💡 Images of the interstellar comet

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November 25, 12:34 pm

PLUS: These Neanderthals may have eaten their enemies. View in Browser Happy Tuesday, Nautilus readers! On the docket for today: a promising molecule for treating Alzheimer's, a tool to teach doctors empathy, and the genetic link between humans and golden retrievers. Plus, the science picks for the day: These Neanderthals may have eaten their enemies A missing link between concussion and Alzheimer's Images of the interstellar comet, captured by NASA A promising molecule for treating Alzheimer's In neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, toxic buildups of proteins cause memory loss and motor disruptions. Misfolding of proteins found in all animals makes the proteins prone to accumulating into tangles and messing up the nervous system. But researchers have found a promising treatment in a molecule called “spermine.” Spermine (named for its abundance in sperm cells) occurs naturally in many of our cells, playing roles in regulating cell metabolism and gene activity. Spermine had already gained attention for its effects on preserving and restoring memory in fruit flies and nematode worms. Fruit flies sometimes forget how to climb as they age, but in one study, feeding spermine-like molecules to the insects sustained their climbing abilities and lifespans.  But while the effects of spermine had been observed, the mechanism of its action remained unknown—until recently. Read the full story. → Further reading: An investigative reporter chronicles what Alzheimer's feels like from the inside A missing link between concussion and Alzheimer's One of Alzheimer’s earliest tells 🐺 Animals > Want to make new friends? Take some notes from the monk parakeet. (Read on Nautilus) > Watch an enterprising wolf break into researchers' crab traps. (Watch on Nautilus) > Some cockroaches like to cuddle, too. (Read on Nautilus) ✍️ Lifestyle > People on the subway were more likely to give up their seat for a pregnant person when a man dressed as Batman was in the same car. (Read on Nautilus) > Research indicates writing can help your brain face everyday challenges in a myriad of ways. (Read on The Conversation) > Are there any research-backed health benefits to regular massages? (Read on The Guardian) 🩺 Medicine > Why this Alzheimer's researcher walks two miles every day. (Read on Business Insider) > Researchers are closing in on why autoimmune diseases spike after age 50. (Read on The Wall Street Journal) > A man died of complications from a bird flu strain never before reported in humans. (Read on CNN) 💡 Only on Nautilus > Can a simulation help doctors learn empathy? > These Neanderthals may have eaten their enemies. > How the statues of Easter Island walked into place.  🏆 Today's Trivia 🧐 How many squids does the adult pilot whale need to eat per day, on average? A) 14 B) 34 C) 142 Click here for the answer. ⭐️ What Else We're Reading Research found that 65 percent of lung cancer patients didn't qualify for screening based on current guidelines. Images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, captured by NASA. A straight-forward way to make data centers less of an environmental disaster. What "sustainable" labels on wine actually mean. Diseases that cause suffocation, paralysis, and childhood death are poised to come surging back. How humans are genetically linked to golden retrievers. New York’s Grand Central Terminal became the standard for major stations in American cities. It happened because of a train wreck. Thanks for reading! We appreciate your support. What did you think of today's note? Inspire a friend to sign up for the Nautilus newsletter. Copyright © 2025 NautilusNext, All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from nautil.us. Our mailing address is: 3112 Windsor Rd, Ste A-391, Austin, TX, 78703 Don't want to receive this newsletter anymore? Unsubscribe - Unsubscribe Preferences For help with your account or subscription, email concierge@nautil.us.