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Arachnids build large lookalikes to ward off predators

The development of effective interventions for neurodegenerative disorders, such as posterior cortical atrophy (a visual Alzheimer's variant), remains to be a significant clinical challenge. We introduce a computational framework using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) as in silico models to simulate visual system degeneration and evaluate intervention strategies. By modeling controlled synaptic decay and comparing three distinct retraining approaches, random data (control), accuracy-based,...

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Compared to individuals carrying two copies of the ε4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE), ε2 homozygotes have an approximate 99% reduction in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. Here we develop a knock-in model that allows for an inducible 'switch' between risk and protective alleles (APOE4s2). Gene expression and proteomic analyses confirm that APOE4s2 mice synthesize E4 at baseline and E2 after tamoxifen administration. A whole-body allelic switch results in a metabolic profile resembling...

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Tandem light-emitting diodes (LEDs), achieved by vertically stacking multiple units in series to combine the luminance of individual light-emitting elements, are effective for improving efficiency and lifespan compared to single-unit devices^(1-3). In particular, tandem perovskite LEDs benefit from the small Stokes shifts of perovskites⁴, which in principle can enable significant photon recycling between individual perovskite layers and enhance light extraction from trapped modes. However, a...

CONCLUSION: The EcuAging study provides the first evidence on the health of older adults in rural inland Ecuador, highlighting a paradox of preserved physical function alongside impaired mental health. Given that most participants were ≥ 60 years, findings are directly relevant for geriatric populations and underscore the urgent need to strengthen mental health services in rural settings.

CONCLUSION: This longitudinal study suggested that disability and cognition change were bidirectional, with disability showing a stronger impact on future cognitive impairment. Further dynamic investigations and mechanisms between cognitive change and disability are warranted.

Microbiota-derived metabolites have emerged as key regulators of longevity. The metabolic activity of the gut microbiota, influenced by dietary components and ingested chemical compounds, profoundly impacts host fitness. While the benefits of dietary prebiotics are well-known, chemically targeting the gut microbiota to enhance host fitness remains largely unexplored. Here, we report a novel chemical approach to induce a pro-longevity bacterial metabolite in the host gut. We discovered that...

Mice overexpressing Sirt6 or fed a caloric restriction (CR) diet live longer with improved health. CR increases Sirt6 levels, and its beneficial effects are mediated by the gasotransmitter H(2)S, a one-carbon pathway product. Yet, the role of this pathway in Sirt6-regulated longevity remains elusive. Here, we show that Sirt6 controls hepatic one-carbon metabolism, preventing the aging-dependent H(2)S reduction, and the elevation of the methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Sirt6...

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that subjective well-being is a nonlinear modifiable determinant of low muscle mass in older adults. These results indicate that interventions aimed at enhancing subjective well-being may complement conventional strategies for regulating muscle homeostasis.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights a substantial prevalence of physical inactivity among older persons in Malaysia. Key factors significantly associated with physical inactivity include the presence of chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, functional limitations, self-care difficulties, overall disability, and sedentary behavior of more than 4 h. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and policies that address health conditions and functional impairments to promote...

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of organising geriatric screening in an infectious diseases unit. The proportion of changes that were implemented highlights the relevance of using these screening tests. It is, however, important to improve some of the screening tests used and raise awareness amongst people living with HIV and their doctors.

CONCLUSIONS: Psychological resilience mediated the association between LTAs and all-cause mortality. Frequent participation in leisure activities may play a beneficial role in preventing premature death by improving resilience levels in community-dwelling older people.

CONCLUSION: The Roy Adaptation Model-based educational programs seem to be a successful strategy for raising the standard of living and fostering general health among senior citizens living in assisted living facilities.

Dietary restriction (DR) improves insulin sensitivity, however, it has not been tested in long-term interventions and with diet type as variable. Therefore, we exposed mice to either a low-fat (LF) or high-fat-sucrose (HFS) diet, either fed ad libitum (AL) or in a DR regimen from weaning till 2 years of age. Using an oral glucose tolerance test with [6,6-²H(2)]-labelled glucose, we found that DR markedly reduced plasma insulin concentrations and strongly elevated hepatic and peripheral insulin...

Recently, we have identified rs1333046 as one of the candidate functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (fSNPs) on the atherosclerosis-associated CDKN2A/B locus. However, how rs1333046 influences the pathogenesis of and susceptibility to atherosclerosis is unknown. In this work, we demonstrate that rs1333046 is part of a cis-regulatory element (cis-RE) that regulates p16^(INK4a) and p16^(INK4a)-dependent cellular senescence in human endothelial cells (ECs). This is achieved by recruiting...

Social drivers of health (SDOH) impact health outcomes across the lifespan, with distinct effects on the health and well-being of older adults. SDOH contribute to outcomes of particular importance to older adults, including physical and cognitive functioning and aging in place, highlighting the critical importance of addressing SDOH as part of comprehensive, patient-centered geriatrics care. Yet, there is limited guidance on best practices for the integration of SDOH into healthcare,...

The mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle ageing, whilst poorly understood, are thought to involve dysregulated micro (mi)RNA expression. Using young and aged rat skeletal muscle tissue, we applied high-throughput RNA sequencing to comprehensively study alterations in miRNA expression occurring with age, as well as the impact of caloric restriction (CR) on these changes. Furthermore, the function of the proteins targeted by these age- and CR-associated miRNAs was ascertained. Numerous known and...