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.
Researchers analyzed historical shaking data from past earthquakes, including CHIMP data, to find that hazard maps for California and other countries predicted higher shaking than observed. The discrepancy was due to conversion equation issues between map values and intensity data.
A new study found that loneliness grows as people age, with a U-shaped pattern of higher levels in younger and older adulthood. Factors associated with persistent loneliness include social isolation, lower education, income, and functional limitations, as well as being divorced or widowed, a smoker, or having poorer health.
Men with prostate cancer who listened to mindfulness audio recordings during radiation therapy experienced significant reductions in fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The study found that the mindfulness intervention was more effective than listening to relaxing music during treatment.
Researchers identified a spectrum of effects on sodium channel function due to SCN2A variants, with hyperactive channels linked to early seizure onset and underactive channels associated with autism. The study provides insights into the relationship between genetic changes, disease severity, and age of seizure onset.
A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals that 73% of children with skin diseases face stigma and bullying, leading to impaired relationships and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The study suggests that clinicians should aggressively treat skin disorders in children and consider referral to evaluation and counseling.
The brightest gamma-ray burst (GRB) ever recorded was caused by the collapse of a massive star, according to Northwestern University researchers. Despite extensive searches, no evidence of heavy elements like platinum and gold was found.
Astrophysicists simulated 1,000 stars orbiting the galaxy's central supermassive black hole and found that collision survivors can lose mass to become stripped down low-mass stars or merge with other stars. The likelihood of collision increases for stars closer to the supermassive black hole.
A Northwestern University study found ChatGPT's responses to radiation oncology patient questions were on par or exceeded professional society answers. The AI technology aims to empower patients before and after seeing physicians, while also reducing clinician burnout.
A new implant and smartphone app monitor bladder fullness in real time, offering a game-changer for people with paralysis, spina bifida, or end-stage bladder disease. The device's success has been demonstrated in small animal studies and non-human primate trials.
Four studies conclude that longer genes are most susceptible to aging due to increased potential sites for DNA damage. Long genes have more sites for damage, making them prone to degradation with age, contributing to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine found that the US maternal mortality rate increased by nearly doubling between 2014 and 2021, with no correlation to increasing pregnancy-related deaths among older adults. The study highlights the need to investigate other causes of maternal mortality, particularly cardiovascular disease.
A Northwestern University team developed a wireless, implantable temperature sensor to monitor inflammatory flareups in patients with Crohn's disease. This allows clinicians to act earlier to prevent permanent damage caused by inflammatory episodes.
A new, non-invasive sticker detects anastomotic leaks, life-threatening fluid leaks after surgery, with high sensitivity and specificity. The bioresorbable sticker changes shape in response to pH levels, allowing clinicians to view abnormalities in real-time via ultrasound imaging.
Researchers develop AI model to predict combinations of gene perturbations that can transform cell type or restore diseased cells. The study's findings have potential applications in regrowing injured tissues and transforming cancer cells back into normal cells.
Researchers discovered that ketamine's sustained effects involve increasing immature cells' activity, while rapid effects rely on newborn neurons firing more rapidly. This breakthrough opens doors to developing new antidepressant treatments.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that guided parent-child discussions addressing subtle racism significantly reduced anti-Black bias in both parents and children. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of 'color conscious' conversations in mitigating racial prejudice.
Researchers have discovered a new way to target chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer cells by depriving them of cholesterol, leading to significant tumor growth reduction. The nanoparticles starve the cells of cholesterol, triggering cell death through oxidation of lipids in the cell membrane.
Researchers developed protein-like polymers to disrupt the Keap1/Nrf2 protein-protein interaction, preventing cellular damage and oxidative stress. This approach holds promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS.
A Northwestern University study found epigenetic changes in Alzheimer's patients' blood that increase the risk of the disease. The researchers discovered altered immune genes and proteins in the blood that could be triggered by previous viral infections or environmental pollutants, potentially leading to brain damage.
Scientists at Northwestern University and UCSF have developed a new technique to enhance the potency of human T cells against cancer. By studying mutations in malignant T cells, they were able to create T cells that can kill tumors derived from skin, lung, and stomach cancers in mice.
Researchers at Northwestern University found a significant decrease in screenings for prostate cancer and urinary tract infections after implementing point-of-care alerts. The study showed a 9% reduction in PSA screenings and a 5.5% reduction in urine testing, with minimal changes in overtreatment of blood sugar.
Researchers found that electrostatic charges, structural features of carbon molecules, and surrounding metal nutrients play major roles in soil's ability to trap carbon. The study aims to help predict which soil chemistries are most favorable for trapping carbon.
Northwestern University researchers successfully engineered a virus to destroy itself from the inside out, killing a deadly bacterium. The study represents a critical step towards creating new therapies to treat antibiotic-resistant infections.
A new study by Northwestern University found that lab-trained AI models are easily misled by tissue contaminants, resulting in errors in diagnoses and vessel damage detection. The researchers suggest improving the problem of quantifying and addressing biological impurities in AI models to enhance accuracy.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that opioid prescription limits are effective in reducing prescription length when set according to the type of doctor visit. The study, which analyzed data from West Virginia from 2017-2019, showed a significant reduction in prescription lengths for patients in hospital and outpatient settings.
Scientists develop novel synthetic strategy to create highly ordered colloidal crystals using DNA as the bonding element. The approach enables the synthesis of 10 new crystals with potential for designing metamaterials with unprecedented properties.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that toxic short RNAs contribute to neuron death and DNA damage in Alzheimer's disease. Studies found that older individuals with superior memories have higher amounts of protective short RNA strands in their brains.
Scientists have created a new therapy using nanoparticles to target specific immune cells responsible for allergic responses. The approach, which combines an allergen with antibodies that selectively inhibit mast cells, has shown promising results in a mouse study, preventing allergic reactions without causing side effects.
A new Northwestern University-led fuel cell harvests energy from microbes in soil to power underground sensors, potentially offering a sustainable alternative to batteries. The technology outlasts similar technologies by 120% and can operate in both wet and dry conditions.