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Health Sciences

Alzheimer’s Advancement

Chinese researchers have reported promising early results from a novel surgical procedure aimed at treating Alzheimer’s disease by enhancing the brain’s waste clearance system. Published in General Psychiatry, the study details a “cervical shunting” operation, which involves connecting lymphatic vessels in the neck to veins to create an alternative pathway for clearing harmful proteins, such as beta-amyloid and tau, that accumulate in the brain. These proteins, known to disrupt cognitive function, are typically cleared by the brain’s glymphatic system, which operates during sleep. The patient, who met clinical criteria for Alzheimer’s, showed improvements in memory and daily activities following the procedure.

Five weeks after surgery, the patient demonstrated significant cognitive and emotional gains, with their Mini-Mental Status Examination score improving from 5 to 7, Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes score decreasing from 10 to 8, and Geriatric Depression Scale score dropping from 9 to 0. Brain imaging indicated changes in protein buildup and metabolism, while the patient’s family reported noticeable improvements in memory and daily routines four months post-surgery. Though early results are encouraging, researchers emphasize the need for further studies to evaluate the long-term effects and broader applicability of the treatment.

This experimental approach complements ongoing advancements in Alzheimer’s treatment, including drugs like donanemab (Kisunla), which has shown up to 60% improvement in early-treated patients, and others like ALZ-801 and Lecanemab that target amyloid protein clearance. Non-pharmaceutical strategies, such as semaglutide (a diabetes medication) and lifestyle interventions like exercise and diet, are also under investigation. As researchers continue to explore innovative solutions, this surgical breakthrough offers new hope in the fight against Alzheimer’s, potentially addressing the disease at its core.

Sports

Cadillac to Join F1

Cadillac will join the Formula One grid as the eleventh team in 2026, marking a major milestone for the sport and its growing presence in the United States. The announcement, made by Formula 1 and General Motors (GM) on Monday, follows months of discussions and operational planning. GM, which owns Cadillac, reached an agreement in principle to bring the iconic American brand to Formula 1, initially with Ferrari engines before transitioning to supplying its own power units in the future. The move underscores Cadillac’s commitment to establishing itself as a serious competitor on the world’s premier motorsport stage.

The decision comes after a thorough commercial assessment of GM’s proposal in January 2024, during which the automaker met key milestones to solidify its entry. Notably, this development follows Formula 1's rejection of a prior bid from Andretti, backed by Michael Andretti, son of 1978 world champion Mario Andretti. The updated proposal no longer carries the Andretti name, with Mario Andretti now taking on an ambassadorial role. GM President Mark Reuss expressed pride in Cadillac’s participation, highlighting the brand’s dedication to competing with passion and integrity while contributing to the global growth of the sport.

Environment

Rare Anteater Pup

A giant anteater pup, named Antony, was recently born at Cotswold Wildlife Park in West Oxfordshire, UK, delighting caretakers just days before World Anteater Day. Antony is the third pup born to the park’s resident pair of anteaters and was discovered by senior mammal keeper Jenni Maxwell. Weighing approximately 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg), Antony has a distinctive white stripe along his back and tail, a feature that provides natural camouflage as he grows. The female anteater gave birth after a 27-week gestation period, an event that occurred while she was standing—an unusual but characteristic behavior of the species. Immediately after birth, the pup instinctively climbed onto his mother’s back, where he will remain for the first few months. During this time, Antony will grow rapidly, eventually reaching nearly half his mother’s size. He will nurse for two to six months and gradually become independent at around two years of age.

Giant anteaters are currently classified as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated wild population of just 5,000 individuals. These remarkable animals face significant threats, including habitat loss, hunting, and other human-induced pressures. Births like Antony’s play a crucial role in raising awareness about these challenges while contributing to conservation efforts. Zoos like Cotswold Wildlife Park are vital in protecting the species and fostering public education about their plight.

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