Key Highlights
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A new gene therapy using a virus to deliver artificial microRNAs successfully silenced a harmful human retrovirus protein in a mouse model of ALS, reducing neuron loss and improving motor function. This provides compelling evidence for a potential new treatment strategy for forms of ALS linked to this specific viral protein.
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Cardiac amyloidosis, a condition where abnormal proteins build up in the heart, is found across the full spectrum of heart pumping strength, not just in hearts with preserved function. Integrating multiple heart imaging measurements improves the prediction of patient survival, arguing for a more comprehensive diagnostic approach.
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The antiviral drug nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), when given at a reduced dose, was shown to be safe and achieve effective drug levels in COVID-19 patients with severe kidney impairment, including those on dialysis. This finding provides a suitable treatment regimen for a high-risk population previously lacking clear guidance.
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A large study of over 150,000 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes found that a longer reproductive lifespan (more years between first period and menopause) was linked to a significantly lower risk of developing dementia. This suggests that longer lifetime exposure to the body’s own estrogen may have a protective effect on the brain in women with diabetes.
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Researchers created a functional architectural prototype called SPIKA that uses engineered communities of microbes to perform tasks like biomineralization and sustainable agriculture. This work demonstrates how living microbial systems could transform buildings from static, resource-consuming structures into circular, living infrastructure.
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