The Northwestern Mental Health, Earlier Center will address the youth mental health crisis by targeting early signs of vulnerability to mental health problems in toddlers through routine pediatric care. The center aims to foster self-regulation skills and reduce mental health risk by promoting developmental health promotion frameworks.
Researchers discovered an extremely diverse collection of viruses on toothbrushes and showerheads, including previously unknown species. These bacteriophages target bacteria, not humans, and have potential uses in treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed soft, sustainable electroactive materials using peptides and a snippet of plastic. These materials can store energy or record digital information and have potential applications in low-power electronics, sensors, and medical implants.
Researchers discovered that wastewater bacteria can break down plastic into small pieces called nanoplastics and use a specialized enzyme to further degrade it. The bacteria then use the broken-down plastic as a food source, providing new possibilities for developing bioengineering solutions to clean up difficult-to-remove plastic waste.
For the first time, researchers have witnessed nanosized water bubbles forming in real time using a novel method that enables atomic precision. The breakthrough discovery has significant implications for practical applications, such as rapid water generation in deep space environments without extreme conditions.
Researchers at Northwestern University have finally uncovered the mechanics of static electricity generated by rubbing objects together, explaining how forces on different parts of an object create electrical charges and a current. This breakthrough could lead to new solutions for industrial fires, pharmaceutical dosing, and other issu...
A Northwestern University study finds that cancer patients prefer their providers assess their financial concerns early in treatment. Most patients (83%) want their providers to reach out regarding financial needs, with 82% preferring this at diagnosis or starting treatment.
Researchers discovered a novel treatment that extends ovarian function in older mice by improving maintenance of the ovaries and preventing key age-related changes. The treatment also fixes hormone production and overall health, alleviating symptoms such as bone loss, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline.
A new Northwestern Medicine study identifies critical language connector sites in the cerebral cortex that work together to produce language. These sites serve as connectors between subnetworks of people, serving a similar function for language in the brain.
A new trial revealed that a lifestyle-intervention program failed to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in US South Asians, but showed promising improvements in health behaviors. The study underscores the need for culturally tailored interventions to address the unique health needs of this growing ethnic group.
A Northwestern University study reveals that states with severe post-Dobbs abortion restrictions also lack policies to support families, particularly those of low socioeconomic status and marginalized individuals. The authors argue that advocates should leverage child protection arguments to advocate for improved family welfare policies.
A study found that pediatricians were more likely to deliver a secure gun storage program when receiving a 'nudge' or extra staff support, resulting in a significant increase from 2% to 49% of doctors. The findings suggest that even minimal resources can be effective in promoting this critical conversation.
The Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute has received $55 million in NIH funding to accelerate the development, evaluation, and implementation of improved healthcare interventions. The grant will support the development of effective health interventions for more patients more quickly, with a focus on ad...
Researchers found that brief, temporary changes to bacterial gene regulation imprint lasting changes within the network that are passed on to offspring. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions of how simple organisms transmit and inherit physical traits.
A global study found that over half of adults expect to be seriously harmed by their water within two years due to low confidence in water quality. The study highlights the need for both safe drinking water and public trust in water sources.
New evidence suggests masks can reduce transmission, but behaviors like avoiding crowds also play a role. Experts emphasize the need for multi-measure approaches to public health.
The Northwestern University Transplant Access Program (AATAP) has supported nearly 300 patients, with over 50 receiving a kidney or liver transplant. The program focuses on the needs of Black Americans, addressing structural and institutional barriers to access.
Researchers found a specific deletion in the spike protein that enhances the virus' ability to infect brains of mice, which could help understand 'long COVID' and develop treatments. The study suggests viruses with this deletion can traffic from the lung to the brain, leading to neurological symptoms.
Researchers have developed a bioinspired process to make marine sand more durable and resistant to erosion by applying a mild electric current. This natural cement reduces the need for expensive protection structures and provides a sustainable solution for strengthening global coastlines.
A new study by Northwestern University found that PrEP users frequently perceive others using the medication as promiscuous, despite knowing those who use it. The authors suggest sex-positive messaging to address this stigma and encourage a broader understanding of PrEP's benefits among vulnerable populations.
In Illinois, youth emergency room visits for depression and anxiety decreased significantly after the COVID-19 shutdown and plateaued at lower rates. Social media use is believed to be a contributing factor, with increased smartphone usage leading to reduced social interaction and sleep disturbances.
Researchers developed a bioactive material that successfully regenerated high-quality cartilage in animal models, promoting enhanced repair and growth of new cartilage containing natural biopolymers. The material's effectiveness was tested in sheep with cartilage defects, showing promising results for potential use in humans.
The study found Venezuela's internet speeds are excruciatingly slow, with median speeds at about 10% of the regional average, making modern services unusable. The country's reliance on overseas resources for DNS services also leads to high latencies and impaired network resilience.
Researchers developed an injectable therapy harnessing fast-moving 'dancing molecules' to repair damaged human cartilage cells. The treatment activated gene expression necessary for cartilage regeneration within four hours, and human cells produced protein components needed for cartilage growth after just three days.
Researchers found a strikingly similar pluripotency gene network across jawless and jawed vertebrates, suggesting a common evolutionary origin. The study reveals that the loss of the pou5 gene in lampreys' neural crest cells may have limited their ability to form cell types found in jawed vertebrates.
A new study reveals that metallic minerals on the deep-ocean floor can produce oxygen, even in complete darkness. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions that only photosynthetic organisms generate Earth's oxygen and has significant implications for our understanding of the origin of life.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism by which iron oxide minerals recycle phosphorus from DNA and RNA molecules, transforming them into bioavailable inorganic forms. This finding uncovers a missing piece of Earth's puzzling phosphorus cycle, highlighting the importance of understanding natural phosphorus recycling mechanisms.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a method to load therapeutic cargo into extracellular vesicles, effectively delivering engineered proteins to specific diseased cells. This approach could enable more effective and affordable biological medicines for diseases like immunotherapy and regenerative medicine.
Researchers identified a fundamental imbalance in immune responses that patients with lupus make, leading to insufficient activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway. This imbalance can be corrected by reprogramming disease-causing cells into Th22 cells promoting wound healing, offering a potential cure for lupus.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new soft actuator that enables robots to move by expanding and contracting like human muscles. The device was used to create a cylindrical, worm-like robot and an artificial bicep, demonstrating its potential for safer and more practical applications.
A Northwestern University study reveals the experimental evidence for how the surface of iridium oxide changes during water electrolysis, enabling the design of a novel catalyst with higher activity and longer stability. The new catalyst is three to four times more efficient than existing iridium-based catalysts.
Black participants with greater access to green spaces had up to 35% lower odds of calcification, while those near a river had 32% lower odds. These findings highlight the potential benefits of environmental policies promoting public health and addressing racial and neighborhood-related health disparities.
Researchers propose a new way to teach synthetic biology, breaking it down into five components: molecular, circuit/network, cellular, biological communities and societal. The approach incorporates ethics at each scale, with successful piloting in Northwestern University courses.
A Northwestern University-led team of engineers has discovered a new way to store carbon dioxide (CO2) in concrete without compromising its strength and durability. The process achieved a CO2 sequestration efficiency of up to 45% and resulted in concrete with uncompromised properties.
A Northwestern University study found that learning and practicing positive emotion skills like gratitude, mindful awareness, and self-compassion can improve health care workers' well-being and reduce stress and anxiety. However, the intervention only works for those who practice it regularly.
Researchers discovered a rotating, magnetic wind that helps the galaxy's central supermassive black hole grow, similar to the birth of stars and planets. The study provides new clues to solving the mystery of how supermassive black holes grow, with potential implications for understanding galaxy evolution.
Researchers tracked how a mixture of plant waste was metabolized by bacteria to contribute to atmospheric CO2. Microbes respired three times as much CO2 from lignin carbons compared to cellulose carbons, shedding light on the role of microbes in soil carbon cycling and its impact on climate change.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered an attenuated virus that can help eliminate cancer in mice and prevent future tumor development. The therapy works by raising 'red flags' on tumors to alert immune cells to attack them.
Researchers discovered that brain's structural features are consistent with a phase transition in humans, mice and fruit flies, suggesting a universal governing principle. The findings could enable new designs for computational models of the brain's complexity.
Researchers developed an antioxidant gel to preserve islet function after pancreas removal, significantly improving survival and preserving normal blood sugar levels in animals. The new approach could enable patients to live pain-free without complications of diabetes.
Researchers developed a novel immunotherapy approach using ultrasound to deliver chemotherapy and antibodies to the brain, boosting immune system recognition of glioblastoma cells. The treatment showed promise in improving responses to PD-1 blockade in patients with advanced brain tumors.
A study of 2,814 men found that cardiovascular health in older age was worse for fathers compared to nonfathers, despite lower death rates. Fathers may have a more robust social support system and lower rates of depressive symptoms contributing to these findings.
Researchers have discovered that the sun's magnetic field is generated about 20,000 miles below its surface, contradicting previous theories. This finding helps scientists better understand the sun's dynamic processes and could lead to more accurate forecasts of powerful solar storms.
A newly discovered connection between two brain regions may help regulate how much we eat, according to a Northwestern University study. The weaker the connection between these regions, the higher a person's BMI, suggesting that individuals with weak brain circuits may overeat even when full.
A new Northwestern University study found that technology alone resulted in worse weight loss compared to a combination of tech and telehealth coaching for obesity treatment. The study suggests that while technology has its benefits, it cannot replace the human touch for meaningful weight loss.
A new assessment tool developed by researchers at Northwestern University predicts suicidal thoughts and behaviors with an average accuracy of 92%. The tool uses a simple picture-ranking task along with contextual variables to identify individuals at risk of self-harm.
A new Northwestern University study found that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased interest in wearable health-monitoring devices among low-income Hispanic and Latine adults. Despite growing interest, several barriers remain, including lack of affordability, accessibility, and usability, which prevent these groups from adopti...
Researchers at Northwestern University used statistical physics to corroborate Austrian psychologist Fritz Heider's 1940s social balance theory, which states that enemies of an enemy are friends. The study successfully integrated both constraints of the theory, confirming it for the first time in real-life social networks.
Researchers developed a new AI algorithm called Maximum Diffusion Reinforcement Learning (MaxDiff RL) to improve robot reliability. The algorithm enables robots to learn complex skills more efficiently by encouraging exploration of their environments.
A new sugar-based catalyst has successfully converted carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, a building block for producing fuels that can replace gasoline. The catalyst, made from an inexpensive and abundant metal, offers a potential solution for disposing of captured carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.