Latest news with #TOR
Gulf Insider
16 hours ago
- Health
- Gulf Insider
Scientists Reveal Your Morning Coffee Flips An Ancient Longevity Switch
Caffeine appears to do more than perk you up—it activates AMPK, a key cellular fuel sensor that helps cells cope with stress and energy shortages. This could explain why coffee is linked to better health and longer life. A new study from the Cellular Ageing and Senescence laboratory at Queen Mary University of London's Cenfre for Molecular Cell Biology, reveals how caffeine — the world's most popular neuroactive compound — might do more than just wake you up. The study in the journal Microbial Cell shows how caffeine could play a role in slowing down the ageing process at a cellular level. Caffeine has long been linked to potential health benefits, including reduced risk of age-related diseases. But how it works inside our cells, and what exactly are its connections with nutrient and stress responsive gene and protein networks has remained a mystery — until now. In new research published by scientists studying fission yeast — a single-celled organism surprisingly similar to human cells — researchers found that caffeine affects ageing by tapping into an ancient cellular energy system. A few years ago, the same research team found that caffeine helps cells live longer by acting on a growth regulator called TOR (Target of Rapamycin). TOR is a biological switch that tells cells when to grow, based on how much food and energy is available. This switch has been controlling energy and stress responses in living things for over 500 million years. But in their latest study, the scientists made a surprising discovery: caffeine doesn't act on this growth switch directly. Instead, it works by activating another important system called AMPK, a cellular fuel gauge that is evolutionarily conserved in yeast and humans. 'When your cells are low on energy, AMPK kicks in to help them cope,' explains Dr Charalampos (Babis) Rallis, Reader in Genetics, Genomics and Fundamental Cell Biology at Queen Mary University of London, the study's senior author. 'And our results show that caffeine helps flip that switch.' Interestingly, AMPK is also the target of metformin, a common diabetes drug that's being studied for its potential to extend human lifespan together with rapamycin. Using their yeast model, the researchers showed that caffeine's effect on AMPK influences how cells grow, repair their DNA, and respond to stress — all of which are tied to ageing and disease. 'These findings help explain why caffeine might be beneficial for health and longevity,' said Dr John-Patrick Alao the postdoctoral research scientist leading this study. 'And they open up exciting possibilities for future research into how we might trigger these effects more directly — with diet, lifestyle, or new medicines.' So, the next time you reach for your coffee, you might be doing more than just boosting your focus — you could also be giving your cells a helping hand.
Herald Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
QEM receives terms for Julia Creek EIS
Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. Special Report: QEM can progress the environmental assessment for its Julia Creek vanadium and energy project after the Queensland Government finalised the terms of reference for an environmental impact statement. QEM receives finalised terms of reference for Julia Creek environmental impact statement TOR provides company with clear roadmap to develop robust EIS for the project EIS workstreams can be carried out concurrently with planned pre-feasibility study The finalised TOR outlines the scope and requirements for the EIS, enabling QEM to begin preparations which can be carried out concurrently with its pre-feasibility study. EIS documents need to provide a detailed description of the proposed project, all relevant environmental, social and economic impacts, and an assessment of the management, monitoring and other measures proposed to avoid, minimise and/or mitigate any adverse impacts. QEM's (ASX:QEM) recently appointed chief executive officer Rob Cooper said finalisation of the TOR was an important milestone for Julia Creek as it provided the company with a clear roadmap to develop a robust EIS that ensured the project met the highest environmental and community standards. 'QEM is committed to advancing the JCVEP responsibly while contributing to Queensland's critical minerals sector and the global energy transition,' he added. Julia Creek Julia Creek consists of four granted exploration permits covering ~250km2 including the vast Toolebuc Formation and hosts one of the world's largest co-located vanadium and oil shale resources. It has a resource of 2.87Bt of ore at 0.31% vanadium pentoxide, which includes an indicated resource of 461Mt at 0.28% V2O5m, along with a best estimate (1C) contingent oil equivalent resource of 94 million barrels. Vanadium demand has been growing steadily due to its use in steel production and vanadium redox flow batteries for grid-scale energy storage while oil remains a valued commodity. The August 2024 scoping study highlighted a 30-year mine schedule with a production target of approximately 10,571 tonnes of vanadium pentoxide (99.95% pure) and 313 million litres of transport fuel per annum over the life of mine. Its potential scale has been recognised by the Queensland Government, which granted a 'Coordinated Project Declaration' in December 2024 that will streamline the entire approvals process, making it easier and faster to get through regulatory requirements while still meeting environmental and community standards. The project is also situated less than 16km from the Julia Creek township, which is a hub for the surrounding agricultural and mining activities and is accessible via the Flinders Highway, rail and Julia Creek airport. This article was developed in collaboration with QEM Limited, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions. Originally published as QEM to progress environmental assessment for Julia Creek vanadium and energy project
TECHx
2 days ago
- TECHx
Check Point Uncovers Malware Targeting AI Detection Tools
Home » Emerging technologies » Cyber Security » Check Point Uncovers Malware Targeting AI Detection Tools Check Point Research has revealed the first known attempt of malware designed to manipulate AI-based security systems using prompt injection techniques. The discovery highlights a shift in cyberattack strategies as threat actors begin targeting large language models (LLMs). The malware embedded natural-language text within its code to trick AI models into misclassifying it as safe. This method specifically targeted AI-assisted malware analysis workflows. The attempt, however, was unsuccessful. Check Point reported that this marks the beginning of what it calls 'AI Evasion' a new threat category where malware aims to subvert AI-powered detection tools. The company warns that this could signal the start of adversarial tactics aimed directly at AI. Uploaded anonymously to VirusTotal in June from the Netherlands, the malware included TOR components and sandbox evasion features. What stood out was a hardcoded C++ string acting as a prompt to the AI, instructing it to act like a calculator and respond with 'NO MALWARE DETECTED.' Despite the evasion attempt, Check Point's AI analysis system correctly flagged the malware and identified the prompt injection. Key findings:• First documented use of prompt injection in malware• AI model manipulation attempts failed but raise concerns • Check Point labels the tactic as part of a new AI Evasion trend Eli Smadja, Research Group Manager at Check Point Software Technologies, stated, 'This is a wake-up call for the industry. We're seeing malware that's not just trying to evade detection it's trying to manipulate AI itself.' Check Point believes this mirrors past cybersecurity shifts, such as the evolution of sandbox evasion, and anticipates an emerging arms race between AI defenders and AI-aware attackers.
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Health
- Gizmodo
Good News! Caffeine Might Help Your Cells Live Longer
As if we needed any other reason to drink coffee or tea, new research provides insight into how caffeine supports health and longevity. Researchers in London studying fission yeast—a single-celled organism similar to human cells—have revealed that caffeine impacts aging via an ancient cellular energy system. Their study, published yesterday in the journal Microbial Cell, bolsters previous research suggesting that caffeine reduces the risk of age-related diseases and carries important implications for future longevity research. Plus, it gives you a good comeback next time your partner tells you you're drinking too much coffee. While most people think of caffeine within the context of coffee or tea, it is a naturally occurring central nervous system stimulant found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans, kola nuts, and more. Perhaps unsurprisingly, caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive stimulant in the world. While the energy boost our cup of Joe delivers each morning is enough for most of us to justify its daily consumption, caffeine has also been associated with a number of health benefits, such as depression relief, longer lifespan, and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The team had previously discovered that caffeine promotes lengthier cell lives by influencing TOR (Target of Rapamycin)—a biological switch that instructs cells when to grow given the availability of food and energy. More broadly, the growth regulator manages the energy and stress responses of living things. In the new study, however, the team found that caffeine actually impacts TOR indirectly by activating a system called AMPK, essentially a sort of cellular fuel gauge, as described by a Queen Mary University of London statement. 'When your cells are low on energy, AMPK kicks in to help them cope,' Charalampos Rallis, senior author of the study and a researcher at Queen Mary University of London's Research Centre of Molecular Cell Biology, said in the statement. 'And our results show that caffeine helps flip that switch.' Rallis and his colleagues used the yeast model to demonstrate that caffeine's influence on AMPK positively affects functions related to aging and disease, such as cell growth, DNA repair, and stress response. 'These findings help explain why caffeine might be beneficial for health and longevity,' said John-Patrick Alao, lead author of the study and a biochemist at the University of East London. 'And they open up exciting possibilities for future research into how we might trigger these effects more directly—with diet, lifestyle, or new medicines.' Coffee and tea lovers, rejoice!
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
What Coffee Does to Your Cells
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Forget wrinkle creams and superfoods, the secret to anti-aging may already be in your kitchen. Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that caffeine could be nudging your cells toward a longer, healthier life. Published in the journal Microbial Cell, the new study sheds new light on caffeine's surprising ability to influence how our cells respond to stress and energy shortages, factors long associated with ageing and disease. Using 'fission yeast', a single-celled organism that mirrors many of the inner workings of human cells, the research team found that caffeine doesn't just wake you up—it also stimulates the body's "fuel guage", AMPK. AMPK—or AMP-activated protein kinase—is a protein found in almost every cell that helps manage your energy. This system helps cells adapt when energy levels dip, regulating growth, stress responses and even DNA repair. A file photo of creamer being poured into coffee. A file photo of creamer being poured into coffee. Michelle"Caffeine helps flip that switch," explained paper author and Queen Mary geneticist Babis Rallis in a statement. He added: "And this switch, AMPK, is a key player in how cells manage aging." AMPK is already of interest to researchers. Metformin, one of the most widely prescribed drugs for type 2 diabetes, also activates AMPK, and is gaining attention for potential lifespan-extending effects. This new link between caffeine and AMPK could mean that habitual coffee drinkers have better stress resistance and cell turnover. So, does this mean that coffee is inherently good for you? Rallis told Newsweek: "Ancient Greeks had the saying 'pan metron ariston'. This means 'everything in moderation'. We discuss caffeine, not coffee, a beverage that contains hundreds of different compounds—after all Coke contains caffeine, but would not give very favorable advice regarding its consumption. "Certainly caffeine and coffee has been shown to have beneficial effects in many organs and contexts, in moderation. There are adverse effects too though, when consumption is high. The aim is to hit the sweet spot. Get benefits without detriments," Rallis explained. A few years ago, another team found that caffeine can help cells live longer by acting on a growth regulator called TOR (Target of Rapamycin). TOR acts like a biological switch that tells cells when to grow, based on how much food and energy is available. The team found that caffeine doesn't just nudge this biological switch—it significantly influences it, mimicking a state of nutrient scarcity even when food is present. This tricks cells into slowing their growth, reducing stress, and activating longevity pathways. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about caffeine? Let us know via health@ References Alao, J.-P., Kumar, J., Stamataki, D., & Rallis, C. (2025). Dissecting the cell cycle regulation, DNA damage sensitivity and lifespan effects of caffeine in fission yeast. Microbial Cell, 12(1), 141–156. Rallis, C., Codlin, S., & Bähler, J. (2013). TORC1 signaling inhibition by rapamycin and caffeine affect lifespan, global gene expression, and cell proliferation of fission yeast. Aging Cell, 12(4), 563–573.
