Daily briefing: Epigenetic atlas shows how ageing tweaks DNA

"A huge analysis of epigenetic changes throughout the entire adult lifespan provides the most comprehensive picture to date of how ageing modifies our genes. The study reveals that some human tissues, such as the retina and stomach, accumulate more ageing-related DNA changes than do others, such as the cervix and skin, and found universal epigenetic markers of ageing across different organs."

"Young Sumatran orangutans ( Pongo abelii) pick up the complex nest-building skills of their elders by closely watching their mothers, and later their peers, at work. Researchers found that the infants begin to take an interest at as young as six months old, and must pay attention to learn - simply being around others while they build their nests isn't enough. Young orangutans also actively practice trickier tasks, such as those required to build a multi-tree nest, after watching them performed,"

"A new type of optical fibre that replaces the usual solid-glass wires with a system of hollow glass 'straws' could help to make telecommunications systems faster and more efficient. The tubes lose half of the light they transmit every 33 kilometres - around 18 kilometres farther than for standard fibres - which means that the stations used to boost and re-transmit signals could be located farther apart"

A large analysis of epigenetic changes across the adult lifespan maps how ageing alters DNA methylation in multiple human tissues. Some tissues, such as the retina and stomach, accumulate more ageing-related DNA changes than others, such as the cervix and skin. The work identifies universal epigenetic markers of ageing across organs and could enable studies linking DNA methylation to ageing and the identification of molecular targets for anti-ageing treatments. Young Sumatran orangutans learn complex nest-building by closely watching mothers and later peers from as early as six months, paying attention and actively practising trickier tasks. A new hollow-glass optical fibre loses half its light every 33 kilometres, letting repeaters be spaced farther apart than with standard fibres.

Read at Nature