A study by Northwestern University found that memory edits the past with present experiences, reframing events to create a story fitting the current world. The hippocampus plays a key role in this process, acting as a film editor and special effects team.
A large national study found that elevated blood pressure as young as age 18 is a warning sign of cardiovascular disease developing later in life. The study identified distinct blood pressure patterns from ages 18 to 55 that reveal people at high risk for calcification of coronary arteries, a marker for heart disease.
A study by Northwestern University found that doctors who use electronic health records in the exam room spend about a third of their visits looking at computers, leading to missed nonverbal cues. The study suggests that interactive screen sharing could improve doctor-patient interaction and contribute to better-designed technology.
Three students from Northwestern University created a device using pencil traces on paper to measure strain, while also detecting hazardous chemical vapors. The technology uses the conductive properties of graphene, which is shed when drawing on paper, to create a rudimentary electrode.
Researchers have developed a microparticle therapy that targets inflammatory cells causing damage after a heart attack, reducing lesion size by 50%. The therapy has potential to transform treatment of cardiovascular disease and could be translated for clinical use within two years.
Researchers have discovered intricate neural networks in zebrafish that could help explain how humans developed limb control. The study found separate circuits for controlling the left and right sides of the body, which may be a precursor to human arm and leg movements.
New measurements of mass reveal that planets smaller than Neptune have low density due to extensive gas coverage, while larger ones have higher density. This suggests these planets formed quickly after their star's birth, contrasting with Earth's late formation.
Researchers challenge conventional wisdom that super-Earths are waterworlds, proposing they can have exposed continents and an Earth-like climate. The model suggests most tectonically active super-Earths store water in the mantle, enabling a stable climate.
A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals that leading National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers do not consistently identify and inform patients about their fertility risks or refer them to specialists. Fertility navigators are crucial in bridging the gap between oncology and fertility, but only a third of thes...
Researchers at Northwestern University found that heavy marijuana users had abnormal changes in their brain structures related to working memory, performing poorly on memory tasks. The study suggests that chronic marijuana use may contribute to changes in brain structure associated with schizophrenia and potentially impair motivation.
A new mathematical theory helps reconstruct outbreak origins with higher confidence and forecasts epidemic-spreading speed. The approach uses effective distances computed from air transportation network traffic intensities to visualize geographic spread of past diseases.
The development of UV photodetectors has been driven by numerous applications in the defense, commercial, and scientific arenas. The researchers have brought this AlxGa1-xN-based device closer to reality by developing a compact photodetector with the world's highest quantum efficiency.
A Northwestern University study found that individuals with high self-monitoring and diverse social networks are more likely to strongly experience face threats on Facebook. People who felt they had a high level of Facebook skills reported experiencing these kinds of threats less severely.
A Northwestern University research team successfully built near-perfect single crystals out of nanoparticles and DNA, transforming disordered materials into orderly crystal structures. The technique, developed by Chad Mirkin and Monica Olvera de la Cruz, holds promise for novel technologies and new industries.
A collaborative study between researchers at Northwestern University and Microsoft Research found that Asian and Hispanic parents are significantly more likely to be concerned about all online safety-related issues. In contrast, white parents exhibit the lowest levels of concern across various online safety issues.
Northwestern University researchers have developed a new technique to profile enzyme activities in cell lysate, providing a fast, low-cost, and label-free method for studying post-transcriptional processes. By using peptide arrays and SAMDI mass spectrometry, the researchers were able to identify patterns of enzyme activities and shed ...
Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully tested a nontoxic therapy that suppresses Lupus in blood samples of people with the autoimmune disease. The study found that the peptides can block and reduce autoantibody production to almost baseline levels, showing potential as a vaccine-like therapy.
Northwestern University researchers found that brain activity can predict individual differences in reading comprehension, with nearly 90% accuracy. They used EEG to measure brainwaves and compared the results between ordered and scrambled story texts.
A new algorithm developed at Northwestern University can accurately track physical activity no matter where a patient carries their phone. The study's findings are crucial for improving the health of patients with Parkinson's disease, who may carry their phones in different locations throughout the day.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that physiological changes during pregnancy reduce the effects of commonly used bipolar medications, making women more vulnerable to recurring episodes. Women with bipolar disorder may require higher doses to stay well during pregnancy.
A Northwestern University research team has developed a drug that silences a critical gene in glioblastoma, increasing survival rates by nearly 20% and reducing tumor size. The novel therapeutic uses nanotechnology to target the gene, which plays a key role in therapy resistance.
Research at Northwestern University finds that adolescents from lower maternal educational backgrounds have noisier neural activity, erratic responses to speech sounds, and poorer reading performance. The study suggests that poverty can shape the brain's representation of auditory information.
Researchers have verified the classical Landau-Squire theory in a nanoscale fluid jet, measuring flow rates of tens of pico liters per second. The findings suggest that the Navier-Stokes equations hold true at molecular scales, with potential applications in ultra-low-volume injectors and microfluidic logic circuits.
A Northwestern University study analyzed data from over 400,000 runners in 10 large 10km road racing events. The top groups of men and women appear to be getting faster, with more sub-hour finishers among women. An increasing percentage of finishers are completing races in more than one hour.
A new Northwestern University study tracked the auditory system's response to highly complex auditory-visual stimuli like music and moving images. The research shows that the left auditory cortex specializes in processing precise timing for sounds and applies this ability to encode auditory-visual synchrony, but only in certain situati...
Researchers at Northwestern University have created a p-n heterojunction diode using molybdenum disulfide and carbon nanotubes, allowing for electronically tunable device characteristics. The device has also shown ultrafast photodetection capabilities with a sensitive response to light.
Chemist Elad Harel at Northwestern University has been awarded a Packard Fellowship to develop optical analogs of MRI technology for studying protein misfolding. Misfolding is linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes.
Scientists have discovered a critical clue about why some people can control HIV without taking antiviral drugs. These 'controllers' have an extra helping of the immune protein APOBEC3G, which blocks HIV from spreading within the body.
A Northwestern University study found that the amount of eye contact a doctor makes is the most important factor in patient perception of empathy. Patients also gave doctors higher scores when they engaged in social touches like handshakes or pats on the back, but excessive touches decreased empathy.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a compact, room-temperature terahertz source with an output power of 215 microwatts, paving the way for applications in homeland security, medical imaging and space research. The device, similar to a laser diode, operates at high power without cryogenic cooling.
A new study is testing a standardized labeling system that prescribes medications at four specific times of the day (morning, noon, evening, and bedtime), with the goal of improving patients' understanding and proper use of their medications. The study aims to reduce confusion and neglect among patients taking multiple medications.
Researchers at Northwestern University have determined how to control bilayers' crystallization by altering the acidity of their surroundings. This discovery sheds light on cell function and could enable advances in drug delivery and bio-inspired technology.
A new intravaginal ring has demonstrated a 100% success rate in protecting primates from HIV, offering hope for women in developing nations. The device utilizes a smaller dose of the anti-retroviral drug tenofovir, delivered through a unique polymer construction that increases drug release.
A Northwestern University study found that fear memories can be reduced in people by exposing them to the memory over and over again while they slept. This breakthrough potentially offers a new way to enhance daytime treatment of phobias through exposure therapy with a nighttime component.
The circadian clock enables cells to use stored fuel efficiently when we fast, with NAD+ and Sirtuin 3 playing a critical role. Disrupting the clock leads to metabolic disorders, but providing NAD+ supplements can restore mitochondrial function.
New research from Northwestern University predicts chronic back pain after lower back injuries based on abnormalities in brain structure connections. The study found that specific irregularities in the axons of the brain's white matter can trigger chronic pain with high accuracy, offering new hope for early treatment and prevention.
A Northwestern University study of over 100 high school students found a significant link between music, beat-keeping and language skills. Accurate beat-keeping involves synchronization between the parts of the brain responsible for hearing and movement.
A new study shows significant health benefits for uninsured people living in suburban areas when they receive access to primary care. After one year, participants reported improved preventive care and screenings, as well as better overall health status.
Researchers found that non-human primate vocalizations promoted object categorization in 3- and 4-month-old infants, similar to the effects of human speech. By six months, however, this effect disappeared, suggesting a specific link to human language has been established.
Northwestern University researchers develop method to change molecular properties by altering surface geometry, mimicking nature's simplicity. The technique enables the creation of patchy nanoparticles with unique chemical properties, opening doors for new materials and applications.
A structural defect in skin cells, specifically desmoglein 1, contributes to allergy development, including skin and food allergies. This finding could lead to a better understanding of the importance of other structural proteins in the skin barrier.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that plant polyphenols can be used to create antibacterial coatings with useful properties. These coatings, which are non-toxic and have antioxidant properties, were found to stick to various surfaces, including Teflon.
A new Northwestern University study has found that high financial debt is associated with higher diastolic blood pressure and poorer self-reported general and mental health in young adults. Individuals with high debt reported higher levels of perceived stress and depressive symptoms, as well as worse self-reported general health.
New Northwestern University research shows that aerobic exercise during the day does not result in improved sleep that same night for people with existing sleep problems. Regular exercise is a healthier way to address underlying insomnia issues, as it can lead to better sleep quality and reduced fatigue over time.
A research team at Northwestern University has designed and synthesized new polymer semiconductors, resulting in polymer solar cells with an impressive 80% fill factor. This achievement surpasses previous records and paves the way for a more efficient and sustainable energy production method.
Researchers developed a new test to identify early-onset dementia in individuals aged 40-65 using face recognition tests, distinguishing between name and facial recognition. The study found significant differences in brain tissue loss between those with and without dementia, providing valuable insights into cognitive impairment.
Researchers identified two genes, HKDC1 and BACE2, associated with glucose and insulin levels in pregnant women but not in the general population. This study suggests that genetic risk profiles could one day identify individuals at elevated risk for developing gestational diabetes.
New research shows oxytocin's role in strengthening negative social memories and increasing future anxiety, contradicting its long-held association with love and social bonding. The hormone activates a brain region that intensifies the memory of stressful social interactions.
A new low-cost, high-resolution desktop nanofabrication tool enables the rapid production of high-quality materials and devices at the nanoscale. The tool produces working devices and structures in a matter of hours, making it a game-changer for fields like gene chip development and electronic circuit creation.
A Northwestern University study found that young adults, particularly men and Hispanics, are less likely to manage their social media privacy settings as they seek a job or maintain employment. In contrast, women, whites, and those with higher Internet skills tend to actively manage their online profiles.