In mice, removing senescent cells seems to help delay the impairment of brain function. Senescent cells are cells that have stopped growing. Numerous studies involving mice engineered to develop neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s—which cause the brain to stop functioning properly—have suggested that senescent cells play a part in neurodegeneration. Removing these senescent cells before the symptoms of neurodegeneration set in seemed to delay the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers are still not sure if this effect will work on humans, but they are hopeful that it will help treat neurodegeneration. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
