Scientists uncover why a 'longevity gene' variant protects the brain from Alzheimer's
Researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging reported this week that APOE2, a gene variant long linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and longer lifespan, works by helping neurons repair DNA damage and recover from cellular stress. Neurons carrying the APOE2 variant accumulated significantly less DNA damage than other versions of the gene, and strongly activated their own repair pathways in response. The finding shifts attention away from APOE's known role in cholesterol transport and toward genome maintenance, opening a new avenue for treatments that could mimic APOE2's protective effects in people at higher genetic risk of dementia.
Read more →Scientists uncover why a 'longevity gene' variant protects the brain from Alzheimer's
Researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging reported this week that APOE2, a gene variant long linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and longer lifespan, works by helping neurons repair DNA damage and recover from cellular stress. Neurons carrying the APOE2 variant accumulated significantly less DNA damage than other versions of the gene, and strongly activated their own repair pathways in response. The finding shifts attention away from APOE's known role in cholesterol transport and toward genome maintenance, opening a new avenue for treatments that could mimic APOE2's protective effects in people at higher genetic risk of dementia.
Shake-powered floating capsule purifies drinking water with no batteries or chemicals
South Korean researchers have developed a low-cost floating capsule, dubbed FDGD, that both tests and disinfects contaminated drinking water using only the energy generated by a few seconds of shaking. The device converts that motion into electricity through electromagnetic induction, generating localized electric fields at nanorod structures on its surface strong enough to rupture microbial cell membranes, achieving better than 99.9999% microbe removal across more than 120 reuse cycles. With an estimated manufacturing cost under $25, the researchers say it could bring safe drinking water to disaster zones, remote communities, and other off-grid settings that lack reliable electricity.
Read more →Shake-powered floating capsule purifies drinking water with no batteries or chemicals
South Korean researchers have developed a low-cost floating capsule, dubbed FDGD, that both tests and disinfects contaminated drinking water using only the energy generated by a few seconds of shaking. The device converts that motion into electricity through electromagnetic induction, generating localized electric fields at nanorod structures on its surface strong enough to rupture microbial cell membranes, achieving better than 99.9999% microbe removal across more than 120 reuse cycles. With an estimated manufacturing cost under $25, the researchers say it could bring safe drinking water to disaster zones, remote communities, and other off-grid settings that lack reliable electricity.