Latest news with #Caenorhabditiselegans
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Common Blood Pressure Drug Extends Lifespan, Slows Aging in Animals
The hypertension drug rilmenidine has been shown to slow down aging in worms, an effect that in humans could hypothetically help us live longer and keep us healthier in our latter years. Previous research has shown rilmenidine mimics the effects of caloric restriction on a cellular level. Reducing available energy while maintaining nutrition within the body has been shown to extend lifespans in several animal models. Whether this translates to human biology, or is a potential risk to our health, is a topic of ongoing debate. Finding ways to achieve the same benefits without the costs of extreme calorie cutting could lead to new ways to improve health in old age. In a study published in 2023, young and old Caenorhabditis elegans worms treated with the drug – which is normally used to treat high blood pressure – lived longer and presented higher measures in a variety of health markers in the same way as restricting calories, as the scientists had hoped. "For the first time, we have been able to show in animals that rilmenidine can increase lifespan," said molecular biogerontologist João Pedro Magalhães, from the University of Birmingham in the UK. "We are now keen to explore if rilmenidine may have other clinical applications." Related: The C. elegans worm is a favorite for studies, because many of its genes have similarities to counterparts in our genome. Yet in spite of these similarities, it is still a rather distant relation to humans. Further tests showed that gene activity associated with caloric restriction could be seen in the kidney and liver tissues of mice treated with rilmenidine. In other words, some of the changes that caloric restriction gives in animals and thought to confer certain health benefits also appear with a hypertension drug that many people already take. Another discovery was that a biological signaling receptor called nish-1 was crucial in the effectiveness of rilmenidine. This particular chemical structure could be targeted in future attempts to improve lifespan and slow down aging. "We found that the lifespan-extending effects of rilmenidine were abolished when nish-1 was deleted," the researchers explained in their paper. "Critically, rescuing the nish-1 receptor reinstated the increase in lifespan upon treatment with rilmenidine." Low-calorie diets are hard to follow and come with a variety of side effects, such as hair thinning, dizziness, and brittle bones. It's early days still, but the thinking is that this hypertension drug could confer the same benefits as a low-calorie diet while being easier on the body. What makes rilmenidine a promising candidate as an anti-aging drug is that it can be taken orally, it's already widely prescribed, and its side effects are rare and relatively mild (they include palpitations, insomnia, and drowsiness in a few cases). There's a long way to go yet in figuring out if rilmenidine would work as an anti-aging drug for actual humans, but the early signs in these worm and mice tests are promising. We now know much more about what rilmenidine can do, and how it operates. "With a global aging population, the benefits of delaying aging, even if slightly, are immense," said Magalhães. The research was published in Aging Cell. An earlier version of this article was published in January 2023. Related News Dopamine Doesn't Work in Our Brains Quite The Way We Thought 5 Questions That Could Reveal a Truth About Your Aging Common Sweetener Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier, Risking Stroke Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Metallic nanoflowers heal brain cells and extend lifespan in stunning new research
A team at Texas A&M AgriLife Research has developed a new way to protect and potentially heal brain cells, using microscopic particles shaped like flowers. The so-called 'nanoflowers,' metallic nanoparticles engineered at the molecular scale, appear to restore the function of mitochondria, the cellular engines that power our bodies. The study suggests this could lead to a new class of neurotherapeutic drugs. Instead of just masking symptoms of conditions like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, nanoflowers may target the root cause, mitochondrial dysfunction. 'These nanoflowers look beautiful under a microscope, but what they do inside the cell is even more impressive,' said Dr. Dmitry Kurouski, associate professor at Texas A&M and lead investigator on the project. The research was led by Charles Mitchell, a doctoral student in the university's biochemistry and biophysics department, and Mikhail Matveyenka, a research specialist. Both work in Kurouski's lab at the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture. Molecular fix for brain health Mitochondria convert food into energy for cells. But in the process, they also generate harmful byproducts like reactive oxygen species, unstable molecules that can accumulate and cause damage. To test the therapeutic potential of nanoflowers, the team exposed neurons and astrocytes, supportive brain cells, to two different types of nanoflowers. After 24 hours, cells showed improved mitochondrial structure and quantity, along with a significant drop in oxidative stress. 'Even in healthy cells, some oxidative stress is expected,' Kurouski said. 'But the nanoflowers seem to fine-tune the performance of mitochondria, ultimately bringing the levels of their toxic byproducts down to almost nothing.' According to Kurouski, healthier mitochondria could lead to better brain function overall. 'If we can protect or restore mitochondrial health, then we're not just treating symptoms—we're addressing the root cause of the damage,' he added. Worm model shows lifespan boost The team expanded the study beyond isolated cells and into live organisms using Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny worm commonly used in brain research. Worms treated with nanoflowers not only lived several days longer than untreated ones, but also showed lower mortality early in life. The findings strengthen the case for nanoflowers as neuroprotective agents. Kurouski's team now plans to test their safety and distribution in more complex animal models before considering human trials. Despite years of research, drugs that protect neurons from degeneration remain rare. Most treatments focus on reducing symptoms rather than halting disease progression. Kurouski believes this work could flip that script. 'We think this could become a new class of therapeutics,' he said. 'We want to make sure it's safe, effective and has a clear mechanism of action. But based on what we've seen so far, there's incredible potential in nanoflowers.' Texas A&M Innovation has filed a patent application for the use of nanoflowers in brain health treatments. Kurouski's team plans to collaborate with the Texas A&M College of Medicine to explore further applications, including stroke and spinal cord injury recovery. The study is published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Worm from the mammoth era revived after 46,000 years in Siberian ice
Imagine bringing life back after 46,000 years, like some form of suspended animation. Deep within Siberian permafrost, at a depth of about 131 feet, scientists have discovered a unique, tiny roundworm frozen since the Late Pleistocene period, when woolly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers roamed Earth. This little creature has now been revived, and it not only seems to have just woken up from its deep sleep, but is surviving like any other creature adapted to live in harsh, cool environments and is reproducing in a modern laboratory. This discovery opens a window into ancient times and the unbelievable resilience of life. A miracle frozen deep under the permafrost for centuries! In 2018, Russian scientists from the Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science dug deep into Siberia's permafrost and discovered two nematode species preserved in an ancient burrow. Among them, they found a roundworm in a cryptobiotic state, essentially 'between death and life,' with low and almost undetectable metabolic activity. Anastasia Shatilovich, a Russian scientist known for her work in reviving roundworms, rehydrated the worms with water, then carried about 100 of them in her pocket to labs in Germany for further study. Radiocarbon analysis of associated plant matter dated the permafrost to between 45,839 and 47,769 years ago, dating the frozen soil firmly in the Late Pleistocene. This means that these worms are among the oldest organisms ever successfully revived, which are measured in decades rather than millennia. A new species emerges Once revived, the researchers sequenced the worm's genome and found it did not match any known species. Instead, they named it Panagrolaimus kolymaensis, an honour to the Kolyma River region. Detailed analysis confirmed this roundworm had remained in cryptobiosis for approximately 46,000 years, according to the study published in the National Library of Medicine. This species has a surprising trait that helps it survive in the harshest climate! Interestingly, this new worm species shares traits with an already known species, Caenorhabditis elegans. Both species produce trehalose, a sugar believed to protect cellular structures during freezing and dehydration. Researchers found that preconditioning the worms with mild dehydration before freezing significantly boosted their survival at −80 °C. The research team believes this discovery may boost conservation biology. Schiffer, University of Cologne, Köln, Germany, told CNN: 'By looking at and analyzing these animals, we can maybe inform conservation biology, or maybe even develop efforts to protect other species, or at least learn what to do to protect them in these extreme conditions that we have now'.
The Star
25-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Imported e-waste contaminates Malaysia's land and lives
THE recent story in The Star about half a billion ringgit worth of illegal e-waste discover is a shocking wake-up call ("RM500mil worth of illegal e-waste seized", June 20; online at As Malaysia pushes forward in its journey toward industrial growth and digital advancement, e-waste dumping from developed countries has become a silent threat looming over our environment and public health. E-waste comprises discarded electronic devices like computers, televisions, mobile phones, and household appliances. These items often contain toxic substances including lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg). When improperly handled, these substances are released into the air, soil, and water. The groups directly affected by these toxic materials are the workers at the dump sites. Studies have shown increased rates of respiratory issues, skin disorders, kidney damage, and even cancers in communities exposed to e-waste processing. Long-term exposure, particularly in children, can impair brain development and cause irreversible neurological damage. But this does not stop here. These toxic materials remain in the soil and water for generations and become detrimental to the future of Malaysians. Crops can absorb these heavy metals from contaminated soil, leading to bioaccumulation in the food chain. Accumulation of the heavy metals can lead to genetic changes over generations, potentially leading to heritable traits. Though these impacts on humans are only theoretical at present, research on microorganisms like the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans has shown that exposure to heavy metals can impact growth, reproduction, and immune responses in subsequent generations. Why is Malaysia a dumping ground? When China – once the world's largest importer of e-waste – banned e-waste imports in 2018, many developed nations began redirecting their shipments to South-East Asia. Malaysia, with its lax enforcement and lower labour costs, quickly became a preferred destination. Malaysia is a signatory of the Basel Convention that is aimed at preventing the dumping of hazardous waste in developing countries; thus we are obligated to manage hazardous and other wastes in an environmentally-sound manner and minimise transboundary movements (moving the waste out of our national jurisdiction). The implications of unchecked e-waste imports extend far beyond today's health and environmental issues. Polluted ecosystems mean lower agricultural yields, contaminated food chains, and declining biodiversity. The economic cost of healthcare and environmental cleanup will burden future taxpayers. Moreover, Malaysia risks becoming synonymous with being a 'global landfill', which can tarnish our international image, harm tourism, and deter sustainable foreign investments. The story on the syndicate of e-waste importers must be amplified and all sectors, not only the environmental and health sectors, should take action to create awareness and impose strict standards on the production and management of e-waste. For example, school teachers can educate pupils at a young age about e-waste. Policymakers must advocate strict regulations and monitoring of e-waste management. E-waste producers must apply and execute the best practices of e-waste management. Users and buyers of electrical products must be aware of the waste management practices of electrical brands and should choose the products from brands with long-term sustainable management. The detrimental impacts may not be seen immediately, perhaps not even in the next five years, but they will surface eventually. In the short-term, Malaysia cannot be complacent. Actions and enforcement against illegal e-waste operations are urgently needed now. Authorities must improve surveillance at ports, increase transparency in licensing recyclers, and collaborate with international bodies to halt waste trafficking. Public awareness campaigns are also crucial. Schools and universities play a vital role in educating and raising awareness from a young age. Consumers must be encouraged to recycle responsibly and demand that manufacturers adopt greener and more sustainable practices. If Malaysians continue to ignore the crisis, our future generation will pay the price. The clock is ticking, and Malaysia's land and water are already suffering the damage: within just 30 to 50 years, what we now enjoy as fertile and life-sustaining resources may no longer exist. The decision to protect our people and environment from the dangers of e-waste is not just an environmental issue, it is a moral, economic, and national survival issue. The time to act is now, before the damage becomes irreversible. Have you spotted illegal e-waste dumping in your area?Send tips or photos to the Environment Department, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry through the portal and help protect Malaysia's future. DR INTAN AZURA SHAHDAN Senior lecturer International Medical School Management and Science University
Arabian Post
19-06-2025
- Science
- Arabian Post
Tiny Worms Erect 'Living Towers' to Catch Insect Rides
Scientists have observed that under intense environmental pressure, nematode worms assemble into towering collective structures to disperse by hitching rides on passing insects. This phenomenon, documented in decaying orchard fruit in Germany, represents the first natural evidence of cooperative 'towering' behaviour among nematodes. Field researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the University of Konstanz spent months scanning fallen apples and pears with digital microscopes, capturing worms forming vertical towers several millimetres tall. Once attached to an insect such as a fruit fly, the entire column would detach and ride off, a strategy to reach new habitats. The towers consist exclusively of a single species in the stress-resistant 'dauer' larval stage, suggesting selective group assembly rather than random aggregation among various worm genera. Postdoctoral researcher Daniela Perez describes these towers as 'a coordinated structure, a superorganism in motion'. ADVERTISEMENT Laboratory experiments using Caenorhabditis elegans confirmed these findings. In vitro tests placed starved worms on nutrient-deprived agar fitted with a vertical bristle. Within hours, worms climbed one another, forming towers that remained stable for over 12 hours and even extended 'arms' to bridge gaps. When touched or when an insect passed by, the structures would reorient and attach en masse. Unlike ants or slime moulds, nematode towers display no evident division of roles. Each worm, whether atop the structure or at its base, shares similar mobility and reproductive potential in the lab. This egalitarian dynamic reflects clonal origin; however, wild towers may harbour more complex genetic interactions, pointing to open questions about cooperation, conflict and even cheating. The study positions nematodes among a rare group of organisms—such as fire ants, slime moulds and spider mites—that link bodies for coordinated movement. Given nematodes' global prevalence, this discovery opens new avenues for research into collective motion, ecological dispersal and bio-inspired design, especially with the genetic tools available for the C. elegans model. Senior author Serena Ding emphasises the novelty: with the right field tools, 'natural worm towers existed only in our imaginations. But … they were hiding in plain sight'.
