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.
Physicians rely on nuclear medicine scans to watch the heart pump, track blood flow and detect diseases. The new perovskite-based detector can capture individual gamma rays with record-breaking precision, leading to sharper, faster, cheaper and safer scans.
A Northwestern University study reveals how Pseudomonas putida, a common soil bacterium, rewires its metabolism to thrive on complex carbons like lignin. The findings provide insights into the biomanufacturing industry's quest to harness bacteria for biofuel production and chemical synthesis.
A new catalyst breaks down polyolefin plastics into liquid oils and waxes, which can be upcycled into higher-value products. This process bypasses the labor-intensive step of pre-sorting mixed plastic waste, making recycling more efficient and practical.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new CRISPR delivery system that triples efficiency using DNA-wrapped nanoparticles, improving safety and effectiveness. The new system, called LNP-SNAs, targets specific cells and tissues, reducing toxicity and boosting gene-editing efficiency by threefold.
A study by Northwestern University found that Black adults are hospitalized for heart failure at age 60.1, while white adults are hospitalized at age 73.6. The gap is largely attributed to differences in insurance, unemployment, and education levels.
A long-term field study found that wild bumble bees strategically target flowers to balance their diet, adjusting their consumption of protein, fat, and carbs based on tongue length and seasonal flower availability. This nuanced approach allows them to thrive together and maintain strong colonies.
The NIH Baby Toolbox is a new nationally standardized assessment tool for infants aged 16-42 months, measuring cognitive, language, motor and social-emotional skill development. The tool uses video-based assessments to engage infants in tasks, overcoming previous limitations in measuring young children.
Children living in low-opportunity neighborhoods are more than 20 times likely to be hospitalized for gun injuries compared to those in high-opportunity areas. Unintentional shootings account for the majority of these cases.
Researchers pinpointed the location of the brightest fast radio burst (FRB) ever recorded, RBFLOAT, to a single spiral arm of a galaxy 130 million light-years away. The precision was achieved using the CHIME/Outrigger array, allowing scientists to explore the environment and potentially shed light on the nature and origins of these mys...
Astronomers discover stripped-down supernova with unusual chemical signature, providing evidence for the layered structure of stellar giants and unprecedented glimpse into a massive star's interior. The study reveals that stars can lose extensive material before exploding, challenging current theories on stellar evolution.
Researchers have discovered a new material that matches or exceeds the performance of commercial iridium-based materials, but at a fraction of the cost. The breakthrough was achieved using a powerful new tool called a megalibrary, which rapidly screened vast combinations of metals to find a suitable alternative.
A Northwestern University study discovered that organic matter enhances soil's ability to retain water, even in desert-like conditions. Carbohydrates form bridges between organic molecules and soil minerals, locking in moisture that would otherwise evaporate.
SuperAgers, individuals with exceptional memory performance beyond their age, have been studied for 25 years. Their brains show a distinct neurobiological profile, linked to resistance and resilience mechanisms that may prevent Alzheimer's disease progression.
A Northwestern University study found that Zileuton nearly eliminated life-threatening allergic reactions to food allergens in mice by targeting a previously unknown gene called DPEP1. The discovery could lead to a new, simple pill-based treatment for food allergies.
A new Northwestern University study finds that even with renewable energy availability, switching to electric vehicles won't fight climate change without upgraded transmission grids. Targeted upgrades could alleviate congestion and unlock full emissions-reduction potential of EV adoption.
A new study uncovers coordinated efforts of paper mills, brokers, and infiltrated journals to fabricate research, pay for authorships, and citations. Millions of dollars are involved in these processes, with the problem so widespread that it's outpacing legitimate scientific publications.
A new online tool calculates a person's 'heart age' based on cardiovascular disease risk factors, revealing significant gaps among certain groups. On average, women had a heart age of 55.4, while men had an average heart age of 56.7, with disparities found among those with lower incomes or education.
Researchers have developed soft artificial muscles that provide the performance and mechanical properties required for building robotic musculoskeletal systems. The new muscles can be battery-powered, enabling robots to move more naturally and safely in unstructured environments.
A new framework developed by Northwestern University and UCLA scientists integrates various water-related processes with a machine-learning model to predict landslide threats. The framework identifies three main pathways leading to landslides: intense rainfall, rain on already saturated soils, and melting snow or ice.
Researchers from Northwestern University developed a novel approach to integrate metal-sulfur active sites into metal-organic frameworks, which significantly outperformed their non-sulfur counterparts in hydrogenation catalysis. The study provides a powerful new strategy to design and study metal-sulfur catalysts for various applications.
Researchers found that map-making brain cells in the hippocampus are activated differently even when navigating a static environment, shedding light on how the brain processes spatial memories. The study's findings could have profound implications for understanding memory, learning, and aging.