Silicon Valley elites are quietly appointing themselves ancestors of the future.
As American fertility rates continue to hit record lows — well below the “replacement rate” from one generation to the next — the pronatalism movement has found a foothold in the tech world.
Elon Musk — who apparently now has 13 children — has openly endorsed the movement, which believes in pumping out babies to fight societal collapse. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said, “Of course I’m going to have a big family” and is investing in experimental fertility technology.
Several multi-cancer GWAS loci within the region encoding telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) have been identified. Here, the authors explore the locus within TERT intron 4, link it with a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR), and investigate its biological significance and role in cancer.
Researchers used artificial intelligence to predict the activity of thousands of genes in tumors based on routinely collected images of tumor biopsies. It could guide treatment without costly genomic tests.
Scientists have developed Rhobo6, a light microscopy probe that reveals extracellular matrix structures in live tissues, advancing biological research and disease diagnostics.
Rhobo6 is a light microscopy probe that selectively binds to extracellular matrix glycans, increasing its fluorescence and allowing clear visualization of these structures in live tissues. This innovative tool enables researchers to study the extracellular matrix in detail without disrupting native biological processes, offering new insights into tissue biology and disease.
Before arriving at Janelia three years ago, Postdoctoral Scientist Antonio Fiore was designing and building optical instruments like microscopes and spectrometers.
In a phase 1 trial, patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who were treated with surgery and bespoke neoantigen mRNA vaccines combined with anti-PD-L1 and chemotherapy exhibited marked long-lived persistence of neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cell clones, which correlated with prolonged recurrence-free survival at a 3.2-year follow-up.
Explore More Humanities on UCTV (https://www.uctv.tv/humanities) The humanities encourage us to think creatively and explore questions about our world. UCTV explores human culture through literature, history, ethics, philosophy, cinema and religion so we can better understand the human experience.
Explore More Science & Technology on UCTV (https://www.uctv.tv/science) Science and technology continue to change our lives. University of California scientists are tackling the important questions like climate change, evolution, oceanography, neuroscience and the potential of stem cells.
UCTV is the broadcast and online media platform of the University of California, featuring programming from its ten campuses, three national labs and affiliated research institutions. UCTV explores a broad spectrum of subjects for a general audience, including science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities, arts and music, business, education, and agriculture. Launched in January 2000, UCTV embraces the core missions of the University of California — teaching, research, and public service – by providing quality, in-depth television far beyond the campus borders to inquisitive viewers around the world.
🔍 Overview: Join Robert Plomin and me as we dive deep into the fascinating world of behavioural genetics, exploring how our DNA shapes who we are, the power of environment, and whether we can rewrite our genetic destiny.
🗣️ Highlights. [Highlight 1]: How Does Genetics Shape Who We Are? [Highlight 2]: What Role Does the Environment Truly Play in Defining Us? [Highlight 3]: Are We Hardwired by Our DNA, or Can We Rewrite Our Destiny?
🕒 Timestamps. 0:00 — Introduction. 1:57 — Robert Plomin, Philosophy and Psychology. 4:12 — Why Behavioural Genetics? 8:21 — Publishing Blueprint. 14:51 — Heritability. 30:15 — The Basics of DNA 34:34 — Genetic Variances and Binary Myths. 41:21 — Labels and Certificates. 45:33 — Nonshared Environments and The Nature of Nurture. 1:00:51 — Self-Selecting Within Environments. 1:07:04 — Group Difference and Heritability. 1:13:03 — Academic Success: DNA vs. Schooling. 1:21:17 — Ethical Considerations. 1:27:01 — Moral Responsibility and Accountability. 1:31:23 — The Future of Genetics. 1:42:38 — Genetic Trajectories and Random Events. 1:45:17 — The DNA Revolution. 1:48:21 — Closing Remarks.
It’s true that Japanese scientists have made a significant breakthrough concerning hydrogels and cancer cells. Here’s a breakdown of what the research entails:
* The Breakthrough:
* Researchers at Hokkaido University and the National Cancer Center Research Institute developed a novel hydrogel, a “double-network (DN) gel,” that can rapidly revert differentiated cancer cells back into cancer stem cells (CSCs).
Research shows a high-magnesium diet could slow brain aging and lower dementia risk.
A study from the Australian National University shows that increased magnesium intake may help protect against age-related brain decline, particularly benefiting women.
Researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 participants aged 40–73, tracking their dietary magnesium consumption and its effects on brain volume and white matter lesions. Those consuming more than 550 mg of magnesium daily had brains appearing nearly a year younger by age 55 compared to those with lower intake.
The study also found that postmenopausal women experienced the greatest neuroprotective benefits, possibly due to magnesium’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Magnesium, found in foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains, has long been known for its health benefits, but this research highlights its potential role in dementia prevention. With no cure for dementia, experts stress the importance of dietary strategies for brain health.
Study co-author Dr. Erin Walsh emphasizes the need for further research to confirm these findings and inform public health recommendations. Given the rising global prevalence of dementia, this study underscores the importance of modifiable lifestyle factors in reducing cognitive decline and promoting long-term brain health.
