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Microglia activation by derepression of endogenous retroviruses drives inflammation and cellular senescence
Aging-associated loss of chromatin compaction is linked to derepression of retrotransposable elements (RTEs) in mouse and human tissues. Whether such RTE transcription contributes to the microglia activation that is common in aged brains is unknown. Here, we show that DAXX, a histone chaperone and RTE repressor, is downregulated during aging, preserves microglia homeostasis and inhibits cellular senescence. Loss of Daxx in young-adult microglia drives a reactive phenotype marked by chromatin...
The GLP-1-Mitochondria Axis in Metabolic Aging
Metabolic aging underlies a cluster of chronic conditions-type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sarcopenia, and neurodegeneration-that account for a substantial share of global morbidity and mortality. A common feature is progressive mitochondrial dysfunction: impaired bioenergetics, disrupted quality control, and loss of metabolic resilience. Reduced mitochondrial DNA copy number in peripheral blood leukocytes is associated with cardiometabolic disease and mortality, but pre-analytical...
Non-cell autonomous control of presynaptic remodeling by the hypothalamic autophagy-NPY axis
Macroautophagy/autophagy is a critical cellular degradation pathway essential for neuronal proteostasis and synaptic function. Its decline with aging is associated with synaptic dysfunction and reduced circuit resilience. NPY (neuropeptide Y), a highly abundant brain neuropeptide, has emerged as an important regulator of autophagy and aging-related processes. In Drosophila, the NPY-family peptide sNPF modulates age-related changes in presynaptic architecture via non-cell autonomous mechanisms....
A locus coeruleus-centric framework for novelty, salience, and gamma oscillations: implications for neurostimulation, aging, and disease
Neuromodulation techniques in the gamma frequency range, such as chronic 40 Hz sensory stimulation, have gained attention for their potential to impact and preserve cognitive function in the context of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). This hypothesis and theory article aims to examine the overlap in biological phenotypes between gamma stimulation techniques and to propose a theoretical mechanism of action that may help to inform future empirical investigations. In...
Stereological sampling-based estimates of dopaminergic and cholinergic neuron numbers in young adult and aged male and female Fischer 344 × Brown Norway F1 hybrid rats
Age is the primary risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, which are characterized by profound loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons and basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, respectively. In addition, loss of these neurons can occur even in "normal" (i.e., non-pathological) aging, and as a result there is growing recognition of the value of aged animals in studying both normal aging and age-related neurodegenerative disease. The Fischer...
Role of Sociodemographic Variables in the Association Between Physical Performance and Balance Disorders in Older Adults
CONCLUSION: Physical performance impairment is strongly associated with balance disorders among older adults, and this relationship is influenced by sociodemographic factors. These findings suggest that sociodemographic characteristics should be considered when evaluating the relationship between physical performance and balance disorders in older adults.
A revolutionary stem-cell therapy must proceed responsibly to achieve its full potential
Five ways 3D printing is improving lab work
Mathematics holds the secret to ‘ladder-proof’ knitting
Will you be wearing an exoskeleton in ten years? The tech that could change how we move
How to get the most out of an informational interview
Scientific expedition makes the best of bad weather
How the Middle East can become a hub for sustainable aviation fuels
Asia’s longevity gains must be translated into better health
Europe must adapt to live with megafires
Treat biological databases as infrastructure, not projects
Heatwaves expose weak links in food systems
A therapy that “rewrites” childhood memories can ease fear of failure
Childhood criticism can leave people carrying a fear of failure long into adulthood, but new research suggests those emotional patterns may be surprisingly flexible. Young adults who revisited painful memories through imagery-based therapy showed lasting reductions in fear, guilt, sadness, and stress.
Kratom poison center cases have surged 6,500% in the U.S.
Kratom use and serious health problems linked to it have risen dramatically across the United States over the past decade. Poison center reports jumped from just 19 cases in 2010 to more than 1,200 in 2023, while severe outcomes—including life-threatening complications, disability, and death—also climbed sharply. Researchers warn that kratom can trigger seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, liver damage, and breathing problems, with risks potentially increasing when it is combined with other drugs.
The bacteria that make cheese taste so good may also benefit your gut
Scientists studying three artisan British cheeses found that the microbes responsible for their distinctive flavors may also offer surprising benefits for gut health. As the cheeses matured, helpful bacteria transformed their aromas and textures while potentially producing compounds linked to reduced inflammation, cholesterol regulation, and appetite control.