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.
Scientists have discovered a shape-shifting molecular valve in PANX1, a cellular gate that controls the flow of chemical messages. Researchers found that a common antimalarial drug can enhance or inhibit this gate's activity, paving the way for precision therapies.
Astronomers at Northwestern University have directly imaged a Tatooine-like exoplanet orbiting two suns, revealing unique insights into how planets form around multiple stars. The discovery provides an unprecedented look at the complex dynamics of binary systems and offers new opportunities to test theories of planet formation.
A study found that lung microbiomes play a significant role in pneumonia, with patients having oral-like pneumotypes more likely to recover. The researchers identified four distinct microbial patterns, or 'pneumotypes,' associated with different types of pneumonia.
Scientists at Northwestern University have developed the fastest test yet for diagnosing hepatitis C virus, delivering results in just 15 minutes – up to 75% faster than current rapid tests. The highly accurate diagnostic could revolutionize HCV care by improving diagnosis and accelerating treatment uptake.
Scientists developed a wireless device that uses light to send information directly to the brain, bypassing natural sensory pathways. The soft device delivers precise patterns of light through the bone to activate neurons across the cortex, allowing mice to learn and interpret meaningful signals.
A Northwestern University study found that airplane and hospital air mostly contain harmless microbes from human skin, with some potentially pathogenic species in extremely low abundance. The study used worn face masks as a passive tool to monitor indoor air, revealing the invisible world of microbes floating in our shared air.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed the first haptic device achieving human resolution, recreating digital touch with clarity and detail. The VoxeLite device wraps around a fingertip to give users a realistic feel for digital environments, including virtual reality systems and assistive technologies.
A new tool called LEVA allows researchers to precisely arrange and track tiny biological packages called surface-bound extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs). By studying EVPs' messages, scientists can gain insights into various biological processes, including wound healing, infection, regeneration, and cancer spread.
A new online calculator uses percentiles to help younger adults forecast their risk of a heart event over the next 30 years. The tool calculates a person's 30-year risk of developing heart disease using common health measures, such as blood pressure and cholesterol.
Researchers identified a 'sweet spot' in clinical decision-making, where presenting two or more appropriate treatment options increases the odds of physicians selecting a high-quality alternative. The study challenges the widely cited status-quo bias theory and suggests that more options can lead to better care decisions.
Researchers have discovered that manganese is both an armor and a weakness for the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi. Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating the disease.
A new report from Northwestern University offers six practical strategies to improve the doctor-patient bedside encounter in an era dominated by AI. By employing these strategies, clinicians can strengthen patient-physician relationships, combat inequities, and reduce burnout, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
A new genetic risk score combines rare and common gene variants with non-coding genome information to predict arrhythmia risk. This comprehensive framework can be applied to other genetically influenced diseases like cancer and Parkinson's Disease.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered how pancreatic tumors evade the immune system and created an antibody therapy that blocks this mechanism, reawakening immune cells to attack cancer cells. The study shows promise for treating pancreatic cancer and may have broader implications for other hard-to-treat cancers.
A new Northwestern University study reveals how a key disease protein, TDP-43, drives overactive nerve cells in ALS and FTD. The findings highlight a promising new drug that can fix this error and restore balance to neurons.
The study found that men, Black patients, and those living in low socioeconomic areas were disproportionately affected by the increased amputation rates. The authors emphasize the need for aggressive prevention, early diagnosis, and intensive risk factor management to address the growing burden of diabetes and PAD.
Scientists re-engineered a common chemotherapy drug to make it more soluble and effective, targeting cancer cells while leaving healthy tissues unharmed. The new nanomedicine significantly extended survival in animal models of leukemia, showing promise for improved cancer treatment.
Researchers at Northwestern University captured a detailed look at TRPM3, a core temperature sensor, revealing how it turns on when temperatures rise. The finding uncovers a new way that cells sense temperature, helping explain how the nervous system distinguishes harmless warmth from dangerous heat.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that abnormal cells in transplanted lungs engage in harmful 'conversations' with the immune system, leading to damage and rejection. The findings provide a comprehensive roadmap for treating chronic lung allograft dysfunction and other scarring lung diseases.
A Northwestern University study found that Chicago parents have low intake of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, with women consuming even lower amounts. This deficiency may have direct negative effects on children's health, including preterm birth risk.
A new study led by Northwestern Medicine found that botulinum toxin injections provided significant short-term relief for phantom limb pain, with an average reduction of four points on a 10-point scale. The treatment, which targets painful nerve endings around neuromas, showed promise as a potential tool to alleviate post-amputation pain.
A Northwestern University-led team of astronomers used NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to capture the most detailed glimpse yet of a doomed star before it exploded. The study reveals that massive red supergiants rarely explode due to thick clouds of dust, but JWST's new capabilities can pierce through the dust to spot these phenomena.
A study analyzing over 15,000 US treatment plants found that methane and nitrous oxide are the dominant greenhouse gases, exceeding current government estimates by 41%. The researchers identified opportunities for low-hanging-fruit reductions in emissions through fixing leaks and developing new technologies.
A new study led by Northwestern University found that introducing peanut-containing foods to infants can cut peanut allergy risk by more than 80%. Pediatrician training and electronic health record prompts significantly improved adherence to guidelines, with guideline-based care seen in 84% of low-risk infants.
A novel molecular coating enhances the consistency and precision of quantum light sources, increasing their spectral purity and controlling photon energy. The coating protects single-photon emitters from atmospheric contaminants, enabling reliable quantum devices for secure communications and ultra-precise sensors.
A new study found that over 40% of specialty clinics in the US turn away patients weighing 465 pounds or more due to lack of accessibility features. The study highlights a need for staff training on inclusive care and accommodations for patients with severe obesity.
A large-scale study analyzing health records for over 9 million adults in South Korea and nearly 7,000 people in the U.S. found that more than 99% had at least one risk factor before their first cardiac event. High blood pressure was the most common culprit, affecting over 95% of patients.
A new study finds that gun injuries result in an estimated $7.7 billion in hospital costs for the US healthcare system between 2016 and 2021. The majority of these costs, 52%, were billed to Medicaid, highlighting the financial burden on safety-net hospitals serving vulnerable populations.
A new study uses three wearable sensors to track eating behavior and identifies five distinct patterns, including late-night snacking and stress binging. The findings lay the groundwork for personalized interventions to help individuals overcome unconscious habits that drive overeating.