Genetics Offers New Therapeutic Opportunities for Parkinson’s Disease
Northwestern Medicine scientists have recently discovered that two common genetic risk factors for Parkinson’s disease can be regulated with LRRK2 kinase inhibition or GCase enzyme activation, revealing potential for the development of new therapeutics.
Chromatin Organizes Itself Into 3D ‘Forests’ in Single Cells
Using mathematical modeling and optical imaging they developed themselves, a Northwestern University research team has discovered how chromatin folds at the single-cell level.
‘Soft’ Symptoms Detected Before Parkinson’s Disease
People who carry genetic mutations associated with an increased risk for Parkinson’s disease may exhibit minor symptoms long before the disease progresses to affect daily life, according to a study of over 300 patients.
Decoding Hidden Brain Conversations to Advance Neuroprostheses
Scientists have discovered a set of neural “conversations” underlying individual neurons’ activity during learned movements, findings with implications for the development of neuroprostheses.
Site of Flow Resistance in Glaucoma Identified
According to a recent study, elevated ocular pressure in glaucoma is generated in the wall of a small vessel in the eye, the Schlemm’s canal.
How Noninvasive Brain Simulation May Enhance Long-Term Memory
A Northwestern Medicine study found that episodic memory may be improved through the use of noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the posterior medial network in the hippocampus.
Disorderly DNA Helps Cancer Cells Evade Treatment
A new Northwestern University study has discovered that the packing of the three-dimensional genome structure, called chromatin, controls how cells respond to stress.
New Insights into Cilia Formation
Northwestern Medicine scientists discovered a clever evolutionary quirk in multi-ciliated cells, which help drive fluid flow in a variety of body systems.
2019 Year in Review
Feinberg has had an exceptional year in 2019, from scientific advances to the development of breakthrough therapies and treatment strategies, as well as continued excellence in educating the next generation of medical leaders.
Gottardi Named Director of Driskill Graduate Program
Cara J. Gottardi, PhD, has been appointed director of the Walter S. and Lucienne Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences.
Top 5 Breakthroughs Podcasts of 2019
Listen to a selection of the most popular episodes of the Breakthroughs podcast series produced in 2019, including a possible Amish fountain of youth, artificial intelligence, the rise of food allergies and more.
AI Model Improves Breast Cancer Detection
An AI model predicted breast cancer in mammograms more accurately than radiologists, reducing false positives and false negatives, according to a new study.
Operation Warm Blanket Provides Support, Resources for Chicago’s Homeless
Northwestern’s Operation Warm Blanket program, run by Northwestern Medicine staff and Feinberg students , helps Chicago’s homeless get back on their feet through providing wrap-around services, supportive housing resources and medical care.
2019 in Scientific Images
These images illustrate the physical reality Northwestern scientists work within, striving to uncover the mysteries of biology, chemistry and medicine.
Pediatric Choking Deaths Show Significant 50-Year Decline
Deaths related to choking on objects in children and adolescents — especially among children younger than three years old — have decline steadily for 50 years, according to a study published in JAMA.
Medical Student Studies Wireless Infant Monitoring Sensors in South African Hospital
Kamya Bijawat, a second-year medical student, spent a month this summer in South Africa studying how wireless infant monitoring sensors developed at Northwestern could improve parent-infant bonding in low-resource settings.
Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Could Boost Cancer Therapy
A new lipid nanoparticle drug helped make tumor cells more vulnerable to therapy, significantly prolonging survival in models of glioblastoma.
Number of Americans Receiving Primary Care Decreased Between 2002-2015
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the percentage of Americans who received primary care — especially those who were male, younger, of minority backgrounds or who lived in the southern region of the United States — significantly decreased between 2002 and 2015.
Protein Protects Nucleus from Rupture
A cytoskeletal protein called vimentin helps prevent the nuclei of cells that must navigate through tight spaces in the body from rupturing, according to a recent study.
IPHAM Focuses on Chicago Communities
A unified vision for health equity in Chicago was the focus of the second IPHAM Population Health Forum, where scientists and community partners presented and discussed their work in a variety of areas.
New Frontiers — in Medicine, and on Campus
Feinberg has had an exceptional year of scientific inquiry, ranging from examining the most basic systems that make our bodies tick to developing breakthrough therapies and treatment strategies.
Global Health Day Celebrates the Past, Present and Future
Feinberg’s new Institute for Global Health hosted its inaugural Global Health Day symposium, a day-long event that featured presentations from each of the institute’s constituent Centers, a poster session, several panels and keynote speakers.
African Ancestry Affects Gene Expression
Levels of African ancestry in a person’s genome determines the level at which certain genes are expressed, findings that could offer insight into the different risk of diseases.
Medical Student Variety Show Benefits Chicago Family Support Center
Medical students performed a variety of comedy skits and musical numbers that parodied the medical school experience at the 41st annual performance of In Vivo, Feinberg’s sketch comedy and variety show.
Dangerous Skin Tumor Now Has Treatment Guidelines
A Northwestern Medicine study reports the first guidelines for treating sebaceous carcinoma, a cancer of the oil glands diagnosed in thousands of patients every year.
How Gene Mutation Causes Autism and Intellectual Disability
Scientists have discovered why a specific genetic mutation causes intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder in children.
Advocating for Muslim Patients and Students
Noor Hamideh, a second-year medical student, is president of the Muslim Student Association and is interested in pediatrics and health equity.
Lymphatic Capillaries Help Regulate Stem Cells for Tissue Regeneration
Lymphatic capillaries help regulate the niche microenvironment surrounding stem cells, which promote the regeneration of hair follicles after injury or damage, according to a study published in Science.
Premier Active Learning Environment Launches at Feinberg
A new and innovative active learning space on the Chicago campus has recently come online – the 4,800 square foot classroom was the result of years of development by the Office of Medical Education and Northwestern Information Technology.
Study Finds Many Visiting Healthcare Professionals Perform Outside their Training Overseas
A Northwestern Medicine study found that almost 30 percent of healthcare professionals and trainees from high-income countries have performed outside their scope of training while working or volunteering in low- and middle-income countries.