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Cyanobacteria—ancient microbes that oxygenated Earth and made complex life possible—are still revealing surprises billions of years later. Scientists have now discovered that a molecular system once used to separate DNA has been repurposed into something entirely different: a structure that shapes the cell itself. Photosynthetic bacteria played a major role in shaping Earth as we know it. Among them, cyanobacteria stand out for producing the oxygen that filled our atmosphere…

Tiny disruptions during sleep may reveal clues about Alzheimer’s risk long before the first memory problems begin. Frequent micro-awakenings during sleep were linked to higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s in healthy middle-aged adults who had no symptoms. The discovery raises the possibility that subtle changes during sleep could offer an early warning signal years before memory problems appear. Could subtle changes during sleep reveal vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease years before…

Scientists created smart nanoparticles that can both illuminate hidden glioblastoma cells during surgery and destroy microscopic cancer left behind afterward. In mice, the treatment prevented recurrence and led to 100% survival at 60 days, though it has not yet been tested in humans. Glioblastoma is considered the most aggressive type of brain cancer. One reason it is so difficult to treat is that cancer cells spread into nearby brain tissue….

A low-carb diet may raise LDL cholesterol much more sharply in people who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, particularly when they consume lots of saturated fat. The findings could help explain why people following seemingly similar diets can have dramatically different results. Low-carb diets have become increasingly popular, but their effects on cholesterol are far from uniform. Some people see little change, while others experience a substantial increase. New…

People who reach 110 and beyond appear to have unusually large numbers of rare immune cells capable of killing abnormal cells. These CD4 cytotoxic T cells became more common with age and often expanded into large groups of nearly identical cells, suggesting the immune system was repeatedly responding to persistent threats. People who live to exceptionally old ages may retain an immune system that continues adapting to new threats. Researchers…

Researchers have uncovered a possible reason why the Alzheimer’s risk gene APOE4 can disrupt the brain long before memory problems begin. In mice, APOE4 increased a protein called Nell2, shrinking neurons and making memory circuits unusually active. That early hyperactivity predicted worse memory later in life. Reducing Nell2 in adult mice reversed the abnormal changes, raising hopes for a new way to intervene before Alzheimer’s progresses. Millions of people carry…

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment and sleep problems who took at least 5,000 IU of vitamin D daily scored more than 13% higher on a cognitive test than those taking none. The preliminary findings suggest vitamin D could be worth studying as a potentially modifiable factor during an early window of cognitive decline. More than 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s dementia, and that number is expected…

A hormone already known for curbing appetite and supporting weight loss may have a surprising second job: protecting the liver from inflammation and scarring. Researchers at McMaster University found that GDF15 activates a previously unknown brain-to-liver pathway that triggers the release of glucocorticoids, helping calm immune activity in the liver. Researchers at McMaster University have uncovered an unexpected role for a naturally occurring hormone already known for reducing appetite and…

Researchers have developed a new way to turn ordinary antibodies into tiny disease-fighting molecules that can work inside human cells, potentially opening new paths for treating Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, and motor neurone disease. Researchers at the University of Essex have developed microscopic medicines that could pave the way for new approaches to treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and motor neurone disease (MND). Working with an international team,…

A widely prescribed blood pressure drug was associated with a 33% higher risk of serious kidney problems in people with type 2 diabetes, even when they were already taking kidney-protective medications. The surprising finding is prompting researchers to question whether DCCBs are always the safest second-line choice for diabetic kidney disease. New findings presented at the 63rd ERA Congress suggest that a commonly prescribed group of blood pressure drugs may…