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.
Astronomers have discovered that the most powerful fast radio burst (FRB) ever observed originated from a rare compact group of at least seven interacting galaxies. This finding challenges scientific models of how FRBs are produced and may indicate that star formation triggered the burst.
A new two-year study will examine the impact of environmental factors on children's health, including those with disabilities. The researchers aim to recruit a diverse population of pregnant people and their children to understand the bidirectional relationship between mother and child.
Researchers developed a synaptic transistor capable of higher-level thinking and performing associative learning, categorizing data, and retaining information at room temperature. The device operates fast, consumes low energy, and is ideal for real-world applications.
Researchers developed a physics-based metric to predict aortic aneurysm development, measuring 'fluttering' in blood vessels. The 'flutter instability parameter' forecasted abnormal growth three years prior to occurrence with 98% accuracy.
A Northwestern University study found that nearly two-thirds of patients discontinue or change their medication within a year, highlighting the need for better understanding of barriers to treatment adherence. The high discontinuation rate for GLP-1 RAs may be due to gastrointestinal side effects.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed virtual reality goggles for mice, allowing them to study responses to overhead threats for the first time. The new system enabled more accurate and precise neural circuitry analysis by simulating natural environments, reducing training times compared to traditional VR systems.
A new catalyst developed by Northwestern University chemists can break down Nylon-6, a common plastic found in fishing nets, carpet, and clothing, in just minutes. The process does not generate harmful byproducts and is practical for everyday applications.
Researchers characterized nearly 600 microbial genomes, revealing two types of microbes: minimalists and maximalists. Minimalists share resources with friends, while maximalists can produce energy and transform biomolecules, offering insights into life in the Earth's crust and potential on Mars.
A new AI tool combines cancerous and non-cancerous cell patterns to predict breast cancer outcomes, allowing for more precise treatment plans. This could lead to reduced chemotherapy duration and intensity for some patients.
Researchers developed a flexible new platform that solves part of the daunting delivery problem in cell and gene therapies. The workhorses behind this platform are extracellular vesicles, which bind to target cells and effectively transfer drugs inside.
Researchers analyzed the chemistry of distant teenage galaxies, finding they are unusually hot and contain unexpected elements like nickel. The study provides insight into galaxy formation and evolution, shedding light on why some galaxies appear 'red and dead' while others continue to form stars.
Researchers developed soft, miniaturized wearables that continuously track subtle body sounds wirelessly across the body. The devices offer new functionalities and provide highly accurate, real-time evaluation of patient health.
A Northwestern University study identified a brain pathway that responds to rapid thermal change in fruit flies, priming behavior for escape. The researchers found that flies react more quickly to rapid heat changes than slow ones, and that this reaction is mediated by a specific circuit in the fly brain.
Northwestern University researchers have created a new perovskite solar cell that achieves a National Renewable Energy Lab certified efficiency of 25.1%, surpassing earlier records. The breakthrough is made possible by a combination of two molecules, one addressing surface recombination and the other disrupting interface recombination.
A new study by Northwestern University found that immigrants living in the US have lower preterm birth rates than native-born individuals, with Black people born in the US experiencing the highest rate. This disparity highlights the importance of considering nativity as a social determinant of health.
A new study from Northwestern University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that reducing sodium intake by just one teaspoon a day can lower systolic blood pressure by about 6 millimeters of mercury, comparable to the effect produced by commonly used first-line medication for high blood pressure. The study involved middle-a...
Researchers constructed the most complete map yet of the microbial communities in Yucatán's underwater caves, revealing distinct patterns and a core set of organisms performing key roles. The study found that Comamonadaceae, a family of bacteria typically found in groundwater systems, lived in several niches across the cave system.
A Northwestern University study found that consumers are more willing to accept automated vehicle delivery than drones or robots as a substitute for human drivers. However, tech-savvy consumers and those who prioritize speed and efficiency are more accepting of these technologies.
A novel device, ecO2, produces oxygen at the site to keep cells alive for up to a month in vitro or weeks in vivo. This innovation improves the outcomes of cell-based therapies for diseases and injuries by increasing metabolic demand.
A Northwestern University and University of Copenhagen study reveals that Greenland's thousands of peripheral glaciers have rapidly retreated over the past two decades. The research team combined satellite images with historical aerial photographs to document changes in over 1,000 glaciers over a century.
A new Northwestern University study estimates that approximately 171,000 premature deaths per year are linked to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure, with a disproportionate number occurring in marginalized communities. The study found that NO2 pollution affects predominantly Black census tracts 47% higher than the national average.