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Low arginine levels may allow cancer cells and viruses to slip past the immune system by reducing production of a crucial cellular warning protein. In mice, arginine-rich diets led to fewer colon tumors and milder viral infections, suggesting a simple supplement could have powerful therapeutic potential.

First comprehensive map of the vagus nerve may point to more precise stimulation therapies

Scientists have identified a molecular switch that may help explain why aging makes the brain more vulnerable to diseases such as ALS and Huntington’s. In worms, the protein EPS8 builds up with age and triggers signaling that encourages toxic proteins to clump together, damaging neurons and shortening lifespan. Reducing EPS8 activity prevented these harmful aggregates and preserved nerve function.

Vanderbilt researchers created the first selective compound designed to inhibit TAOK-1, a poorly understood protein connected to Alzheimer’s disease. They also discovered a second compound that activates the entire TAOK protein family, offering scientists an unexpected new research tool. Together, the compounds could reveal hidden disease mechanisms and point toward new treatment strategies.

Endothelial cells are critical in the regulation of blood pressure. We previously demonstrated AGGF1 was crucial for maintaining endothelial cell function. This study aims to examine whether AGGF1 regulates blood pressure. Here, we found that AGGF1 expression was inversely correlated with blood pressure with age. In male mice, endothelial-specific loss of function of Aggf1 (Aggf1^(flox/flox)/Tie2-Cre^(+)) significantly increased blood pressure, whereas endothelial-specific human AGGF1...

CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to detect a significant association between a hip fracture and new onset of cognitive impairment in older adults. However, conclusions are limited by large confidence intervals. There was a signal toward a positive association, particularly for probable dementia. Future research should be performed in larger sample sizes with rigorous matching to understand risk factors for developing cognitive impairment after hip fracture.

Physical exercise is beneficial for older adults, but little is known about inter-individual response variability or whether its effects reach clinical significance. We analyzed individual clinically meaningful responses to exercise in older adults. This is an ancillary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial. 188 older patients (> 75 years) with mild cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to a 3-month home-based multicomponent exercise intervention (3-5 days/week based on...

Scientists have figured out how two famously poisonous plants create chemicals with surprising medical potential. After tracking thousands of genes in wolfsbane and larkspur, they identified six enzymes needed to build a complex compound called atisinium. The team recreated the process inside tobacco plants, offering a sustainable way to produce and test these rare molecules in larger amounts.

A protein once thought to mainly protect chromosome ends may also be essential for keeping muscle stem cells ready to repair injuries. Researchers found that TRF2 helps these cells maintain their identity and coordinate the cycle of rest, repair, and renewal.