Latest Releases

By creating a more true-to-life representation of DNA’s environment, researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that strand separation may take more mechanical force than the field previously believed.

Robert Orsi, professor of religious studies and history at Northwestern University has provided the following quote on the announcement of Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost as the first pope from the U.S. Quote from Professor Orsi “It is thrilling to have the first pope from the United States, Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost. This is a historic day. Robert Francis Prevost was a favorite of Pope Francis, who made him cardinal only two years ago. The new pope’s namesake, Leo XIII, was known for his outspoken defense of the rights of working people to a living wage. By taking this name, Pope Leo XIV clearly signals his priorities. Pope Leo XIII was also profoundly wary of nationalists, especially those who would divide the church over political disputes. The Pope Leo of the early 21st century, who spent most of his 69 years outside the United States, appears already to be calling Catholics back to a truly global, truly open-hearted faith. And he deeply touched all Catholics by inviting them to join him in reciting the Hail Mary in the very first moments of his papacy.”
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Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, economist and the current administrator of the Panama Canal Authority through 2026, will discuss the Canal’s role in global trade across time during the 43rd Annual William A. Patterson Distinguished Transportation Lecture on Wednesday, May 7 at Northwestern University.
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Researchers at Northwestern University and Israel’s Tel Aviv University have overcome a major barrier to achieving a low-cost solution for advanced robotic touch. The authors argue that the problem that has been lurking in the margins of many papers about touch sensors lies in the robotic skin itself.

Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr.’s proposal to require that all new vaccines undergo safety testing in placebo-controlled trials “is ethically problematic and will slow testing down for no good reason.”
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CHICAGO --- Judge Michael Y. Scudder, Jr. (JD ’98) will deliver the convocation address to Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s Class of 2025 on Friday, May 16, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.
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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.