“Researchers at Northwestern University have used a non-invasive form of magnetic brain stimulation to improve the memory of older adults. After just five short sessions the older adults scored as well as a younger cohort on a variety of memory tasks.” | learn more
Can we cure genetic diseases by rewriting DNA
This goes way beyond CRISPR-Cas9. Remarkable stuff! “David R. Liu shares a breakthrough: his lab’s development of base editors that can rewrite DNA.” | learn more
FDA approves new antidepressant containing ketamine
“Esketamine represents the first depression drug in years to be approved that works via a completely different mechanism in the brain, as compared to the previous generation of medications. For many with treatment-resistant depression, the new drug offers newfound hope of relief.” | learn more
FMT results in massive long-term reduction in autism symptoms
This is an early and non-controlled, but quite exciting, study from Arizona State University that points to the relationship between health and gut microbiome. FMT stands for Fecal Matter Transplant. “Prior to the study, 83 percent of participants had ‘severe’ autism. Now, only 17 percent are rated as severe, 39 percent as mild or moderate, and incredibly, 44 percent are below the cut-off for mild ASD.” Two years later, the children are doing even better. | learn more
Bacterial factories making high-performance proteins
This caught my eye because it discusses a way to make super-strong silk fibers without spiders. “A new method takes advantage of engineered bacteria to produce difficult-to-make proteins that could be useful during future space missions.” | learn more
Woman with gene mutation lives almost pain-free
“A woman in Scotland can feel virtually no pain due to a mutation in a previously-unidentified gene, according to a research paper co-led by UCL.” | learn more
New study shows drinking hot tea increases risk of esophageal cancer.
Link is to CNN, but this is from the actual study: “In analysis of the combined effects of measured temperature and amount, compared to those who drank less than 700 ml of tea/day at <60°C, drinking 700 mL/day or more at a higher‐temperature (≥60°C) was consistently associated with an about 90% increase in ESCC risk. Our results substantially strengthen the existing evidence supporting an association between hot beverage drinking and ESCC.” | learn more
The brain that remade itself.
“How one child’s brain is providing insights into the incredible ways the brain rebuilds thanks to neuroplasticity.” |learn more
The thousand brains theory of intelligence.
A new theory for how the neocortex works, and its implications for AI. | learn more
Scientists use liquid metals to turn carbon dioxide gas back into coal.
This is cool! “Capturing carbon from the air and sequestering it is emerging as a viable strategy, and now scientists have developed a new method to turn CO2 gas back into solid coal, that can then be buried, or even used for electronic components.” | learn more