A new study by Northwestern University found that non-Hispanic Black individuals have a significantly higher rate of pre-term births compared to non-Hispanic white individuals. Pre-pregnancy cardiovascular health and social determinants of health explain racial differences in preterm birth rates.
A new study reveals a high incidence of youth with cardiovascular risk factors but inadequate resources to provide preventive care. Pediatricians and policymakers must address these gaps by investing in pediatric preventive cardiology and increasing collaboration between programs.
Researchers have identified a diverse range of dopamine neurons that control movement, contradicting the long-held assumption that they only respond to rewards. The study sheds new light on Parkinson's disease, which affects motor skills despite the loss of dopamine neurons.
A Northwestern University-led team developed the first 3D simulations of energy rippling from a massive star's core to its outer surface. The researchers determined how much stars should innately twinkle and converted these waves into sound waves, allowing listeners to hear both what the insides of stars and their twinkling sound like.
A Northwestern University study found that only 60% of women with heart disease risk factors received counseling on optimizing their heart health during their six-week postpartum visit. The study highlights the need for improved access to care and increased awareness of maternal cardiovascular health monitoring.
A new study from Northwestern University found that only 13% of US parents and caregivers are aware of the 2017 NIH guidelines recommending early peanut introduction to prevent peanut allergy. Despite this, more work is needed to educate families and clinicians about the guidelines.
Mutations in parkin gene break down contacts between lysosomes and mitochondria, disrupting essential metabolite supply to mitochondria. Restoring these contacts may represent a new therapeutic opportunity for Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that antipsychotic drugs interact with a different neuron type than scientists originally believed, which could lead to better treatments for schizophrenia. The study's findings suggest that the effect of antipsychotics on dopamine receptors has little bearing on their efficacy in humans.
A new Northwestern Medicine study has furthered the understanding of metabolic pathways underlying organ development, specifically eye development. The research found that aerobic glycolysis and production of lactate regulate critical genes required for early eye development.
A new study found that black residents living in highly segregated neighborhoods have significantly shortened life expectancies compared to those in less segregated areas. The study analyzed 63,694 census tracts and found that life expectancy was four years shorter on average in highly segregated areas.
A new study found that 21.3% of respondents used skin lightening agents, often for conditions like acne or hyperpigmentation, but most users were unaware of potential toxic ingredients and risks. The study highlights the need for cultural mindfulness in dermatology care to ensure safe and effective treatment across all communities.
A Northwestern University study links underground climate change to shifting ground beneath urban areas, causing building foundations and surrounding ground to move excessively and crack. The researchers also found that past building damage may have been caused by rising temperatures, which will continue for years to come.
Researchers developed a soft, wireless implant that monitors the heart and delivers electrical stimuli to stop atrial fibrillation. The device dissolves harmlessly in the body after a clinically relevant period, reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.
A new strategy targeting hospital procedures and community education led to a significant increase in thrombolysis rates, reducing post-stroke disability. The program, known as Stroke Ready, improved equity in stroke treatment for Black individuals who experience more strokes at younger ages.
Astronomers discovered a new way to destroy stars, generating powerful gamma-ray bursts in the process. The study found that stellar collisions in dense environments surrounding supermassive black holes can create these explosive events.
Scientists at Northwestern University and Purdue University have discovered that quantum interference can suppress the annihilation of photoexcitations, allowing for more efficient tools like solar cells. By controlling the quantum phases of photoexcitations, researchers hope to create new devices with high-density mobilities.
The study found that fathers who supported their partners' breastfeeding goals had higher rates of successful breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Fathers were also more likely to implement safe sleep practices when they received guidance on infant sleep safety. However, racial disparities in safe sleep practices persist, with Bl...
A new study found that two-thirds of physicians and biomedical scientists reported harassment on social media, with women and minority groups facing higher rates. The survey highlighted the need for these individuals to be represented in combatting misinformation on social media, as their loss could exacerbate health inequities.
A new study found that food allergy affects all racial and ethnic groups, but is most prevalent among Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and Asian individuals. Food allergy rates are also lower in households with higher incomes.
A new study found that pregnancy causes a shift in the types of immune cells present in a woman's blood, with neutrophils increasing dramatically. This discovery provides a 'normal reference' for studying immune changes during pregnancy and may have implications for understanding diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Astrophysicists suggest that the cocoons surrounding dying massive stars could be a new source of gravitational waves. These cocoons are turbulent, energetic places where hot gases and debris mix randomly and expand in all directions from the jet, perturbing space-time to create ripples of gravitational waves.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a way to soften stiff hair follicle stem cells, enabling them to grow hair again. By boosting the production of microRNA-205, they promote hair growth in both young and old mice, offering potential for human hair regrowth.
A new population of shorter, horizontally-oriented filaments has been discovered near Sagittarius A*, the galaxy's central supermassive black hole. These filaments are thought to be tied to the outflow of hot material from the black hole, providing insights into its spin and accretion disk orientation.
A Northwestern University study found that mental health can negatively impact sexual health in strong relationships among men who have sex with men. The research suggests that strong relationships may actually increase stress, leading to worse sexual health when depression is present.
A new Northwestern University study finds that CT scans are more effective than genetics in predicting the risk of heart disease in middle-aged individuals. The study used data from over 3,200 adults and found that adding CT scan data to conventional risk factors improved the accuracy of risk prediction.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found young adult cancer survivors (18-39 years old) are 2.6 times more likely to develop heart failure when treated with anthracyclines. The incidence is highest among leukemia and other specific cancer types.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a metal-filtering sponge that can capture and recover critical metals and heavy-metal pollutants from contaminated water. The new sponge successfully removed lead to below detectable levels with one use and recovered over 90% of the ions during subsequent cycles.
Nearly half of COVID-19 patients develop secondary bacterial pneumonia, which can lead to death. Machine learning analysis found that this complication offsets the mortality rate from the viral infection itself.
A new study found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) improved the quality of aging females' egg cells in roundworms by reducing embryonic death and chromosomal abnormalities. Replication in fruit flies confirmed the findings, suggesting a shared signaling system between species.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new catalyst that converts captured carbon dioxide into acetic acid with high efficiency. The innovation uses electrochemistry to convert CO2 into products with established markets, offering new pathways for improving the economics of carbon capture and storage.
Scientists successfully opened the blood-brain barrier using a novel ultrasound device, delivering chemotherapy to treat glioblastoma patients. The treatment increased drug concentrations by 4-6 times and was safe and well-tolerated.
Researchers developed a biomarker signature test to predict which bladder cancer tumors will respond to immunotherapy, potentially improving survival rates. The study identified three types of responsive tumors and two non-responsive ones, providing insights into potential new treatments.
Astrophysicists have discovered that intermediate-mass black holes eat stars in a series of violent passages, ejecting the leftovers across the galaxy. The star's remains create a signature that might help astronomers pinpoint these elusive objects.
The new NIH Toolbox V3 iPad App allows doctors to quickly screen patients for cognitive functions such as memory, emotion, and vision. The app covers a wide range of tests spanning four domains, enabling clinicians to assess patients in under 30 minutes.
A new study by Northwestern University found that up to a quarter of juvenile justice youth are later injured or killed by firearms within 16 years. The study highlights the need for policy and intervention strategies to address the epidemic of firearm injury and death among high-risk youth, particularly those in the juvenile justice s...
A comprehensive review reveals that postmenopausal dyspareunia is a common condition with various causes, including lack of estrogen, cancer treatments, and musculoskeletal problems. Effective treatments are available, such as lubricants, vaginal estrogen, and fractional CO2 laser treatments.
Researchers developed a graphene 'tattoo' implant that senses irregular heart rhythms and delivers electrical stimulation without constraining the heart's natural motions. The device is optically transparent, allowing for external light to record and stimulate the heart through the device.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that only 7% of Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder (OUD) received residential treatment, highlighting a significant gap in care. Residential treatment centers provide structured support and are considered one of the best treatments for severe substance use.
Researchers have discovered a non-invasive way to isolate tumor-reactive lymphocytes from blood, opening up new treatment options for cancer patients. This breakthrough could potentially bypass radiation therapies and harsh chemotherapy drugs, making it a more viable option for hospitals.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new technology that boosts weak biochemical signals by over 1,000 times using plastic transistor amplification. This enables real-time health diagnostics and disease monitoring without complex electronics.
Researchers have developed an AI algorithm that can remove atmospheric blur from astronomical images, resulting in more accurate scientific measurements and clearer data. The tool produces faster and more realistic images than current methods, producing 38.6% less error compared to classic methods.
For the first time, scientists have observed nanoparticles forming crystals with unprecedented clarity. The study used optimized liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy to capture the self-assembly process of thousands of nanoparticles. This breakthrough could lead to designing new materials for electronic applications.
A new high-resolution simulation shows different pollutants accumulate along highways and over Lake Michigan, affecting communities in distinct ways. The study provides a detailed, neighborhood-by-neighborhood estimate of air pollution, highlighting areas that need targeted solutions to address poor air quality.
A new study suggests that age, not weight, should be used to screen for diabetes, capturing the greatest number of people in all racial and ethnic groups. The approach identifies the greatest proportion of adults with prediabetes and diabetes and maximizes equity across racial and ethnic groups.
A new study found evidence of a reverse 'Flynn effect' in the US, with declines in verbal reasoning, matrix reasoning, and letter/number series scores, but an increase in 3D rotation scores. The study suggests that changing values and motivation may be contributing factors.
A new study suggests that pregnant women who have dimmed lights and screens for three hours before sleep are less likely to develop gestational diabetes. Dim light exposure before bedtime may help regulate glucose levels, reducing the risk of this common pregnancy complication.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a surprising way to trap microparticles using the combined effects of electrostatics, hydrodynamics, and random Brownian motion. This phenomenon enables the capture of particles in complex environments, such as winding channels, and could revolutionize microfluidic applications and...
The Inflation Reduction Act's target for domestic EV battery mineral extraction is achievable for some plug-in hybrid vehicles but poses significant challenges for fully electric vehicles. A mass-based standard could reduce uncertainty and incentivize production of high-value minerals domestically.
A new study by Northwestern University found that the absence of legal protections for sexual minorities increases stigma among both allies and those who reject homosexuality. Even fully accepting individuals may reject their gay neighbors, highlighting the importance of legal inclusion in reducing prejudice.
Astronomers have discovered the tightest ultracool dwarf binary system ever observed, consisting of two stars that orbit each other in less than one Earth day. The newly discovered LP 413-53AB system is estimated to be billions of years old, similar to our sun, and has an orbital period three times shorter than previous discoveries.