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University of Chicago


Nudging food delivery customers to skip the fork drastically cuts plastic waste, study shows

A new study found that green nudges on a Chinese food-delivery platform increased the share of no-cutlery orders by 648 percent, saving over 3.26 million metric tons of plastic waste annually. The platform's rewards system, which included redeemable points for planting trees, was instrumental in changing consumer behavior.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2023

Study reveals long-debated makeup of the molecules that help organize your cells

A new study from the University of Chicago has laid out the internal structure of polyelectrolyte complexes, a special kind of molecular assembly that helps cells keep themselves organized. The researchers used a combination of simulations and neutron scattering to determine the precise structure of these molecules, which could lead to...

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 31, 2023

Crowd control

Researchers found that confined epithelial cells regulate their size and cell cycle separately, suppressing growth but not division length. The team used lab-grown tissue to observe how cells respond to confinement, revealing a new framework for understanding tissue development and growth.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 28, 2023

Complex brain cell connections in the cerebellum more common than believed

Researchers found that nearly all Purkinje cells in the human cerebellum have multiple primary dendrites, which contradicts the traditional understanding of a one-to-one relationship between climbing fibers and Purkinje cells. This discovery was made possible by analyzing thousands of cells from both human and mouse tissue using immuno...

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023

People with alcohol use disorder impaired after heavy drinking, despite claims of higher tolerance

Researchers found that individuals with AUD displayed less impairment on fine motor and cognitive tasks when consuming a standard dose of alcohol, but showed significant impairment at a higher dose. This suggests that the physical effects of alcohol accumulation contribute to impaired performance beyond mere tolerance.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalAlcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 18, 2023

University of Chicago Education Lab study finds school-based counseling program reduces PTSD symptoms among adolescent girls

A University of Chicago Education Lab study found that a school-based group counseling program can significantly reduce PTSD, anxiety, and depression among Black and Latina girls. The program, Working on Womanhood (WOW), was found to reduce PTSD symptoms by 22% among adolescent girls in Chicago neighborhood schools.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 7, 2023

Researchers capture first atomic-scale images depicting early stages of particle accelerator film formation

Scientists have captured the first atomic-scale images of tin on niobium during the growth process of next-generation particle accelerators, revealing potential for greater control over superconducting Nb3Sn films. The study aims to optimize fabrication of next-generation accelerator cavities and reduce cryogenic infrastructure costs.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateApr 25, 2023

How two different types of immune cells help two billion people keep tuberculosis in check

Scientists discovered that B cells play a crucial role in controlling tuberculosis (TB) infections by directing helper T cells, known as T follicular helper (Tfh)-like cells, to granuloma tissue in the lungs where they can activate macrophages. This finding holds promise for developing better treatments and vaccines for TB.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2023

Differences in gut microbiome linked to risk of death in COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure

A study found that patients with severe COVID-19 who suffered progressive lung failure had a different gut microbiome composition compared to those who recovered. The research identified key differences in bacteria and metabolites, including higher levels of Proteobacteria and lower levels of secondary bile acids in dying patients.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2023

Researchers zoom in on battery wear and tear

Researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have used a combination of electron microscopy and computational modeling to understand how lithium-ion batteries degrade. They found that variation between areas of the battery, particularly electrolyte corrosion, leads to faster degradation.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalJoule·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 22, 2022

Electrons zip along quantum highways in new material

Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered a new material, MnBi6Te10, that can be used to create quantum highways along which electrons can move. The material acts as a 'magnetic topological insulator,' shuttingtling electrons around its perimeter while maintaining their energy and quantum properties.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 9, 2022

New cancer drug candidate targets immune system “brakes”

Researchers have designed a potential therapeutic that dampens the activity of regulatory T cells, which can prevent the immune system from unleashing its full potential against tumor cells. The molecule, known as FOX3P, acts as a transcription factor for many Treg genes but isn't vital for other types of T cells.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2022

Researchers develop screening tool to aid early diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Researchers developed a universal screening tool for IPF that can alert primary care physicians to its possible presence, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment. The Zero-burden Co-Morbidity Risk Score for IPF (ZCoR-IPF) algorithm uses existing patient records to identify patients at risk of developing the disease.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 29, 2022

Engineering robust and scalable molecular qubits

Molecular qubits are more stable in asymmetric environments, according to a study published in Physical Review X. This discovery opens new doors for potential applications of emerging technology. The asymmetric environment provides coherence protection, allowing the qubits to keep their quantum information even in chaotic places.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPhysical Review X·DateSep 28, 2022

Immune cells more susceptible to being suppressed allow acceptance of transplanted organs

In a new study, researchers found that immune T cells lacking the key transcription factor Satb1 are more susceptible to suppression by regulatory T cells, leading to transplant tolerance. The study provides insight into the mechanism behind transplantation tolerance and may lead to the development of new immunosuppression regimens.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2022

Building better quantum sensors

The new approach takes advantage of the way defects in diamonds or semiconductors behave like qubits, amplifying the information stored in solid-state defects. This discovery offers a significant improvement in sensitivity for quantum sensors measuring magnetic fields, temperature changes, and molecular structures.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPRX Quantum·DateSep 13, 2022