Protein Boost Revives Aging Brain Cells in Mice
Scientists report that increasing levels of the protein Sox9 in the brain activates cellular cleanup processes in mice, easing cognitive decline associated with Alzheimers disease. According to neuroscientist Benjamin Deneen, while most treatments target neurons or the buildup of amyloid plaques, this work highlights the value of strengthening the natural restorative role of astrocytes.
Study Identifies the Age When Frailty Begins to Rise
Researchers in Canada have found that for most individuals, the transition into frailty occurs around age seventy five. Their analysis shows that both health setbacks and recovery times rise with age until they reach a point where the body can no longer recover as quickly as it declines. For both men and women, this change typically appears between ages seventy three and seventy six.
Genome of the Vampire Squid Sheds Light on Early Cephalopod Evolution
The newly sequenced genome of the deep sea species known as the vampire squid indicates that it occupies a genetic branch that predates the evolutionary split between squids and octopuses. Genomicist Emese Tth explains that this ancient lineage provides an unusual window into the earliest development of cephalopods.
Worlds Largest Dinosaur Tracksite Found in Bolivia
Paleontologists have announced that a site in Bolivia contains nearly eighteen thousand dinosaur footprints, including traces believed to originate from swimming animals. The team notes that the exceptional preservation, the extensive number of tracks, and the variety of recorded behaviors make the Carreras Pampa area one of the most significant dinosaur track localities identified so far.
New Tick Borne Bacterial Species Identified in the United States
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown species of spotted fever group bacteria responsible for fatalities among several dogs and potentially capable of infecting humans. Genetic sequencing revealed that the organism represents an entirely new species, now named Rickettsia finnyi in honor of the dog in which it was first detected.
Fifty Million Light Year Spinning Galactic Filament Discovered
Astronomers have identified a rotating filament of galaxies stretching fifty million light years across, possibly the longest spinning structure ever recorded. Physicist Lyla Jung compares it to a rotating platform carrying spinning teacups, with each galaxy rotating individually while the entire filament slowly turns. This combined motion offers rare insights into how galaxies acquire their rotation from the larger cosmic web.
