A study in Nature Human Behaviour characterizes protein signatures in the blood associated with social isolation and loneliness, demonstrating how these link social isolation and loneliness to an increased risk of disease and mortality.
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Shen et al. characterize protein signatures in the blood associated with social isolation and loneliness, demonstrating how these link social isolation and loneliness to an increased risk of disease and mortality.
The brain’s response to emotional words is guided by neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, shaping how we interpret language. Surprising new research shows even the thalamus is involved, bridging emotion and cognition.
Summary: Researchers have uncovered how neurotransmitters in the brain respond to the emotional content of language, shedding light on the intersection of emotion, cognition, and communication. Using advanced techniques, the team simultaneously measured dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine release in patients during exposure to emotionally charged words.
They found distinct patterns of neurotransmitter activity across brain regions like the thalamus and anterior cingulate cortex, challenging assumptions about their roles in emotional and linguistic processing.
These findings suggest that brain systems evolved for survival also support complex human functions like language interpretation. Validation in animal models confirmed these patterns, paving the way for future studies on decision-making and mental health.
Neuralink Corp.’s brain-computer device has been implanted in a third patient and the company has plans for about 20 to 30 more implants in 2025, founder Elon Musk said.
“We’ve got now three humans with Neuralinks implanted and they’re all working well,” Musk said during an event in Las Vegas this week that was streamed on X, his social media service.
Neuralink is one of a growing group of startups developing brain implants that can help treat conditions such as paralysis and ALS. They are experimental procedures that usually require opening up the skull to place electrodes in the brain tissue. A year ago, Neuralink said it had implanted its device in its initial patient, Noland Arbaugh.
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Imagine a world where cancer treatment doesn’t rely on harsh chemicals or debilitating side effects, but instead harnesses a natural defense mechanism embedded in every cell of our bodies. Recent breakthroughs by scientists at Northwestern University suggest this may soon be a reality. They’ve uncovered a “kill switch” that could change everything we know about cancer treatment, offering a new path that sidesteps the harmful impacts of chemotherapy. But how does this hidden code work, and could it truly offer a more effective way to fight cancer?
Northwestern University scientists have uncovered a powerful “kill switch” embedded in every cell of the body, which may provide a natural defense mechanism against cancer. This kill switch operates using small RNA molecules, known as microRNAs, and large protein-coding RNAs that trigger cell self-destruction when they detect signs of cancer. The key discovery is that these molecules can effectively induce cancer cell death without allowing the cancer to develop resistance, a significant advantage over traditional chemotherapy.
The microRNAs use a mechanism called DISE (Death Induced by Survival gene Elimination) to initiate cancer cell death. DISE works by eliminating multiple genes essential for cancer cell survival, making it impossible for the cells to adapt or become resistant. Researchers found that the most effective microRNAs contain a specific sequence of six nucleotides, referred to as “6mers,” which are particularly toxic to cancer cells. This finding emerged from an exhaustive study where scientists tested all 4,096 possible combinations of these nucleotide sequences, eventually identifying the most lethal ones, which are rich in guanine (G) nucleotides.
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Scientists believe that they may have identified the cause of so many unexplained cancers.
Scientists believe they have made a breakthrough in finding the cause of certain cancers. Credit: Flying Colours Ltd / Getty
A groundbreaking scientific review has uncovered a potential cause for certain cancers and health conditions that can’t be fully explained by genetics, diet, or lifestyle.
How long would you like to live, and could science and technology make it possible?
Longevity science aims to extend our healthy years through advancements in CRISPR, cellular reprogramming, and drug development. While private companies and philanthropists invest heavily in these innovations, should the government be responsible for funding these efforts? Those who say yes to government funding say that longevity research could revolutionize public health, keep aging populations productive in the workforce, and reduce the economic burden of age-related illnesses. Those opposed to public funding of longevity science say that true life extension beyond a decade might be unachievable, and it will take years before results are measurable.
They argue that when and if these advances become available, they may only be for a smaller, affluent population. They also argue that long-known behavior choices like good nutrition and sleep should be adopted by all now, instead of chasing uncertain longevity advancements.
With this context, we debate the question: Could Longevity Science Extend Your Health Span By Decades? Should the Government Fund It?
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Today’s robots perform safety checks at industrial plants, conduct quality control in manufacturing, and are even starting to keep hospital patients company.
But soon — perhaps very soon — these increasingly humanlike machines will handle more sophisticated tasks, freeing up people while raising complex questions about the roles of artificial intelligence that are gaining attention.
At a panel hosted by the American Association of Retired Persons at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), experts described the next five years as a period where robots transition primarily from industrial sites to service settings, helping to address a worsening health care labor crunch.
Summary: Researchers have identified and mapped diverse cell types in the cochlear nucleus, the brainstem region responsible for processing sound. Using advanced molecular techniques, they uncovered distinct and newly identified cell types that process specific sound features, such as sharp noises or pitch changes.
These findings challenge existing ideas about hearing and pave the way for targeted treatments for auditory disorders. By creating a cellular and molecular atlas, scientists can now develop more precise therapies for conditions like hearing loss, advancing the field of personalized auditory medicine.
Neuralink has implanted its device in third human patient and plans more procedures in 2025. The device allows paralyzed individuals to control external devices with their thoughts. The company is conducting studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its brain implants. Neuralink aims to revolutionize neurotechnology.
