Aggregator
New depression treatment targets the immune system instead of the brain
A surprising new approach to depression treatment is showing early promise — not by targeting brain chemicals, but by calming the immune system. In a small clinical trial, researchers found that an anti-inflammatory drug normally used for rheumatoid arthritis appeared to ease symptoms in people with hard-to-treat depression, while also reducing fatigue and anxiety and improving quality of life.
Scientists discover hidden gut-brain circuit that triggers protein cravings
When the body runs low on protein, the gut sends powerful signals to the brain that reshape cravings and push animals to seek essential amino acids instead of sugar. Researchers say this newly discovered gut-brain network could transform our understanding of appetite, nutrition, and obesity.
New drug could finally stop deadly fatty liver disease
Scientists at UC San Diego have unveiled a potentially game-changing treatment for MASH, a severe fatty liver disease affecting millions worldwide. The experimental drug, ION224, blocks a liver enzyme that drives fat buildup and inflammation, two key forces behind liver damage. In clinical trials, patients showed striking improvements in liver health, even without losing weight.
Surveys capture the pulsing of mantle plumes—a potential cause of mass extinctions
Seismic imaging and drilling cruises bolster a controversial explanation for ancient surges in warming
Lawmakers propose banning all U.S.-Chinese research collaborations
Critics say bill would weaken U.S. science by cutting flows of ideas and talent
Popular anti-aging drug combo caused severe brain damage in mice
A drug combo widely explored for anti-aging may actually damage the brain, according to new mouse research showing severe loss of myelin and changes linked to “chemo brain.” Surprisingly, the damaged cells resembled those seen in multiple sclerosis, giving scientists a new lead in understanding—and potentially repairing—the disease.
New laser heat treatment could stop blindness before it starts
A new experimental treatment could finally offer hope for millions of people with dry age-related macular degeneration — one of the leading causes of blindness in older adults. Researchers at Aalto University discovered a way to gently heat tissue at the back of the eye using near-infrared light, triggering the cells’ natural “cleanup and repair” systems before major damage occurs.
Beyond reproduction: The ovary as a systemic regulator of female health and aging
Classifying ovaries solely as reproductive organs has obscured their role as systemic regulators of female physiology. This Perspective makes the case that ovarian aging is a primary determinant of healthspan and belongs at the center of geroscience.
Multicellular senescence impairs skeletal muscle recovery following disuse in aging
Aged skeletal muscle has a diminished capacity to recover after disuse. Although muscle regrowth requires coordinated interactions between immune and progenitor cells, the mechanisms of impaired remodeling in aged skeletal muscle remain poorly understood yet possibly involve the accumulation of senescent cells. We used a flow cytometry approach coupled with scRNAseq to determine the muscle senescent cell identity and transcriptional landscape during skeletal muscle recovery following disuse...
TPM1 drives cytoskeleton-immunometabolism coupling and LGALS9/CD45-mediated neuroinflammatory propagation in retinitis pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the most prevalent inherited retinal degeneration, features progressive photoreceptor loss with no approved disease-modifying therapies. While microglia-driven neuroinflammation accelerates RP progression, its sustaining mechanisms remain elusive. Through integrated multiomics profiling of retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mice, we identify tropomyosin 1 (TPM1) as a previously unrecognized cytoskeletal-immune regulator orchestrating spatial neuroinflammation in RP....
Natural tissue immortality: Indefinite survival of sea cucumber explants
Senescence and immortality are central biological paradigms. While regenerative capabilities in Deuterostomia are known, the fate of lost and discarded tissues has been presumed terminal. Here, we demonstrate that explanted epidermal, connective, neural, and muscle tissue from the sea cucumber Psolus fabricii (Holothuroidea: Echinodermata) healed and continued to grow in natural, nonaxenic seawater without supplementation for more than 3 years. In experimental trials, these explants, termed...
Associations between pain and cognitive impairment in older adults: findings from the birjand longitudinal aging study
CONCLUSION: Both pain severity and pain interference were significantly associated with cognitive impairment after adjustment for key confounders. These findings highlight the importance of addressing pain's impact on daily functioning to mitigate cognitive decline in this population.
Food insecurity as a predictor of all-cause mortality and premature mortality among older adults: a longitudinal cohort analysis of ELSA study
CONCLUSIONS: Given its significant public health implications, targeted interventions are essential to reduce food insecurity and its associated health burden, ultimately improving longevity and quality of life among aging populations.
Aging modulatory effects of a decoction in Drosophila and C. elegans: mechanistic insights through NMR-based metabolomics
As the challenges posed by an aging population become increasingly apparent, the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases have become key research priorities. This study hypothesizes that Zhizi Baipi Decoction exhibits aging modulatory effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoction that has been passed down for generations and remains widely used in contemporary clinical practice. Due to their short lifespan, well-defined genetic backgrounds, and ease of manipulation, model organisms...
Respirometry-Based Screening of Marine Natural Products Identifies Leptochelin A as a Novel Modulator of Mitochondrial Function
While mitochondria are recognized as promising therapeutic targets for common pathologies of aging, existing drug discovery platforms fail to capture the adequate physiological and biological contexts necessary to identify translatable, clinically-relevant leads. The goal of this study was to identify marine natural products that modulate mitochondrial function using a screening pipeline leveraging primary human cells in a cell-based phenotypic primary screen. Using this approach, we identified...
Decreases in the sustained firing capacity of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex of aged rats
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is particularly vulnerable to aging, which impairs cognitive functions such as attention and working memory. Although aging is known to alter intrinsic electrophysiological properties in other brain regions, the differences in the properties of aged ACC neurons and young adult neurons remain uninvestigated. In this study, we compared the intrinsic membrane properties and firing characteristics of aged layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons (26-month-old rats) with those...
Exploring Food Security, Functional Limitations, and Quality of Life Among Adults 60 Years and Older in New York City: A Cross-Sectional Study
CONCLUSION: These results show the impact of food insecurity and functional limitations and HRQOL in older adults. The results emphasize the urgent need for addressing food insecurity and promote healthy aging among older adults in New York City.
Scientists say guava juice could make iron supplements work better
Researchers found that drinking guava juice may significantly improve anemia by helping the body absorb iron more efficiently. In a review of 17 studies, women and teenage girls who consumed guava juice — especially with iron supplements — experienced noticeable increases in hemoglobin levels. Since guava contains far more vitamin C than oranges, scientists believe it could become a simple, affordable nutrition tool in regions where anemia is widespread.