"A healthy diet and a bit of genetic luck helped Maria Branyas Morera live to the grand old age of 117. Before she died, researchers found that Branyas had genetic variants known to protect against cardiovascular disease, and none that increased risk of deleterious conditions such as Alzheimer's. Blood tests also revealed she had few inflammation markers and a strong immune system."
"The US Department of Defense is still funding the development of mRNA vaccines, despite the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) abruptly terminating funding for the same research last month. Among the beneficiaries are programmes developing vaccines against the virus that causes Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, a deadly tick-borne illness. That such projects can still receive government funding is a relief, says infectious-disease researcher Amesh Adalja, but the HHS's rejection of the technology still threatens national and global preparedness for emerging pathogens."
Maria Branyas Morera reached age 117 with protective genetic variants, absence of variants linked to Alzheimer's, low inflammatory markers and a robust immune profile. Healthy diet and lifestyle choices likely contributed alongside genetic advantages. The US Department of Defense continues to fund mRNA-vaccine development after the Department of Health and Human Services terminated its support, with programmes targeting Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever among beneficiaries. Continued funding by some agencies preserves development work, but curtailed support from others risks weakening national and global preparedness for emerging pathogens. A Japanese dogbane species mimics injured-ant odour to attract flies that pollinate it.
Read at Nature
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]