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Advances in brain-computer interfaces could help millions who use tonal languages speak again after stroke or disease

Roots of computational intelligence may lie deeper in matter than scientists thought

Spending plan also calls for smaller research spending cut than feared

Chemical analysis could help predict locations of other ancient sites with impeccable fossils

The nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM), the major cholinergic output of the basal forebrain, regulates cortical modulation, learning, and memory. Dysfunction of the nbM-cortical cholinergic pathway is implicated in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Down syndrome (DS). Here, we generated human nbM organoids (hnbMOs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) containing functional cholinergic projection neurons. Then we reconstructed...

The corpus callosum (CC) is the largest set of white matter fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the brain. In humans, it is essential for coordinating sensorimotor responses and performing associative or executive functions. Identifying which genetic variants underpin CC morphometry can provide molecular insights into the CC's role in mediating cognitive processes. We developed and used an artificial intelligence based tool to extract the midsagittal CC's total and regional area and...

Senescence has been demonstrated to either inhibit or promote tumorigenesis. Resolving this paradox requires spatial mapping and functional characterization of senescent cells in the native tumor niche. Here, we identify p16^(Ink4a)+ cancer-associated fibroblasts enriched with senescent phenotypes that promote fatty acid uptake and utilization by aggressive lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) driven by Kras and p53 mutations. Furthermore, rewiring of lung cancer metabolism by p16^(Ink4a)+...

To meet the challenge of wintering in place, many high-latitude small mammals reduce energy demands through hibernation. In contrast, short-lived Eurasian common shrews, Sorex araneus, remain active and shrink, including energy-intensive organs in winter, regrowing in spring in an evolved strategy called Dehnel's phenomenon. How this size change is linked to metabolic and regulatory changes to sustain their high metabolism is unknown. We analyzed metabolic, proteomic, and gene expression...

Multimorbidity is projected to continue increasing in England and many other countries. Here, we use a validated microsimulation model to quantify the potential impact of improving exposure levels of eight risk factors on the burden of major illness among adults aged 30+ in England between 2023-2043. We find that the biggest contributors to incident major illness are body mass index, smoking, systolic blood pressure, and physical inactivity. Theoretical minimum risk exposure levels of all risk...

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in legume-rhizobia represents a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to chemical nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture. Identifying key factors involved in nodule senescence, is crucial for enhancing SNF by effectively extending the lifespan of nodules. Here, we reveal that sulfur (S), an essential element for SNF, plays a major regulatory role in the senescence of soybean (Glycine max) nodules. Blocking S input into the symbiosome by knocking out either S...

Chromosome mis-segregation during meiosis in oocytes causes miscarriages and congenital diseases. Ageing-associated premature chromosome separation is a major cause of mis-segregation. Effective prevention of premature chromosome separation has not yet been achieved. Here we design protein-based artificial kinetochores that act as decoys to prevent premature chromosome separation. Designed artificial kinetochore-like decoys are submicroscale clusters of NDC80-NUF2-tethered protein particles that...

Across species, a major axis of variation in social behaviour relates to how offspring are reared. Parental care behaviours have independently evolved in hundreds of animal lineages. Care is usually limited to one or both parents, but in some lineages parenting is a highly cooperative endeavour. In social insects, for example, entire societies have evolved around parenting, complete with distinct adult morphs that specialize in reproduction, nursing, foraging and defence. Recent advances in omic...

Aging is associated with increased breast cancer risk, and the oldest and youngest patients have worse outcomes, irrespective of subtype. It is unknown how age affects cells in the breast tumor microenvironment or how they contribute to age-related pathology. Here we discover age-associated differences in cell states in human estrogen receptor-positive and triple-negative breast cancers using analyses of existing bulk and single-cell transcriptomic data. We generate and apply an Age-Specific...

Most cancers are diagnosed in people over 60 years of age, but little is known about how age impacts tumorigenesis. While aging is accompanied by mutation accumulation (widely understood to contribute to cancer risk) it is associated with numerous other cellular and molecular changes likely to impact tumorigenesis. Moreover, cancer incidence decreases in the oldest part of the population, suggesting that very old age may reduce carcinogenesis. Here we show that aging represses oncogenic...

Aging biomarkers are essential tools for quantifying biological aging, but systematic validation has been hindered by methodological inconsistencies and fragmented datasets. Here we show that the ability of traditional aging clocks to predict chronological age does not correlate with mortality prediction capacity (R = 0.12, P = 0.67), suggesting that these metrics capture distinct biological processes. We developed Biolearn, an open-source framework enabling standardized evaluation of 39...

The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) presents an updated 2025 consensus reframing sarcopenia management through a life-course approach to muscle health promotion. While aligning with the Global Leadership Initiative in Sarcopenia (GLIS), this update provides healthcare providers with Asia-specific guidance. The consensus introduces three key refinements: first, expanding sarcopenia diagnosis to middle-aged adults (50‒64 years) with validated diagnostic thresholds; second, simplifying...

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Neurodegenerative disorders alter mitochondrial functions, including the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondrial complex III (CIII) generates ROS implicated in redox signalling, but its triggers, temporal dynamics, targets and disease relevance are not clear. Here, using site-selective suppressors and genetic manipulations together with live mitochondrial ROS imaging and multiomic profiling, we show that CIII is a dominant source of ROS production in astrocytes exposed to...