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Why does ALS take away body movement? The hidden burden that seals the fate of motor neurons

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is among the most challenging neurological disorders: relentlessly progressive, universally fatal, and without a cure even after more than a century and a half of research. Despite many advances, a key unanswered question remains—why do motor neurons, the cells that control body movement, degenerate while others are spared?

In a study appearing in Nature Communications, Kazuhide Asakawa and colleagues used single-cell–resolution imaging in transparent zebrafish to show that large spinal —which generate strong body movements and are most vulnerable in ALS—operate under a constant, intrinsic burden of protein and organelle degradation.

These neurons maintain high baseline levels of autophagy, proteasome activity, and the , suggesting a continuous struggle to maintain protein quality control.

A ‘bird’s eye view’ of how human brains operate

A new study provides the best evidence to date that the connection patterns between various parts of the human brain can tell scientists the specialized functions of each region.

Previous research has shown the relationship between connectivity and brain function for just one or a few functions, such as perception or social interactions.

But this study goes further by providing a “bird’s eye view” of the whole brain and its many functions, said Kelly Hiersche, lead author of the study and doctoral student in psychology at The Ohio State University.

In-utero exposure to maternal diabetes and DNA methylation alterations in the Next Generation birth cohort

The incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in youth is increasing and in-utero exposure to maternal diabetes is a known risk factor, with higher risk associated with pregestational T2D exposure compared to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) exposure. We hypothesize this differential risk is reflected in DNA methylation (DNAm) changes induced by differential timing of in-utero exposure to maternal diabetes, and that exposure to diabetes throughout pregnancy (T2D) compared to exposure later in development (GDM), induces different DNAm signatures and different T2D risk to offspring. This study presents an epigenome-wide investigation of DNAm alterations associated with in-utero exposure to either maternal pregestational T2D or GDM, to determine if the timing of prenatal diabetes exposure differentially alters DNAm.

We performed an epigenome-wide analysis on cord blood from 99 newborns exposed to pregestational T2D, 70 newborns exposed to GDM, and 41 unexposed to diabetes in-utero from the Next Generation birth cohort. Associations were tested using multiple linear regression models while adjusting for sex, maternal age, BMI, smoking status, gestational age, cord blood cell type proportions and batch effects.

We identified 27 differentially methylated sites associated with exposure to GDM, 27 sites associated with exposure to T2D, and 9 common sites associated with exposure to either GDM or T2D (adjusted p value 0.01). One site at CLDN15 and two unannotated sites were previously reported as associated with obesity. We also identified 87 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with in-utero exposure to GDM and 69 DMRs associated with in-utero exposure to T2D. We identified 23 DMR sites that were previously associated with obesity, three with T2D and five with in-utero exposure to GDM. Furthermore, we identified six CpG sites in the PTPRN2 gene, a gene previously associated with DNAm differences in blood of youth with T2D from the same population.

Rare brain cell may hold key to preventing schizophrenia symptoms

Difficulty completing everyday tasks. Failing memory. Unusually poor concentration. For many people living with schizophrenia, cognitive challenges are part of daily life. Alongside well-known symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, these difficulties can make it hard to live the life they want. That is why researchers at the University of Copenhagen are working to find ways to prevent such symptoms—and they may now be one step closer.

In a new study, researchers discovered that a specific type of brain cell is abnormally active in mice displaying schizophrenia-like behavior. When the researchers reduced the activity of these cells, the mice’s behavior changed. The findings are published in the journal Neuron.

“Current treatments for cognitive symptoms in patients with diagnoses such as schizophrenia are inadequate. We need to understand more about what causes these cognitive symptoms that are derived from impairments during brain development. Our study may be the first step toward a new, targeted treatment that can prevent cognitive symptoms,” says Professor Konstantin Khodosevich from the Biotech Research and Innovation Center at the University of Copenhagen, and one of the researchers behind the study.

This Quantum Electron Breakthrough Could Make Computers Faster Than Ever Before

Auburn University scientists have developed a new class of materials that allow precise control over free electrons, potentially transforming computing and chemical manufacturing. Imagine a future where factories produce new materials and chemical compounds more quickly, more efficiently, and at

Supercomputer-developed AI learns the intricate language of biomolecules

Scientists at the University of Glasgow have harnessed a powerful supercomputer, normally used by astronomers and physicists to study the universe, to develop a new machine learning model which can help translate the language of proteins.

In a new study published in Nature Communications, the cross-disciplinary team developed a (LLM), called PLM-Interact, to better understand interactions, and even predict which mutations will impact how these crucial molecules “talk” to one another.

Early tests of PLM-interact, a protein language model (PLM), show that it outperforms competing models in understanding and predicting how proteins interact with one another. The team’s research demonstrates PLM-interact could help us better understand key areas of medical science, including the development of diseases such as cancer and .

Quantum Echo: Nobel Prize in Physics Goes to Quantum Computer Trio (Two from Google) Who Broke Through Walls Forty Years Ago

Editor’s Note: EDRM is proud to publish Ralph Losey’s advocacy and analysis. The opinions and positions are Ralph Losey’s copyrighted work. All images in the article are by Ralph Losey using AI. This article is published here with permission.]

The Nobel Prize in Physics was just awarded to quantum physics pioneers John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis for discoveries they made at UC Berkeley in the 1980s. They proved that quantum tunneling, where subatomic particles can break through seemingly impenetrable barriers, can also occur in the macroscopic world of electrical circuits. So yes, Schrödinger’s cat really could die.

Hair regrowth in just 20 days: Taiwanese researchers made a breakthrough hair serum that promises hair restoration within a month

In a breakthrough that could offer new hope to millions experiencing hair loss, researchers from National Taiwan University (NTU) have developed a rub-on serum that reportedly restores hair growth within 20 days. The innovative formulation, derived from natural fatty acids, has shown remarkable results in early laboratory tests and even in limited self-experiments by the study’s lead researcher.

The serum works by stimulating fat cells in the skin to regenerate hair follicles — a process inspired by the body’s natural response to irritation and injury. This mechanism, known as hypertrichosis, has long been linked to increased hair growth following skin damage or inflammation.

According to Professor Sung-Jan Lin, who led the study, the idea emerged from observing how minor skin irritation could trigger hair regeneration. ‘Skin injury not only induces tissue inflammation but also stimulates hair regeneration,’ Lin explained. ‘Our research shows that fatty acids can achieve similar effects safely and effectively.’

Researchers at National Taiwan University have developed a rub-on serum using natural fatty acids that reportedly stimulates hair growth within 20 days. Inspired by the body’s natural response to injury, the serum regenerates hair follicles by stimulating fat cells. The patented formulation has shown promising results in laboratory tests and self-experiments, with plans for human clinical trials.

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