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Summary: PLCG2-P522R, a genetic variant that protects against Alzheimer’s disease, enhances key functions of immune cells.

Source: University of Eastern Finland

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland found that the PLCG2-P522R genetic variant, which protects against Alzheimer’s disease, enhances several key functions of immune cells. The results obtained in the study highlight the importance of immune cells as a target of future development of new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.

People in Lake Jackson, Texas, are urged to take precautionary measures amid contamination concerns.

Neanderthals have adopted male sex chromosome from modern humans.

In 1997, the very first Neanderthal DNA sequence — just a small part of the mitochondrial genome — was determined from an individual discovered in the Neander Valley, Germany, in 1856. Since then, improvements in molecular techniques have enabled scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology to determine high quality sequences of the autosomal genomes of several Neanderthals, and led to the discovery of an entirely new group of extinct humans, the Denisovans, who were relatives of the Neanderthals in Asia.

However, because all specimens well-preserved enough to yield sufficient amounts of DNA have been from female individuals, comprehensive studies of the Y chromosomes of Neanderthals and Denisovans have not yet been possible. Unlike the rest of the autosomal genome, which represents a rich tapestry of thousands of genealogies of any individual’s ancestors, Y chromosomes have a peculiar mode of inheritance — they are passed exclusively from father to son. Y chromosomes, and also the maternally-inherited mitochondrial DNA, have been extremely valuable for studying human history.

Advanced imaging shows Parkinson’s can begin as brain-first or body-first.

Researchers have identified 160 genes linked to brain shrinkage in adults. The genes appear to be involved in brain development, vascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and some psychiatric conditions.0 genes linked to brain shrinkage in adults. The genes appear to be involved in brain development, vascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and some psychiatric conditions.0 genes linked to brain shrinkage in adults. The genes appear to be involved in brain development, vascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and some psychiatric conditions.

11 epigenetic clocks have been published since 2011, but which is best for predicting aging and age-related disease? In this video, I present findings from a recent publication, “Underlying features of epigenetic aging clocks in vitro and in vivo”, that compared data for 11 epigenetic clocks, and derived a new epigenetic clock, the meta-clock.

This week on #SpaceToGround : the International Space Station is set for a delivery of supplies and science from the Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Cygnus spacecraft, while the next astronauts set to launch aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon prepare for their upcoming mission:

NASA’s Watts on the Moon Challenge seeks solutions for energy distribution, management, and/or storage that address NASA technology gaps and can be further developed for space flight and future operation on the lunar surface. Not only could novel solutions make a difference in lunar and space exploration, but technologies discovered during NASA’s Watts on the Moon competition could help facilitate new power options on Earth.

There is a primordial drive in certain motorcyclists that can only be satisfied by shoehorning the largest and most excessive engines possible into the frames of two-wheelers. The mighty V8, a staple of the muscle car world, has frequently found itself driving half the wheels it was designed for, but typically there’s been one glaring problem with the resulting motorbikes: they’re colossal.

Take the Boss Hoss, probably the best known V8 bike you can slap some money down and buy. Those things use engines up to 7 and a half liters in displacement, and you’d better bring a packed lunch if you want to walk around one.

Then there’s Nick Argyle’s Rapom V8, which uses an 8.2-liter, thousand-horsepower supercharged engine out of a freakin’ monster truck. That thing’s even bigger, and gets a hilarious four miles a gallon.