Year: 2026
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Gut Bacteria Leave Intestinal ‘Memory,’ Protecting Against Inflammation
New Northwestern Medicine research published in Nature Communications suggests that a metabolite produced by gut bacteria when they digest dietary fiber can leave a lasting molecular imprint on intestinal cells, promoting immune tolerance and protecting against inflammatory bowel disease-like conditions long after exposure ends.
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Study Identifies New Genetic Variants that Cause Rare Tumor Disorder
A recent Northwestern Medicine study offers new data showing previously unknown genetic variants that cause the development of tuberous sclerosis complex, a rare genetic disorder that causes benign tumors to develop in many parts of the body, according to findings published in Nature Communications.
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AI-Guided Study Uncovers Drug Targets for Psoriasis
A new study from Northwestern Medicine investigators, in collaboration with Biohub, a program of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, has identified potential drug targets for treating psoriasis, according to the study published in Nature Communications.
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Novel Wireless Sensor Monitors Progression of Soft Tissue Disorders
Northwestern scientists have developed a novel wireless sensor device that can continuously monitor skin elasticity in patients with soft tissue disorders including lymphedema and scleroderma, which can support early disease detection and better inform care strategies, as detailed in a study published in Science Advances.
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Blood Test Spots Hidden Pancreatic Cancer After Treatment
A highly sensitive blood test can detect traces of pancreatic cancer missed by standard testing, potentially helping physicians identify patients whose disease is more likely to return even when scans appear reassuring.
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‘Leaky’ Muscle Fibers Drive Immune Response in Muscular Dystrophy
A Northwestern Medicine study has uncovered how chronic defects in muscle membrane repair can fuel harmful inflammation, according to the study published in JCI Insight.
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Daylight Saving Time Impacts Risk of Retinal Vascular Disease
For the first time, Northwestern Medicine scientists have detailed how autumn and spring daylight saving time transitions impact a person’s risk of developing retinal vascular disease, according to a recent study published in Scientific Reports.
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Immune Receptor Plays Dual Role in Promoting T-cell Exhaustion in Cancer
A new Northwestern Medicine study has uncovered how a key immunoregulatory receptor plays an unexpected dual role in promoting T-cell exhaustion during chronic infection and cancer, according to findings published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Treating a Rare Form of Obesity Caused by Brain Injury
A rare condition that causes rapid, uncontrollable weight gain can now be treated, according to a recent phase 3 clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
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Center for Community Health Hosts 2026 Community-Engaged Research Conference
The 2026 Community-Engaged Research Conference drew scores of community leaders and their academic partners for a day-long exchange of stories and ideas cultivated in the pursuit of improving the health of all Chicagoans.
