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Scientists created the first synthetic fragment of tau protein that acts like a prion. The “mini prion” folds and stacks into strands (or fibrils) of misfolded tau proteins, which then transmit their abnormally folded shape to other normal tau proteins. Misfolded tau proteins are the hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia.

More Americans are beating cancer than ever, yet many still grapple with treatment’s long shadow — especially on their mental health. A new Northwestern Medicine study found most head-and-neck cancer survivors who underwent radiation don’t know about “survivorship care,” even as many grapple with side effects such as lingering dry mouth, swallowing problems and psychological distress.

Northwestern scientists have developed a new, potent injectable therapy that can protect the heart from damage after a heart attack. Following a single, low-dose intravenous injection, the animals experienced decreased inflammation and cell death along with improved cardiac function and increased growth of new blood vessels.

Historically, small molecule drugs have been precisely designed down to the atomic scale. Considering their relatively large complex structures, nanomedicines have lagged behind. Researchers argue this precise control should be applied to optimize new nanomedicines.

A new Northwestern University study found that even though policy citations of science have increased steadily over the last 25 years, Democrats have a propensity to cite impactful science more often than their Republican counterparts in policymaking.
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Piperacillin effectively treats Lyme disease at 100-times lower dose than doxycycline.

A new study by developmental scientists at Northwestern University and Harvard University offers the first evidence that infants as young as 15 months can identify an object they have learned about from listening to language — even if the object remains hidden.

The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is honoring Aparnaa Ananthakrishnan, a 19-year-old Northwestern University sophomore as this year’s Blood Services Hero for her extraordinary efforts to mobilize blood donations across college campuses in the Midwest.

Robert Orsi, professor of religious studies and Grace Craddock Nagle Chair in Catholic Studies at Northwestern University, has provided the following comment about the passing of Pope Francis: