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Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, dynamically respond to signals from their microenvironment, including adjacent neurons. Among these signals, nuclear contents released from damaged neurons have been implicated in triggering inflammatory microglial responses. Recently, we found that micronuclei (MNs) derived from neurons during the early postnatal stage act as intercellular mediators that alter the microglial characteristics. However, it remains unclear whether...

A new study suggests that apoB, a blood test that measures harmful cholesterol particles, is better than standard LDL cholesterol testing for deciding who needs more intensive treatment. Researchers found it could prevent more heart attacks and strokes while remaining cost-effective for the U.S. healthcare system.

A large study found that pregnant women are exposed to dozens of common chemicals, many of which were associated with earlier births and lower birth weights. Researchers also discovered that some replacement chemicals may be just as concerning as the substances they were designed to replace.

Researchers discovered an “Achilles’ heel” shared by E. coli, Shigella, and other diarrhea-causing bacteria: enzymes they use to breach the gut’s protective mucus layer. By targeting this common vulnerability, scientists may be able to develop a single vaccine that prevents several major diarrheal infections before they even begin.

Researchers have identified a previously overlooked mechanism of brain cell death that appears to play a major role in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The finding could lead to new treatments aimed at slowing neuron loss by interrupting the process before cells are destroyed.

Quantum mechanics has journeyed from a strange and controversial idea to the foundation of some of humanity’s most advanced technologies. Now researchers are pushing its boundaries even further, with potential breakthroughs in energy, medicine, computing, and our understanding of the universe.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS), classically known for its role in cardiovascular and fluid homeostasis, also regulates neuronal homeostasis in the central nervous system (CNS), where its dysregulation contributes to PD pathogenesis. The emerging evidence links excessive activation of the brain RAS in PD, where sustained activation of the angiotensin II (Ang II)/angiotensin type-1 receptor (AT1R) axis promotes oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and blood-brain...

Alzheimer's disease (AD) currently lacks effective curative treatments. Icariin (ICA), a flavonoid from Epimedium, has been widely investigated in AD animal models with emerging neuroprotective potential. However, the methodological quality, reporting rigor, and translational reliability of this preclinical evidence have not yet been systematically evaluated. Studies investigating ICA in AD were retrieved from eight databases up to May 12, 2026. The reporting quality, risk of bias, and study...

White matter (WM) abnormalities have emerged as a critical element in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, shifting from their former status as a passive consequence to an active contributor to disease progression. Notably, microstructural WM alterations, detectable early via advanced neuroimaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging, frequently precede overt gray matter atrophy and cognitive decline, highlighting their potential as early contributors to AD pathogenesis. The origins of...

White matter (WM) abnormalities have emerged as a critical element in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, shifting from their former status as a passive consequence to an active contributor to disease progression. Notably, microstructural WM alterations, detectable early via advanced neuroimaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging, frequently precede overt gray matter atrophy and cognitive decline, highlighting their potential as early contributors to AD pathogenesis. The origins of...

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for approximately half of all heart failure cases and predominantly affects older individuals, yet effective treatments remain limited. The molecular mechanisms linking cardiac aging to HFpEF are not fully understood. Here we show that the transcriptional regulator Sub1 is upregulated in aged hearts and in mouse models of HFpEF. Cardiac overexpression of Sub1 shortens lifespan, exacerbates diastolic dysfunction, and accelerates...

Cellular aging is accompanied by progressive alterations in metabolic homeostasis, stress adaptation, and organelle function. Increasing evidence suggests that functional coordination among membrane-bound organelles, including mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lysosomes, peroxisomes, and the Golgi apparatus, contributes to cellular homeostasis during aging. However, the mechanisms linking kinase signaling to specific inter-organelle contact sites or communication pathways remain...

Researchers have identified the brain circuitry that links deep sleep with the release of growth hormone, revealing how the two regulate each other. The newly discovered feedback loop helps explain why poor sleep can interfere with growth, muscle repair, fat metabolism, and brain function. Understanding this system could pave the way for new therapies for sleep disorders and diseases tied to metabolism and the brain, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Some people live past 100 with remarkable health, and researchers may have uncovered one reason why. A new study found that centenarians have a unique chemical "fingerprint" in their blood that sets them apart from normal aging, including unusual patterns of bile acids and steroids linked to longer survival.

A UCLA study has identified a hidden Achilles' heel in aggressive small cell cancers that have resisted new treatments for decades. Scientists found that tumors lacking the RB gene become critically dependent on the protein E2F3 for survival. Blocking E2F3 shut down tumor growth in laboratory models, and existing FDA-approved drugs may be able to exploit this vulnerability. The discovery could pave the way for faster development of more effective therapies.

Flexible pressure sensors are key components of Internet of Things systems for monitoring environmental and physiological signals, yet simultaneously achieving a high sensitivity, a fast response time, and a high mechanical durability remains challenging owing to the lack of sophisticated structural designs that balance sensing performance and robustness. Here, we demonstrate a multiscale artificial spider web (MASW) fabricated via copper-mesh-assisted electrospinning of biodegradable polylactic...