment, providing a 'game-changer' for stroke recovery outcomes measurement.
Researchers used portable instruments and a robust database of alloy 'fingerprints' to analyze 39 bronzes cast between 1905 and 1959. They traced five bronzes to Emile Robecchi's foundry in WWII Paris, revealing varying alloy compositions during the Nazi occupation.
Using non-invasive portable imaging techniques, researchers uncovered hidden images connected to other works by Picasso and a landscape likely by another Barcelona painter underneath 'La Miséreuse accroupie'. The study revealed major compositional changes made by Picasso as he worked toward his final vision.
A new study by Northwestern University found that gay and lesbian youth experience less psychological distress when in a romantic relationship, suggesting the benefits of initiatives like citywide 'queer proms' to promote healthy dating behaviors.
A quality improvement toolkit improved the quality of care but not outcomes in hospitals in Kerala, India. The study found favorable trends in outcomes among heart attack patients, with lower rates of major cardiovascular events at discharge compared to usual care.
Scientists have discovered that the Huntington's gene is toxic to cancer cells due to its repetitive RNA sequences, which can be harnessed for a novel cancer treatment approach. Researchers hope to develop a short-term treatment to kill cancer cells without causing neurological issues associated with Huntington's disease.
A new machine learning algorithm, SWING, has been developed to uncover the underlying biological networks within cells by analyzing time-series data. This allows researchers to understand how cells make decisions and respond to stimuli, which can lead to strategies for intervening in diseases like cancer.
A Northwestern University team has created a new fuel cell with exceptional power densities and long-term stability at optimal temperatures. The discovery enhances the viability of incorporating fuel cells into a sustainable energy future by solving multiple problems simultaneously through electrode, electrolyte, and contact improvements.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new mechanism for controlled, sustained drug delivery using self-assembled nanomaterials. The system can slowly release drug carriers over months, reducing systemic side effects and inflammation.
A team of researchers has successfully controlled multiple quantum mechanical properties in a single material, including ferroelectricity and conductivity. The breakthrough could lead to the development of ultrafast, low-power electronics and quantum computers.
A new theory from Northwestern University predicts that molecules are not survivors but brand-new molecules formed in the winds with unique properties. These new molecules can thrive in the hostile environment of black hole winds.
Researchers identified a guardian molecule triggered by testosterone that protects males from disease. Treatment with the molecule eliminated symptoms in female mice, offering hope for new MS therapies.
Scientists at Northwestern University discovered that mitochondria and lysosomes directly contact each other in cells to regulate their functions. This rare finding has important implications for understanding normal aging and diseases such as Parkinson's and cancer.
The Northwestern University team developed highly efficient metadevices at millimeter-wave frequencies using inverse design principles and 3D printing. This approach starts with a function and asks what structure is needed to achieve the desired result, producing unexpected outcomes like broad bandwidth functionality.
Northwestern University researchers have created a new battery using crumpled graphene balls, which can accommodate fluctuation of lithium as it cycles between the anode and cathode. This approach avoids lithium dendrite growth, increasing battery performance and capacity.
Researchers at Northwestern University develop a technique to create new classes of optical materials with precise control over particle architectures. The method combines DNA-programmed self-assembly with top-down lithography, resulting in optically active superlattices that can exhibit almost any color across the visible spectrum.
A study published in JAMA found that bariatric surgery prolongs lifespan in obese individuals, with a 50% lower death rate compared to traditional medical treatment. The study tracked 33,540 obese individuals for up to 10 years and revealed that women have the majority of bariatric surgery.
A new emergency department program has been developed to reduce hospitalizations for older adults, with a focus on geriatric transitional care. The program, launched in 2013, has reduced hospital admissions among patients aged 65 and older by 33%, according to a recent study.
Researchers gained new understanding of relativistic jets' behavior through advanced supercomputer simulations, revealing how space-time is dragged into the rotation of rotating black holes. The study confirms that tilted disks lead to precessing jets that periodically change their direction in the sky.
Facial exercises improved middle-aged women's facial appearance by increasing muscle volume and reducing visible signs of aging. After 20 weeks, participants showed a significant decrease in age appearance, with average skin firmness and fuller upper and lower cheeks.
A new lithium-rich battery developed by Northwestern University can cycle more lithium ions than its common counterpart, enabling higher capacity batteries that could extend the lifespan of smartphones and cars. By leveraging both iron and oxygen to drive the chemical reaction, the battery's capacity is significantly increased.
A new study explores the ecological knowledge of 4-year-old children from urban Native American, rural Native American, and urban non-Native American communities. The research found that rural Native American children were more verbal in their play, while all children displayed realistic and imaginary ecological relations among living ...
A new Northwestern Medicine study finds that blacks have the same risk of developing diabetes as whites when all biological factors are considered over time. Obesity is identified as the primary cause of early onset diabetes in blacks, with black women developing diabetes at triple the rate of white women.
A Northwestern Medicine study reveals autophagy's promoting role in malignant glioblastoma and identifies MST4 and ATG4B as key players. Inhibiting ATG4B with radiotherapy significantly slows tumor growth, increasing overall survival rates.
A new phase 2 trial found that high-intensity exercise three times a week for six months is safe and decreases worsening of motor symptoms in early-stage Parkinson's disease patients. The study compared high-intensity exercise to moderate intensity and found significant benefits for the high-intensity group.
A Northwestern University team creates quantum entanglement from a biological system using green fluorescent proteins. This finding advances scientists' understanding of biology and opens doors to exploit quantum mechanics for new applications.
A Northwestern University study reveals that fathers of premature babies exhibit higher stress levels after being discharged from the hospital compared to their mothers. The cortisol levels in fathers' saliva increased steadily over 14 days at home, while those of mothers remained stable.
Researchers developed a synthetic cannabis-like drug that was safe and effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea. Participants in the trial had reduced apnea and decreased subjective sleepiness after taking the drug for six weeks.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a novel framework to benchmark and compare the performances of organic mixed conductors. By using electrochemical transistors, they evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of 10 newly developed materials, identifying top-performing conductors for specific applications.
Researchers at Northwestern University have captured on video the collision and fusion of organic nanoparticles for the first time. This unprecedented view enables scientists to study dynamic phenomena in nanoscale materials systems.
A novel imaging system called Ultrasound Bioprobe enables high-resolution views of sub-cellular structures in live cells, overcoming previous limitations. This breakthrough has potential applications in early diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for diseases.
A new Northwestern Medicine clinical trial found that stem cell therapy did not improve walking ability in people with peripheral artery disease, despite exercise showing significant improvements. The study led by Dr. Mary McDermott demonstrated that regular exercise can increase six-minute walking distance in patients with PAD.
A genetic mutation in an extended Amish family in Indiana has been discovered to protect against multiple aspects of biological aging in humans. The mutation results in longer telomeres, lower fasting insulin levels, and reduced diabetes risk.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that water baths were just as effective as bleach baths in reducing eczema symptoms, with no added benefits to using bleach. Regular bathing can help control bacterial infections and prevent dryness, making it a better alternative for patients with eczema.
A study by Northwestern University and Harvard University found that shared decision-making between doctors and patients increased 14% from 2002 to 2014, resulting in better-informed patients who opt for fewer marginal treatments.
Researchers discovered that mild mitochondrial stress signals can prevent protein-folding quality control failure and suppress damaged proteins associated with degenerative diseases. This approach doubles the lifespan of C. elegans and may offer a strategy for increasing cellular health and delaying disease risk in humans.
Researchers develop a new strategy for treating cancer by controlling chromatin packing densities, which determines gene expression and resistance to treatment. The approach has shown promising results in cellular cultures and is now being tested in animal models.
A new study found that SuperAgers -- people aged 80+ with exceptional cognitive ability -- report more satisfying relationships compared to their peers. This association suggests that maintaining strong social networks may be linked to slower cognitive decline.
Magdalena Osburn, a Northwestern University geobiologist, has been awarded a $875,000 Packard Fellowship to study 'microbial dark matter', or unknown microbes that have evaded cultivation in the lab. Her research will explore how these microorganisms interact with their environments and produce chemical signatures.