New science alerts
Five brain seasons during life time
Based on MRI based studies, Mousley et al recently described four topological turning points of the brain across the lifespan. Each of the resulting five season is defined by specific changes in the organisational properties of the brain. Best integration is reached around the age of 32. Interestingly, the development of better emotional control and wisdom which we associate with older age occurs in spite of decreased integration.
Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity: a role of the microbiome
A new mouse model (J Pryor et al, published in AJP GI and liver Physiology)examined how microbial modulation affects immune responses to gluten. Antibiotic treatment followed by gluten reintroduction reduced duodenal Staphylococcus and altered microbial carbohydrate and lipid metabolism pathways in the fecal microbiome. and increased abundance and activation of duodenal eosinophils in the duodenal epithelium. These findings highlight a role of the microbiome in gluten-induced immune responses.
Mathematical modeling suggests higher heritability of human lifespan
How heritable is human life span? Can identification of longevity genes indeed reveal aging mechanisms? While current estimates of heritability are as low as 20 to 25%, this study shows that previous estimates may be confounded by extrinsic mortality-deaths. Using mathematical modeling and analyses of twin cohorts raised together and apart to correct for extrinsic factors suggest that heritability of human life span due to intrinsic mortality could be above 50%. (Shenhar et al., Science)