Scientists have identified specific transition points in brain aging, revealing that our neural networks begin to destabilise around age 44, accelerate their decline at 67, and plateau by 90. This S-shaped curve of brain aging suggests that interventions might be most effective during specific windows—particularly before the "bend" becomes a "break."

What's in it for me? If you're under 44, consider this your brain's early warning system. For those in their 40s and 50s, you're in the sweet spot for potential interventions—like ketones, which the research shows can effectively stabilise deteriorating brain networks during this critical "metabolic stress" period.

Out of the Lab: Companies developing brain-targeted metabolic interventions. With dementia cases projected to triple by 2050, startups focusing on neurometabolic screening and ketone-based interventions could find themselves at the forefront of preventative brain health. One such company looking to reverse age related diseases is the Sam Altman backed, Retro Bio. Move over step count, brain age is the humble brag of tomorrow.

Physicists have transformed light into a "supersolid" for the first time—a quantum state that simultaneously has zero viscosity and a crystal-like structure. In everyday terms, they've created something that's organised like a solid but flows like a liquid with zero resistance. Unlike previous experiments that required extremely cold atoms, this one used a semiconductor chip and a laser to create special particles that behave in this weird, quantum way. It's the quantum physics equivalent of having your cake and eating it too—if your cake could somehow flow uphill.

What's in it for me? While this is fundamental research, understanding exotic quantum states of matter often leads to revolutionary technologies decades later. Light-based supersolids may be easier to manipulate than atomic versions, potentially opening doors to novel materials and quantum technologies we can't yet imagine. Remember, lasers were once just a quirky lab phenomenon too. When a researcher says "We are really at the beginning of something new", what they really mean is "We have no idea what this is good for yet."

Out of the Lab: The quantum technology landscape is expanding beyond computing and communications to include novel materials with unique properties. Companies like GenMat are exploring applications of quantum materials, though commercial applications of supersolids remain speculative for now.

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed "e-Taste," a novel technology that aims to bring the sense of taste to virtual reality experiences. The system uses sensors and wireless chemical dispensers to facilitate remote perception of the five basic tastes—sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Finally, a way to lick your phone screen without judgment.

What's in it for me? This technology could eventually birth virtual dining experiences, food marketing, and even remote cooking lessons. Imagine sampling a chef's creation from the comfort of your home, or tasting food before ordering online. We're betting the first commercial application will be some unholy alliance between TikTok and Uber Eats.

Out of the Lab: Companies developing multi-sensory VR/AR experiences. While visual and audio elements of virtual reality have advanced rapidly, other senses have lagged behind. Startups like OVR Technology are already working on adding smell to virtual experiences, and e-Taste could complement these efforts to create fully immersive sensory environments.

Scientists have identified a family of proteins called TIGR-Tas systems that can target specific DNA sequences. Think of CRISPR as the popular word processor everyone uses to edit text (or in this case, genes). TIGR-Tas is like a brand new editing tool with different capabilities, and a way better name!

What's in it for me? While CRISPR revolutionised gene editing (think functional cure for Sickle Cell Disease), TIGR-Tas could potentially offer new tools with different properties and applications. These systems work a bit like guided missiles that can locate specific parts of DNA and make precise changes. What's particularly interesting is that studying the structure of TIGR-Tas has revealed it's related to other biological systems we already know about. In other words, we've found yet another way to rewrite the code of life.

Out of the Lab: The gene editing landscape is diversifying beyond the original CRISPR-Cas9 system, with companies like Beam Therapeutics already developing base editing and prime editing technologies. TIGR-Tas could spawn a new wave of startups focused on its unique capabilities, particularly if it offers advantages over existing systems.

Scientists have discovered how aspirin could prevent certain cancers from spreading by stimulating the immune system. The mechanism, uncovered serendipitously while researching metastasis, explains previous observations that people taking daily low-dose aspirin showed reduced spread of breast, bowel, and prostate cancers. It's like discovering your old flip phone can also make cappuccinos.

What's in it for me? This finding could lead to targeted use of aspirin to prevent the spread of susceptible cancers and inspire development of more effective metastasis-preventing drugs. However, the scientists caution that aspirin can have serious side effects in some people, so don't start popping pills without consulting your doctor first. Clinical trials are underway to determine how to use it safely and effectively.

Out of the Lab: The aspirin discovery highlights an emerging trend: finding new applications for well-established medications with known safety profiles. This approach offers a faster route to market than developing entirely new compounds. It's the pharmaceutical equivalent of turning your jeans into cutoffs—sometimes the best solutions are already hanging in your closet.

A company called Colossal Biosciences, valued at over $10 billion, has announced the creation of hairier "woolly mice" through gene editing. The mice harbour a mix of mutations modelled on those of woolly mammoths, as well as changes known to alter hair growth in mice. In essence, this is the world’s most expensive hair-do.

What's in it for me? The company's ultimate goal is to engineer Asian elephants—the mammoth's closest living relative—with genetic changes for key mammoth traits. So those, I guess.

Out of the Lab: Colossal has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in its quest to "de-extinct" woolly mammoths and other animals, highlighting investor interest in ambitious biotechnology moonshots. The company's work intersects with broader trends in synthetic biology, where companies like Ginkgo Bioworks are engineering organisms for various applications, albeit, slightly less flamboyantly.

Science isn’t that scientific 🤔

An international research team has demonstrated that different analytical methods can lead to highly variable conclusions—even when using the same dataset. In their study, over 300 scientists compared 174 independent analyses of identical data, revealing significant variations in results based solely on methodological choices.

This finding explains why scientific studies sometimes reach contradictory conclusions and highlights the importance of method transparency in research. Next time someone claims "the science is settled," remember that even the same data can tell different stories depending on who's doing the analysis and how.

See you next week! Unless we're too busy trying to de-extinct our motivation after experiencing a midlife brain crisis.

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