A new, multifunctional catheter developed by Northwestern University and the University of Illinois can perform all necessary medical devices for cardiac ablation therapy in one minimally invasive procedure. The device combines diagnostic and treatment capabilities, improving clinical arrhythmia therapy by reducing steps and costs.
Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully reprogrammed human embryonic stem cells to produce critical neurons lost in Alzheimer's disease. This breakthrough allows for rapid drug testing and the possibility of transplanting these new neurons into people with Alzheimer's, which could help preserve memory function.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered new shapes of microcompartment shells, including dodecahedra and octahedra, which can be used to create containers or microreactors with specific functions. These designed shells could efficiently deliver therapeutic materials to cells at targeted locations.
A new Northwestern Medicine study shows that standardized medicine prescriptions into doses at four clearly identified periods of day, can improve health outcomes for older patients. The study found that low health literacy was the greatest predictor of patients taking their medications more times per day.
A Northwestern University researcher developed a novel ranking system that evaluates male tennis players through network analysis. According to the study, Jimmy Connors ranks on top due to his long career and matches against other strong opponents. The rankings will be reassessed in 10 years to reflect changes in competition.
A Northwestern University study found that over one-third of paid caregivers struggled with reading and understanding health-related information, while 60% made errors when sorting medications. The study aims to develop standardized tests to evaluate caregiver skills and improve senior care.
Researchers designed nanoparticles by engineering the support structure, exposing stable crystal faces for enhanced selectivity and yield in catalytic reactions. The discovery could lead to better catalysts with a significant impact.
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing artificial hair cell sensors that mimic nature's ability to sense vibrations and movement. These biologically inspired sensors have the potential to improve medical device performance, enhance robotic capabilities, and create new consumer goods.
Researchers at Northwestern University are studying the rat whisker system to gain a better understanding of how animals perceive touch. By developing models and simulating the rat's behavior, they aim to unlock the secrets of neural processing and potentially create new technologies that can mimic the senses of mammals.
Karen Smilowitz and her team are applying operations research techniques to promote welfare and equity through efficient delivery of goods and services. They have worked with organizations such as the Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation to develop models for matching donors and recipients, as well as designing collection and delivery routes.
Researchers at Northwestern University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of neuroscience, finding that axons can transmit signals to the cell body and even communicate with each other. This challenges conventional wisdom on how neurons operate, revealing a new layer of complexity in neural communication.
Researchers found that the 'twenty-four' gene is critical for producing a key clock protein in fruit flies. Without this gene, flies experience disrupted sleep-wake rhythms and have trouble waking up. The findings suggest a similar mechanism may be at play in humans.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered the first evidence of a human DNA fragment in a bacterial genome, specifically Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This finding offers insight into the bacterium's ability to adapt to its human host and could lead to new strains of the disease.
The study reveals a miniature version of the 'water hammer' effect, which causes pressure spikes in water droplets on textured surfaces. This insight could lead to the design of more effective superhydrophobic surfaces for various applications, including energy efficiency improvements.
Researchers found women with PAD lose ability to walk short distances and climb stairs sooner than men, despite having less calf muscle. Women are more likely to develop a mobility disability compared to men.
Scientists at Northwestern University have developed new artificial composites inspired by nature's toughest material, nacre. The study reveals the secret to its remarkable properties and demonstrates how to replicate them in man-made materials.
Researchers found that breast cancer treatment contributes to weakened bones in middle-aged women, leading to hip fractures. Six breast cancer survivors were studied over a year, showing difficulty with daily activities despite not having osteoporosis.
A genetically tweaked probiotic has nearly eliminated colon inflammation in mice with colitis, halting disease progression by 95%. The novel probiotic strain may prove useful in colon cancer, another disease triggered by inflammation.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new method for rapidly prototyping nanoscale devices and structures, combining the benefits of scanning-probe lithography and polymer pen lithography. The technique, called hard-tip, soft-spring lithography, produces patterns with sub-50-nanometer resolution and scalability.
Researchers at Northwestern University have found that piezoelectricity in GaN and ZnO nanowires increases by two orders of magnitude as the diameter decreases. This could lead to more efficient energy harvesting devices.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that 80% of NFL linemen who underwent disc surgery were able to return to play many games, suggesting that average people can also resume their active lives. After proper recovery and rehabilitation, patients can safely lift weights and engage in strenuous activities without long-term risks.
People with knee osteoarthritis are more likely to walk fast enough if they lead physically active lives, according to new research. The study found that even a small increase in activity is related to better walking function.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a material that can harness electricity from heat-generating items with 14% efficiency, a scientific first. The material, composed of nanocrystals of rock salt in lead telluride, reduces electron scattering and increases energy conversion efficiency.
Researchers created a robotic fish that can swim vertically and horizontally with unprecedented agility. The robot uses a sophisticated fin to generate inward counterpropagating waves, allowing it to move in unexpected directions. Its potential applications include underwater recovery operations and long-term monitoring of coral reefs.
Researchers developed a curvilinear camera with adjustable zoom capability inspired by the human eye. The camera combines simplicity and versatility, enabling applications in night-vision surveillance, robotic vision, endoscopic imaging and consumer electronics.
A new study reveals that people's spatial memory biases develop as they become more familiar with a particular area. As individuals better understand the relationship between buildings on a campus, they tend to exaggerate distances and create cognitive biases.
Scientists use atom-probe tomography to map millions of individual atoms in a sea creature's tooth, revealing organic/inorganic interfaces. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for tracking fluoride in teeth and cancer, osteoporosis drugs in bone, and designing new materials with improved properties.
Depression screening in university health centers is often overlooked, but it can save lives. Studies show that nearly twice as many students visiting campus health clinics exhibit depression and suicidal thoughts compared to general college samples.
A new system using electronic health records significantly improves primary care physicians' performance and the health of patients with chronic conditions. The program boosts preventive care in vaccinations and cancer and osteoporosis screenings, increasing rates by up to 10 percentage points.
A new study by Northwestern Medicine found that highly active women gain significantly less weight over 20 years compared to their low-activity peers. On average, highly active women gained about 13 pounds less than those with low activity levels.
The Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases and the Seattle Structural Genomics Center have experimentally determined 500 three-dimensional protein structures from bacterial and protozoan pathogens. These structures could lead to the development of new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics to combat deadly infectious diseases.
Researchers have identified a molecular cause of post-traumatic stress syndrome and developed a treatment that calms brain chemicals. The new drug, MPEP, was found to prevent the condition when administered within five hours of a traumatic event, offering hope for early intervention.
Researchers have found a way to improve the reliability of carbon nanotube-based nanoelectromechanical systems by using diamond-like carbon electrodes. This enables reliable switching and storage of binary states in devices, advancing the technology from laboratory-scale demonstrations to practical applications.
Researchers developed a new high-performance fiber with superior strength and toughness, surpassing Kevlar. The fiber was created by combining carbon nanotubes with a polymer and testing its properties using in-situ electron microscopy.
The new infrared camera features a 16-fold increase in pixels, enabling higher-resolution images in the dark. The Type-II superlattice technology reduces mercury content and improves uniformity, increasing yield and reducing cost.
A Northwestern University team analyzed Wheres's George? data to identify areas of high connectivity, finding that some borders split states, while others align with cultural segmentation. The study reveals the strength of local travel over long-distance relationships.
Researchers at Northwestern University have found a way to mimic estrogen's effects on brain cells without increasing cancer risk. By activating an estrogen receptor, they increased the number of connections between brain cells, improving mental performance.
A new study reveals that adopting a healthy lifestyle in young adulthood can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease in middle age. The five key behaviors include not smoking, low or no alcohol intake, weight control, physical activity, and a healthy diet. In contrast, genetics play a smaller role in determining cardiovascular h...
Researchers at Northwestern University have produced an atomic picture showing how RNase P recognizes and cleaves transfer RNA, revealing the versatility and complexity of RNA as a catalyst. The study supports the idea that RNA played a crucial role in the emergence of life.
A Northwestern Medicine study found that stressed dopamine-releasing neurons in the brain die prematurely, triggering Parkinson's disease symptoms. The research suggests that controlling this stress with a drug already approved for high blood pressure may delay disease progression.
Researchers at Northwestern University have found that a soy-based drug can prevent the movement of prostate cancer cells from the prostate to the rest of the body. The experimental treatment, genistein, has shown beneficial effects on human subjects with localized prostate cancer in a recent phase II study.
Researchers create model of M33 X-7's evolutionary history and formation to explain its observational characteristics. The model sheds light on massive star evolution and black hole formation physics.
Northwestern University is part of a US-led initiative to modernize medical school curricula in Nigeria, enhancing knowledge and skills among medical students. The project aims to retain 140,000 new healthcare workers and improve primary health care capacity across Africa.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers uses complex systems and computer modeling to better understand educational policies. The approach, which treats education as a complex system, has been applied to school choice and student tracking, revealing promising results in understanding policy implications.
Researchers developed a method to detect early signs of lung cancer by examining cheek cells using biophotonics technology. The test, called partial wave spectroscopic (PWS) microscopy, shows promise in prescreening patients at high risk for the disease.
Scientists create a synthetic structure that mimics the behavior of PCR enzymes, allowing for highly sensitive detection of small molecules. The new catalysts could lead to advancements in medical diagnostics, forensics, and environmental monitoring.
A new drug, tanezumab, significantly reduces knee pain in osteoarthritis, but a small number of participants developed worsening arthritis and bone changes requiring joint replacements. The FDA is examining data to decide on the drug's future use.
A study of 58 caregivers found that a lack of understanding and help from friends and relatives is the biggest cause of stress. Caregivers reported signs of anxiety and depression due to common problems such as criticism, social isolation, and difficulty sustaining themselves and their families.
The Northwestern University-led trial assesses the safety and tolerability of human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in paralyzed subjects with spinal cord injuries. The goal is to evaluate if these stem cells improve neuromuscular control or sensation in the trunk or lower extremities.
Researchers discovered that combining practice with additional sensory stimulation can lead to significant learning gains. This approach may reduce the effort required for learning and improve therapies for children with language learning impairments or adults seeking to enhance perceptual abilities.