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Even under general anesthesia, the human brain can analyze language, recognize different types of words, and predict what comes next in a story, according to a surprising discovery by Baylor researchers. The findings challenge our understanding of consciousness and suggest that the unconscious brain is far more capable than scientists previously realized.

Eating late at night could be putting your liver at risk, according to a large study led by Oregon Health & Science University. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 200,000 people and found that those who regularly ate after dinner or around bedtime had a 20% to 30% higher risk of liver disease, including fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.

Scientists have discovered that unusually small cancer cells carrying extra chromosomes can be far more aggressive than larger ones, growing faster, spreading more readily, and resisting common treatments. The surprising finding could help explain why some tumors are especially dangerous and provide a new way to predict cancer outcomes.

A rare examination of an Alzheimer’s patient’s brain revealed that regions cleared of amyloid plaques had remarkably little of the harmful tau buildup associated with memory loss, while neighboring areas showed extensive damage. The discovery suggests that removing amyloid may have lasting protective effects and could help slow Alzheimer’s progression, especially when treatment begins early.

CONCLUSION: Age-friendly work requires shared responsibility across societal actors, supported by clear coordination. Personal relationships and informal networks should be recognised as valuable for enabling collaboration, but they need to be complemented by formal structures to ensure sustainability over time. Moreover, greater efforts to reach seldom-heard older adults are needed. Doing so may contribute to more nuanced and age-friendly initiatives that better reflect the diverse needs of the...

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Perceived CC and technology use characterized cognitively robust older adults, whereas tangible support identified vulnerable individuals yet was associated with slower cognitive decline. These findings underscore the need for nuanced CC strategies: digital tools engage those aging well, while intensive tangible support may be especially important for those with greater vulnerabilities. These associations are observational and do not establish causality.

Aged skeletal muscle has a reduced ability to adapt to hypertrophic stimuli concomitant with dysregulation across several molecular layers. Whether altered RNA splicing associates with impaired adaptive potential is not well studied. We hypothesized that aging disrupts the splicing response to involuntary muscle mechanical loading. Using deep short-read Illumina RNA-sequencing (SRS, 60 million read pairs) and third generation Oxford Nanopore long-read RNA-sequencing (LRS) combined with a murine...

Skeletal muscle is increasingly recognized as a secretory organ that communicates with distant tissues through the release of bioactive factors, including extracellular vesicles (EVs). During aging, muscle-derived EVs have emerged as important mediators of interorgan communication, influencing tissue homeostasis, regeneration, metabolism, and disease progression. Recent studies demonstrate that skeletal muscle EVs carry diverse cargos such as proteins, lipids, metabolites, and regulatory RNAs...

CONCLUSIONS: Using a community-engaged modified Delphi approach, this study identified key clinical and research priorities for older transgender adults. Findings highlight the importance of provider knowledge, social support, and addressing knowledge gaps in gender-affirming care and aging. These results provide direction for future research and best practice guidelines for this population.

Strokes are becoming alarmingly common among younger adults, with rates nearly doubling among people ages 20 to 54 over nearly three decades. Researchers found that blocked blood vessels in the brain accounted for much of the increase, while high blood pressure, diabetes, and substance use also became more common among younger stroke patients. Although survival rates have improved, more young adults may now face the lasting consequences of stroke.

Popular diabetes and weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to a slightly increased risk of a rare condition that can cause sudden, potentially permanent vision loss. Although the risk remains very low, Rutgers researchers say the findings warrant attention as millions of people turn to GLP-1 medications.

A 47-year study has uncovered a surprising turning point in physical aging: fitness and strength begin declining around age 35, even among people who exercise regularly. Researchers found that this decline accelerates as people get older, but starting to exercise in adulthood can still improve physical performance.

A major study found that several cancers are rising faster among younger adults in England, even as smoking, diet, and other established risk factors have generally improved. Excess weight explains only part of the increase, leaving scientists searching for other possible causes, including changes in the gut microbiome and early-life exposures.

Ice baths, massages, compression garments, and recovery supplements promise faster muscle recovery, but research suggests their benefits are often overstated, and some techniques may even undermine long-term gains. Scientists say the most effective recovery methods are far simpler and cheaper: getting enough sleep, eating well, and giving muscles time to rebuild.

Algal transfusion allows damaged coral to repopulate in as little as 4 weeks

Two unusually long-legged cats have helped scientists uncover the first genetically confirmed cases of Marfan syndrome in domestic felines. Researchers at Cornell University discovered that the brothers carried two altered copies of a gene linked to the rare connective tissue disorder, which can affect the eyes, heart, and blood vessels. Surprisingly, the cats survived into adulthood because their genetic mutation still allowed some normal function.