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The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a dynamic synapse whose structure and function change with activity. This review synthesizes evidence from molecular studies, in vivo imaging, computational models, and human exercise research to explain how exercise remodels the presynaptic motor neuron terminal, postsynaptic muscle endplate, perisynaptic Schwann cells (PSCs), and extracellular matrix (ECM). Three conclusions emerge. First, endurance, resistance, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and...

The aging brain undergoes progressive alterations in energy metabolism that may reduce its capacity to match energy supply with changing functional demands. Declining glucose metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered neuron-glia and neurovascular interactions may contribute to this vulnerability, but these changes do not necessarily indicate complete loss of metabolic capacity. Neuroenergetic flexibility refers to the capacity to coordinate changes in substrate utilization with...

The accumulation of senescent cells is a recognized hallmark of biological aging and is associated with the onset of multiple chronic medical conditions. Senescent cells exhibit a distinct secretory profile, known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which can propagate cellular senescence to neighboring and distant tissues. Measuring SASP factors in blood serves as a practical proxy for cellular senescence burden and may help track disease states and intervention outcomes....

Aging drives physiological decline and predisposes individuals to multiple age-related pathologies, constituting a major global health challenge. Growth hormone receptor (GHR), a critical regulator of growth, development, and metabolism, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. However, its precise role in aging and age-related diseases remains incompletely defined. Here, we demonstrate that hepatocyte-specific GHR knockout mice display accelerated aging-related phenotypes, characterized...

Scientists discovered rare flavoalkaloids in Cannabis leaves for the first time, along with dozens of other phenolic compounds that had never been reported in the plant. The findings suggest that Cannabis leaves, often discarded as waste, may contain a surprisingly rich source of potentially useful chemicals.

A major analysis suggests Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a genetic disorder closely linked to autism, may affect about 1 in 7,300 people and more than 45,000 Americans. Researchers warn that thousands of cases may remain hidden because genetic testing is often not performed, even as targeted treatments move into clinical trials.

Researchers used CRISPR to remove CD33 from donor stem cells, potentially giving doctors a way to attack aggressive blood cancers without destroying the healthy cells patients need after a transplant. In a 30-patient trial, the edited cells successfully took hold and appeared to shield blood cells from a CD33-targeted cancer treatment.

Imminent change in legal status raises concerns that national academy will serve political interests

First clean pictures from a muon beam point to a new way to peer inside suspicious packages and ancient structures

Caspase-3, a cysteine-aspartic protease canonically known for its role in apoptotic cell death, has been implicated in several non-apoptotic functions, particularly in microglia, the brain-resident macrophages. These novel functions appear to depend on distinct levels of caspase-3 activation; however, the role of basal caspase-3 activity remains unclear. Here, we show that basal caspase-3 regulates RNA splicing in microglia, and its deficiency in a Parkinson´s disease (PD) model leads to...

CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals perceive that participation and learning among residents, relatives, and colleagues in long-term care facilities do occur, but to varying degrees and are associated with multiple challenges. Drawing on a learning model, such as Illeris, can help identify which components need to be developed, which together with a deeper understanding and implementation of person-centredness, could contribute to increased participation and learning, and thereby to the...

No abstract

Diet is an environmental factor influencing aging and life expectancy. Age-associated DNA methylation and epigenetic clocks are primary hallmarks of aging and may be modified by diet. However, observed associations between diet and epigenetic clocks may be confounded by familial factors. Using data from monozygotic twins in the Danish GEMINAKAR cohort, established in 1997-2000, when participants were aged 18-67 years, and with a 12-year follow-up, we examined whether adherence to Danish dietary...

CONCLUSIONS: Composite IC declined from early adulthood to midlife, and predicted key physical, mental, and functional outcomes. Formative-reflective approaches and earlier IC assessment may strengthen prevention-oriented healthy ageing strategies.

Navigation in the real world may rely on a multitude of strategies with distinct advantages and disadvantages; however, the characterization of spontaneous strategy use is scarce. We explore data across three groups engaged in virtual navigation: patients with epilepsy undergoing invasive electrophysiological recordings, two groups undergoing fMRI scanning: young adults at genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease (APOE-ε4 carriers), and healthy controls. We establish metrics to quantitatively...

Amyloid aggregates of α-Synuclein are hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD) and related neurodegenerative disorders. Literature suggests that mRNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) bind to α-Synuclein, facilitating its amyloidogenesis. In parallel, α-Synuclein interacts with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) within cytosolic RNA-protein granules to modulate mRNA stability. However, mechanisms by which α-Synuclein-interacting RBPs regulate its amyloidogenesis remain unexplored. Here, we report that rG4-dependent...

No abstract

Aging is a progressive decline in physiological functions and the capacity to maintain homeostasis, representing a major risk factor for numerous chronic diseases. Geroprotectors, defined as natural or synthetic compounds capable of improving healthspan and delaying age-associated functional decline, have attracted increasing attention in aging research. However, clinically validated interventions for promoting healthy aging remain unavailable. Plant-derived polysaccharides, owing to their...

Erigeron breviscapus Hand-Mazz. (EBHM) is a well-documented herbal medicine with recognized antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. However, its anti-senescence effects and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the anti-senescence potential of EBHM employing Caenorhabditis elegans and SAMP8 mice. In C. elegans, EBHM treatment prolonged the average lifespan of C. elegans to a maximum of 18.68%, while also significantly enhancing stress...

CONCLUSION: Gait mat and stopwatch measurements showed acceptable agreement, supporting clinical use. However, greater disagreement at faster speeds suggests gait mats may be more appropriate for faster walking speeds. These findings support future investigations of ST and DT gait performance within ARIC and other aging cohorts, including relationships with cognitive decline, mobility limitations, and adverse health outcomes.