Scientists Turn to Queen Bees in Search of Secrets to Longevity

Scientists Turn to Queen Bees in Search of Secrets to Longevity

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 / No Comments

 

For centuries, the mysterious life of queen bees has intrigued scientists. Unlike their worker counterparts, queen bees enjoy extended lives, thriving for years while workers live only a few months, despite having nearly identical genetic material. This unusual longevity has led researchers to investigate whether the key to longer human lives could be found in the biology of these remarkable insects.

This investigation is part of an ambitious new initiative funded by the UK’s Advanced Research + Invention Agency (Aria), a government body backed by £800 million. Aria is focused on supporting high-risk, high-reward projects that may reshape our understanding of aging and fertility efforts that might fail but could also revolutionize human health if successful.

Yannick Wurm, professor of evolutionary genomics and one of Aria’s program directors, sees a potential breakthrough in understanding how nature has solved problems like aging and fertility in animals. "If we can reverse engineer how these creatures achieve their longevity, it could transform human health," he said. The project could have far-reaching applications, from extending human lifespans to improving organ transport and combating diseases.

Aria’s directors are pursuing diverse, nature-inspired solutions, including replacing plastics with sustainable materials, harnessing atmospheric energy for flight, and exploring novel ways to manipulate the immune system to fight diseases. The project on queen bees builds on previous discoveries that have already extended the life of worker bees by transplanting gut microbes from queens.

In their natural environment, queen bees live long lives due to a combination of factors: they mate mid-flight, store sperm from multiple males, and are nurtured with royal jelly, a nutrient-rich secretion. The secrets contained within this royal jelly and the microbes it supports are of particular interest to scientists aiming to unlock the potential for extending human health and fertility.

This project is one of several bold ideas being explored by Aria, a research body modeled after the influential U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which is known for its groundbreaking technological innovations.

Despite the potential, Aria acknowledges the high level of uncertainty inherent in such speculative research. “We often describe our programmes as sending up a flare,” says Pippy James, Aria’s chief product officer. “It’s about showing that something is possible, even if it takes time to bear fruit.”

New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Could Help Diagnose and Track Disease Progression

New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Could Help Diagnose and Track Disease Progression

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 / No Comments

 

Scientists have developed a new blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s disease and assess how far it has progressed. Researchers say the test could help doctors determine the most suitable treatments for patients, particularly newer drugs like donanemab and lecanemab, which are most effective in the early stages of the disease.

The study, led by Prof. Oskar Hansson from Lund University and published in Nature Medicine, found that a specific tau protein fragment, called eMTBR-tau243, was present in the blood of people with Alzheimer’s. The researchers analyzed data from 902 participants and discovered that higher levels of this tau fragment were strongly linked to cognitive impairment and dementia in Alzheimer’s patients, but not in those with other neurological conditions.

Experts say the findings are promising, but the test is not yet ready for routine clinical use. Prof. Tara Spires-Jones from the University of Edinburgh noted that the method requires complex laboratory techniques and further validation.

In a related study, researchers from the US, Sweden, and Finland identified another potential marker for Alzheimer’s progression. They found that the ratio of two proteins in brain fluid YWHAG and NPTX2 was more closely linked to cognitive decline than the presence of amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles, the known hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.

Scientists believe these discoveries could lead to more precise diagnoses and better monitoring of the disease, ultimately improving treatment strategies for patients.

Prostate Cancer Surgery Breakthrough Offers Hope for Erectile Function

Prostate Cancer Surgery Breakthrough Offers Hope for Erectile Function

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 / No Comments

 

A groundbreaking prostate cancer surgery, known as the NeuroSafe procedure, has been shown to nearly double the chances of men retaining erectile function compared to traditional surgery, according to a major UK trial.

The procedure, tested in five UK hospitals, allows surgeons to remove the prostate while preserving the nerve-containing outer layer, which is crucial for erectile function. During surgery, doctors examine frozen prostate tissue to ensure the cancer has been fully removed. If no cancer is detected in the outer layer, the nerves can remain intact, significantly reducing the risk of erectile dysfunction.

The clinical trial involved 344 men with prostate cancer, none of whom had previous erectile dysfunction. A year post-surgery:

• 56% of men who underwent standard surgery experienced severe erectile dysfunction, compared to 38% in the NeuroSafe group.

• Only 23% of standard surgery patients retained normal or mild erectile function, whereas 39% of NeuroSafe patients did.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in England, with 50,000 new cases annually and nearly 1.5 million cases worldwide. The disease is often diagnosed late, making treatment more complex.

Dr. Matthew Hobbs, Director of Research at Prostate Cancer UK, called the study promising but emphasized the need for further research to confirm whether NeuroSafe is as effective as standard surgery in completely removing cancer. He also highlighted the challenge of scaling the technique across the NHS to benefit more patients.

The findings were presented at the 2025 European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid and published in The Lancet Oncology.

New Breakthrough Treatment Could Cure Thousands of High Blood Pressure Cases

New Breakthrough Treatment Could Cure Thousands of High Blood Pressure Cases

Monday, March 10, 2025 / No Comments

 

A groundbreaking treatment could offer a cure for half a million people in the UK suffering from dangerously high blood pressure, a condition often referred to as a “silent killer” due to its lack of symptoms and high risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers in London and Cambridge have developed a minimally invasive procedure called targeted thermal therapy (TTT) to tackle primary aldosteronism, a condition responsible for 5% of all high blood pressure cases. This condition occurs when small nodules on the adrenal glands cause excessive salt retention in the body, leading to dangerously high blood pressure levels—sometimes reaching 200/130, far above the healthy 120/80 range.

A Quick and Effective Alternative

TTT, also known as endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation, works by using short bursts of heat to destroy the nodules causing excessive aldosterone production. Unlike traditional surgery to remove an entire adrenal gland, which requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay of several days, TTT takes just 20 minutes under sedation, allowing patients to go home the same day.

A recent 28-patient trial, published in The Lancet, showed promising results:

• 4 patients were able to stop taking medication entirely.
• 12 patients saw significant improvements in blood pressure or needed fewer drugs.
• The treatment successfully reduced excess aldosterone production in 75% of participants.

Transforming Lives

Professor Morris Brown, an expert in endocrine hypertension at Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust, believes this technique could be life-changing for many. “For years, people with this type of high blood pressure had no real alternative to daily medication or major surgery,” he said. “Now, we can remove the problem at its source with a simple procedure and some patients see their blood pressure return to normal the very next day.”

The treatment is currently being tested in a larger 110-patient trial to further assess its effectiveness.

Dr. Pauline Swift, chair of Blood Pressure UK, called the findings “very encouraging” and highlighted the potential for thousands of people to benefit from the new therapy. “High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease, yet it often goes unnoticed until serious complications arise,” she said.

If larger trials confirm these promising results, TTT could become a game-changer for those struggling with hypertension due to primary aldosteronism, offering them a safe, effective, and long-term solution.

Study Finds Bacterial Vaginosis Can Be Transmitted by Male Partners

Study Finds Bacterial Vaginosis Can Be Transmitted by Male Partners

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 / No Comments

 

A new study has found that bacterial vaginosis (BV) can be passed to women by their male sexual partners, challenging long-standing beliefs that the condition is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study suggests that treating male partners significantly reduces the risk of BV recurrence, potentially reshaping how the infection is managed.

Breakthrough Research

Australian researchers studied monogamous, heterosexual couples where the women had BV. One group received treatment for both the woman and her male partner, while another group treated only the woman.

The results were striking:

• BV returned in 35% of women whose partners were also treated.
• 63% of women in the other group—who were treated alone—saw their infection return.
• Women with treated partners also went longer without experiencing a recurrence.

The findings were so significant that the trial was halted early due to the clear benefits of treating both partners.

Challenge to Medical Guidelines

BV is one of the most common vaginal infections, affecting up to a third of reproductive-aged women. While it is known to be triggered by sexual activity, it has not traditionally been classified as an STI.

Experts say the study provides strong evidence that BV can be sexually transmitted and could lead to new treatment approaches.

Dr. Janet Wilson, a consultant in sexual health, called the research a “big step forward” and criticized the UK’s NHS website for providing “outdated and misleading” information on BV. She urged for medical guidelines to be updated in light of the findings.

With this discovery, BV treatment could soon change worldwide, offering better outcomes for millions of women.

Norovirus Alert: UK Faces Potential Second Wave, Warns Health Security Agency

Norovirus Alert: UK Faces Potential Second Wave, Warns Health Security Agency

Thursday, February 27, 2025 / No Comments

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised concerns about a potential second wave of the norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, as infection rates surge to their highest in over a decade.

A recent shift in circulating strains of the virus means that even those who have already fallen ill this winter could be vulnerable to reinfection. “Norovirus levels are still exceptionally high,” said Amy Douglas, lead epidemiologist at UKHSA. “With multiple genotypes spreading simultaneously, people might get infected more than once this season.”

From 3 to 16 February, laboratory-confirmed cases increased by 29% compared to the previous fortnight, and are more than double the five-season average for the same period. This marks the highest prevalence since UKHSA began reporting data this way in 2014.

Impact on Hospitals and Care Homes

The virus is particularly affecting hospitals and care homes, with older adults (65+) being the hardest hit. “The biggest impacts are in health and social care settings,” said Douglas. “Symptoms can be more severe in older adults, young children, and those with weakened immune systems.”

Changing Strains and Rising Infections

The GII.17 strain, which was dominant earlier this year, now accounts for 59% of cases, down from 76% in November. Meanwhile, the GII.4 strain, which has been prominent in previous years, has risen sharply to 29% of cases, up from 10% three months ago.

Symptoms and Precautions

Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, stomach pain, and muscle aches. Severe cases, especially among vulnerable groups, can lead to dehydration. Staying hydrated is crucial.

UKHSA advises anyone experiencing symptoms to avoid visiting hospitals, care homes, workplaces, schools, or nurseries until 48 hours after symptoms have fully subsided. During this period, it is also recommended to avoid preparing food for others.

Looking Ahead

Although norovirus cases typically decline as warmer weather arrives, UKHSA cautions that it is too early to determine whether the virus has peaked this season. Experts believe the reported cases represent only a fraction of the actual infections, estimating that for every reported case, approximately 288 occur in the community—equating to around 3 million cases annually in the UK.

Brewing Tea May Purify Water by Removing Heavy Metals, Study Reveals

Brewing Tea May Purify Water by Removing Heavy Metals, Study Reveals

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 / No Comments

 

A comforting cup of tea might do more than soothe the soul—it could also help reduce the presence of harmful heavy metals in drinking water.

Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered that tea can effectively remove charged metal ions, such as lead, chromium, and cadmium, from water. The study suggests that the health benefits of tea may not only come from its flavor compounds but also from its ability to bind with and reduce metal contaminants.

During their experiments, researchers brewed black tea in water containing known concentrations of heavy metal ions. After just five minutes of steeping, the concentration of lead ions dropped by approximately 15%. Longer brewing times, higher temperatures, and ground tea leaves further enhanced the tea’s metal-removing potential.

The study, published in ACS Food Science & Technology, also compared different types of tea. Black, green, and white teas proved more effective at reducing lead ions than camomile, rooibos, and oolong teas. Additionally, the materials of tea bags mattered—cellulose bags showed some capacity to reduce metal ions, while cotton and nylon bags did not.

While the health implications of this metal reduction have not been fully explored, lead author Benjamin Shindel noted that even in countries with low lead levels in drinking water, such as the UK, tea might offer a small benefit by marginally lowering metal intake.

Experts caution, however, that drinking tea is not a substitute for proper water purification methods. Instead, the findings could inspire new approaches to developing accessible and sustainable solutions for water contamination—an essential need in many regions worldwide.

Man Whose Eye ‘Melted’ in Acid Attack Thanks Placenta Donor for Sight-Saving Grafts

Man Whose Eye ‘Melted’ in Acid Attack Thanks Placenta Donor for Sight-Saving Grafts

Thursday, February 20, 2025 / No Comments

 

A man who lost vision in his left eye during a brutal acid attack has expressed gratitude to a placenta donor whose contribution provided life-changing tissue grafts.

Paul Laskey, 43, sustained severe injuries while protecting his son from a knife-point robbery in February 2023. During the altercation, Laskey was sprayed in the face with a corrosive substance, believed to be battery acid, causing extensive damage to his left eye.

Doctors at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary determined that the acid had penetrated both the inner and outer layers of his cornea, leaving him completely blind in the affected eye. Over the following eight months, Laskey underwent two emergency transplants and three amniotic tissue grafts, created from donated placenta, offering hope for vision restoration.

Amnion grafts, made from the inner lining of the placenta, are lightweight and transparent, promoting healing of the eye’s surface while providing anti-inflammatory benefits. Each donated placenta can produce between 50 and 100 grafts, which can also be used to treat burns and other wounds.

Medical experts highlighted the significance of such donations. Professor Francisco Figueiredo, consultant ophthalmologist at Newcastle Eye Centre, noted that amnion grafts play a crucial role in treating various ocular surface conditions. The grafts, derived from an organ developed to nurture new life, have become a powerful tool in modern medicine.

The attack left a lasting impact on Laskey’s family. He revealed that his son continues to struggle with feelings of guilt, despite being reassured that he was not at fault.

Robbie Scott, the perpetrator of the attack, had his sentence increased from 10 to 11 years by the court of appeal last August.

Laskey’s recovery journey is ongoing, with doctors now considering a stem cell transplant to further restore his vision. He emphasized his gratitude to the anonymous placenta donor, noting how a simple act of generosity could transform lives.

Claire Price, national retrieval manager at NHS Blood and Transplant tissue and eye services, called Laskey’s story a reminder of the profound impact of donations, not only of blood and organs but also of placental tissue.

The innovative use of amnion grafts underscores the growing importance of medical research and tissue donation in offering hope and healing to patients facing life-altering injuries.