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Cortical thickness changes precede high levels of amyloid by at least 7 years
Alzheimer's disease is now defined by underlying pathology, with elevated amyloid-beta (Aβ) sufficient for diagnosis in the absence of cognitive symptoms. We combined longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging and Aβ positron emission tomography data from three cognitively healthy cohorts to examine cortical thickness trajectories in individuals who later converted to Aβ-positive status, using magnetic resonance images acquired years before conversion. Individuals who subsequently developed...
An Icelandic pangenome reference
Reference bias is an issue that affects most genomic studies analysing short reads mapped to a reference genome^(1,2). It can be mitigated by mapping to multiple haplotypes represented in a pangenome^(3-5). Here we introduce two new methods to address reference bias: Emblask for pangenome construction and Weaver for mapping to pangenomes at scale. Emblask is a hybrid long- and short-read haplotype-resolved dual assembly pipeline for parent-offspring trio data. Using Emblask, we assembled 698...
Noncircadian BMAL1-YAP activity amplifies persistent inflammation in aged epidermis
Aging is characterized by persistent low-grade inflammation linked to impaired tissue homeostasis, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. The mammalian skin is a clinically relevant site of aging-driven inflammation associated with compromised barrier function, inefficient wound healing, elevated oxidative stress and DNA damage accumulation. Here we show that, in the murine epidermis, aging engages a previously uncharacterized BMAL1-YAP functional cooperation with...
Human brain organoids record the passage of time over multiple years
The human brain develops and matures over an exceptionally prolonged period of time that spans nearly two decades of life. Processes that govern species-specific aspects of human postnatal brain development are difficult to study in animal models¹. While human brain organoids offer a promising in vitro model, they have thus far been shown to largely mimic early stages of brain development. Here we develop human brain organoids for 5 years in culture, optimizing growth conditions to extend...
The impact of cumulative obesity and genetic susceptibility on biological aging in Chinese older adults
The detrimental impacts of cumulative obesity exposures and their interactions with genetics on biological aging remain poorly understood. We included 687 older adults (median age: 79.6 years) from the Rugao Longitudinal Ageing Study (RLAS), a community-based cohort study conducted in Rugao, Jiangsu, China. The cumulative exposures of body mass index (cBMI) and waist circumference (cWC) were calculated as the excessive exposure of BMI and WC relative to their reference values (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²; WC...
Stakeholder perspectives informing the design and development of a digital self-help intervention for healthy aging and mental well-being among older adults in urban India: a qualitative study
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that digital interventions tailored to the sociocultural needs of older adults may play an important role in promoting healthy aging and supporting mental well-being in India. Stakeholder-informed digital modules addressing physical health, sleep, emotional well-being, social connectedness, and self-care practices may enhance engagement, accessibility, and preventive mental healthcare among older adults. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness,...
Investors’ sneak peak: can this AI tool spot the science that will lead to patents?
These trees are making air quality in cities worse
AI-designed “intrabodies” could unlock new treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and MND
Researchers have developed a new way to turn ordinary antibodies into tiny disease-fighting molecules that can work inside human cells, potentially opening new paths for treating Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, and motor neurone disease.
Researchers reveal deeper workings of brain’s information hub
The brain has a remarkably flexible system for handling uncertainty and changing situations. Researchers found that the frontoparietal cortex constantly shifts how it communicates with other brain regions depending on what information is needed to make a decision. Rather than simply becoming more active when things get difficult, this network appears to reorganize itself in real time.
A mother’s age can shape her offspring without changing their DNA
Scientists have found evidence that the effects of a mother’s age on her offspring may be driven by reversible changes in gene activity rather than permanent DNA damage. The discovery raises the fascinating possibility that biological information from mothers, grandmothers, and even great-grandmothers can shape the health of future generations.
Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences
Coffee drinkers may be getting more than an energy boost. A Finnish study found that people who drank more coffee tended to have less total and abdominal fat, more muscle, and healthier metabolic markers despite having similar BMIs. Higher coffee intake was also linked to lower levels of certain amino acids associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk.
Scientists turn probiotic bacteria into tiny drug factories for pancreatic cancer
Engineered probiotic bacteria were able to infiltrate pancreatic tumors, stimulate cancer-fighting immune cells, and slow tumor growth in animal studies. Even more strikingly, the treatment worked better when combined with chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy.
‘Brain-eating amoeba’ appears to love crawling into narrow spaces
Claustrophilic behavior may help Naegleria fowleri find food—and accidentally travel up the human nasal cavity
Former Fauci adviser pleads guilty to hiding COVID-19 communications
David Morens awaits sentencing after admitting to trying to avoid Freedom of Information Act requests
Mysterious droplets in cat kidneys may help felines send long-lasting messages
Lipid envelopes allow cat “calling cards” to survive for months in the environment
Fastest known star could reveal the spin of our galaxy’s giant black hole
Racing at 8% the speed of light, record-setting object orbits the Milky Way’s black hole every 8.7 years
Exendin-4 improves neurodevelopmental outcome after neonatal germinal matrix hemorrhage
Germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH) is a common complication in premature infants and is associated with a high risk of neurodevelopmental impairment and mortality. Currently, there are no specific neuroprotective treatments available. Exendin-4 is a drug used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and it has shown neuroprotective effects in several neurological disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In this study, we used the preterm postnatal day 5 rat model of GMH to...
Human organoids that mimic brain development grown for years in lab
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Injury-driven stromal exhaustion disrupts intrinsic regenerative capability
Bone marrow stromal cells, marked by leptin receptor (Lepr) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (Cxcl12), orchestrate osteogenesis and maintain bone homeostasis. Following injury, these stromal cells directly generate reparative bone and subsequently restore the marrow microenvironment, a process widely regarded as a reliable regenerative response. However, it remains unclear whether stromal cells retain full regenerative capacity after prior injury. Here, we show that Lepr^(+)Cxcl12^(+) stromal...