"As the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza comes into effect, researchers who study post-war reconstruction say that rebuilding efforts must not shut out Palestinian expertise. Academics at scientific institutions "possess unparalleled local knowledge and a deep understanding of their land", says Amani Al-Mqadma, head of international relations for the Islamic University of Gaza, and a co-author of a report assessing the needs of higher education in the territory."
"Four minor tweaks to an enzyme could be what helps naked mole rats ( Heterocephalus glaber) live for nearly 30 years - an unusually long lifespan for an animal of their size. Researchers have found that an enzyme called cGAS in the animals differs from the version in humans by four amino acids. These swaps prevent the enzyme from breaking down as quickly as it does in humans, which enhances the animals' ability to repair genetic damage that leads to ageing."
"A new blood test could be a step toward a diagnostic tool for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a poorly-understood condition characterized by extreme tiredness. The researchers who developed the test say that it can distinguish epigenetic changes in the cells of people who have the condition with 96% accuracy. Others in the field have welcomed the findings, but caution that the study only included 47 people with ME/CFS."
Ceasefire-phase rebuilding in Gaza must include Palestinian expertise and local academic capacity to ensure informed recovery of higher education and land stewardship. Four amino-acid differences in the cGAS enzyme of naked mole rats slow enzyme degradation, improve DNA-repair capacity, and likely contribute to their nearly 30-year lifespans. A blood-based test detects epigenetic signatures in cells from people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome with reported 96% accuracy, but the initial study included only 47 participants and requires larger validation. Local collaboration, biological validation, and expanded clinical studies are needed to translate these findings into practice.
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