- newThe 98% mystery: Scientists just cracked the code on “junk DNA” linked to Alzheimer’s
Researchers have revealed that so-called “junk DNA” contains powerful switches that help control brain cells linked to Alzheimer’s disease. By experimentally testing nearly 1,000 DNA switches in human astrocytes, scientists identified around 150 that truly influence gene activity—many tied to known Alzheimer’s risk genes. The findings help explain why many disease-linked genetic changes sit outside genes themselves. The resulting dataset is now being used to train AI systems to predict…
- 2 hours ago 19 Dec 25, 9:33pm -
- newAn 11-year-old needed two new organs and doctors made history
In a rare and historic achievement, Children’s Hospital Colorado successfully completed its first dual heart and liver transplant in a pediatric patient. The life-saving surgery was performed on 11-year-old Gracie Greenlaw, whose congenital heart condition eventually led to liver failure. Dozens of specialists worked together for years to prepare for a moment like this, executing a complex, 16-hour operation. Now months later, Gracie is home, in school, and thriving.
- 2 hours ago 19 Dec 25, 9:05pm -
- newHelping others for a few hours a week may slow brain aging
Spending a few hours a week helping others may slow the aging of the brain. Researchers found that both formal volunteering and informal acts, like helping neighbors or relatives, were linked to noticeably slower cognitive decline over time. The benefits added up year after year and didn’t require a huge time commitment. Even modest, everyday helping packed a powerful mental payoff.
- 3 hours ago 19 Dec 25, 8:38pm -
- newScientists found a new way to slow aging inside cells
A small tweak to mitochondrial energy production led to big gains in health and longevity. Mice engineered to boost a protein that helps mitochondria work more efficiently lived longer and showed better metabolism, stronger muscles, and healthier fat tissue. Their cells produced more energy while dialing down oxidative stress and inflammation tied to aging. The results hint that improving cellular power output could help slow the aging process itself.
- 4 hours ago 19 Dec 25, 7:08pm -
- newGlowing neurons let scientists watch the brain work in real time
A new bioluminescent tool allows neurons to glow on their own, letting scientists track brain activity without harmful lasers or fading signals. The advance makes it possible to watch individual brain cells fire for hours, offering a clearer, deeper look at how the brain works.
- 6 hours ago 19 Dec 25, 5:19pm -
- newNeurons aren’t supposed to regrow but these ones brought back vision
After injury, the visual system can recover by growing new neural connections rather than replacing lost cells. Researchers found that surviving eye cells formed extra branches that restored communication with the brain. These new pathways worked much like the originals. The repair process, however, was slower or incomplete in females, pointing to important biological differences in recovery.
- 9 hours ago 19 Dec 25, 2:37pm -
- The gear meant to protect firefighters may carry hidden dangers
Firefighter turnout gear is designed to shield first responders from extreme heat and danger, but new research suggests it may also introduce chemical exposures. A U.S. study found that brominated flame retardants are present across multiple layers of firefighter gear, including newer equipment marketed as PFAS-free. In some cases, these chemicals appeared at higher levels than the substances they were meant to replace.
- 1 day ago 18 Dec 25, 7:19pm -
- A hidden T cell switch could make cancer immunotherapy work for more people
Scientists have discovered that T cell receptors activate through a hidden spring-like motion that had never been seen before. This breakthrough may help explain why immunotherapy works for some cancers and how it could be improved for others.
- 1 day ago 18 Dec 25, 6:26pm -
- Young adults are using cannabis to sleep at alarming rates
More than 20% of young adults say they use cannabis or alcohol to fall asleep, with cannabis leading by a wide margin. Researchers warn this strategy can backfire, disrupting sleep quality and increasing the risk of long-term sleep and substance-use problems.
- 1 day ago 18 Dec 25, 1:41pm -
- AI detects cancer but it’s also reading who you are
AI tools designed to diagnose cancer from tissue samples are quietly learning more than just disease patterns. New research shows these systems can infer patient demographics from pathology slides, leading to biased results for certain groups. The bias stems from how the models are trained and the data they see, not just from missing samples. Researchers also demonstrated a way to significantly reduce these disparities.
- 2 days ago 18 Dec 25, 10:23am -
- This tiny protein helps control how hungry you feel
Researchers have identified a previously overlooked protein that helps regulate appetite and energy use in the body. This “helper” protein supports a key system that decides whether the body burns energy or stores it, and when it does not function properly, appetite signals can weaken.
- 2 days ago 18 Dec 25, 9:48am -
- Scientists rewired Down syndrome brain circuits by restoring a missing molecule
A missing brain molecule may be disrupting neural wiring in Down syndrome, according to new research. Replacing it in adult mice rewired brain circuits and improved brain flexibility, challenging the idea that treatment must happen before birth.
- 2 days ago 17 Dec 25, 6:55pm -
- He ate a hamburger and died hours later. Doctors found a shocking cause
A rare tick-borne allergy linked to red meat has now been confirmed as deadly for the first time. A healthy New Jersey man collapsed and died hours after eating beef, with later testing revealing a severe allergic reaction tied to alpha-gal, a sugar spread by Lone Star tick bites. Symptoms often appear hours later, making the condition easy to miss. Researchers warn that growing tick populations could put more people at risk.
- 2 days ago 17 Dec 25, 6:54pm -
- New study reveals how kimchi boosts the immune system
Kimchi may do far more than add flavor to meals—it could help fine-tune the human immune system. A clinical study using advanced single-cell genetic analysis found that regular kimchi consumption strengthens immune defenses while preventing harmful overreactions. Researchers observed improved activity in key immune cells, with effects varying depending on fermentation methods.
- 2 days ago 17 Dec 25, 6:32pm -
- A new test could reveal Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear
Scientists at Northern Arizona University are developing a promising new way to detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier than ever before—by tracking how the brain uses sugar. Using tiny particles in the blood called microvesicles, researchers may soon be able to gather brain-specific information without invasive procedures. If successful, this approach could transform Alzheimer’s diagnosis, monitoring, and even prevention, much like how doctors manage heart disease today.
- 2 days ago 17 Dec 25, 4:45pm -